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Indian Wedding Photography at the Fairmont San Francisco – Harman & Sonia

I have been an Indian wedding photographer since 2014 and still the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel is one of my most favorite wedding venues to photograph in. So you can imagine my excitement when an Indian bride tells me that I get to capture her wedding photos in one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the Bay Area. When Sonia and Harman contacted me, I had a great feeling about their wedding. Not only was the couple exceptionally beautiful, they also had Amrit of Anais Events on their team to plan every detail of their wedding. Well, just as I predicted, I enjoyed photographing this beautiful Indian wedding. Beginning from the moment Sonia was getting into her red lengha to their first dance in the Grand Ballroom and even up to the final dance offs at the end of the reception. The love shared between the couple and the families was very evident and it was a pleasure capturing all of the beautiful, candid moments through my lens.

Wedding dress from Indian Frontier Vancouver - Wedding at Fairmont San FranciscoIndian wedding - Gold invitations & stationaryIndian Wedding photos of Diamond ringsIndian bride getting ready at the Fairmont San FranciscoIndian bride getting ready at the Fairmont San FranciscoIndian bride getting ready at the Fairmont San FranciscoIndian bride getting ready at the Fairmont San FranciscoIndian bride getting ready at the Fairmont San FranciscoIndian bride getting ready at the Fairmont San Francisco

Sikh Indian bride portrait in Red Lehenga

Sikh Indian bride portrait in Red Lehenga

Sikh Indian bride portrait in Red Lehenga

Sikh Indian bride Henna Mehndi

Sikh groom portrait in the rooftop garden of Fairmont San Francisco

Sikh groom portrait in the rooftop garden of Fairmont San Francisco

Indian bride in red lehenga and groom first look in a rooftop garden.Indian bride in red lehenga and groom first look in a rooftop garden at Fairmont SFIndian bride in red lehenga and groom first look in a rooftop garden at Fairmont SFIndian bride in red lehenga and groom first look in a rooftop garden at Fairmont SFIndian bride in red lehenga and groom kiss in a rooftop garden at Fairmont San FranciscoIndian bride in red lehenga and groom hold hands decorated with henna and gold rings and jewelryIndian bride in red lehenga and groom portrait on the rooftop of Fairmont San FranciscoIndian bride in red lehenga and groom portrait on the rooftop of Fairmont San FranciscoIndian bridesmaids in red and peach lehengas on the rooftop garden of Fairmont San Francisco cityscapeIndian bride in red lehenga with family on the rooftop garden of Fairmont San Francisco cityscapeIndian bride in red lehenga portrait on the rooftop of Fairmont San Francisco cityscape

The Baraat

The groom’s arrival to the ceremony hall is a very big deal in the Sikh Indian community and I really enjoy photographing the joyous moments of the baraat. Harman arrived in an antique automobile as he was greeted by a cheering crowd of family and friends who were already dancing in celebration to the dhol music of the drummers. Mason Street had to be closed down for some time as the parade took place towards the iconic row of international flags at the entrance of the Fairmont Hotel. It was definitely a sight to see! Several bystanders and tourists even took out their phones to share this moment on social media. Here are some of my favorite shots.

Indian wedding baraat dancing on Mason Street in front of Fairmont San Francisco

Indian wedding baraat dancing on Mason Street in front of Fairmont San Francisco

Indian wedding baraat groom dancing on Mason Street in front of Fairmont San Francisco

The Ceremony

The Gold Room inside the Fairmont San Francisco was the perfect setting for this noble Sikh wedding. The stunning architecture made every ritual of the wedding ceremony feel royal and grand. Harman and Sonia circled around the Guru Granth Sahib four times as the Giani (officiator) read out the four Laavas. This is the most important part of a Sikh ceremony and represents vows the couple make to each other. Sonia’s family then walked her down the stairs and said their goodbyes in an emotional vidai ceremony, escorting her into an awaiting getaway car. That symbolic moment is one of my favorite parts to capture because the family is very raw and genuine in their emotions as the bride leaves her family and joins the groom and his family.

Sikh Indian wedding ceremony floral decor in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony of bride and groom in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony of bride and groom in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony floral decor in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony floral decor in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony of bride and groom in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony of bride and groom in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony of bride and groom in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding ceremony of bride and groom in the Gold Room of Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding vidaii ritual of bride and groom at the Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding vidaii ritual of bride and groom at the Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding vidaii ritual of bride and groom at the Fairmont San FranciscoSikh Indian wedding vidaii ritual of bride and groom at the Fairmont San Francisco

Sikh Indian wedding vidaii ritual of bride and groom on Mason Street in front of the Fairmont San Francisco

Indian wedding couple driving in antique car through the City of San Francisco

Indian wedding couple driving in antique car through the City of San Francisco

The Reception

When evening approached, Harman changed into his tuxedo and bowtie while Sonia put on her Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry. Before the festivities resumed, we took a brief moment to take some portraits of the couple on the rooftop garden of the Fairmont San Francisco. These are typically the photos couples hang around their home so I make sure to position the couple to showcase the sentiment of their big day. Afterwards, we returned to the Grand Ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel, which was beautifully decorated with gorgeous flowers and special lighting effects fit for a true celebration. Indian weddings have lots of traditions but when the wedding reception begins, it is all about celebrating, dancing, drinking and just having a really good time. To capture all of the vivid colors and atmosphere of a festive Indian wedding reception, I use my off-camera flashes and basically don’t stop clicking away until the music stops.

Indian groom getting dressed for wedding reception in tuxedo with groomsmen with red bowtie

B&W image of Indian groom posing by a window in a tuxedo

B&W image of Indian groom posing by a window in a tuxedo and bowtie

Indian groom and groomsmen cheers before reception in tuxedo with red bowtieIndian bride Pratap Sons wedding dress hanging in hotel roomIndian bride getting makeup done in hotel room of Fairmont SF

Indian bride model in Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry

Indian bride model in Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry on henna mehndi hands

Indian bride model in Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry with perfect makeup mua

Indian bride model in Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry with perfect makeup mua

Indian bride in Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry and groom with red bowtie portraitIndian bride in Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry and groom with red bowtie portrait

Indian bride in Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry and groom with red bowtie portrait

Indian bride in Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry and groom with red bowtie candid portrait

Indian bride in Pratap Sons wedding dress, gold jewelry, red bangles, henna mehndi artIndian bride in Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry and groom in navy blue tuxedo with red bowtie rooftop Fairmont SF portraitIndian bride in Pratap Sons wedding dress and gold jewelry and groom in navy blue tuxedo with red bowtie rooftop Fairmont SF portraitIndian wedding reception floral decor design table settings in the grand ballroom of the Fairmont San Francisco by Anais EventsIndian wedding reception floral decor design table settings in the grand ballroom of the Fairmont San Francisco by Anais Events

Indian wedding reception floral decor design gold 5 layer cake in the Fairmont San Francisco

Indian wedding reception floral decor design table settings in the grand ballroom of the Fairmont San Francisco by Anais Events

Indian wedding reception floral decor design table settings and gold cake in the grand ballroom of the Fairmont San Francisco by Anais EventsIndian wedding reception bride and groom cutting 5 layer gold cake in the grand ballroom of Fairmont SFIndian wedding reception bride and groom first dance in the grand ballroom of Fairmont SFIndian wedding reception bride and groom first dance in the grand ballroom of Fairmont SFIndian wedding reception bride and groom speech toast and cheers in the grand ballroom of Fairmont SFIndian wedding reception bride and groom speech toast and cheers in the grand ballroom of Fairmont SFIndian wedding reception bride and groom speech toast and cheers in the grand ballroom of Fairmont SFIndian wedding reception bride and groom speech toast and cheers in the grand ballroom of Fairmont SFIndian wedding reception dancing moves, party, friends, lights, dj in the grand ballroom of FairmontSFIndian wedding reception dancing moves, party, friends, lights, dj in the grand ballroom of FairmontSFIndian wedding reception dancing moves, party, friends, lights, dj in the grand ballroom of FairmontSFIndian wedding reception dancing moves, party, friends, lights, dj in the grand ballroom of FairmontSFIndian wedding reception dancing moves, party, friends, lights, dj in the grand ballroom of FairmontSFIndian wedding reception dancing moves, party, friends, lights, dj in the grand ballroom of FairmontSFIndian wedding reception dancing moves, party, friends, lights, dj in the grand ballroom of FairmontSFIndian wedding reception dancing moves, party, friends, lights, dj in the grand ballroom of FairmontSFIndian wedding reception dancing moves, party, friends, lights, dj in the grand ballroom of FairmontSFIndian wedding reception dancing moves, party, friends, lights, dj in the grand ballroom of FairmontSF

I always enjoy looking back at the photos I captured and reliving the emotions of those moments. It’s always rewarding to know that I was trusted to be there for the most important day of a couple’s life, capturing all the emotions and moments to be treasured forever. Understanding this huge responsibility and hearing how much the bride and groom appreciate the photos is what makes me so happy that I chose to be a wedding photographer.

Along with me being the wedding photographer, my brother and our cinema team pulled off an amazing Same Day Edit film that they premiered at the wedding reception. Check out the epic video in this blog post here.

I hope you enjoyed ALL of these wedding photos from this beautiful Sikh Indian wedding at the Fairmont San Francisco hotel.

Are you looking for a Bay Area Indian Wedding Photographer? 

Photography: Aperina Studios
Cinematography: Aperina Studios
Wedding Venue: Fairmont San Francisco
Wedding Planner: Anais Events
Design: Anais Events
DJ: Wicked Entertainment
Hair & Makeup: LB Salon
Catering: Jalsa
Cake: Inticing Creations
Stationery: Shaadi Papery

We are a Bay Area Indian Wedding Photography company that captures stunning wedding photos from your wedding.

2 Comments
  • George Palmer
    Posted at 12:01h, 28 August Reply

    Wow. This set of photos is stunning. Blessing to the couple and good luck to you guys!

  • St Paul Boudoir Photography
    Posted at 07:41h, 25 April Reply

    Absolutely breathtaking captures of Harman and Sonia’s Indian wedding at the Fairmont San Francisco! The colors, details, and emotions are beautifully portrayed in every shot. How did you navigate the challenge of blending the rich cultural traditions with the opulent setting of the venue?

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