Alright loves, grab some popcorn and gather ’round, because Auntie Jenn, your friendly neighborhood Greensboro wedding photographer, has quite the story for you.
Once upon a time, Grace, the beautiful-inside-and-out, people-loving, detail-oriented Spanish teacher lived in the magical city of Savannah, GA. Grace perfectly strikes that balance of saying what she thinks while still interacting with others in a startlingly gracious way. I know it’s hard to conceptualize, but I swear that’s Grace. She really is like a storybook character for all her amazing talents!
Grace patiently waited for the one whom God ordained for her, and she most certainly found him in the tender-hearted Dipanjan, whose easy smile and warmth make him one of the most inviting individuals you’ll ever meet.
After a fairly short time spent in courtship, DJ asked Grace for her hand in marriage. Immediately, Grace accepted and delved into planning the most intricate wedding I’ve ever seen!
See what I mean? With the help of the incredible teams at Moss and Magnolias and Cha Bella, this wedding endured some crazy, last-minute changes. Here’s what happened, y’all:
First off, it was rainy and dark all day, which can make even the most laid-back of brides antsy. Then, despite booking the BEAUTIFUL LaFayette Square far in advance, Disney swooped in… as the villain in this story. (All good stories need a villain, right? Savannah’s rain is usually the only culprit, but not this time!)
Savannah is one of the locations where they are filming The Lady and the Tramp. Unbeknownst to us, they turned LaFayette Square into a winter wonderland by covering it with fake snow! Seriously!
We pivoted and held the ceremony in Cha Bella’s lovely outdoor patio, where the reception was set to take place. Thankfully, Cha Bella was incredibly understanding and accommodating, and the wedding went on!
What I loved most about this wedding was not only the beautiful love shared between Grace and DJ, but also the nods they made to celebrate to their respective cultures (DJ is Bengali, and Grace is Puerto Rican!). Two beautiful Indian traditions featured in their wedding were the Jhoula tradition, when the newlywed couple is pushed in a swing by their family, and the Sindoor tradition, when the groom marks with red-orange powder the center part of the bride, signifying that she is now a married woman. Grace also is one lucky bride in that she wore TWO wedding dresses: Her white wedding dress, and her stunning pick saree! Check it out:
Not to be outdone, Grace’s Puerto Rican roots came out strong, too. Her family was there and ready to represent!
Taking it up a notch, Grace also hired a salsa instructor for her wedding. Yeah, you read that right. Jealous?
Grace’s wedding was one heck of a party, but truly, it was more than that. It was a beautiful fusion of families, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. SO, so many people have been rooting and praying for Grace and DJ, and this wedding was the impossibly beautiful answer to their prayers. Love abundant overflowed and touched every person in attendance, including me.
I love being a Greensboro wedding photographer, but I hope I will always have excuses to travel back to Savannah, especially if it means photographing stunning weddings like this one!
Grace and DJ, I pray your marriage is even MORE beautiful than your wedding day. I pray the patience, understanding, and love that you have for one another grows with age, and that every single day of your life is blessed and treasured. You two are such treasures, and I look forward to seeing how the Lord will use you.
Your biggest fan and cheerleader,
Jenn <3
Photographers: yours truly & second shooter Caitlin Marie Photography
Venue & Catering: Cha Bella
Wedding Coordination & Florals: Moss and Magnolias
Cake: Baking Sweets Academy
Dress: Custom Fit by Linda Porter
Invitation Design: 123Weddings in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Inda
Groom’s Tux: Men’s Wearhouse
DJ: 5 Point Productions Events
Salsa Instructor: Tarik El Guezzari
Hair Stylist: Rose Riggs
Violinist: Ellen Roe Hopper
It was beyond beautiful! Glad to share in their day with them!