Thank you for choosing me to be your wedding photographer and document your beautiful Hindu wedding ceremony, civil ceremony and energetic reception! I am honoured to have spent the day with you both and your loving families and fun friends!

Enjoy this preview slideshow of your wedding day at the Fairmont, Windsor Park

I had the pleasure of working with the following suppliers:

Venue: @fairmontwp
Hair & Makeup: @sandydmakeup
Decor: @shagunweddingsuk
Catering: @ragasaan
Priest: @shrihemangbhai
Video: @paskali_films
Garlands: @theflowershack_uk
Lighting: @divinemusiquk @divine.av
Dhol Players: @thedholshow

Twenty Eighteen is nearly over!

Where has this year gone? This year has been an immense year and as I look back to what seems like a blur, there has been so many memorable moments and memories created personally & professionally.

2018 has been a challenging year, with a growing family, and weddings to shoot, it has helped me grow and adapt to new situations to overcome challenges but also develop my skill to provide the best story telling images for my couples and also document my growing family for our own personal memories.

I have always said I am a storyteller, and my aim is to ensure each wedding for my clients are documented to tell a story of their most special day. When the couples view their wedding photos I want my images to make the relive the emotions, the joy, the happiness, the sadness the energy, the atmosphere and the tears they felt on the day. I am honoured that my couples have entrusted me to capture their wedding day and their most important story. I am so lucky to have met the couples I have this year along with their amazing friends and family who have all been hospitable, loving, warm and welcoming. A BIG thank you to you all!

I like to look back on the weddings I’ve had the pleasure of documenting, reliving the moments and the energy but also seeing how I have developed personally and how I have evolved. I always strive to provide the best for all my couples and go above and beyond for them all. I am greatly appreciative to my couples for their trust in me.

Along with the couples and their friends and family, I am also greatly appreciative for all the awesome suppliers in the industry I have had the pleasure to work alongside with. Having a team of great suppliers who only want the best for their couples help create a memorable celebration for the couple.
A huge thank you to Sanjay, Jai, Meheer, Mickey & Viran for your help and support this year! You guys have been awesome! I cannot wait to work with you guys again!

I also cannot be thankful enough to my family who have always supported me and continue to do so. You all help me strive to better myself and I cannot be grateful enough!

My thank you come to an end, but I would like to thank all my couples from 2018 for a memorable year and I am grateful for you choosing me to be your wedding photographer and allowing me to document your wedding celebrations and trusting me creatively, you have all been amazing!

I am lucky to be an Asian wedding photographer in London & Essex and I cannot wait to see what 2019 brings!

For now, enjoy my favourite highlights of 2018 below and I hope you enjoy the festive period with your loved ones. Eat loads, be merry and I also wish you a Happy New Year! I’ll see you all in 2019!

Follow me on Instagram @sailesh.makwana to see my recent work along with my Facebook page (@saileshmakwanaphotography) and Twitter too! (@saileshmakwana) 🙂

Earlier this year in May, I was honoured to have the pleasure of documenting the Civil Ceremony of Bhavin & Puja.

I was introduced to Bhavin through a good friend of mine and I was so glad that Bhavin & Puja chose me, because I got to meet one of the quirkiest and fun couples I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
Bhavin & Puja had their Hindu Wedding in India a few weeks prior to their Civil Ceremony.

The Civil Ceremony took place in The Ballroom at The Star & Garter. This gorgeous venue is nestled on the bank of the River Thames in Putney beside Putney Bridge for around 140 years.

I got to meet up with Bhavin & Puja the day before their Civil Ceremony at The Star & Garter and we hit it off from the get go! I got to see the fun and quirky banter between the couple and realised that I’m going to have an absolute joy documenting their Civil Ceremony the following day.

Bhavin & Puja’s personalities shown through as they wanted to do something different and opted a horse shoe shaped seating arrangement so all their immediate friends and families could feel a part of the ceremony. The couple also added quirky touches such as the funky bow-tie & socks worn by Bhavin and instead of formal shoes & heels, Bhavin & Puja chose to wear colourful & funky slip on Espadrilles by TOMS.

The Civil Ceremony was beautifully conducted by the Registrars from Wandsworth Council with heartfelt vows from the couple, which was followed by a reading by Bhavin’s brother and thereafter an exchange of a meaningful necklace & bracelet instead of wedding rings.
Once the Civil Ceremony was finished, we headed next door to Thai Square for an intimate luncheon and the cutting of the cake, before I whisked them across the bridge to Bishops Park for their couple portraits where I was able to document not just their love and connection, but more of their fun and light hearted side.

Bhavin & Puja, I had an absolute blast with you both on your special day documenting your Civil Ceremony in the presence of your most nearest and dearest. You both are totally made for each other and I wish you both nothing but love, happiness and success.

I hope you all enjoy their story below! 🙂

A Big thanks to Viren for his help on the day!

Venue: The Star & Garter
Catering: Thai Square 

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Happy New Year Everyone!

For my first post of 2018, I’d like to wind the clocks back to the beautiful Civil Ceremony & Reception of Tom & Sangita. It was held in the Great Barn at the Headstone Manor Museum.

The Great Barn, once owned by The Archbishop of Canterbury went through a huge restoration project turning this 16th century barn in a gorgeous venue.
Luckily for Tom & Sangita, they were the very first couple to be married in this history location & what a day it was!

The day started out wet and windy, as you would expect it to be in November, but by the time the Ceremony was due to start, the heavens opened and the low winter sun started to shine through.

The Bride’s family member Alesha provided a beautiful set on the Piano and for the entrance of Sangita. The rest of the Ceremony was beautiful which also included two readings from the Groom’s Mother & also the Best Man.

After the Civil Ceremony the Guests went for some Champagne before the Dinner & Reception. The speeches were absolutely hilarious and I could not stop laughing! The Cake was cut and then it was on to the first dance, set with the fairy lights & historic backdrop of the interior of the Barn.

I was honoured to have the opportunity to record the story of Tom & Sangita and at this very picturesque venue. This was just the beginning of the story as a couple of weeks later, their Hindu Wedding Ceremony followed – But I’ll save that for another blog post! 😉

SIDE NOTE: The Civil Ceremony of Tom & Sangita was also mentioned in the local Harrow Times Newspaper. The article can be found by clicking here

A big thank you to the Patel & Funnell families for being so warm & welcoming and a huge thanks to Arta for her help on the day!

I hope you enjoy the first part of Tom & Sangita’s Story below!

We’ve had rain, hailstones, storms and loads of sunshine! On top of it all, some beautiful and amazing couples have got married in the midst of it all! 😉

It’s been a while since my last blog post, but I hope you’ve all been keeping up to date with my work on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/saileshmakwanaphotography) and my Instagram page (www.instagram.com/sailesh.makwana). – Don’t forget to follow if you’re not already!

I’ve got so many images to share, so I’m going to start off with this blog post of the beautiful Civil Ceremony of Dipesh & Minisha.

Their Ceremony was held back in August at the Brent Civic Centre. Luckily for us, the weather was great and both the bride & groom were glowing & ready albeit a little nervous (but they never told each other!)

The gorgeous couple were joined by their immediate families to witness their Civil Ceremony conducted beautifully by the Registrars. I think Dipesh was so eager, he even said “I DO” even before the Registrar could finish her sentence!

All in all, both Dipesh & Minisha are two lovely people who share a great banter together (and with me!) and I was lucky enough to witness their ceremony and capture some beautiful memories that they will share forever.

A big thank you to both families for making me feel welcome and a part of the family!

Here are some of my favourite images from their Civil Ceremony.

If you’re looking for a photographer for your wedding or special occasion for 2018/2019, please get in touch using the contact me form or by emailing me directly at: info@saileshphotography.com

Don’t forget to following me on Social Media if you’re not already!
Facebook – www.facebook.com/saileshmakwanaphotography
Twitter – www.twitter.com/saileshmakwana
Instagram – www.instagram.com/sailesh.makwana

Being November, it was a crisp morning, but the blue skies and the sun was out to make their wedding day a memorable occasion. I love the peace and serenity in the Mandir & the surrounding grounds.

Having known Manesh & Chetna prior to them booking me for their wedding, I was glad to be chosen to tell their story as they began the next chapter of their lives together. Chetna looked as a bride should with her wedding outfit from Pannaz Boutique and Manesh looked dashing too with a huge smile on his face!

Before the Hindu Wedding Ceremony could take place, Manesh & Chetna tied the knot with their Civil Ceremony under the mandap. The ceremony was conducted beautifully by Jaya Krishna inside the main room. Both families were full of energy on this cold day and made there wedding ceremony a lot of fun to capture and memorable for the couple. The fun and happy couple that they are, the expressions on Chetna & Manesh were full of laughter throughout the day, which made the images look amazing.

I would like to thank both Manesh & Chetna for choosing me to capture their wonderful Hindu Wedding Ceremony at the gorgeous Hare Krishna Mandir (Bhaktivedanta Manor) in Watford. I had a lot of fun as their story unfolded on the day and provide them with memories they can cherish forever.

Here’s the story of Manesh & Chetna:

Both Rav & Indie have an artistic background and during their pre-wedding photoshoot, we took it back to their roots… to an art class room! I got to know the lovely couple during this photoshoot and how they interacted and I could see their passion and love for each other and also common interests such as art, music, fashion etc.

A year later (couple of weeks ago), their wedding day was approaching. These two being the most organised people were well prepared and had wanted for the civil ceremony  to be outdoors, but there was one thing we all feared… the great British weather would strike! This is exactly what happened. The forecasts were showing rain! This meant the plans for the civil ceremony had to be rearranged and held inside. This was helped by Rav purchasing walkie-talkies for the Best Men & Bridesmaids to use to ensure timings were synchronised to perfection on the day.

The rain did pour on the wedding day, however the clouds were starting to break and the sun was peaking out. The Ravengers (Rav’s Best Men) spoke to Amore Banqueting and asked if the civil could be held outside. Leaving the decision until 20 minutes before the guests begin to arrive, the plans was reverted to the original and great organisation by Del & his team along with the Best Men & Bridesmaids, they managed to set up and decorate the area by the canal for the ceremony!

The ceremony was beautifully conducted outside and then the reception began! I realised how crazy (in a good way!) the Bridesmaids & Ravengers (Best Men) were, but I truly found out how insane they were from their speeches and their energy throughout the ceremony! Both speeches were hilarious with some inappropriate and embarrassing pictures along with a Lip Sync Battle! Yes you read it right, a Lip Sync Battle!

I thoroughly enjoyed the day and covering this beautiful story which Indie & Rav have planned to perfection for a year and a half. Thank you to you both for choosing me to capture your special moments on your big day and a big thanks to your groomsmen & bridesmaids along with both families for their great hospitality on the day.

Here’s the story of Rav & Indie:

Venue: Tewin Bury Farm   |   DJ: AK Musik   |   Event Management: Amore Banqueting

With the date set, being the end of June, we all set out to Paris for their pre-wed shoot. We were lucky with one of the hottest weekends. With the blue skies, extreme sun and heat, we all had a great time – especially since this being my first time EVER to Paris!

After a 4.5 hour drive leaving early morning on a Saturday, we reached Paris and freshened up and waited for the peak of the heat to die down before we headed out to start their portrait session. It didn’t take long before I realised, Dipen & Jyoti were naturals! They looked great in front of the camera and were very easy to work with, which made my time with them more enjoyable!

I cannot thank Dipen & Jyoti enough for being such great sports, waking up early, late nights & being patient and for also giving us the opportunity to shoot in Paris!

Here some previews from the shoot! If you’re getting married and looking for a photographer, don’t forget to get in touch. You can also find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saileshmakwanaphotography

🙂

To start their journey, in February they held their official engagement ceremony at The Venue @ Tandoori Nites in Leicester. The engagement ceremony isn’t just about officiating the bride and groom or welcoming each other as the soon to be bride & groom, but it is where two families meet, introduce and welcome each other. It is where two family becomes one.

The day started off with a Ganesh Pooja which was coordinated by Chanda Vyas, who also performed the Gor Dhana & Sava Pancha ceremonies beautifully. Then Bansri made her grand entrance (she looked absolutely stunning!) and made her way to the centre stage where Neil’s family then performed the engagement ceremony (Chundri/Chunni Ceremony).

Neil made his way to the stage and with completion of the ceremony, the formal engagement of Neil & Bansri was completed. What engagement ceremony would be complete without the Groom getting down on one knee for his lovely Bride?! Neil did just that with a roar of applause from everyone who attended!

The day continued with both families mingling and getting to know one another whilst some delicious food was served by the guys at Tandoori Nites. Following a brilliant solo flute performance by Bansri’s cousin & speeches from immediate members of both families – the party began!

Music was provided by DJ Suraj from W@nted Tunez and both families were on the dance floor in full joy celebrating this auspicious occassion for Neil & Bansri. And when you have a party and Gujaratis are involved – you know there will be some Garba!!!

Both families were an absolute Joy to work with, both kind, warm hearted, welcoming and made me feel like a part of their family, I cannot thank the Rughani & Parmar family enough!

Enjoy some of the lovely images from their day below and I look forward to continuing these celebrations in August!

Venue: The Venue @ Tandoori Nites   |   Preist: Chanda Vyas   |   DJ: W@nted Tunez  

Each year I volunteer to help with the celebrations whether it be photography, or non photography related, I hold these celebrations close and dear to my heart.
This year I had the task of capturing the celebrations. It started with a few prayers, followed my a colourful and energetic procession which was then followed by an evening full of prayers, folk songs and hymms.

Here are some of my favourite images from the day!