On the day of Mushky and Saadya’s wedding, I awoke with a smile on my face. Three years ago, I shot Mimi’s (Saadya’s sister) wedding, so I was already familiar with a large part of the family and was very anxious to see everyone again. I had also met Saadya three months before at Shloimy and Marcy’s wedding (again a referral thanks to Mimi).
Saadya travels all over the world as a Chabad Rabbi to places far afield like Cambodia and Nepal. On the wedding day, he had just returned from Israel, where he was taking part in Taglit (Birthright), a program that sponsors trips for young Jewish people from all over to visit Israel. He was so enthusiastic about Israel and I felt great joy to see how much love he holds towards my people and country. It was also so much fun to talk to him in Hebrew (I was so impressed by his fluent Hebrew.) Saadya is one of the rabbis of the Chabad-Lubavitch community, and as such, the wedding took place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the official headquarters of the Chabad movement worldwide.
Everyone these days, for better of worse, puts on a facade from time to time, but one does not get that impression from Saadya in the least. He comes across to me as someone who is as real, down to earth and genuine as they come, with an incredibly sweet nature. I hadn’t met Mushky until the wedding day itself, and so my only initial impression was how strikingly beautiful she was with that Ginger Rogers glow. Of course as the day wore on I could easily see what Saadya saw in her- all her beauty only accentuates that at her soul, she is a very deep and caring person.
I heard a Rabbi once half-jokingly declare that one should never marry for love. Of course, we all marry for love, but what he meant was that we should not marry for the type of love or infatuation that is at its height at the wedding day. We should marry instead for the type of love that will build over the years, and so on the wedding day, it will be in fact at its starting point. I was reminded of this because Saadya met Mushy only three months before the wedding, after Mushky’s roommate introduced them . Of course, their love for each-other was clear and abiding, but at the same time I could see that it will be a love that will deepen with each passing day as they build their lives and families together. It is that innocence and purity that I found undeniably inspiring- that need to capture not only what lay before my lens, but also a hint of the depths that will be.
I must add as well that I was also delighted to see Mimi and Moshe again and even more thrilled to see their child! I feel such excitement when I get to see the child of a couple that I shot. It always feels a bit surreal to capture their love together on the wedding day, and then quicker than a camera shutter can open and close (even in bright light :), there is a child and a family. And can you imagine, Mimi was again pregnant, sporting a full 9-month belly and was four days past the due-date (!). I imagined her water breaking and creating this massive scene, but it didn’t happen and instead Mimi hit the dance floor with full energy. Only two days later her baby arrived. So, in this one post, I must extend my congratulations from two people to four and send all my love and wishes to Saadya & Mushky and Moshe & Mimi!
Vendor List:
Flower Designer: Mimulo
Music: Eli Marcus with Nagila Orchestra
Make Up Artist: Susan Horowitz
Hairstylist: Daniella Chayo
Shoes: Stewart Weisman
Dress: Custom made in Italy
Groom’s Clothes: A.M. BeSpoke
Here is a sneak peak of some of their photos:
I absolutely adore shooting Indian weddings. Of course, who wouldn’t with so many moments that inspire. It is just a joy to behold and a wondrous experience. Great thought and effort must go into planning such grand festivities, and Mona was certainly up to the job, having worked meticulously on everything for 15 months. She cared about every small detail, and to her credit, she showed great consideration and thoughtfulness the day of, always checking if her photographer ate and rested given the almost overwhelming and endless moments to capture (something I greatly appreciated). And while some may reach the day of their wedding apprehensive and nervous that all goes as planned, as one can see form her broad smile even in the preparation, she enjoyed every moment.
Parth is equally sweet natured, but also ambitious and driven, having been in business since he was 22. One can sense that his outer calm and quiet dignity belie a restive, very active mind and inner energy. Mona of course knows this very well, especially as Parth lovingly pointed out in his vows, that she can read his mind before he even says a word. One can never take too lightly the importance of really knowing someone that well and finishing their sentences so to speak. It is that deep connection and understanding that is the foundation for long lasting love.
The ceremony was simply spectacular from Jersey city, with all those resplendent bursting colors set against the silvered backdrop of the NYC skyline. And of course, as can be seen in all the great moments from the reception and dance floor, they knew how to celebrate and party! Everyone was free and uninhibited, which is what every photographer wants, and I literally couldn’t put down my camera for a second.
I also loved the small gesture of the thank you cards. While this was cleverly planned as a photo-op thank you card for their guests, I have to say I felt a little bit of a double meaning as they held the placards up. From their loving glances, they were also expressing thanks for each other.
Follow up:
Mona and Parth are on their honeymoon in Hawaii, When I put their pictures on facebook 2 days after the wedding and this was Mona’s response.:
“I can not say enough about the pictures – love, love, and then love again! Parth and I can not stop looking at them. Thank you for posting them so quickly, my friends are going crazy.”
You can see Mona & Parth’s Engagement shoot here.
Vendors List:
Bakery: Cocoa Bakery
Florist: Pedestals Floral Decorators
Event Location: Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson
Caterer: Moghul Catering
Videographer: Joseph Edward
Hair: Styles on B
Makeup: Sally Duvall
Favors: 5th Avenue Chocolatiere
Taxi: FilmCars
Calligrapher: The Left Handed Calligrapher
Escort Cards: Wedding Paper Divas
Marching Band: Carras Paton (carras@gmail.com)
Photo Booth: The Majestic Photobooth Co.
Ice Sculpture: Jimmy’s Artistic Creations
Horses for Baraat: Equishare Baraat Horses and Carriages
Wedding Coordinator: Elite Event Management
Tara and Joe exchanged lifelong vows at Oceanbleu at Westhampton Bath and Tennis. I love the Hamptons and beach weddings! They invariably add a dose of light-heartedness to a wedding which, with all the complex preparations and expectations, can be overwhelming. Despite the feeling that this is a life changing day and everything must be fairy-tale perfect to commemorate it, those reeds and dunes and soft ocean breezes, remind us to just savor and enjoy each day, and to take things with a grain of sand (especially between the toes).
Tara is a talented reporter and anchor for News 12 Westchester, and when she came to our first meeting, it was clear how important a photojournalistic approach was to her wedding. I thought it would be interesting to know how Tara would feel, with her role now reversed, and someone telling her story. I also found out a bit later that Joe is not particularly camera shy, summoning up the courage for an on-air proposal.
I could indeed envision some of those wedding day moments being encapsulated in made for TV news soundbites that would entice the viewer: “Searing Fire Alarm at venue disrupts wedding … ” or “Wedding dove insists on sticking around and celebrating.” Regardless, with the poise of an anchorwoman, Tara embraced all those unexpected moments, stressful or humorous, with equal delight. However, if there is an Emmy to be awarded, it has to go to that dove, with his perfect sense of comic timing. At the conclusion of the ceremony, when the doves were released in celebration, one refused to fly away but took up residence on the shoulder of Tara’s brother. There he stayed through family photos, dinner and a good part of the night. One can see a great moment in the photos when Tara’s brother is making a toast with the dove on his head until he flies to a new perch on the head of another guest- only to return again later. Of course, doves are messengers (even funny behaving ones) and perhaps here the message was this: that a happy fruitful marriage always means having a shoulder to stand on.
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January 14, 2013 - 11:23 am
Dear Shira,
You were such an unbelievable support at our wedding and the pictures are just incredible. You managed to capture every moment that meant the most and we were able to relive the wedding through your pictures!Thanks so much!
Tara and Joe
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