Family Portrait Fun With The Gopalan’s And One Very Popular Chellappan In McLean Virginia

The maid of honor`s job is NEVER done! 😂 Mid-recessional, bouquet in hand, grinning ear to ear... and there she is, still on duty, making sure that train falls just right. This is the stuff we live for — the split second nobody else even notices because everyone`s watching the couple, but we catch it every time.

This fusion celebration had it all — the church aisle, the sherwanis and sarees cheering from the pews, pure joy on every face. Moments like this are exactly why we shoot the whole room, not just the aisle. Tag a maid of honor who`d do this without even being asked 👇

5 1

Open post by theregetis with ID 18413644159152164

The maid of honor's job is NEVER done! 😂 Mid-recessional, bouquet in hand, grinning ear to ear... and there she is, still on duty, making sure that train falls just right. This is the stuff we live for — the split second nobody else even notices because everyone's watching the couple, but we catch it every time.

This fusion celebration had it all — the church aisle, the sherwanis and sarees cheering from the pews, pure joy on every face. Moments like this are exactly why we shoot the whole room, not just the aisle. Tag a maid of honor who'd do this without even being asked 👇

There is someone who greets the guests at almost every Hindu wedding we photograph before they ever see the bride or groom.

Lord Ganesha. ❤️

Today is Ganesh Chaturthi, and after more than two decades of photographing Indian and fusion weddings, Ganesha has become one of those details we instinctively look for.

Sometimes he’s grand and surrounded by flowers. Sometimes he’s a small murti quietly placed near the ceremony entrance. But his presence means something: new beginnings, wisdom, prosperity and the removal of obstacles.

And what bigger new beginning is there than marriage?

For our Indian-American and fusion families, we also think there’s something important in this: traditions don’t have to remain frozen in time to remain meaningful.

Celebrate them. Explain them to your children. Let grandparents tell the stories. Blend traditions from both sides. Add the birthday cake if you want to! There is no cultural purity test your family needs to pass.

Tradition survives because we continue carrying it forward—even when the next generation carries it a little differently.

And a Regeti family fun fact? Ganesh isn’t our only birthday today. Our son Brijesh turns 24 while spending his birthday in Peru in the Peace Corps! ❤️

He also has medical school applications out there in the universe, so given Ganesha’s reputation for removing obstacles… we’re just saying, a little birthday favor would be perfectly timed. 😉🙏🏽

Happy 24th Birthday, Brijesh. We love you tremendously and are so proud of you.

And Happy Ganesh Chaturthi from our fusion family to yours.

Different paths. Beautiful together. ❤️

10 2

Open post by theregetis with ID 17962351590194959

There is someone who greets the guests at almost every Hindu wedding we photograph before they ever see the bride or groom.

Lord Ganesha. ❤️

Today is Ganesh Chaturthi, and after more than two decades of photographing Indian and fusion weddings, Ganesha has become one of those details we instinctively look for.

Sometimes he’s grand and surrounded by flowers. Sometimes he’s a small murti quietly placed near the ceremony entrance. But his presence means something: new beginnings, wisdom, prosperity and the removal of obstacles.

And what bigger new beginning is there than marriage?

For our Indian-American and fusion families, we also think there’s something important in this: traditions don’t have to remain frozen in time to remain meaningful.

Celebrate them. Explain them to your children. Let grandparents tell the stories. Blend traditions from both sides. Add the birthday cake if you want to! There is no cultural purity test your family needs to pass.

Tradition survives because we continue carrying it forward—even when the next generation carries it a little differently.

And a Regeti family fun fact? Ganesh isn’t our only birthday today. Our son Brijesh turns 24 while spending his birthday in Peru in the Peace Corps! ❤️

He also has medical school applications out there in the universe, so given Ganesha’s reputation for removing obstacles… we’re just saying, a little birthday favor would be perfectly timed. 😉🙏🏽

Happy 24th Birthday, Brijesh. We love you tremendously and are so proud of you.

And Happy Ganesh Chaturthi from our fusion family to yours.

Different paths. Beautiful together. ❤️

And she`s off! That train is doing ALL the talking. 😍 No one ever really sees the hours of hand-sewn lacework, the fittings, the careful steps down the aisle just to keep it perfect — but oh my goodness, when it unfolds like this? Pure statement piece. This is why we always hang back a beat before the ceremony starts — some of the best storytelling happens in the walk itself.

What detail on your dress (or your partner`s outfit) are you most excited for us to capture? Tell us in the comments, or DM us to chat about your big day! 👇

4 1

Open post by theregetis with ID 18206752402363814

And she's off! That train is doing ALL the talking. 😍 No one ever really sees the hours of hand-sewn lacework, the fittings, the careful steps down the aisle just to keep it perfect — but oh my goodness, when it unfolds like this? Pure statement piece. This is why we always hang back a beat before the ceremony starts — some of the best storytelling happens in the walk itself.

What detail on your dress (or your partner's outfit) are you most excited for us to capture? Tell us in the comments, or DM us to chat about your big day! 👇

This is the part no one plans for. Tara had already arrived, the doors were about to open, and there was no time for a formal bridal party photo — so instead of forcing one, we worked with what we had. "Tara, look back, drop your bouquet" — and just like that, the girls came running to gather her train, laughing, adjusting, completely in the moment. Thirty seconds before walking down the aisle, and it turned into one of my favorite images from her whole day.

This is why we never stick rigidly to a shot list. The real moments are usually the ones that happen when there`s supposedly no time left. Have a wedding day timeline that feels too tight for photos? DM us — we love figuring out how to make it work.

10 2

Open post by theregetis with ID 17986873287067020

This is the part no one plans for. Tara had already arrived, the doors were about to open, and there was no time for a formal bridal party photo — so instead of forcing one, we worked with what we had. "Tara, look back, drop your bouquet" — and just like that, the girls came running to gather her train, laughing, adjusting, completely in the moment. Thirty seconds before walking down the aisle, and it turned into one of my favorite images from her whole day.

This is why we never stick rigidly to a shot list. The real moments are usually the ones that happen when there's supposedly no time left. Have a wedding day timeline that feels too tight for photos? DM us — we love figuring out how to make it work.

There`s a whole story happening in this one shot. Tara`s hands are just resting there, but you can feel the anticipation in them — and meanwhile everything else around her is full throttle, last touches happening, the clock ticking down to "it`s time." This is the kind of moment we live for as photographers... the quiet inside the chaos, right before it all begins.

Have a getting-ready moment like this you still think about? Tell us in the comments, or DM us if you`re planning your big day and want these details captured too. 💛

7 1

Open post by theregetis with ID 17913838158264408

There's a whole story happening in this one shot. Tara's hands are just resting there, but you can feel the anticipation in them — and meanwhile everything else around her is full throttle, last touches happening, the clock ticking down to "it's time." This is the kind of moment we live for as photographers... the quiet inside the chaos, right before it all begins.

Have a getting-ready moment like this you still think about? Tell us in the comments, or DM us if you're planning your big day and want these details captured too. 💛

That look on their faces?! The anticipation is REAL as everyone waits on Tara to make her entrance. 😄 You can practically feel the countdown happening in this hallway — flower girls fussing with their dresses, the littlest ring bearer clutching his sippy cup like it`s his most important job of the day, and one very serious best man giving us his best "are we doing this or what" face.

This is my favorite kind of chaos to photograph — the in-between moments right before the doors open, when a wedding party of tiny humans (and their very patient grownups) are doing everything they can to hold it together for just a few more minutes. Been shooting these hallway holding patterns for almost 20 years and they never get old.

What`s your favorite pre-ceremony moment — the nerves, the giggles, or the "please don`t cry" pep talks? Tell me below, or DM us to chat about capturing your own day. 👇

8 2

Open post by theregetis with ID 18108741740584079

That look on their faces?! The anticipation is REAL as everyone waits on Tara to make her entrance. 😄 You can practically feel the countdown happening in this hallway — flower girls fussing with their dresses, the littlest ring bearer clutching his sippy cup like it's his most important job of the day, and one very serious best man giving us his best "are we doing this or what" face.

This is my favorite kind of chaos to photograph — the in-between moments right before the doors open, when a wedding party of tiny humans (and their very patient grownups) are doing everything they can to hold it together for just a few more minutes. Been shooting these hallway holding patterns for almost 20 years and they never get old.

What's your favorite pre-ceremony moment — the nerves, the giggles, or the "please don't cry" pep talks? Tell me below, or DM us to chat about capturing your own day. 👇

Tara and Birju got married... and then got MOVING! 🏃‍♀️💨 Fresh off their Hindu ceremony (still glowing in those gorgeous floral garlands!), they had zero minutes to spare before jumping into their Christian ceremony next. Two beautiful traditions, one incredible day, and a timeline tighter than Birju`s sherwani buttons!

This is exactly why we love fusion weddings — the joy, the family energy, the sheer logistics of pulling off two ceremonies in one day. Tara and Birju, you crushed it. 🙌

Planning a multi-ceremony celebration of your own? Drop a comment or DM us — we live for this kind of beautiful chaos.

9 4

Open post by theregetis with ID 17924620824420234

Tara and Birju got married... and then got MOVING! 🏃‍♀️💨 Fresh off their Hindu ceremony (still glowing in those gorgeous floral garlands!), they had zero minutes to spare before jumping into their Christian ceremony next. Two beautiful traditions, one incredible day, and a timeline tighter than Birju's sherwani buttons!

This is exactly why we love fusion weddings — the joy, the family energy, the sheer logistics of pulling off two ceremonies in one day. Tara and Birju, you crushed it. 🙌

Planning a multi-ceremony celebration of your own? Drop a comment or DM us — we live for this kind of beautiful chaos.

The second it becomes official 😍 Birju`s face here is EVERYTHING — so overwhelmed he couldn`t even get his hand up, while Tara was already celebrating with the whole family cheering around them. LOVE IT!

Moments like this are exactly why we love what we do. Ready to capture yours? Send us a DM or book a consult with us!

8 1

Open post by theregetis with ID 17987552933858367

The second it becomes official 😍 Birju's face here is EVERYTHING — so overwhelmed he couldn't even get his hand up, while Tara was already celebrating with the whole family cheering around them. LOVE IT!

Moments like this are exactly why we love what we do. Ready to capture yours? Send us a DM or book a consult with us!

The second the last phera ended, Tara obviously was given the intel about the sitting superstition — whoever sits down first "rules the household." You can see the exact moment it registers on her face 😂 Birju clearly wasn`t messing around either, mid-scramble to beat her to the chair.

We love catching these split-second moments in between the more serious parts of the ceremony — the laughter, the teasing, the little cultural traditions passed down half-joking, half-serious. Tara embraced every bit of it, and it showed. This is exactly why we never put the cameras down between rituals. Comment below if you`ve heard of this tradition (or tried to win it at your own wedding) 👇

8 3

Open post by theregetis with ID 18132747337640607

The second the last phera ended, Tara obviously was given the intel about the sitting superstition — whoever sits down first "rules the household." You can see the exact moment it registers on her face 😂 Birju clearly wasn't messing around either, mid-scramble to beat her to the chair.

We love catching these split-second moments in between the more serious parts of the ceremony — the laughter, the teasing, the little cultural traditions passed down half-joking, half-serious. Tara embraced every bit of it, and it showed. This is exactly why we never put the cameras down between rituals. Comment below if you've heard of this tradition (or tried to win it at your own wedding) 👇

These are the kind of details Srinu and I chase during every phera — she and Birju took their seven steps together. Saptapadi is also such a quiet, grounded part of a Hindu wedding, but there`s so much weight in it: every step is a vow, a promise, a piece of the life they`re building. It is easy to see why you can never be too comfortable at Hindu weddings - no two pandits do anything alike and this time saptapadi was placed where even the guests were unable to see it. For us it`s the embroidery on her lehenga catching the ball room lights, the petals scattered underfoot — it`s these small, easy-to-miss moments that end up meaning the most when you look back years later. Or even weeks later when you receive your photos and can finally ask your in-laws what exactly is the meaning behind everything you did!

Have you been part of a saptapadi before, as a guest or in your own wedding? Tell me what you remember about it — and if you`re planning your ceremony, DM me or head to the link in bio to chat about your day.

9 1

Open post by theregetis with ID 17968327698155908

These are the kind of details Srinu and I chase during every phera — she and Birju took their seven steps together. Saptapadi is also such a quiet, grounded part of a Hindu wedding, but there's so much weight in it: every step is a vow, a promise, a piece of the life they're building. It is easy to see why you can never be too comfortable at Hindu weddings - no two pandits do anything alike and this time saptapadi was placed where even the guests were unable to see it. For us it's the embroidery on her lehenga catching the ball room lights, the petals scattered underfoot — it's these small, easy-to-miss moments that end up meaning the most when you look back years later. Or even weeks later when you receive your photos and can finally ask your in-laws what exactly is the meaning behind everything you did!

Have you been part of a saptapadi before, as a guest or in your own wedding? Tell me what you remember about it — and if you're planning your ceremony, DM me or head to the link in bio to chat about your day.

That split second during the jai mala when everyone forgets to be quiet! Tara had to reach up on her toes and Birju is certainly not making it easy, and then suddenly Tara throws it on and the whole mandap just erupted — dads laughing, moms clapping, the officiant leaning into the mic. The garland is the easy part to capture. The joy around it is the part you can`t stage.

Want your family`s reactions caught organically? Check out our blog for the full post. And if you are now starting your planning send us a DM or book a consult directly on our website at TheRegetis dot com of course!

8 3

Open post by theregetis with ID 17916470106245438

That split second during the jai mala when everyone forgets to be quiet! Tara had to reach up on her toes and Birju is certainly not making it easy, and then suddenly Tara throws it on and the whole mandap just erupted — dads laughing, moms clapping, the officiant leaning into the mic. The garland is the easy part to capture. The joy around it is the part you can't stage.

Want your family's reactions caught organically? Check out our blog for the full post. And if you are now starting your planning send us a DM or book a consult directly on our website at TheRegetis dot com of course!

Recap of Abigail + Corey`s Wedding

3 0

Open post by theregetis with ID 18156471463453584

That moment right before the groom walks in — known as Ponkhnu (or Ponkvu) the welcoming ceremony which is a playful, lighthearted reminder for him to remain humble and grounded. Love it when the whole crowd just... waits in anticipation and cheerfulness to see if she succeeds. Birju`s baraat was pure joy and noise and love, and this little pocket of quiet in the middle of it? That`s the good stuff. That`s what we`re here for.

You can see it in his face — half WTH "who told her!", half trying not to laugh, fully surrounded by people who showed up for him. Moments like these are why we live for the chaos. The real story is always happening in the small gestures.

11 5

Open post by theregetis with ID 17998971308808763

That moment right before the groom walks in — known as Ponkhnu (or Ponkvu) the welcoming ceremony which is a playful, lighthearted reminder for him to remain humble and grounded. Love it when the whole crowd just... waits in anticipation and cheerfulness to see if she succeeds. Birju's baraat was pure joy and noise and love, and this little pocket of quiet in the middle of it? That's the good stuff. That's what we're here for.

You can see it in his face — half WTH "who told her!", half trying not to laugh, fully surrounded by people who showed up for him. Moments like these are why we live for the chaos. The real story is always happening in the small gestures.

I know, I know — everyone wants candids these days, and we love those too. But look at this moment. Someone asked for this photo. Maybe it was mom. Maybe it was the bride herself, thinking ahead to the day this hangs above the fireplace.

Here`s what decades of doing this has taught us: nobody remembers to ask for the posed shots in the moment. They`re too busy living the day. That`s our job — to know which ones matter before you do, and to make sure you have them when you`re looking back in year 10, not just scrolling in year one.

Whose photo like this do you still have hanging up?

Tell us in the comments, or DM us if you`re planning and want to talk through what shots matter most for your family.

@thewestinarlington

17 6

Open post by theregetis with ID 18625047889056096

I know, I know — everyone wants candids these days, and we love those too. But look at this moment. Someone asked for this photo. Maybe it was mom. Maybe it was the bride herself, thinking ahead to the day this hangs above the fireplace.

Here's what decades of doing this has taught us: nobody remembers to ask for the posed shots in the moment. They're too busy living the day. That's our job — to know which ones matter before you do, and to make sure you have them when you're looking back in year 10, not just scrolling in year one.

Whose photo like this do you still have hanging up?

Tell us in the comments, or DM us if you're planning and want to talk through what shots matter most for your family.

@thewestinarlington

This is the kind of moment/detail that never makes it onto a shot list. A quiet letter, read alone, right before everything else begins. No planner tells us this is happening - it`s something we only catch because we know to be watching/looking for it.

That`s really the heart of what we`re getting at: any photographer can show up and photograph the schedule. But knowing which five minutes deserve more attention than the other fifty? That comes from actually knowing you - your family, your pace, the little things that matter to you that might not even make the timeline. So tell us. What moment do you not want us to miss? Drop it in the comments or send us a DM - we`d love to hear it.

9 1

Open post by theregetis with ID 18623967877018359

This is the kind of moment/detail that never makes it onto a shot list. A quiet letter, read alone, right before everything else begins. No planner tells us this is happening - it's something we only catch because we know to be watching/looking for it.

That's really the heart of what we're getting at: any photographer can show up and photograph the schedule. But knowing which five minutes deserve more attention than the other fifty? That comes from actually knowing you - your family, your pace, the little things that matter to you that might not even make the timeline. So tell us. What moment do you not want us to miss? Drop it in the comments or send us a DM - we'd love to hear it.

Can we talk about family photo lists for a second? Every couple comes to us with a mental (or literal) list of every combination — grandma with the couple, grandma with just the bride, grandma with the whole side, and on and on. And look, that instinct is real — a moment like this one, with grandma catching kisses from both sides, is priceless. It`ll matter more in twenty years than almost anything else from the day.

But here`s what decades now of shooting weddings taught us: a giant list doesn`t guarantee better coverage. It usually guarantees rushed, stiff photos while everyone stands around waiting. We`d rather build in real time for the moments that actually happen — than force a hundred lineups that all start blurring together anyway.

Curious how we plan family portraits for big Indian weddings without the chaos? Drop a comment or DM us — happy to walk you through it.

4 1

Open post by theregetis with ID 17905650909542892

Can we talk about family photo lists for a second? Every couple comes to us with a mental (or literal) list of every combination — grandma with the couple, grandma with just the bride, grandma with the whole side, and on and on. And look, that instinct is real — a moment like this one, with grandma catching kisses from both sides, is priceless. It'll matter more in twenty years than almost anything else from the day.

But here's what decades now of shooting weddings taught us: a giant list doesn't guarantee better coverage. It usually guarantees rushed, stiff photos while everyone stands around waiting. We'd rather build in real time for the moments that actually happen — than force a hundred lineups that all start blurring together anyway.

Curious how we plan family portraits for big Indian weddings without the chaos? Drop a comment or DM us — happy to walk you through it.

This is the moment right before the toast — a mom, mic in hand, reaching to bless the bread on the table before the cake gets cut. Little rituals like this are easy to miss in the moment, but they`re exactly what a couple`s kids will point to one day and say "tell me about this again."

This is what we mean when we say we photograph the whole story, not just the highlight reel. These are the images that get looked at for a lifetime — because the love in them is so palpable.

Want your wedding day documented like this? Send us a DM or book a consult — we`d love to hear about your families traditions.

6 1

Open post by theregetis with ID 18335163730260332

This is the moment right before the toast — a mom, mic in hand, reaching to bless the bread on the table before the cake gets cut. Little rituals like this are easy to miss in the moment, but they're exactly what a couple's kids will point to one day and say "tell me about this again."

This is what we mean when we say we photograph the whole story, not just the highlight reel. These are the images that get looked at for a lifetime — because the love in them is so palpable.

Want your wedding day documented like this? Send us a DM or book a consult — we'd love to hear about your families traditions.

Some ceremonies are beautiful because of where they happen.

And some are beautiful because you understand a little bit about who is standing up there.

We first met Abigail nearly eight years before this moment, while photographing the wedding of two people incredibly dear to our family. Back then, Abigail was simply this quiet, kind, soft-spoken young woman we happened to meet on someone else’s wedding day.

We certainly had no idea that years later we would be standing beneath the trees at Poplar Springs Manor watching her walk toward Corey.

And maybe that is part of why this ceremony hit differently.

There was nothing about it that felt like it was trying to perform for anyone.

It was Abigail and Corey.

Her mom looking at her in that way mothers do when pride, love and the realization that their little girl is actually getting married all seem to arrive at once.

Corey, whose entire expression seemed to soften whenever he looked at Abigail.

Their families gathered closely around them.

And, of course, Peekachu—because apparently even a wedding ceremony is still subject to the gravitational pull of a Golden Retriever who knows perfectly well that they are part of this family.

Under the treeline overlooking the water at Poplar Springs Manor in Casanova, Virginia, they simply stood there and chose one another.

That sounds almost too simple when we are constantly shown weddings as productions.

But after photographing weddings for more than twenty years, we have learned that simple is often where the good stuff lives.

A look.

A hand held a little tighter.

Parents trying not to cry.

A groom watching his bride.

Two families quietly becoming something new.

Those are the things we are looking for.

And there was something especially full-circle about documenting all of it at Poplar Springs—a property woven into our own history as photographers and now permanently woven into Abigail and Corey’s story too.

Nearly eight years after first meeting Abigail at someone else’s wedding, there we were photographing hers.

Life can be wonderfully funny that way.

Abigail + Corey, it was genuinely an honor to witness this one.

@poplarspringsmanor

8 3

Open post by theregetis with ID 18102751637033398

Family Portrait Fun with the Gopalan’s and one very popular Chellappan in McLean, Virginia

Family Portrait Fun with the Gopalan’s and one very popular Chellappan in McLean Virginia

Family Portrait Fun with the Gopalan’s and one very popular Chellappan in McLean, Virginia

More from the blog