Philadelphia Jewish Wedding Photographer | Morris House Hotel | Sheila + Sanjay

Day 2 of Sheila and Sanjay’s interfaith wedding weekend was just as beautiful as Day 1. Because that Saturday was devoted to celebrating with Sanjay’s Indo-Fijian Hindu traditions (“under the mandap”), Sunday was all about mixing in Sheila’s Jewish heritage (“under the chuppah”). The entire weekend was so lovingly and thoughtfully arranged to celebrate the amazing people raised by two cultures.

Sheila, again, the most gorgeous creature in the world that day. She has eyelashes out the wazoo, big, beautiful eyes, and a demeanor that is so bright and inviting that you can’t help but fall in love with her.

The ketubah signing was held in the library. The very special thing about their ketubah was that it was written in three languages: English, Hebrew, and Hindi.

The wedding ceremony and reception were held at the lovely Morris House Hotel for the second day in a row. We were given plenty of sunshine and blue skies.

Talented friends serenaded us on violin and viola before the ceremony.

And then we were under the chuppah with Sheila and Sanjay for a ceremony filled with laughs, wine, rings, and some of the most original and touching readings I’ve ever heard (and that’s saying something!).

If the previous day’s clothing difficulties were saris, Sunday’s clothing woes were bowties. I love that one of the readings was printed on the back of this:

I must hand it to Sanjay for an expert level dip kiss.

A quick jaunt over to Washington Square Park got us a few pictures with the wedding party and newlyweds.

“Why is he smiling so big?” you ask.

Back at Morris House we ate, heard speeches, and danced.

Though Sheila’s father passed away five years ago from pancreatic cancer, he was still with us on Sheila’s wedding day (his brothers walked her down the aisle on Saturday and her mother and uncle walked her down on Sunday).

They shared their first dance to Tom Odell’s “Grow Old With Me.”

I love a good hora!

Their cake was an incredible spectacle of artistry by Night Kitchen Bakery with a little nod to her Chicago and his Philly.

And considering that it was midday, I was quite impressed with the packed dancefloor after the formalities had ended. These guests rocked it!

I really felt so lucky to be a part of this weekend of celebrations. The intimate guest count, genuine warmth of the wedding party (I wanted to keep bridesmaids Olivia and Miriam), excitement in the newness by everyone in attendance, seamless fusion of two people’s traditions, and Sheila and Sanjay’s jubilance made the experience so powerful for even me, the little wedding photographer. It made me wish all weddings were multi-day events so that I could get even closer to guests and the whole experience.

Grow old with me
Let us share what we see
And all the best it could be
Just you and I
~ Tom Odell, “Grow Old With Me”