A Vineyard Wedding

You know how you meet people from time to time, and there is just that connection? That’s how it was when I first met Erica. She came to our booth in January at the St. Louis Bride and Groom bridal show. I remember she was a little under the weather, and that I felt bad that she was out in the cold and crowd trying to figure out all of her wedding plans while being sick. 🙁  She told me how she and her fiance, Roshan, had recently moved to the area, and how much of a challenge it was for her to plan the wedding in a new town and away from all her friends and family. I could totally relate – having done the same thing myself last year! We just connected. So I was so excited when we got the opportunity to shoot their wedding!

We met up with Erica and Roshan a few months later for their engagement session, on one of the many rainy Saturdays we had this spring. (And this was after we had rescheduled once due to heavy rain!). The wind turned out to be just too much, and after about 10 minutes of everyone freezing and the rain starting to come down again, we decided to reschedule – third time’s a charm, right? Well, it did turn out to be, and we had a great time. Erica and Roshan are both very kind, considerate, caring individuals – the kind of people that just make you feel good being around them. So needless to say we were extremely excited to shoot their wedding when it arrived!

We got to meet all the ladies  – moms, sisters, and sisters-in-law – at Salon Branca in Chesterfield while they were all getting beautified! 🙂 One delightful surprise was the gorgeous henna art they all had on their hands and/or feet. It was simply beautiful. I (Shannon) had the opportunity to travel to India on a mission trip the summer after my senior year of high school, so it brought back some special memories for me!

From there we went on to the Chandler Hill Vineyard in Missouri wine country. It was a gorgeous – and hot – July day. Erica and Roshan had decided to do their photos before the ceremony, so after they were both dressed and ready Joel took Roshan out into the vineyard to await the arrival of his bride. I got to come down with Erica a few minutes later, and the moment Roshan turned around and saw her in her dress for the first time, he melted. It was one of the most precious first look’s we’ve had! They are so in love, and it just showed all over them.

It had to be love because they were such great sports as we traipsed around the vineyard to do photos in the high 90’s heat! The ceremony, also outdoors ;), was very intimate and personal with a close friend actually performing it. A standout moment was during the pronouncement when he said, “By the power vested in my by the internet – giver of all good things – I now pronounce Erica and Roshan man and wife.” It was AWESOME! 😉

There are so many favorite parts of the day…but one (other) favorite part was during the party. Can I just say, that this was one of the most fun receptions we’ve been at?! It was my first time experiencing the Horah, other than seeing it on a movie, and it was just so fun! Everyone had a great time dancing well into the evening. It was a wedding to remember, with a couple we’re privileged to now know. Erica and Roshan, we love you guys! Congratulations.