Sikh Roka Ceremony // Komal + Jimmy

When I first started getting into photographing weddings, I fell in love with South Asian weddings. I loved the traditions and all the meaning behind their rituals. Komal had reached out to me to photograph her Roka ceremony in Fresno California. I was so excited to photograph it, I couldn’t wait….I had no idea what a Roka was at the time but after photographing so many I’ve learned a lot. A roka is the first step in the Sikh religion for a couple who wants to get engaged, it’s basically the approval of both families agreeing that the couple can get married. The families bless the couple with gifts and lots of love! Their event made me super excited to pursue this path of photography and really go after chasing my dream of making this my career path!! 

I captured the little family moments before the roka ceremony began, the family cooking in the kitchen, family arriving, and the two families coming together to celebrate the couple. There roka was filled with lots of  family, gifts, cute décor that the bride to be and her bestie put together and so much love!! After their ceremony and family photos I took the couple out for some portraits of just the two of them!!! We found this cute little back rode with gorgeous warm sunset light! Some fun twirls and poses, it was a fun afternoon capturing their event. I also had the privilege of photographing their engagement shoot for their upcoming 2020 wedding you can find them Here.

Hair & Make up: @artistrybyjasmine