Indian Wedding:  Jannele and Pratap at Milwaukee Art Museum!

It is always a treat to have a wedding at the Milwaukee Art Museum, but it is a rare occurrence when that day begins with an Indian wedding at the Hindu Temple of Wisconsin in Pewaukee.  Jannele and Pratap treated us to such an experience and amazing array of Indian cuisine throughout the day.  This was a day that thoroughly satisfied at least three of our five senses.

The coming together of families is an aspect of weddings that never fails to move us.  When different cultures are coming together as well, there is no shortage of memorable moments to capture.  There is a fascinating combination of old and new, of those who are seemingly innately aware of the customs and those who are newly exposed.  Moreover, it’s an embracing of not only a person and family by another person and family, but of one culture embracing another.  It’s beautiful and uniquely personal and an honor for us to bear witness to and document.

Jannele and Pratap took everything that has made each of them who they are and who they each fell in love with, mixed it all up and came up with a perfect wedding day.  The traditions of the Hindu ceremony were fascinating to observe.  Jannele and Pratap each went through a series of blessings individually, then together until the ceremony concluded with a number of fun rituals culminating in each of them having a head full of rice.  A crowd favorite was when they each thrust their hands into the same jug of water trying to be first to retrieve their wedding ring.  A wise gentleman pointed out that while Jannele appeared to win this game (and therefore get the upper hand in the marriage!) it was really a shrewd move by a new husband to let his wife think she won.

After a morning of rituals and an amazing Indian buffet for lunch, everyone moved downtown to get ready for a stunning Milwaukee Art Museum wedding.  Jannele changed into her wedding gown, Pratap put on a tuxedo and the sun shone bright on the modest gathering for a wonderful ceremony and beautiful cocktail hour.  We snuck the bridal party away for some photos and returned to the reception for dinner and dancing. Flowers were provided by Alfa Flowers, Simma’s made an amazing cake, and Double Platinum lit the room and entertained everyone. The night culminated with fireworks from the Summerfest grounds to put an exclamation point on a great wedding day!