Quiet Before the Celebration: Gursifath & Chandan’s First Look and Anand Karaj

Part 3 of a four-part wedding weekend series

After a vibrant first day filled with color, music, and movement, Day 2 began on a much softer note.

Before guests arrived and ceremonies unfolded, Gursifath and Chandan shared a quiet First Look — a private pause in the middle of a full weekend, where nerves softened and excitement settled into something steadier. These moments, captured beautifully by Ishan Preeti Photos, felt grounded and sincere. No crowds. No music. Just two people taking a breath together before stepping into something sacred.

Soon after, family and friends gathered for their Sikh ceremony (the Anand Karaj) held at GSSA Bridgewater Gurdwara. The transition from celebration to ceremony was intentional and meaningful, reflecting the emotional rhythm of the weekend: joy balanced with reverence.

Gursifath arrived radiant in her Sikh wedding attire, her look completed by The Glass Slipper Wedding, who created something timeless and luminous that honored tradition while keeping everything soft and natural. Chandan stood waiting with a calm presence that grounded the room, surrounded by loved ones who had traveled near and far to witness this moment.

Inside the gurdwara, the atmosphere shifted. Shoes were removed. Heads were covered. Voices lowered. The space itself encouraged stillness.

As the couple walked in, the ceremony unfolded with quiet grace — hymns filling the air, prayers offered, and family members watching with visible emotion. The Anand Karaj centers on spiritual partnership rather than performance, and that intention was felt throughout. Each lavaan (ceremonial walk) carried meaning, symbolizing commitment not only to each other, but to shared values, community, and faith.

The ceremony created a collective sense of grounding after the high energy of the Sangeet, reminding everyone why they were there in the first place.

Outside, portraits followed in gentle sunlight, with Gursifath and Chandan wrapped in quiet joy — newly married, yet still holding space for everything the day had yet to bring. Their connection felt steady and deeply rooted, a reflection of who they are: two engineers who understand structure and balance, now stepping into marriage with the same intentionality.

As guests began to transition to the next part of the celebration, there was a noticeable shift in energy — anticipation building once again.

The sacred vows had been exchanged. The foundation had been laid.

And next came the vibrant conclusion of their weekend: a Hindu ceremony filled with color, ritual, and heartfelt farewells.

Up next in Part 4: The Hindu Ceremony and Goodbye.