One of the best parts of this job is meeting so many different couples.  Spending the afternoon photographing them gives me the opportunity to learn more about them and their story, and oftentimes I get to learn something new about cultures different than my own.  This was certainly the case with Medha and Abhi during their engagement session in downtown Jacksonville, Florida!

Local Engagement, Destination Wedding

We met for an engagement session in downtown Jacksonville, Florida to celebrate the milestone and their (then) upcoming wedding. They told me they would be traveling to India where their families live to tie the knot!  After our session, I without a doubt want to add India to my destination wedding bucket list. We spent our time together walking around downtown for photos of the couple. During our time, I learned about the wedding traditions associated with their culture, some of which you can see in our shoot.

Cultural Symbolism

Medha looked absolutely stunning in the red dress she chose for photos! This, too, is a nod to her cultural traditions.  If you’ve ever attended or seen photos of an Indian wedding, you’ll notice that red is typically the color of choice for brides.  This symbolizes new beginnings, passion, & prosperity– three things we all wish upon newly married couples!  I’m sure you can see from the photos, however, that Medha & Abhi are not at all lacking in passion.

These two radiated excitement for their big day.  While they were more on the private side of some of the clients I’ve worked with in the past, they were more than willing to go in for a smooch or ten during their engagement session!  Their faces lit up as they explained parts of their upcoming ceremony and it was clear that they couldn’t wait to start their lives together.

Wedding Traditions

Medha explained that in Hindu wedding ceremonies, Henna tattoos are typically seen on the bride.  Not only are they a gorgeous  work of art, they’re another symbol of prosperity and blessings upon marriage. I couldn’t help but fantasize about the photo potential for the henna process!  Better yet, when she and Abhi taught me about the Haldi (Turmeric) ceremony, I could envision the beautiful, bold colors and that essentially sealed the deal for me.  India is calling my name!

This session was so much fun, so educational, and I couldn’t have asked for better weather for a more beautiful couple.  I wish them the best in their new marriage for years to come.  Thank you Medha & Abhi for trusting me with your engagement photos.  It was truly my pleasure!

While Jacksonville has lots to offer in terms of locations for shoots (and some great weather, if I’m being honest), destination photography is a service I offer and would love to do more of in the coming year.

Want to schedule your engagement session with me? Contact me here to get started!

Don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest for more wedding day inspiration for your big day!

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

Destination Wedding Locations on My Bucket List

How to Prepare for Your Engagement Photos