Yasmeen & Alim's Wedding Celebration | San Francisco | August 1-3
Last weekend I spent three days documenting Yasmeen and Alim's Muslim wedding and it was simply amazing.
First, it was so good to work with the couple, they are terrific and it was nice to meet them face to face (they booked me based on my web site and phone conversations, plus Alim is a photographer and had read some of my articles online).
Second, both sides of the family were so welcoming. This leads to great access which means better photographs.
Third, the images were so unique and different than a typical Western wedding which is always nice from a photography perspective.
The following images are from the first day, at Yasmeen's sister's home, south of the city. The women prepared for the wedding by having their hands and arms painted with henna. Yasmeen had more intricate and detailed henna paintings on her arms, hands and fingers as well as her feet (including a hidden "Alim" on her right hand).
It was a great way to kick off the wedding!
So, sit back and please enjoy the largest blog posting I've ever done from a wedding!
Here are images from Day One:
Day Two Images:
Part One, at the hotel
Part Two:
The ceremony at Yasmeen's sister's home
Part Three, later that evening, back at the hotel:
Day Three, The Wedding Day
Part One, at Yasmeen's sister's home:
The Reception, Ralston House, Belmont, CA
First, it was so good to work with the couple, they are terrific and it was nice to meet them face to face (they booked me based on my web site and phone conversations, plus Alim is a photographer and had read some of my articles online).
Second, both sides of the family were so welcoming. This leads to great access which means better photographs.
Third, the images were so unique and different than a typical Western wedding which is always nice from a photography perspective.
The following images are from the first day, at Yasmeen's sister's home, south of the city. The women prepared for the wedding by having their hands and arms painted with henna. Yasmeen had more intricate and detailed henna paintings on her arms, hands and fingers as well as her feet (including a hidden "Alim" on her right hand).
It was a great way to kick off the wedding!
So, sit back and please enjoy the largest blog posting I've ever done from a wedding!
Here are images from Day One:
Day Two Images:
Part One, at the hotel
Part Two:
The ceremony at Yasmeen's sister's home
Part Three, later that evening, back at the hotel:
Day Three, The Wedding Day
Part One, at Yasmeen's sister's home:
The Reception, Ralston House, Belmont, CA
posted by Paul Gero at 11:56 AM
8 Comments:
Can you explain the mess they're making on the groom [I'm supposing]?
Paul, that was something different. Thanks for sharing your work.
Best!
Robert Hammar
Hey Paul -
These were the most interesting wedding photos. The tradition and background probably needs more clarification, but the interesting thing that I noted....
They spent a lot of time obviously with the henna paint on their bodies but I noticed that it was gone on the wedding day (Part 3).
I'm with Ruth......is that a cleansing ritual? Very unique...but looks like they were having fun.
The photos of the children and family that you took were awesome.
Congrats on the excellent work.
Peggy :)
this is beyond amazing paul (yasmeen's friend maria who wouldnt stop hogging the camera) if i ever get married, you're the person!
Paul - beautiful photos, I can't wait to see the rest of them. You were so wonderful with us amongst all the craziness, I really appreciate it!
To answer others' questions - the messing up of the groom is sort of a tradition for the night before the wedding, sort of like a family-oriented bachelor party. Both sides (grooms' and brides') get to partake in the fun. It's not a cleansing ritual, it's just to give him a hard time.
The henna that you see in the first photos are when it is first applied (dark color). The bride leaves it on for 24 hours then washes it off. Once washed off, it becomes more of an orange color and blends into the skin tone, which is why it's not as prominent on days 2 and 3. If you look closely at the brides hands you can still see it.
humaira
(one of the bridesmaids)
Humaira: Thanks for the info. It really was quite beautiful.
Paul, YOu must give us some of the history of this wedding, it is so unusual. I know you are up to your eye teeth but when you have time, I certainly would be interested in knowing more about each shot. They are spectacular!!!
Mom
Really beautiful shots!!! Paul,you've truly captured the essence of the wedding and all the ceremonies. Looking at these pics, I wish i could get married all over again and hire you for the job.
Can't wait to see more!!!
Nilofar (Yasmeen's other bff who also wouldn't stop hogging the camera)
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