Armina & Mike's Wedding Weekend | King Plow | Atlanta
One of my goals for 2018 was to start blogging some of my photo sessions, and this seems like a pretty perfect couple to start with. I went to college with both Armina & Mike, but got to know Armina well during our time at Georgia Tech. She is truly one of the kindest and most authentic people I have ever known, and her personality radiates through all of these photos. I got to witness her and Mike show love to one another and their closest family & friends throughout the weekend, and they inspired me to give 110% every second of the weekend. Another aspect that made the weekend such an enjoyable experience was having an incredible second shooter, Rhea Chaudhry. I also met Rhea at Georgia Tech, and even though it was our first time shooting together, you’d think we’d been doing it for years. I am grateful for her quick-thinking, willingness to serve and assist while shooting, and for her positive attitude during the weekend.
Armina & Mike’s wedding weekend was Nov. 9th - 11th at King Plow Arts Center in Atlanta, GA, and blended both of their cultures and family backgrounds. I say wedding weekend because their events started Friday night with a small gathering of close friends & family at Armina’s family’s home, where women got mehndi (henna) applied and everyone enjoyed delicious food. On that Saturday, I had the opportunity to photograph their very colorful and special Pithi ceremony, where family & friends showered the couple with good luck using yellow paste, M&M’s, flowers, and more. Sunday evening was their traditional American wedding ceremony, where a fun reception with a packed dance floor followed. This was my first South Asian wedding, but hopefully not the last. Beyond the color and customs that were involved, seeing the love of family in every corner of the room allowed me to capture some of my favorite photos.
My top 3 favorite things from Armina & Mike’s weekend:
The fact that they used so many friends for vendors (myself included!) - we all worked together beautifully because we loved the couple and know them as more than clients. Armina creatively calls us “friendors,” I love that!
Armina & Mike opted to have an ice cream ceremony instead of the traditional wedding cake - it was a hit and we got some pretty sweet photos!
Their wedding was lit…literally. Their sparkler exit was beautiful, but some of the leftover sparklers caught on fire inside of the venue. Look at some of the last photos and you can see the fire’s glare behind Mike & Armina. No one was harmed, thankfully, it just added some unique backlight to the photos!
I hope you enjoy the photos as much as Rhea and I enjoyed capturing them!
— VKV
vendor information
Sunday Wedding Planner: Melanie Grace Weddings
Saturday Pithi Ceremony Planner: Desai Designs
Photography VKV Communications/Vett K. Vandiver, Second Shooter: Rhea Chaudhry
Ceremony/ Reception Venue: King Plow Arts Center | Sunday Catering: Bold Catering | Saturday Pithi Ceremony Catering: Cafe Bombay | Florist: Melanie Grace Weddings | Henna Artist: Beauty You Deserve | Design: Bold Designs | Ice Cream Catering: Queen of Cream | Entertainment (Band or DJ): DJ Southpaw | Bridal Hair & Make Up: Grace Armas Hair & Make Up Design | Sunday Bridesmaids' and MOTG Hair: Hair Design by Aliza Babwani | Sunday Bridesmaids' and MOTG Make Up: Suman Beauty | Saturday Bridal Jewelry, Wedding Party Clothing and Jewelry: The Shaadi Shop | Wedding Rings: With These Rings
