Karuna and Vipal's Magical Wedding

I love weddings.  A few weeks ago we attended my good friend Karuna and Vipal's Jewish/ Hindu wedding on her family's farm outside of Chicago.  It was a beautiful, inventive, charming, musical, bohemian but traditional event set in the crisp autumn air. (All photos: Heidi Hoffman, except for the ones I took.)

 We were greeted by a table of instruments and invited to select one to play during the processional through the woods. 

(my photo)

My handsome husband and beautiful boy.

(my photo)

Our host carried an ornate flag and explained that we were going to walk through the woods to find Vipal.  That's me towards the back in the center of the photograph.  :)  

 And off through the woods, we went...

(my photo)

playing our instruments and having a good ol' time.

(my photo)

 We reached a field and played music in celebration for a while, then we all turned to the hills and called for Vipal to emerge.
(my photo)

"VIPAL!" 

Pretty soon, Vipal came into view in the distance astride a white horse accompanied by musicians.

(my photo)

 Just a taste of the wind, and the music, and the celebration of it all.

Lots of dancing.

Next we journeyed back through the woods to find Karuna, this time accompanied by Vipal.

 We arrived at a quiet pond where Karuna and her sisters sat in a small boat, Karuna's back to the crowd.

 Slowly, the bride was rowed to shore, where we greeted her and she was helped out of the boat...

to see Vipal for the first time.

 It was here that the rabbi oversaw the signing of the ketubah, the Jewish marriage document.

Once the ketubah was signed we ventured back through the woods to the ceremony, which was held on the back porch of the main house.

Karuna with her two sisters.

We sat on one of the many blankets surrounding the chappah/ mandap. 

(my photo)

The ceremony was overseen by both a Hindu priest and a rabbi.

Breaking the glass at the end of the ceremony.  Mazel Tov!

Keeping warm by the fire.

The new Mr. and Mrs.  :)

Congratulations!!!