Weddings

Harbour View Vibrant Indian Engagement – Lakshmi & Nakul

April 24, 2018

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I’m Manali
Coach, editor & brand photographer based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. When I'm not behind a camera or teaching about systems, you'll find me at a vineyard or cuddled with my cat Keegan on our cozy couch!
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I met Nakul & Lakshmi almost a year ago when Nakul got down on one knee to a very surprised and VERY happy Lakshmi!! I’ve been good friends with Nakul’s sister Neha from college and since Nakul was in Boston up until the weekend of his proposal, Neha and I went out to scope out Georgetown Waterfront and figure out ALL the details to make sure we could capture the proposal perfectly! I was even so lucky enough to be welcomed into Nakul’s family’s home to capture Lakshmi coming back to a surprise engagement party!! So I was incredibly excited when they asked me to photograph their engagement ceremony months and months ago! This past weekend, after months of planning out the perfect engagement ceremony, these two had their official celebration in front of family & friends at the Harbour View in Woodbridge right on the water!

One of the things that stood out most to me from their engagement ceremony was how much thought had been put into every single one of their details, especially by Nakul’s mom and sister, Arathi & Neha who helped plan out so much of this occasion! They were not only there before everyone else helping put together the gorgeous ceremony set up, but also throughout the day they coordinated all the family pictures, helped everyone get ready, sent the flower girls down the aisle, coordinated with the priest, choreographed & lead the dances at the reception and even went around out their homemade gifts by hand to each guest after lunch!! And the thing that stood out most to me was that among all this they lovingly welcomed EACH guest in person with a hug and a huge smile and made sure that all of their vendors felt extremely cared for and welcomed into the family celebration!

And this must just be a characteristic trait that goes through both sets of families because amidst such a busy day with so many relatives Nakul & Lakshmi were so incredibly joyful and welcoming with all of their guests as well! These two are the kind of couple that you know can tackle anything with such hospitality, grace and fun 🙂 When I pulled them aside for their portraits you could just tell by how these two looked at each other that above all, they were most excited to be able to spend this day in it together. And the look of sheer JOY to officially exchange rings up on stage with their family surrounding them pretty much encompasses who these two are together <3 I’m so grateful to have been able to capture their proposal & engagement and I can’t WAIT to see what the wedding in Florida is like this fall!!!

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Laksh, you classy beautifully radiant person!!!

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I almost never include family pictures in blog posts but I HAD to with how amazing and incredible this family was especially in welcoming me and having me photograph so many milestones!! Thank you guys SO much, I appreciate it with all my heart <3

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THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU EXCHANGE RINGS!!!!

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And the picture below might my favorite picture of the whole gallery. I love my job because I get to capture important moments like this when no one else is looking.

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OFFICIALLY ENGAGED!!!!!HarbourViewWoodbridgeEngagementCeremony-DCIndianWeddingPhotographer017HarbourViewWoodbridgeEngagementCeremony-DCIndianWeddingPhotographer016  Nakul’s mom set up a dance with a ton of other parents and it was the HIGHLIGHT of the reception!!! Hoping to be as graceful, kind, compassionate, and welcoming as this woman years from now & to love my kids as much as she clearly does 🙂HarbourViewWoodbridgeEngagementCeremony-DCIndianWeddingPhotographer018 HarbourViewWoodbridgeEngagementCeremony-DCIndianWeddingPhotographer019HarbourViewWoodbridgeEngagementCeremony-DCIndianWeddingPhotographer021

When your guy gets up, puts some shades on and STARTS DANCING this is what your reaction looks like!! Laksh, you are one happy gorgeous girl!!

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And then they even danced together!!! Guys they were SO good!!HarbourViewWoodbridgeEngagementCeremony-DCIndianWeddingPhotographer023

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