The wedding of Tara and Raj was breathtaking, with four events spread over three very cold days in beautiful Udaipur, located in the state of Rajasthan, India. Known for its Rajput-era palaces and nicknamed “The City of Lakes,” Udaipur was made famous in the James Bond film “Octopussy.” It also boasts some of the most lavish hotels and event venues in the world.
The talented Christine Marie photographed the events with me, and I will forever be grateful for her willingness to travel halfway around the world to contribute her artistry to this stylish couple’s wedding. She’s one of the most talented photographers I know, and a good friend. So to Christine, Thank You, from the bottom of my heart.
I can’t seem to find a way to blog this unique wedding with just one post, so I’ll start with the Menhdi and Sangeet. The Menhdi took place at Shiv Niwas, and featured a traditional Indian bazaar theme, complete with hundreds of puppets hanging from silk fabric panels. As the women got their menhdi done (and Tara’s menhdi was the best I’ve ever seen — courtesty Sangeeta Shah out of Mumbai), I couldn’t help but laugh as Raj spent nearly an hour attempting to fly a small kite just outside the gates of the Maharana of Udaipur’s palace. A snake charmer — complete with two cobras — added to the event’s charm.
The evening’s Sangeet was a masquerade ball featuring an amazing performance by Prem Joshua, the top-selling world musician in India. Born in Germany, this talented multi-instrumentalist and vocalist has released 14 albums, and everyone found themselves in awe while he and his band played. The party took place at the Zanana Mehal in the City Palace Complex, where Tara and Raj were greeted by torches, a 20-piece band (complete with bagpipes), girls throwing rose petals, and horn blowers on horseback. The banquet featured so many different dishes that people had to make four trips just to sample everything. Once Prem Joshua finished his set, DJ Amlan spun the crowd into a dancing frenzy.
Next up: The Wedding. Be sure to check back in a day or two.
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