Shaima and Qasim had an amazing pre-wedding fusion of a Mehndi and Holud on May 20th at the Stacy Sherwood Center in Fairfax, Virginia.
I met up with both Shaima and Qasim at a local green area so I could capture some portraits before the day’s festivities. Qasim’s family is from Pakistan, where they typically have a Mehndi for their pre-wedding party, while Shaima’s family is from Bangladesh, where they typically have a Holud. This fusion wedding had a combination of both, which made for beautiful cultural customs as well as plenty of fun and dancing.
I loved that I was able to capture that time with the two of them alone together for their portrait session. I focus on making my photographs as natural as possible so that the bride and groom can have fun together—and moments like that, where it’s just as playing around together, allow me the room and creativity to do just that.
Of course, it was also so much fun watching these two party with their friends. I especially enjoyed Shaima’s surprise performance when she jumped into a dance with her maid of honor and friend. What a way to open up the dance floor! It really got the night moving watching her rocking out like that.
I tried something new for this wedding as well. I’m starting a new mini-series called “Bride’s Eye View” where I photograph from the perspective of the bride. This was one of the first iterations, and I love how it turned out. I couldn’t have picked a better bride to try it out on, either, because Shaima was a stellar bride. She was calm and happy the whole time, even when she could have been stressed out. It made the whole experience more enjoyable for everyone—including, most importantly, herself.
Shaima & Qasim, thank you for letting me be part of your epic fusion wedding. You two were so much fun to spend time with, and I wish you the best in your futures together.
Vendors
Makeup: Jamin Rahman
Ring: Zales
Dress: Custom created in Pakistan from local tailor
Decorator: Galaxy Wedding & Events
Catering: For Mehndi – House of Kabob (former owner)
Appetizers: The Halal guys
DJ: Jagjeet Singh – DJ Jay
