Arya: The bride so nice Brett married her twice.

When Arya first got in touch with me, she informed me she wasn’t inquiring for me to photograph a wedding for her, she was inquiring for me to photograph TWO weddings for her. Her and her fiancé, Brett, had decided they would honor both of their families with two different celebrations: the first, a Hindu ceremony, with a dance party I can only describe as legendary; the second, a backyard celebration at Brett’s grandparents house, where he had played as a boy.

Lucky for me, I was available for both dates, because both parties were amazing, and it was impossible to decide which day Arya looked lovelier. For most of us brides, we’re lucky if we can manage looking drop dead gorgeous on one day. Arya pulled it off on two.

Being with Arya and Brett’s family and friends on two separate wedding days really did make me feel like I was a part of the family, especially at the second wedding, when Arya’s Dad put his arm around me and walked me from table to table introducing me to all of his friends from Nepal, saying, “This is Heather, she takes the most wonderful photographs” and promptly asking them if they had a son or daughter who would be getting married soon. All good things must come to an end, and my heart is heavy posting these photographs, knowing that in two weeks, I won’t be back with the Khatiwodas and the Gerstners, doing what I love most. I can’t despair for too long, however, because I’ll be with a new couple, with a new family, documenting a different love story. You really can’t complain when this is what you get to do every weekend.