Oh. my. goodness…. where to begin with Akta and Mike’s fantastic voyage… Three days worth of wedding festivities complete with a tornado huddle! The stormy weather moved the henna party inside, but didn’t stop anyone from having fun!  Let’s kick this off with some images from Akta’s parent’s home…

and so begins the Granshanti… watch the progress as more and more of the women apply the paste to her!by the end, she was pretty covered… ears, hair, feet, chest…

As of this point, it is just storming…..but midway through the party we lost power and had to huddle to one side of the room away from glass in the dark and wait it out!Tornado?  What tornado?  Everyone bounced back and partied into the night!

The wedding day began at the Renaissance at the Airport Hotel with all of Akta’s shiny and beautiful little details!

Look at these gorgeous shoes!

And the gorgeous bride who will wear them…

Let’s give a little time to Mike too… even through you aren’t sparkly and shiny, we love you anyway!

Paparazzi!  Okay ladies, you’re in my shot  ;)

The wedding party, bright and happy!

I’m not sure exactly what Mike is doing here, but he certainly looks ecstatic about it!

I LOVE the texture of these willow branch things!

pow.  These two pulled out a serious moment.

Then we return to the hotel for the ceremony! (which begins with the arrival of the groom & dancing!)

And they’re married (again, technically… they had a Christian ceremony earlier in the week!) Time for a wardrobe change!

and a few moments stolen before the reception begins…

The reception room was awash in PINK!

Any guesses where they went to school?!? 

Akta and Mike, it was a fun whirlwind… there was a storm, a tornado, and some people stuck in the elevator…but in the end, all is well and they live happily ever after!  Thanks for letting me capture your wedding weekend!  xo, kate (special thanks to my trusty second shooter for the day, the lovely miss Katy Corea)

VENDOR LOVE

Hair : Denise from Adorn Salon and Spa
Makeup : Danielle from Daniellestyle
Dress : Reshmi Creations and Shyamal & Bhumika
Cake : McArthur’s Bakery
Florist : Marry Me Flowers
Ceremony & Reception venue : Reniassance St. Louis Airport Hotel
DJ : Millenium Productions
Catering : Thursday Night – Tandoori King, Friday Night – La Salsa, Reception – India Palace
Transportation : A Perfect Touch Limo
Decorations : Friday night and Saturday – Shaadi Creations, Chicago, IL
Video : Daybreak Cinema
Photobooth : 2 Chicks & A Photobooth