Ashley & Praveen: From Mountain Elopement to Sacred Ceremony
Every now and then, a couple comes along that just sticks with you. Ashley and Praveen are one of those couples.
When they first reached out, it was the kind of message us photographers had sadly gotten used to hearing at the time: “We were supposed to get married, but then COVID wrecked everything.” Their original plans were trashed, life happened, and they ended up moving out of state, but plot twist… they moved into New Jersey and reached out. This time, they were looking to do a super low-key elopement. Just the two of them, two witnesses, and their dogs. (Because yes, their dogs are family. Non-negotiable.)
So, I went full fairy god-photographer mode: found them a spot on top of Sparta Mountain with a killer view of the lake, lined up an officiant, and off we went. It was short, it was sweet, and it was real. They said “I do” with the wind in their hair, dogs at their feet, and not a single stress in sight. No planners, no timelines, no venue staff barking orders… just love, nature, and a couple of humans who genuinely adore each other.
Now, here’s where it gets even better…
They liked their experience with me so much they brought me back the following year for something totally different: a traditional Hindi wedding. Praveen’s parents flew in from India just to be there. And I’m not gonna lie… my excitement was matched by the pressure I put on myself to get it right.
It was my first Hindi wedding, and I wasn’t about to walk in half-prepared. I spent months studying rituals, researching customs, asking questions, watching hours of footage to make sure I captured every part of the day. Because if you’ve ever been to a Hindu wedding, you know, it’s no quickie. This wasn’t a 20-minute backyard vow exchange. This was a full-day celebration, rich in meaning and tradition, and I was all in.
The ceremony was held at the Sri Venkateswara Temple (Balaji Mandir) and Community Center in Bridgewater… and damn, if you’ve never been, you should go. Even if you're not Hindu, it’s worth the visit just to experience the space. It’s peaceful, stunning, and full of energy that’s hard to describe unless you’re standing in it.
Oh, and in the most "life is wild" moment ever, Praveen’s mom randomly ran into an old friend from India who just happened to be visiting the temple that day too. What are the odds?
The ceremony was intimate, just close family again… but it was anything but small. From the vibrant colors to the rituals, to the raw emotion between everyone in the room, it was the kind of day that makes you pause and just feel grateful to be the one documenting it.
Why this story matters
Because not every love story is neat. Not every couple has a Pinterest-perfect timeline with a 14-month lead-up and a luxury planner coordinating their every breath. Sometimes love gets messy. Sometimes life f*cks with your plans. And sometimes, you roll with it and end up creating something even better. Ashley and Praveen’s story is proof that your wedding doesn’t have to be big to be powerful. And it doesn’t have to be traditional to be sacred.
So, whether you're getting married on a mountain with your dogs or inside a temple with your family... if you care more about meaning than fluff… I’m your photographer. Let’s make it happen.