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Colorful and Traditional Wedding in Vijayawada, India – Hannah and Rajesh

May 16, 2013 | editorial team

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

The Couple: Hannah and Rajesh

The Wedding: 11.02.12 in Vijayawada, India

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

Tell us about your decision to hold your wedding in India. What was your wedding planning experience like? Rajeshs parents really wanted to have the wedding in India, and while I would have loved for all of our friends and family from the US to attend, we wanted to do this for his parents. Hes been living in the US for several years now, and is not able to see them as much as he would like. They are a very traditional Indian family, and we wanted to reassure them that, even though their son was marrying an American, nothing in their relationship would change, and that I would also want to be a part of their family. This was a very unusual wedding by American standards. The bride had nothing to do with the planning. All I had to do was let go, of everything. I wore three sarees during the wedding, all of which were hand-picked by Rajeshs mom and sister. The blouses were hand stitched and beaded according to their instructions, and they were very beautiful. I didnt see them until a few days before the wedding. The food and decorations were all done by the wedding hall. Prior to the wedding, Rajesh and his father were busy hand-delivering invitations. That gave me time to get to know his family a little. I stayed with his grandfather, uncle, and aunt, and their family prior to the wedding, and they couldnt have been more welcoming. Since my family didnt know their familys wedding traditions, they taught me, my parents, and my brother what to do, and took us all in as their own family. They adopted us.

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

What were the top three priorities for you in planning your wedding? For me, it was to get over my jet lag, get to know Rajs family, and learn a little Telugu (his language). Raj was the one rushing around trying to get things done. Since I really had no clue about what weddings are normally like there and what needed to be done, I was no help. Normally the brides family does all of the planning in India, just like in the US, but since all of it was unknown to us, Raj and his family took up the charge. Im so grateful to them for working so hard to do the things that the brides family should do.

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

How did you choose the colors and fashion of your wedding? The colors were based on the flowers that were available. The wedding hall was decked with beautiful purple lilies. But since were were in India, all colors were welcome! The fashion was completely traditional. My main wedding saree was white with a red border. All of the brides who get married in that part of India wear the same thing. The jewelry was also completely traditional.

What were some of your favorite cultural elements or traditions that were incorporated into your celebration? What did they mean to you? My favorite traditions during the wedding were the games. There was one game in which the priest puts two rings in a jug filled with water. One ring is silver, and the other is gold. The bride and groom both put their hand into the jug and try to find the gold ring. The one who finds it will be the dominant one the relationship. Its best out of three tries. The first time I got it, the second time he did, and the third time I did. Another tradition I liked was the blessings. Everyone who attended our wedding came and gave us a blessing by putting rice on our heads. We also blessed each other by putting rice and flowers on each others heads. I feel so lucky that Kristi was able to come with us to shoot the wedding. She captured so much that I didnt even have time to notice during the ceremony. When theres so much going on around you, and music playing, and youre trying to follow the priests instructions (using hand gestures because hes speaking sanskrit), theres no time to soak in the full beauty of your surroundings. Thanks to a great photographer, I will always have access to the beauty of that day.

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

What was the most important thing that you learned through the wedding planning process and what would you tell other brides-to-be? The most important thing for me was to enjoy the process, and not to get bogged down in worrying about things not being exactly how I had always pictured. Our wedding was so beautiful, and I wouldnt have changed a thing, but I could have never planned it for myself. It was not the wedding I always dreamed of, but I enjoyed every minute of it!

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

colorful and traditional wedding in India by Kristi Odom Photography | via junebugweddings.com

The Wedding Team:

Photographer: Kristi Odom Photography
Second Shooter: Lisa Robinson
Reception Venue: Veduka Function Hall
Catering & Florist: Veduka Function Hall

Thank you Hannah and Rajesh! What a spectacular celebration – we’re so honored to get to share it with you!

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24 Comments

  1. I really liked the story of the blending of cultures. It’s great that the bride was able to let go and have the family plan on her behalf while she focused on familiarizing herself with their culture and customs. Definitely not the same old wedding story you read about every day.

  2. This is so beautiful!

  3. Love the India wedding.

  4. It is soo good to see you getting married in indian style.. I hope you enjoyed our indian traditions and all the best for your married life.. nice story..

  5. This is really amazing pics showing us the traditional Indian wedding, Loved them all.

    Devika

  6. Nice Indian wedding blog, Thanks for sharing such a nice blog.

  7. wow amazing pictures

  8. Bride is looking beautiful in in her saree

  9. I really like this wonderful story about Colorful and Traditional Wedding in India. I love it lot.. All pic is really amazing, I am so happy to see you getting married in Indian style..

  10. Wow love those photos – the photographer has done a really good job for sure!

  11. Your blog seems interesting. I do have a similar blog Catering services in Kerala

  12. Wonderful..pictures. I just liked it very much. these are really clicked very carefully.

    Thanks!!
    Wedding Planners Delhi

  13. What a colorful wedding celebration !! Thanks for sharing.

  14. Wow … Wow …this is so beautiful …..Thanks for sharing …..Just amazing , Creative , Sharp and Candid .

  15. wow wonderful shoots .Well done

  16. Beautiful bride and love her so much . Thanks fro sharing .

  17. What an amazing wedding photo shoot and cultural information too! Heartily thanks for sharing this information and photos.

  18. Wow a beautiful combination of two soles. The couple is looking stunning in pics. Very sharply captured everything in detail.

  19. Wow, lovely images…. So good to know they kept wedding in India to keeps Parents heart…. Love

  20. an amazing information shared by the author with details post.
    thank you for sharing such informative information

  21. wow what a nice shot

  22. I am amazed by the stunning and vibrant wedding of Hannah and Rajesh in India! The rich colors, traditional elements, and the love between the couple made this celebration truly remarkable. The photos perfectly capture the essence of the day. Thank you so much for sharing this incredible wedding with us!

  23. Such a brilliant celebration! The colourings and traditions showcased in this wedding ceremony are virtually mesmerizing. Every element tells a stunning story of love and culture.

  24. Wow! This Indian wedding ceremony is a burst of colour and joy. The images flawlessly capture the love and cultural richness. Amazing!

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