There’s nobody better to get wedding advice from, than a recently married couple. And today, we thought we’d share the wise words of Dipti, who tied the knot with Arpan back in October last year.
As a wedding photographer in Chicago, there is one piece of advice I give to every single couple I shoot. Try to enjoy every moment because it’ll all fly by so quickly. It’s sound advice, and a piece of wisdom that every other wedding professional and the married couple will also concur with. Including, Dipti & Arpan, a wonderful pair our wedding photography team had the pleasure of shooting over 3 days, back in October 2021. Today, we thought we’d share some experiences these two had while planning, and celebrating their nuptials. In the hope that maybe we’ll inspire, and inform your own big day adventure.
The Chicago Wedding of Dipti & Arpan
What’s the engagement story of you and Arpan?
Arpan and I were together for two years, following a set-up by his sister. We are both massive fans of the band OAR. And for our engagement, Arpan decided to get in touch with them, to see if they would get involved. Thankfully, they said yes, and during a concert that we were at, the guys helped out with the proposal. It was a uniquely memorable moment, and has sealed my love for that band! And Arpan of course!
Tell us about your wedding dress
I am so pleased to have found Studio East6 in Chicago, as they have an unparalleled collection of contemporary, luxury styles that infuse Western trends with East Indian designs. It was the perfect place for me, as I needed multiple outfits, and I knew that Rupa Vora, the owner, would know exactly what to suggest. She’s worked with some of the best designers in India, and she was able to find me outfits that I absolutely loved for each of my events.
How did you plan your wedding?
The planning part of our wedding was certainly stressful, but our planner, JD Events, was wonderful. They really helped us to try to enjoy the planning process, by taking many of the tasks off our shoulders. Tasks that, until the day of, I didn’t even realize were being done! It’s incredible just how much work wedding planners really do for their clients. If we did not have JD by our side on the day of, it would not have gone as perfectly as it did.
For the decor, we worked with Paige from Yanni Design Studios. We only met with her a couple of times, but after the initial meeting she knew exactly what we wanted, and when I saw our wedding mandap and the reception room for the first time, it took my breath away. They did such a beautiful job, and it was definitely one of the high points for us and our guests. We had so many people tell us how spectacular the decorations were.
What advice would you give couples planning a wedding?
Your team, and everyone else, told us to try to enjoy the moments leading up to the wedding, and I wish we could have done that more. Having JD Events really helped, but we couldn’t help but sweat the small stuff, and that stopped us from enjoying the little things during planning, and on the big day. So, I would suggest that couples get as much help as they can, and attempt to let whatever stress you encounter, just fall off your shoulders. Once you get to your wedding day, you will have done as much as you can anyway, and whatever is going to happen will happen.
When I woke up on the morning of my wedding, I said I was going to enjoy it as much as possible. And I truly did because I didn’t care if we were running a few minutes late, or we didn’t get a picture at a location we wanted. I was not going to let the little things bother me that day, and possibly ruin some moment I could never get back. It was honestly the best day of my life, and I think it’s because I let everything happen without worrying about anything.
One thing we didn’t do so well at, was communicating. There were so many moments when my now husband would say, “when did we decide on that”, or “I didn’t know we were doing that”. Both of you should know what is happening on your wedding day, even if you think it’s something small. One person may not be so involved in the planning, but make sure you keep them updated on what is being planned or booked, so they don’t feel like they’re not a part of the day.
Do you have any wedding photography related advice?
I’m not one of those people who loves having their picture taken, or even taking someone else’s. But for the wedding, obviously, I wanted some really nice pictures of the day/s, and that’s why I’m so glad I found Lauren Ashley Studios. It’s so important to find a wedding photographer in Chicago that you can trust because the last thing you want to stress about on your big day, is your wedding pictures.
When you find a good photographer, they’ll help you find that perfect shot, without you even trying. We spent hours picking out a spot to take pictures in, and on the day, it just didn’t work out. So, Lauren and her team came up with another plan, and it worked out even better!
Trust in your photographer because they know what they’re doing. And even if they take you to a location that you don’t think will be ‘scenic’, know that they’re the experts and the shots they take will look even better than you could ever have imagined.
It would be an honor to become a part of your wedding team, and create that timeless keepsake of your big day that you’ll love forever. Myself and my team of Chicago wedding photographers at videographers at Lauren Ashley Studios will go above and beyond to capture the atmosphere of your special occasion, and share it with passion and authenticity.
We welcome you to browse our portfolio of wedding photography, videography and if you would like information about our investments please click here. If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Chicago, or beyond, and you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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