Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Washington DC & Wedding at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia

Dec 9, 2019

2 min read

Bride

“UK”

Emergency Medicine Physician

Groom

John

IT Consultant

Wedding Date

Fri Oct 04 2019

Venue

ISKCON of DC (Potomac, MD)

Penn Museum (Philadelphia, PA)

How You Met

We met on U St in DC at a friend's house.

How did you know they were the one?

(UK): Just a feeling that built over time to the point where I couldn't picture life without him.

John: Just a feeling that built over time to the point where I couldn't picture life without her.

Proposal

San Juan, PR - On the beach as the sun was setting

Wedding Shopping

UK: It was really fun because I did most of it in Nepal. I had both of our wedding outfits custom made and was able to choose/design every aspect of it, including picking out the fabric and sketching out my vision.

Advice for Engaged Couples

Set aside dedicated time each week so you can make progress without being all consumed by wedding planning

Describe Your Wedding

We focused on aspects that we thought would make for a memorable day/night. The Venue(s), the food, and the music.

First Dance Song

Alicia Keys - If I Ain't Got You

Favorite Memory

UK: Getting down on the dance floor with all my favorite people.

John: Seeing all my friends and family together in one place to celebrate our love.

Favorite Menu Item

Utsha (UK): Diver Scallops Hors d'oeuvre on Saturday at the Penn Museum

John (JM): Chana Masala on Friday at the ISKCON of DC

Photog's Story

After a wonderful engagement session in DC, UK and John had us for their 2 day love-filled wedding weekend.

The first day was at the ISKON of DC for the Hindu Ceremony. It was bright, vibrant and full of colors. The temple priest was very open to teaching not only the couple, but us and the guests as well about the meanings behind each ceremony. Photographing the Hindu Ceremony was a new experience for us and we definitely enjoyed all of it. John had a henna tattoo on his hand which was UK's name and UK had the full henna design. She told us that the entire process took about 4 hours the day before! Her henna also had a homage to John in the form of a pineapple (an inside joke between John and his friends).

The second day had us travel up to the beautiful city of Philadelphia where our couple had their more traditional ceremony at the famous Penn Museum. The Penn Museum is sentimental to UK because during her residency, she would pass by it every day when walking to work and absolutely fell in love with it. The whole museum was open for the wedding which allowed the wedding guests to view all of the exhibits and enjoy cocktail hour out by the koi fish garden. During the reception the two put on quite the show with 2 individual, choreographed dance routines followed by a surprise mob dance from all of their friends. The party went late into the night until the glow stick batteries died and the guests were singing on the steps--trumpet and all. We thoroughly enjoyed working with John and UK and wish them nothing but the best in their marriage! Congratulations again!

Groom sitting on car at the start of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Groom with a henna tattoo of his bride's name on his hand for the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Bride's henna tattoo before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Groom with his sisters before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Bridal portrait before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Natural light bridal portrait before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Bride showing off her traditional wedding day henna, jewelry, and wedding dress before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Bridal portrait before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride poses for a portrait before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride poses for a portrait with her traditional Nepali nose right before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Nepali bride showing off her wedding day henna tattoo, jewelry and ceremonial dress before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Groom during the Janti portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
DJ and traditional drummer during the Janti portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Groom on the back of his ride for the Janti portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The groom leading the Janti portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Wedding guests participating in the Janti portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The groom dancing with his wedding guests during the Janti portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride's parents in the temple before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The groom being greeted by the father of the bride at the temple during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride and her sisters preparing to enter the temple before the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The groom watching his bride walk down the isle for the first time during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Detailed shot of the groom's Vivaha during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Bride and groom greeting each other during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Bride and groom sharing a moment during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride's custom-made Nepali slipper at the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Bride and Groom dressing each other with their garlands for the Swayambara portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The groom's garland for the Swayambara portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride and groom receiving teachings from the priest during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride and groom performing traditional rituals during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Bride and groom receiving blessings from their family members during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Details from the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The groom performing the Sindoor Mangal Sutra portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride and groom receiving teachings from the priest at the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride performing a ritual during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The groom performing the Sindoor Mangal Sutra portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The groom performing the Sindoor Mangal Sutra portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The groom must show his strength in this Hindu ritual by lifting the bride as high as he can during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
Both families of the bride and groom partake in a ritual during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
A tug-of-war style wedding ritual between men from both families during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride and groom during the Sapta-padi (The Seven Sacred Steps) portion of the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride's sisters steal the groom's shoes at some point during the Hindu ceremony and the groom must buy them back as an offering to the bride's family during the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The Hindu ceremony concludes with the bride and groom feeding each other treats from the family at the Hindu Ceremony at the ISKCON of DC in Potomac, Maryland.
The bride's bouquet before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bridal makeup portrait before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bride shows off her henna tattoo, jade wedding ring and traditional Nepali wedding dress before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
A bridal portrait in her traditional Nepali wedding dress before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bridal portrait in her traditional Nepali wedding dress before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bride and her sister pose in their traditional Nepali dresses before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bride poses with her sisters in their traditional Nepali wedding dresses before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Details of the bride's traditional Nepali wedding dress before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride in her traditional Nepali wedding dress before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride poses for a portrait showing off her traditional Nepali wedding dress and wedding day henna tattoos before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Detail shot of the bride's traditional Nepali jewelry before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride's jade and diamond wedding right with her henna tattoo before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Detail of the traditional Nepali wedding dress details before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bridal portrait in her traditional Nepali wedding dress before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bridal portrait in her traditional Nepali wedding dress before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom posing by an exhibit that features his favorite fruit before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom awaiting his bride during the first look portion of the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride walking up to the groom during the first look portion of the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride covering the groom's eyes during the first look portion of the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride covering the groom's eyes during the first look portion of the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride covering the groom's eyes during the first look portion of the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom's first look at the bride before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom's first look at the bride before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom's first look at the bride in her traditional Nepali wedding dress before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom pose after their first look before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom pose for a portrait before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom pose in front of the venue sign before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom pose in front of the venue sign before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom's friends all sport a pineapple lapel pin for the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom's closest friends huddle up before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The flower girl before the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom's sister and nephew entering the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The flower girl decorating the isle during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom walking down the isle accompanied by his parents during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom shares a hug with his father during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride walking down the isle with her parents during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom sharing a smile during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom proclaiming their love in front of their guests during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bride and groom laughing during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bride and groom gazing into each other's eyes during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The wedding guests watching the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride's sister reads a poem during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom's sister reads a passage during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom places the bride's wedding band on her hand during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride places the wedding band on the groom's hand during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom share a laugh during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom's first kiss as husband and wife during the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom are showered with flower petals during the processional at the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom posing for a formal portrait after the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride loving her groom during the formals portion of the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom pose for a formal portrait after the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom share a kiss behind the bridal bouquet after the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom after the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom during the formal portrait portion of the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Decor of the reception area after the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Decor of the rotunda reception area after the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Decor of the rotunda reception hall after the wedding ceremony at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Table decor during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Nepali table decorations at the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Traditional Nepali table decorations at the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom entering the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom share their first dance during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Guests watch on as the bride and groom share their first dance during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom sharing their first dance during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride, her sister and friend put on a special performance for the groom and guests during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom surprised by their friends' flashmob during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom's friends' flashmob the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom join in the flashmob during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom being celebrated by their friends and family during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom pose for a fun portrait in a dance prop during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride's sisters toast to the newlyweds during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom during the toast portion of the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom during the toast portion of the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The groom's guests hoisted him to the air in celebration during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride's family hoist her to the air in celebration during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride being hoisted into the air by her family and friends in celebration during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom having fun on the dance floor with their glow sticks during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The bride and groom waving their glow sticks on the dance floor during the wedding reception at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.