Now that I’ve gotten through all the images from Tara & Raj’s wedding, it’s clear that I’ll need three posts to properly share this spectacular set of events. Behold Part 2 — The Wedding & Reception.
Tara and Raj began their wedding day preparations at the world-famous Lake Palace Hotel — a floating palace on beautiful Lake Pichola in Udaipur, India. Considered by many to be the most romantic hotel in the world, this exclusive property is only accessible by private boat, and you cannot even visit this hotel if you are not staying there. Thankfully, Tara was able to get special permission for my team and I to visit the hotel and shoot on its grounds. (We actually arrived just as the President of the Maldives was preparing to leave by boat.)
The baraat — featuring camels and an elephant — took place on the Promenade just oustide the City Palace, and Raj and his family then took boats over to stunning Jag Mandir Palace Island, where the wedding took place. Built sometime around 1622, with structures made of sandstone, Jag Mandir has served as a home for royalty as well as a place of refuge for those in exile. Raj’s entrance was welcomed by fire blowers and an extensive fireworks display, much to the delight of the guests. Despite the unseasonably freezing weather, everyone loved the beautiful and heartfelt ceremony, which concluded with champagne for everyone and yet another dazzling fireworks display. Tara was carried out in a doli, and then she and Raj took some time alone on a boat out on the dark, quiet water.
The reception was fabulous, and everyone braved the cold to dance into the evening. Tara’s outfit was stunning, DJ Amlan rocked the house, Rajasthani dancers entertained the crowd, and a light-up dance floor added a fun shock of color to the peacock-themed reception. (For a complete list of vendors, see my first post upon return from India.)
Be sure to check back soon for the third and final installment: Portraits at the Udaivilas, the No. 1 hotel in the world.
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