Erin and Satvik come from two very different cultures, as he is Indian and she is Jewish. Many would think this was a pretty big difference, but what I witnessed at their unbelievable May wedding was anything but different, as these two families couldn’t have been any closer. Erin and Satvik decided to honor each other’s religions and cultures by having two weddings in one day! This was by far the most unique wedding I have ever had the honor of being a part of, and I am so grateful to this amazing couple for choosing me to document their day through my lens.
The happy couple met while in high school and then went separate ways to college. Satvik did his undergrad at NYU while Erin attended Rutgers and got her Masters Degree in Social Work. Although separated by state lines, they were only a train ride away from NJ to NY. When Satvik decided to attend grad school at the pristine campus at Harvard University, the couple spent many days traveling back and forth from NJ to MA, and then NJ to IL, where Satvik had started his career at the Big 10 Conference. Erin ultimately moved to Chicago to be with Satvik in 2015, after he proposed to her earlier that year by writing “Will you marry me” on a canvas in a painting class (Satvik gets an A+ for the creative proposal)!
When Erin came to my office  to meet with me I couldn’t get over how pretty she was! As she explained their wedding to me, I couldn’t help but picture in my head what this wedding was going to be like, and I know right then that I had to photograph it! Honestly, I had never photographed an Indian wedding before and I have to admit, I was a little nervous! I didn’t want to accidentally miss any of the really important parts of the wedding, but more importantly, I didn’t want to disappoint them.  Over the past few weeks, I spent quite some time going over all the traditional parts of the ceremony with Satvik. He was so sweet and explained everything to me in great detail. I think I was more excited than they were for this wedding! LOL
Fast forward to May 28, 2016: The big day is finally here! A massive wedding with just under 500 guests at the beautiful Addison Park! I thought I knew what was I was in for..but I wasn’t even close! This wedding can only be described in one word..EPIC. The day started with the bridesmaids and Erin being wrapped in Saris (a gorgeous colorful cloth draped over their shoulder) and getting the traditional Indian bindi on their forehead. Erin looked like an Indian princess, I literally couldn’t stop taking pictures of her! The Sari, the henna (that had Satvik’s name in it!), the red veil, the red and white bracelets..it was all so beautiful. Satvik’s mother handed down all the jewelry, including the bandhi headpiece she wore at her own wedding, to Erin.
At the same time as the girls were getting ready, Satvik and his guys were getting ready for the big Indian baraat (parade)! The groomsmen wore Indian Kurtas and the Groom wore an ivory and gold Sherwani with a long, red velvet scarf! At 6’5″ he looked like a famous celebrity! Satvik’s baraat was sooo much fun! He came in on a red tricked out golf cart, with music blasting from the built in speakers! He drove around and waved to the crowd and everyone was going crazy! I had never seen anything like it in my life, I wish I had that at my own wedding!!! After the parade came the Indian ceremony! It was just under 100 degrees outside, and although I had never been so hot before, I didn’t even care because this ceremony was so amazing! Erin looked stunning coming down the aisle with a decorative fabric held over her head by her uncles. Satvik was all smiles. The parents accompanied them on the Mandap where the ceremony took place. It was very  sentimental and personal, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the different Hindu traditions which included fire, water, rice and flower garland..to name a few.
After the ceremony the guests made their way inside for the Indian lunch, and then they all went back to the hotel while Erin, Satvik, and the bridal party got ready for the 2nd wedding of the day! We went upstairs and started the day all over again, this time for the Jewish wedding..more detail shots and hair and makeup touch ups! Erin looked gorgeous in her bridal gown, and her girls wore beautiful purple dresses. The guys wore black tuxedos and custom Nike sneakers! What a gorgeous bridal part they were!!! The couple shared a first look followed by more formal bridal party and family pictures before the Ketubah signing. The staff at Addison Park worked so hard all day for this massive event! They turned the Mandap into the Chuppah, and now it was time for the Jewish wedding ceremony to take place! Ceremony #2 was just as beautiful, and just as hot! The bride and groom exchanged their own personal vows, I always love when couples do that! It was very sweet to hear what each of them meant to the other in their own words. Satvik kissed his bride and broke the glass before the two headed back down the aisle. After the ceremony we took advantage of the beautiful golden light for some individual shots of the newlyweds, I even convinced Erin to take a short walk to a nearby field for some uh-mazing shots of her!
The reception was just huge, there’s no other way to explain it! They had 2 ballrooms opened to accommodate all the guests! The bride and groom’s sweetheart table was up on stage with a candlelit backdrop, it was os pretty! The couple made their grand entrance, then shared a romantic first dance to La Vie En Rose by Louis Armstrong. After the parent dances and toasts, the crowd participated in some traditional dances such as the Horrah and the Garba. One highlight of the evening was when Satvik’s father and brother sang Imagine by John Lennon as a surprise to the couple.
This entire wedding was one I will never forget and I want to thank Erin and Satvik for entrusting me to photograph their special day!
The Newlyweds are going to Portugal on their honeymoon!
#ThePatinkels

***SHOW THIS COUPLE SOME LOVE AND LEAVE A COMMENT AT THE END!***

Please keep in mind this was TWO weddings, hence the extremely long blog post! 😉

Photographed by: Susan, Kia, and Jamie

Photographer: Something Blue Wedding Photography
Venue: Addison Park
Videographer: Mirage Artistic
Entertainment: Funktion 11
Florist: Elegant Affairs
Hair: The Loft Salon
Makeup: Makeup by Jenny
Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas 
Bridal Gown:  Essence of Australia
Veil: I do I do 
Bridal Shoes: Michael Kors
Bridal Jewelry: Nadri   Indian Jewelry: handed down from groom’s mother
Bridesmaids Dresses: Morilee
Tuxedos: The Black Tux
Groomsmen Sneakers: Nike 
Wedding Rings: B2C Jewels
Golf Cart for Indian Baraat:  Jersey Carts
Bakery: La Bonbonniere Bake Shoppe
Favors: Donation to The Chris Carrino Foundation for FSHD
Bridesmaids Gifts: Personalized Bracelts – GracePersonalized Sweatshirts for getting ready – DentzDesign
Groomsmen Gifts: Under Armour Shoes
Etsy Shops: Card holder (Birdcage) – ThoseDays Shop

WEDDING #1

WEDDING #2