JAGDEEP AND MARTIN'S SIKH WEDDING AT HARDWICK HALL SEDGEFIELD COUNTY DURHAM

Well, what a great couple of days I had with Jagdeep and Martin for their Sikh wedding!

Two days shooting was pretty hectic - and the editing even more so, but the colour and the energy and the happiness of both families meant that I really, really enjoyed photographing their wedding at Hardwick Hall in County Durham.

On Saturday afternoon and evening, I was part of the pre-wedding celebrations when Jag and her family held traditional Sikh ceremonies with invited family and friends - I'll post photographs from that at a later date.

On Sunday I was up and out early to 'check-out' the venue and meet Martin when he arrived and then headed across to Wynyard where Jag was preparing for her wedding celebrations. The previous evening had been a great success - I don't believe too many of the wedding party had a whole lot of rest and sleep!

Many of the photographs at Asian weddings in the UK is taken up with traditional family photos - everyone LOVES to have their photograph taken and EVERYONE has to have their photograph taken with every other member of the family and with the bride and groom - so there's a whole lot of energy to expand during the day.

But the opportunity for great photographs are everywhere, and there's no point being shy at an Asian wedding either - you have to get right in among the fun and make sure you capture all the photographs that family want and expect - and the images that I need to capture to show the wedding celebrations is all it's glory!

Family members gathered at the hotel for the civil ceremony and when Jag turned up, male family members gathered to guide her to the room - and there were smiles everywhere as Martin and Jagdeep's eyes met in front of the registrar.

Little Olivia did a brilliant job with her speech and she made sure that the other bridesmaids stood with her at the front before the newly married couple, full of smiles, led the wedding party from the room to their reception.

After drinks the bride and groom and guests headed to the main area where more traditional Sikh ceremonies were held - grandparents and parents feeding cake to the bride and groom before the cake was cut and the dancing could begin!

The great thing about all the Asian weddings I have covered across the north east of England and north Yorkshire, is that it doesn't matter whether you are four years old or 84 years old - EVERYONE gets on the dance floor, and it's difficult to get them off!

Luckily, the first course of the food beckoned but as soon as they were finished, everyone was back on the dancefloor, and it was the same after the main course and the puddings too!

I was right in among all the dance contests between the men and the women and the general dancing fun too - it was exhausting but exciting.

At 6pm, Jag close members of her family headed off home, and half an hour later I followed Martin as he became part of a very emotional ceremony where tears flowed. Before that, outside the marquee he had to make his way through the younger female members of the bridal party, offering cash before he was able to be with his new wife! I think the girls and Jag were disappointed with the amount he was offering to be let in!

Once again, the newly wed couple were given money by Jag's grandfather and sweets from her mother, while her brother Peter gave gifts. Rice was thrown by jag to the four corners of the marquee before the tears flowed again and Jag and Martin left in a car back to Hardwick Hall with members of the Sikh community ceremoniously pushing the car from the drive as she left the family home as a married woman.

And then of course, it was back to the dancing and drinking and more fun .....

It was a great couple of days to be a wedding photographer. I was shattered - especially with two full days of editing afterwards whittling 2000+ images from the two days to a more acceptable 600 final edited images .. and I can show you only 17 in the space I have here.

I felt privileged to have been asked by Jagdeep and Martin to be a part of their wedding celebrations and I thanks their families and friends for embracing me and my cameras to capture such a great wedding celebration.

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

Related Site

-Gretna Green Weddings

-How Becoming a Wedding Planner











Warning: simplexml_load_file(http://gdata.youtube.com/feeds/videos?vq= JAGDEEP MARTIN\'S&alt=rss&start-index=1&max-results=11) [function.simplexml-load-file]: failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.0 400 Bad Request
in /home1/desarro4/public_html/alexcastaneda/PROYECTO_ALEXCASTANEDA/sistemadeactualizacion/google/youtube.class.php on line 286



Warning: simplexml_load_file() [function.simplexml-load-file]: I/O warning : failed to load external entity "http://gdata.youtube.com/feeds/videos?vq= JAGDEEP MARTIN\'S&alt=rss&start-index=1&max-results=11" in /home1/desarro4/public_html/alexcastaneda/PROYECTO_ALEXCASTANEDA/sistemadeactualizacion/google/youtube.class.php on line 286

Error

Read More... »

Sponsored Post: AccuWeather.com for Your Wedding

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of AccuWeather. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm less than six weeks away from my wedding, and more than ever, I'm starting to worry about the weather. Will it be too hot? Too cold? Will it rain? Will we have a freak blizzard in April in Texas and have to postpone our wedding?  OK that last one probably won't happen.  I didn't say my worries were rational!

AccuWeather recently redesigned their website, so I checked it out to calm my weather worries.

When we got engaged over a year ago, I knew I had to have perfect weather for my wedding.  That's quite a tall order in Texas. Walking outside in the summer "wedding season" in 100 degree weather leaves you drenched with sweat and wanting to take a shower every 10 minutes. I was honestly worried our guests from the Northeast would faint from the heat!  Not a pretty picture on your wedding day.

The most beautiful month in Texas is April. Check out those balmy temperatures from the Travel section on AccuWeather.com. This is exactly the reason we had such a long engagement: we had to get married in April!

During the week leading up to the wedding, I will be religiously checking the AccuWeather iPhone app to get updates on temperatures and precipitation. Fingers crossed I don't have to pull out my rain boots to go under my wedding dress!

Related Site

-Online Wedding Planner

-Photographers Weddings

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: Hulk Hogan on how 1-800Loanmart can help you borrow cash with your Car Title!

1-800Loanmart, the biggest name in Auto Title Loans is teaming up with Hulk Hogan, the biggest name in Wrestling in a brand new advertising campaign for the summer!

Title: $50 gift card CONTEST sponsored by APOTHICA (closed)

starting from NOV 12- NOV26

Requirements:
• One entry for becoming a fan of Apothica on FaceBook
http://www.facebook.com/Apothica
• One entry for following Apothica on Twitter
http://twitter.com/apothica
• Two entries to retweet Apothica's tweet about my giveaway
• Two entries to leave a comment about Apothica in the comment section of my youtube
• Two entries for opting-in for Apothica's Newsletter (found at the bottom of the website)
• Seven entries for a blog post with a link directed to Apothica
a. Must have a minimum of 100 words and use a pre-defined anchor text and link the post to apothica.com.
b. Mention my youtube giveaway in your blog entry

The Links:
http://apothica.com/

Read More... »

Las Vegas Bachelorette Weekend Recap Notes

This is weeks late, but I still wanted to share all the fun we had during my Las Vegas bachelorette weekend. The three words I would choose to describe it: amazing, perfect, FUN! Don't forget to check the gift boxes / survival packs I made for the wonderful ladies that joined me in Vegas.

Saturday:

• Fly into Vegas around noon and meet up with maid of honor in the airport to head to the hotel: THEhotel at Mandalay Bay.
• Explore the Mandalay Bay casino a bit. Quick lunch at Raffles Cafe (although we had breakfast food: the french toast is GIGANTIC).
  
• Lounge around the hotel room with ladies catching up, as we haven't seen each other in MONTHS.

• Get ready to go out, and explore the casinos a bit.
• Pre-dinner drink at minus5, an ice bar with parkas!
  
• A random guy in Luxor gave us free wristbands for LAX since we were a group of pretty girls. Wristbands gave us free cover and free drinks 11 pm - midnight.
• Delicious dinner at craftsteak in MGM Grand. Father and son at the next table kept trying to be a part of our conversation, but somewhat made up for it by sending over Patron shots after they left.
• Head over to LAX in Luxor. Our wristbands didn't get us in immediately, but we only had to wait a few minutes. We spent about $5 in tips the entire night thanks to the free hour of drinks.
• This was the best part of the evening: One of my more brazen friends leaned over a rope and asked some guys at a private table if we could join them ("we don't want your drinks, we just want to dance!"). They surprisingly let us in, and did indeed share their bottle service with us. We had a TON of fun coaxing the shy ones to dance, and doing nerdy dances like "the robot" as a group. Thank you, random accountants from Boston!
• Left the club at about 2 am, but were lured in by video blackjack just outside for a while.
• Finally get into bed at about 3 am.
  

Sunday:

• COFFEE
• Walk down the strip to Tix 4 Tonight. Paid $2-3 per person for a restaurant reservation and 20 - 50% off our meal.
• Champagne brunch buffet at Bayside Buffet in Mandalay Bay.
• Relaxing spa and pedicures at THEbathhouse in THEhotel in Mandalay Bay.
• Sushi and dinner at Ah Sin at Paris.
  
• Watch the fountains show at Bellagio.
• See Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity show at New York, New York. This is the 18+ "adult" Cirque du Soleil. Lots of topless women, but it was hilarious and still had lots of amazing acrobatic tricks.
  

Monday:

• Chinese foot massage at Hawaiian Marketplace

• Henna tattoo (aka temporary) from random shop on the strip: "i (heart) Anthony 4eva" on my lower back (yes, a tramp stamp). The idea was to scare my wonderful fiancé into thinking it was real. Have to spend an hour afterwards with my shirt pulled up to avoid rubbing.
  
• Lunch at In-n-Out Burger (animal style fries = yummmmmmmmm). Try not to be embarrassed that I have "i (heart) anthony 4eva" exposed on my back.
  
• Free poker lessons from the Mandalay Bay casino. Most of the casinos have this - just ask for what time, it may not be posted.
  
• Gambling time: Lost $20 really quickly at Blackjack. Lost $20 slowly at the slow machines.
  
• Some lingerie shopping
• Pre-dinner drinks at Mix Lounge: top floor of THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. Amazing view and really good wine.
  
• Delicious dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Trattoria del Lupo in Mandalay Bay.
  
• Luxe shopping at the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. We got a kick out of how great the service was once I told them I was shopping for my wedding. I guess that means I'm willing to actually spend money?
  

Tuesday:

• Try to get refund for henna tattoo - not much luck. By morning, it had completely rubbed off and was barely visible. This was the only bad experience in Vegas!
  
• Go to airport and spend some time on the FREE wifi provided by Google.
• Fly home and immediately go to sleep!
  

Related Site

-Online Wedding Planner

-Photographers Weddings

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: Free Las Vegas Bachelor Party

When you or your friends are hosting a Las Vegas bachelor party,or a Las Vegas bachelorette party call the people at www.freevegasbachelorparty.com at 702-351-8197.Save a bundle on your Las Vegas strip clubs and Las Vegas nightclub needs.

Title: Las Vegas Bachelorette Party.wmv

When you or your friends are hosting a Las Vegas bachelor party,or a Las Vegas bachelorette party call the people at www.freevegasbachelorparty.com at 702-351-8197.Save a bundle on your Las Vegas strip clubs and Las Vegas nightclub needs.

Read More... »

WEDDING: The Bell Tower in Rancho Santa Margarita

CONGRATULATIONS: Anna and Chris!

i had the honour and privilege of performing a very special wedding ceremony for these two lovely people! This wedding was extraordinary because of the FAMILY GOLD and RING STAMPING that accompanied the traditional ceremony.

At exactly 4pm, the bells in the Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tower rang the hour, and the ceremony began.

The rings were made of ancestral gold. The passage below, from the actual ceremony text, describes the origin from which the gold came from:

"When Anna and Chris decided to get married, they knew they wanted to do
something special and different for their rings. They wanted the rings to
connect them with their families and their histories and heritage so Chris had
the idea to do this by including gold contributed from family and friends and
then to take part in the making of the rings themselves Once they talked about
their ideas, their friends and family generously got on board and donated scraps
of gold to add to the rings. The rings are made with pieces from four
generations and from as far away as Germany. They have pieces that have
come from treasured objects and some that have just been found along the
way."

Each contribution was carefully logged, photographed and included in a beautiful display. The photographs and histories were bound in a gorgeous hardcover book, with each person's significance/relationship carefully documented. Then, during the ceremony, with the help of the bride's father, who is a metalsmith, the rings were stamped with an oak leaf, which in itself is rich with symbolism:

"For Chris and Anna, an oak tree is a symbol of their love and marriage through its strength and longevity,. The symbolism of the oak runs deep. The tree itself is a symbol of life. The acorn is a symbol of new beginnings. We speak of one’s roots, and rootedness to describe the sense of place and heritage. And perhaps most significant, the English word for “true” is based on the notion of “steadfast as an oak.” “True” comes from the same root as the word for “oak tree,” implying firmness and constancy. And so with this symbol, Chris and Anna will mark and complete the rings. "

Photography was provided by the very talented DAISY VARLEY and catering was provided by FRESCA's.

venus, officant and Life-Cycle Celebrant® at A Non-Denominational Ceremony

Related Site

-The Weddings of Year

-Wedding Ideas on Budget

-Wedding Pictures and Decoration

Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: WEDDING BELL BLUES ★ Laura Nyro (Audio)

From the Album 'The First Songs'

Title: Depapepe - Wedding Bell 2008 Solo

This beautiful tune Wedding Bell was one of the most beautiful acoustically arranged piece in acoustic guitars playing genre composed by Depapepe, Japan. I had collected all their CDs & single albums.

This tune, Wedding Bell originally played by Depapepe, a duo group with only guitars instrument. I wanted to combine the two guitars parts and play it 'solo' myself when I first heard in 2005. So I took one day leave(25th-June-2008), using my Lakewood M14-CP, a Cedar top to play this beautiful tune & upload it on youtube.

I would like to delicate this lovely tune to a special someone in my life. (The White Box is for You, XJ pboo pboo)And it will be presented to you on the "8th-Nov-2008" high up in the sky. :-)
Im still thinking of the venue, but I know on that day, I will find that place and give you a big surprise! I'll wait patiently.

I also like to share with you, Ron & Evan,Sf Elton,Nate Yong(my guitar buddy),Timothy Tan, Bro Ray,Rocksley(型男) & Jimmy Toha and to all fingerstyle guitarists around the world, especially to the Depapepe fans.

Thank you Depapepe

Read More... »

Recap: Day Before the Wedding

Let the wedding recaps begin!  We've passed our three month anniversary, so I think I've procrastinated enough before showing and telling all the wonderful moments from our wedding day.  First up, the day before the wedding:

The day started out with a quiet breakfast, just Anthony and me, in the hotel restaurant.  At this point, we were both pretty stressed and pretty nervous.  It was wonderful to have some alone time with each other.  I highly recommend scheduling this into your wedding week!  We calm each other down in times of stress, which I'm sure will come in handy in our marriage!

(image source)

Most of the day was committed to PAMPERING!  My bridesmaids had come from all over the country, so I wanted all of us to feel pampered and beautiful.  I took them to a fabulous restaurant for lunch, Perry's Steakhouse, where I went before my senior prom years ago.  [ Insert flashback here to Clare in a ridiculous beaded prom dress ]  During lunch, I gave them bridesmaid thank-you gifts.

After lunch, we moved on to mani-pedis and more girl talk.

Turns out my mom had never had a modern pedicure, so one sweet 'maid had to talk her through it.  She was a champ!

Later on, it was time for the rehearsal!  I hired day-of coordinators (BEST decision ever!), so I loaded up their SUV with all of my wedding day supplies.  It felt AMAZING to be able to unload all of that, and not have to deal with it on my wedding day.  The coordinators also helped direct the rehearsal with the priest:

My maid of honor brought along the fake bouquet she made me for the rehearsal.  I'm not sure if this is a tradition everywhere, or just in the South.  At all of the bridal showers, the maid of honor collects ribbons from the gifts to make the rehearsal bouquet.

After the rehearsal, we went straight on to the rehearsal dinner.  Unfortunately, I was incredibly nervous after the rehearsal, so I completely forgot to take pictures of the rehearsal dinner AND we forgot to do any toasts!

We had a wonderful location for the dinner, in a private room at Chabuca's, a Brazilian-style churrascaria steakhouse.  Similar to Fogo de Chao, servers walk around with big skewers of meats and cut off what you want.  Plus there's a giant salad bar.  Chabuca's is run by a really nice man from Texas who married a really nice woman from South America, so the price is about a third of Fogo de Chao!  Everyone loved the dinner, because there's literally something for everyone.

(images source)

Related Site

-Online Wedding Planner

-Photographers Weddings









Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.

Title: Music Video - Raw before TLC PPV - Sheamus and John Cena Recap (Tri.Moon)

You can download this at http://www.trimoon.org/

Tri.Moon here! As you can see I uploaded a new video, recap again. This is Sheamus and John Cena segment from the last Raw. I think this is nothing special, but try to enjoy!

Title: V The Original Miniseries NBC Narrated Recap of Part One (Widescreen, Remastered)

The original NBC narrated recap that aired before part two of "V: The Original Miniseries". It has been remastered and is now in widescreen like the DVDs. This originally aired on May 2, 1983.

Read More... »