Multicultural Wedding- Indian & Chinese- Washington DC

When Clane Gessel and Monali asked me if I was available to help them with a Indian-Chinese Wedding in Washington DC, I couldn’t contain myself from the enthusiasm!

I never photographed an Indian wedding before, but always wanted to be immersed in all those colors and traditions… This wedding was even more interesting since it was a mix of Indian and Chinese traditions.

The wedding developed in 2 days, and there wasn’t even one single moment without something going on.. So many things happening, including the groom arriving on the horse…

On the first day, some Indian traditions took place in preparation of the real wedding day.

Then, on the second day this amazing couple changed their dress code several time. From a beautifully stunning Indian attire, to a shiny red dress for the Chinese ceremony of the tea, where even the room was surrounded by red. The tea, symbol of people's wishes for loyal love and a happy marriage, is part of the Chinese wedding since 618 AD.

Then, in front of my eyes I saw the most amazing altar with so many flowers and colors and beauty, that I was wordless… Everything about that ceremony was magical, from all the chanting that I couldn't understand to the lovely look the bride would give to the groom and vice versa.

It was wonderful seeing two people with such different traditions come together and getting married surrounded by their family…

I have to be honest, I never assisted to a more exotic, colorful and engaging wedding and I hope to have to possibility to do another one soon!

Location: Mayflower, Washington DC