Chicago Indian Wedding // Mina + Vish

Mina and Vish have the SWEETEST back story. They met way back in 2016, Vish was getting his masters at IIT while Mina was studying at UIC. They fell in love and were inseparable through the rest of their schooling, and then in January of 2020 Vish gave Mina a ring at the Lincoln Park Zoo lights, where they had their first date! Their wedding day was a four day extravaganza that was full of so much celebration and love. Indian weddings are known for being rich in tradition and overall extravagant parties and Mina and Vish’s Wedding in Chicago did not disappoint!

Henna Party

We started Mina and Vish’s celebration with Mina’s henna party on the Wednesday before their ceremony. Mina and her closest family and friends gathered together to have their henna done prior to the ceremony. They hosted their henna party at a family home where Mina and her family members had their henna applied to their hands and feet. Mina spent her evening eating and enjoying time with her friends and family members as they helped her prep for her wedding day.

Haldi and Chura

Thursday their family celebrated with a Haldi and Chura ceremony. For their Haldi and Chura Ceremony, they blessed the marriage with prayer and gathered to prepare the couple for their marriage. The Haldi is used to cleanse the couple and the Chura is used to help transition Mina to her new role in marriage. Mina is given red and white bangles to wear to her wedding ceremony.

The Jago Party

Mina and Vish hosted their Jago party at Ashyana Banquet Hall in Downers Grove. Family and friends gathered to party and celebrate the unity of Mina and Vish. Mina and Vish were there to greet their guests who gave them gifts and blessings before their ceremony. The family ate together and celebrated the soon to be newlyweds with tradition, dance and so much more. Seeing Mina and Vish let loose on the dance floor surrounded by family and friends was such a cool experience that I loved being able to be a part of!

The Ceremony

Mina and Vish got ready for their Indian wedding ceremony at the Palatine Sikh Temple in Chicago.  As one of the most popular locations to host a Sikh ceremony, the space did not disappoint.  The beautifully decorated and well lit space was the perfect location for Mina and Vish’s ceremony.

Mina and Vish got ready separately the morning of their ceremony.  Mina hid away in one of the back rooms of the temple and put on the finishing touches to her wedding look while Vish got ready at his family’s home.

Per tradition Vish arrived in style on his wedding day with a procession surrounding a family member’s convertible.   His family decorated it to match the decor of their wedding and they celebrated and danced their way in.

After their ceremony the couple visited with family and then shared a meal with their loved ones.  They were able to spend time talking individually to every single person in attendance which was so special.  I love that they made time to visit with their family on their wedding day.

After their meal, Mina, Vish and I headed outside the temple to get some newly-wed portraits of the two of them.  We walked along the lake behind the temple and documented some of their first moments alone as a married couple.

Mina and Vish’s wedding was an incredible experience to be a part of, I absolutely LOVE Indian weddings and being able to be a part of one in Chicago was just the cherry on top. Congratulations to the newly weds! Want to read some more love stories like Mina and Vish’s? Head back to my blog and check out some of my other favs!

Vendors

Day 2 Cake: by Honey n Rose (@_honeynrose_)

DJ/band: DESIchill Productions

HMU: Mehwish Khalid (@makeupbymehwish)

Wedding outfits: Evotique (@evotique)

Invitations/ programs: Suneja Cards (located in India)

Decorations: Windy City Decor (@windycitydecor)