Time to revisit one of my favorite weddings! Bejal + Brittany’s Indian-fusion wedding in Chapel Hill was eclectic, emotional, and super-fun to shoot.

When Bejal explained her LGBTQ wedding vision as “peacock-themed with Hindu influences,” I was hooked! I always love when couples create a wedding experience that is unique to their story, and this Indian-fusion wedding in a relaxed garden setting was definitely true to Bejal and Brittany.

One of my favorite elements of Brittany and Bejal’s NC Botanical Garden ceremony was the layout of the space. Instead of walking down a center aisle, Brittany and Bejal processed together but on separate sides of the circular perimeter, around the guests instead of cutting through them.  I also loved that they did their first dance right after they said their vows and kissed instead of during the reception.

When I first blogged this wedding back in 2014, it was the 2-year anniversary of the gay marriage ban passing in North Carolina. This gross, discriminatory law was finally overturned, and couples like Bejal + Brittany can now legally wed.

A family member’s speech during this wedding lingers with me in light of this: courage is doing what is right and true, even in the face of opposition. I’m so glad Bejal + Brittany chose to keep on lovin’ each other and sharing it with all of us.

Are you an LGBTQ couple looking for a chill, open-minded LGBTQ wedding photographer?

I’d love to photograph your day! Check out my three wedding packages or come meet me in person at the 5th Annual Raleigh LGBTQ Wedding Expo on Sunday, February 25th (admission is FREE – click here for more info and to RSVP.)

When I booked Ami+Dave’s wedding back in May, I knew it was going to be the wedding of the year.  I devoted a whole week in September to shooting their fun wedding festivities, which included an intimate shoot in Duke Gardens, multiple henna parties, a small traditional family ceremony on Thursday, their Sangeet party, and then the wedding day itself—which was packed with emotion, beautiful rituals, amazing Indian music and food, and bright colors.  In other words, their wedding was a photographer’s dream wedding!

The breadth and intimacy of Ami+Dave’s wedding week coverage provided a unique wedding coverage experience for me.  I had really great conversations with their family and friends over a series of days, learned a ton about Ami’s family’s culture, and got to witness and photograph some really beautiful moments that I can’t imagine seeing without spending so much time with them.  It was a privilege to feel like I wasn’t just a witness to their family’s celebration—I was a part of it!  I came home from each shoot feeling refreshed, as if I had spent quality time with my own family.  It was life-giving, to say the least, and reminded me of my college days when I would dive into a documentary project.

Ami+Dave, thank you so much for inviting me to document your wedding celebration. You both have such bright spirits and bring joy to everyone you meet—I experienced that first-hand each day I shot with you.  I was truly touched by the toasts at your wedding, which made me cry (and I usually don’t cry at weddings!).  I hope that these photos reflect the light that you bring to all and the love around you. And a big thanks to Justin Cook and Ted Richardson for shooting with me this week.

Enjoy!