A photograph from Jennifer and Phil’s wedding I photographed at Catignano Villa in Tuscany, Italy won 9th Place in WPJA Q2 Contest!

Phil had to demonstrate qualities of Security, Strength, Romance, Intelligence and Humor before the bridesmaids would let him take is bride (Jennifer) to be married.  Here, Phil, demonstrates his strength by lifting his groomsmen.  I will have more photographs to share from Jennifer and Phil’s wedding later this month.

To start Marianna’s celebration of her Armenian roots, she readied surrounded by family and awaited for Dev’s arrival to take her away.  I discovered that Indian and Armenian traditions have more in common after observing both traditions come together in the same wedding by Dev and Marianna .  Per the Armenian tradition, the groom comes to the bride’s house to take her to his house, which is similar to Indian culture, as is the bargaining for the shoes between the families.  What was special about Dev and Marianna’s multi-day wedding was not only the connection between them, but how each family respected, embraced and celebrated both traditions and welcomed their respective new members into the family.  Please scroll through the pictures to see and read about some of the unique Armenian traditions.

The brides dressing room is decorated and she is surrounded by her bridesmaids to help her.  Marianna decorated with white candles, pearls and engagement pictures taken in New York.

The “Atchka Ooloonk” or The “evil-eye” charm is worn by the bride to protect one from the envious “evil-eye” which can bring bad fortune.   Marianna attached the evil-eye to the inside of her dress while reading.

To the surprise of Marianna’s family and guest’s Dev arrived atop a white horse dressed in traditional Indian fare.

The Sazandar band (tradidtional Armenia band with accordian) arrives with the groom’s party to the bride’s parent’s home and begins to play the traditional Armenian music, marking the arrival of the groom’s party. The groom’s party enters the bride’s parent’s house dancing and holding up decorated baskets with gifts and cognac.

A woman who has been happily married for many years (Marianna’s sister) circles the veil around the brides head before placing the veil on the bride. This blessing is meant to bring the bride good fortune.

The bridesmaids are sprayed with perfume to help attract a future husband.

The two families meet, toast and drink cognac together.  Marianna’s father reaches out to toast between the groomsmen.

A young male (Marianna’s nephew) guards the door with a sword.  Dev bargains to let him take Marianna from the house, first here jokingly with a credit card as a relative signals for him to ask for cash.

Wedding party at the Griffin Observatory, overlooking LA and Hollywood.

I have photographed several Indian weddings and an Armenian wedding but this was the first time that I had the pleasure to photograph both traditions in the same wedding.  I traveled to Yorba Linda, California (just outside of Los Angeles) to document Dev and Marianna’s first two days of festivities, celebrating Dev’s Indian traditions included in this post.   The third day brought me to the heart of the Armenian community in Burbank (‘Little Armenia’, has the largest population of Armenian’s living outside of Armenia itself) to celebrate Marianna’s traditions.  Next week’s post will include the Armenian celebration.

Indian weddings are always a treat for the eyes with bright colors and deeply rich traditions and ceremony.  Dev and Marianna choose the Nixon library in Yorba Linda for its beautiful court yard and sweeping reception venue.  Nixon’s helicopter, made famous with his last departure upon his resignation day, was used for the start of Dev’s Barat processional.  Dev’s victory gesture when exiting the helicopter set the tone for a rocking day of celebration.

Dev and Marianna are both from the Los Angeles and currently call New York City home.  You can see the engagement session that I photographed for them in and around NYC on their wedding planner’s blog (L’Amour Design):  Engagement Session.