When it comes to outdoor Hindu weddings in the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the best venues that comes to mind is Gardener Ranch! We love this place for their wide open space, their awesome rooms for the wedding party and guests to stay, and the vintage chic feeling we get when we are here!
Sheena is our awesome neighbor and is a Tesla Engineer by day. We have lots in common because we love our Tesla! Sheena and Josh planned their two-day event to take place at Gardener Ranch over Labor Day weekend and we were so excited to capture all these amazing events for them. The first day was their Catholic ceremony that you can see at the link here. The following day was the Hindu wedding and reception which you can view below.
Sheena is Tamilian from South India. Josh is Catholic from the midwest. Together they had the perfect blend of a modern Indian wedding. Being half Indian and half white myself, it was a fun wedding to document because I feel like I am creating a special history for their future children to enjoy and learn from. I always tell our couples like Sheena and Josh, “I am what your kids will look like!”
We stayed the night at the Carmel Valley Lodge across the street so we could be ready to shoot bright and early in the morning. South Indian weddings are typically quite early in the morning, with a Pooja starting even before the bride got her hair and makeup done. The bride and groom got ready in two opposite ends of the property. We captured both of them getting dressed before they saw each other for their “first look” pictures. Lavina Shah, one of our good friends, did Sheena’s hair and makeup. She is awesome to work with. She is so calm and easy going. We absolutely love her!
Once the bride and groom saw each other, Josh headed to the front of the driveway for the start of his Baraat. Although South Indians don’t traditionally have a Baraat, they decided to have one because they are fun! Instead of coming on a horse, Josh came in another form of a horse, he came in a Mustang!
The ceremony took place with perfect weather and the sound of nature chirping in the background. Guests enjoyed watching the rituals being performed for about an hour and a half and the couple became officially married!
The main house, around the pool area hosted the cocktail hour and everyone mingled until the start of dinner on the upper lawn. There, our friends at Floramor, who did the design and coordination, created a magical organic feeling ambiance for guests to enjoy.
Jalsa Catering created a magnificent meal for everyone and the evening included lots of dancing in the Club House. We brought our photo booth and guests had an awesome time taking photos with their friends in it. We loved everything about Sheena and Josh’s wedding at Garder Ranch and cannot wait to go back for even more weddings coming up this season!
If you would like to inquire about having Wedding Documentary capture your Indian wedding, send us a message here.
