Kelle and Taz's Cornerstone wedding spanned two days in Sonoma County and was full of color, love, and laughter. As Taz arrived to meet Kelle for the first time on their Indian wedding day, we got a chance to witness firsthand the incredible love and bond between these two...and their dog Marbles. As Marbles looked on from the window of Cornerstone Sonoma's farmhouse cottage, the couple got just enough time to process how incredible the other looked before turning their attention to their four legged baby. As the couple held each other close, more and more guests began to aggregate towards the garden area and it was time for Tasvir to say goodbye for now and join his Baraat.
Cornerstone is a unique Sonoma County wedding venue in that it is situated in the rural, vine-laden hills of the Carneros appellation, has beautifully landscaped gardens, and it is the site of Sunset magazine's outdoor test kitchen and gardens. Cornerstone gardens are an ever-changing series of gardens, showcasing innovative designs from international and local landscape architects and designers and provide many unique opportunities for peace and quiet amidst - what can be - a hectic wedding day. Kelle really wanted a beautiful outdoor venue that was fun for her guests and modern with rustic touches - their venue had all these elements perfectly in balance.
The ceremony was relatively compact, for many Indian marriage ceremonies can extend for hours. As the groom's baraat arrived at the ceremony, the Swagatam or welcoming came next. Ganesh Puja followed and then, what everyone had been waiting for, Kanya Agamana or the arrival of the bride. Exchange of garlands or Jaimala then the consent for marriage and union of the hands (Kanyadaan and Hasta Melap). The tying of the unity knot or Ganth Bahdhan was next and then Vivah Havan & Mangalphera or lifting and circling of the sacred fire. Sapta Padi or the seven sacred steps and then the Mangalsutra and Sindoor or tying of the marriage necklace and vermillion joined the two. Kansar or exchange of sweets followed and the ceremony concluded with Aashirwad or blessings for the bride and groom. It's pretty intense but the couple smiled through it all and exchanged every stolen glance they could before walking down the aisle as a new couple.
Guests then joined the couple for refreshments at the sperry tent where there day 1 ceremony drew to a close as energies recharged for the following day when they got to do it all again, just in an entirely new set of outfits and with different cultural traditions represented.
We ask a lot of questions on our final, pre-wedding questionnaire but we thought that Kelle and Taz's response to one of our standard questions was the best response yet (and quite on point if you've ever photographed an Indian wedding)