I’ve know Minal since Microeconomics class Sophomore year of college! We hung out in different circles in college, but got to be good friends after graduation and have grown to be very dear friends. I’m glad that I was there from the beginning to witness Minal and Snehal’s relationship blossom. Even though they were introduced by their families, and were both pretty embarrassed by such traditional beginnings, their courtship was quite modern. They chatted, they flirted, they bantered; and then they finally met! Oh! I forgot to mention, they started out “dating” long-distance! Minal was in Austin, while Snehal was in Albuquerque! This globetrotting couple is now settled in San Diego.

I have spent many a wonderful evening with this couple and could go on and on about them, but I’ll skip that and share photos of this gorgeous couple!

Here at Biyani Photography, we like to lend our brides a helping hand. We know how hard it is to find the right vendors, so we decided to bring together our favorite Indian Wedding vendors from the Austin area for an Indian Bridal Inspiration event. We figured this would give y’all great ideas for your upcoming wedding; as well as reduce the amount of time and effort spent to pick the right vendors.

We have the best Bridal Couture designer Namrita Chettiar of Vastra, Flowers and decorations by Shannon from Charlotte’s Fiesta Flowers, Hair & Makeup by the talented Leena Bajaj of Singar Studio, and our gracious hostess Sidonee Seward, who put together the table settings and the lovely Vista on Seward Hill as our venue.

Our Bridal Inspiration ideas could not have come to reality, without our gorgeous models Anya Brill, a professional model and Sumedha Gholba, one of the brides I’ve worked with, whose Indian Engagement Session from New York was featured on IndianWeddingSite.com

I hope y’all like the images and ideas. Feel free to check out our Facebook page – Biyani Photography – Indian Wedding and Events Photography – for some behind the scenes photos.

This South Congress Engagement session, that continued on to the Long Center, Town Lake and ended at Home Slice was a treat. I hope y’all enjoy these lovely photos from a truly beautiful couple – both inside and out. Their traditional Gujarati wedding is coming up next April. Congratulations y’all!

“We met working for the same company, National Instruments, in Austin. We hit it off right away though it wasn’t quite the love-at-first-sight story that gets told in the movies! Having much in common, we instantly became friends and over the years that friendship just got better and better.

It wasn’t until 5 years and several ups and downs in life later that we realized just how much we truly meant to each other. Life doesn’t get any better than falling in love with your best friend who, as it turns out, feels the same way about you! Of course, none of our friends or family humored us with the stupendously surprised reaction we were hoping for when we announced we were dating – all we got were yawns and declarations of “We knew it was going to happen” or “Oh finally, you two see what we’ve seen all along”!

It didn’t take us very long to go from dating to engaged but then, as Billy Crystal wisely said, “When you realize that you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible”"

I had the pleasure of meeting Diya and Jack and shooting their Austin Town Lake Engagement featuring pianos and their amazing dog Ruby. They are a pair of jet-setters and their weddings and receptions were no different. They were married in fusion Bengali / Telugu wedding in Bombay, with receptions in Hyderabad and Austin, TX. I had the honor of photographing their Austin Wedding Reception and am glad to share those photos with you

Vendors:
Cake – Amazing Kakes
Venue – Austin Texas Star
Decorations/DJ – Dhoom Decorations

Check out the Biyani Photography Facebook page for more photos from the event.

More photos from the Navratri / Garba are available on the Biyani Photography Facebook page

I was honored to photograph their intimate fusion Indian American wedding that brought together close friends, family and their dog Sita! The wedding was very emotional – one of the sweetest moments was when Anandhi asked the Officiant if she could hold John’s hands while saying her vows. Everyone left the chapel a little teary eyed, flooded with emotion and joy.

The toasts were effusive and the cake was delicious. But the “guest book” canvas was probably one of my favorite details from this wedding. Anandhi created it herself!

Congratulations and Good Luck guys!

While I was waiting by the mural, a photographer and her clients came by for their Engagement session. I graciously moved away allowing them enough time/space for the shoot; but I was still within ear-shot to hear this gem from the photographer – “Act like something hilarious just happened!” I was shocked and ashamed to hear that. As a professional photographer I consider it my job to capture my client’s emotions and attributes are naturally and candidly as I can. I try my best to engage my clients and talk to them, all the while clicking photos of their reactions to my goofiness as well are their banter. And it’s great when your clients reply back with “We were pretty awkward posing for pictures but you made us as comfortable as possible.” Thanks guys!!

You guys are so awesome and so totally perfect for each other! I can’t wait to shoot your Indian and Catholic Weddings. And Anna, don’t worry, I’ll find crazy spots to dangle myself from, in New Zealand as well

I had the pleasure of being their fusion Marathi and Tamil Indian Engagement Photographer in New York. We had so much fun walking around DUMBO and then the Highline.

Apart from being their photographer, I loved the fact that I got to know them. And getting to know them made me like them even more. I’m not sure which was my favorite part, but it had to be either when I heard Harish call Sumedha “Chotu” (Little One, in Hindi) or that we polished off our engagement session with an amazing brunch in Chelsea

I can’t wait to share their Indian Engagement Photos from Austin, TX next.

Namrita caters to todays most discerning brides and socialites looking for the very best in quality, workmanship & service. Its all about the experience. Namrita’s pret line of Indian inspired evening dresses currently retails in San Francisco and she plans to offer the same in Texas followed by New york in fall 2011. Her couture line is by appointment only.

Her four outfits were modeled by these 4 gorgeous ladies (in order of appearance):

• Shailaun Manning
• Anya Brill
• Aurora Martinez
• Shailie Thakkar

Austin Fashion Week founder Matt Swinney, Namrita’s husband Suku and the beautiful Driskill Ballroom & Ceiling make an appearance in the photos as well

Cake – Simon Lee Bakery
Catering – Taj Palace
DJ – Anthony Fernandez
Hair & Makeup – Singar Studio
Venue - The Vista on Seward Hill