INDIAN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | LUXURY INDIAN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY | Luxury Indian wedding photographer | Vibrant Indian wedding photographer | Fusion Indian wedding photographer | Editorial style Indian wedding photographer

As an Indian wedding photographer, I have witnessed countless breathtaking celebrations—but Helen and Saahil’s wedding was truly historic. This March, they became the very first couple to host a Hindu Punjabi wedding at The Alamo in San Antonio. With centuries of Texas history standing tall around them, the couple brought alive the vibrant colors, rich traditions, and heartfelt rituals of Indian culture in a way the landmark had never seen before.

Before their grand wedding weekend, Helen and Saahil’s love story began with a thoughtful proposal.Saahil and Helen were tied together by an invisible string. Helen attended Duke University with Saahil’s younger brother, Nikhil, and shared many classes with him. In sophomore year in college, she set Nikhil up with her best friend, Hayley. But it wasn’t until Hayley and Nikhil’s engagement party many years later that Saahil and Helen first crossed paths.

Saahil and Helen became fast friends the following year when COVID derailed Nikhil and Hayley’s 2020 wedding plans. At the height of the pandemic, they connected through multiple Zoom calls together while helping to plan Nikhil and Hayley’s small COVID wedding as Best Man and Maid of Honor. Although they would play online trivia and virtual games together with their mutual friends, they liked spending time together so much that they started hanging out on Zoom just the two of them, often playing the NY Times crossword, watching rom-coms together, and just talking. At Hayley and Nikhil’s COVID wedding in August 2020, they made it official when Saahil asked Helen to be his girlfriend.

Saahil and Helen spent 3 years doing long distance, first making multiple trips between St. Louis and Richmond, and then between Philly and Richmond, all while balancing their busy schedules in medical school, grad school, and residency. In 2023, Saahil matched to his intern year in Philly and they were able to finally end long distance. It was during their first summer living together that Saahil proposed to Helen during a weekend trip to New Hope, Pennsylvania, surprising her with an engagement ring at their bed and breakfast after a winery tour.

While planning their wedding, Saahil and Helen knew that they wanted to honor all of the cultures and traditions that were important to each of their families, so they decided to have both a Hindu and a Christian wedding. When they were looking at venues for their Hindu wedding ceremony, Helen knew of a perfect venue that epitomized her Texas and San Antonio heritage – The Alamo.

They worked with many vendors and with many trips to the San Antonio. On Friday they hosted their Indian wedding and Sangeet at the Alamo. Their wedding colors were vibrant pinks and oranges and those colors were carried through the weekend events. Capturing these moments of love is the most rewarding aspects of being an Indian wedding photographer.

The Wedding Wardrobe

Helen dazzled in her Opus Atelier wedding lehenga, a true work of art that shimmered with regal embroidery. A playful twist hid beneath the tradition—Helen, her mother, sister, and sister-in-law wore shiny boots under their lehengas, giving a nod to Texas roots while keeping the focus on Punjabi heritage.

Her bridesmaids wore elegant, coordinated outfits from Nandika Creation, blending modern design with festive Indian hues. The groomsmen, dressed in Roheet Sabharwal, mirrored Saahil’s sophistication with timeless, tailored pieces perfect for a wedding of this magnitude.

Hindu Punjabi Wedding Rituals

Indian weddings are more than ceremonies—they are blessings carried through centuries of tradition. Helen and Saahil’s Hindu Punjabi wedding beautifully incorporated rituals that honored family, faith, and the union of two souls.

• Ganesh Pooja: The wedding began with prayers to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. This ritual is performed so that the couple’s journey together starts with divine blessings and a path cleared of challenges.
• Milni: A warm and emotional Punjabi tradition, the Milni brought both families together before the ceremony. Relatives from both sides exchanged garlands, hugs, and gifts, symbolizing the merging of two families into one.
• Garland Exchange (Jaimala): Helen and Saahil exchanged floral garlands in a playful yet meaningful ritual, signifying mutual acceptance and respect for one another. Often full of laughter and joy, this moment beautifully captures the start of a couple’s life together.
• Kanyadhaan: One of the most emotional moments of the wedding, Helen’s parents entrusted their daughter to Saahil, symbolizing their blessing of her new journey. As an Indian wedding photographer, I find this ritual deeply moving—it’s where love, family, and tradition come together in one tender gesture.
• Mangal Pheras: Around the sacred fire, the couple circled four times, each round symbolizing promises of love, devotion, prosperity, and mutual respect.
• Sindoor & Mangal Sutra: To seal the marriage, Saahil applied sindoor (vermillion powder) in Helen’s hair parting and tied the mangal sutra necklace around her neck. These acts symbolize Helen’s new role as a married woman and the couple’s unbreakable bond.

Each of these rituals, performed against the backdrop of The Alamo, created an unforgettable fusion of Indian spirituality and Texan history.

Food & Drink

Guests were treated to a feast worthy of celebration. Friday night featured the rich flavors of India Oven San Antonio, where chefs prepared fresh naan at live action stations in the courtyard. The aroma of bread and spices filled the air as guests enjoyed a truly immersive culinary experience, combining warmth, hospitality, and tradition.

Florals & Décor

The artistry of Holly Besing Designs transformed the Alamo into a vibrant stage for celebration. With bold pinks, oranges, and golds, the design honored Indian vibrancy while nodding to Texan character. Elephant and peacock piñatas brought playfulness to the scene, weaving together the couple’s love of culture, fun, and family.

Music & Celebration

The energy never stopped flowing. Saahil’s Baraat was one of the highlights, as his procession danced through San Antonio from the St. Anthony Hotel to the Alamo Plaza. The celebration continued with music by DJ Tej and live entertainment from Hot Sauce ATX, filling the night with rhythm and joy.

Special Memories

• Hosting the first-ever Hindu Punjabi wedding at The Alamo was a legacy moment that Helen and Saahil will always hold close.
• The sparkle of boots hidden beneath lehengas was a playful secret that perfectly reflected their personalities.

This wedding was more than a celebration—it was history in the making, where two cultures, two families, and two souls came together in the most unforgettable way.

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The Dream Team of Vendors

• Planning/Florals/Décor: Holly Besing Designs | @hollybesingdesigns
• Hair & Makeup / Saree Draping: Rose Pro Makeup Artist | @rosepromakeupartist
• DJ: DJ Tej | @djtej
• Band: Hot Sauce ATX | @hotsauceatx_austin_
• Photography: Bhuvana Dhinesh | @bhuvanadhineshphotography
• Videography: Transition Films | @transitionfilms
• Henna: S.T. Henna | @s.t.henna
• Venue: The Alamo @officialalamo ; SACC @sacc1904
• Catering: India Oven San Antonio & SACC
• Bartending (Friday): Quality Valet Services | @qualityvaletservices

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