Earlier in the day, Jhale + Yusuf were married in a traditional Muslim wedding ceremony, and in the evening, they got the chance to celebrate with their family and friends at the Historic Del Monte building in Sunnyvale. The venue was beautifully decorated in midnight blues, purples, and deep reds, with lanterns and rose petals arranged on each table. The room was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Not only did guests have a chance to bestow blessings on the couple, but they were in for another treat as well: several of the couple's closest friends had choreographed a series of performances for evening's entertainment. Jhale + Yusuf are undoubtedly such loving, wonderful people to be able to inspire so many of their friends and family to try out their best moves and show off their silly steps, with such grace and humor to plant smiles on everyone's faces!

Jhale + Yusuf are adored by their friends and family, and the first part of the evening was a time for the happy couple to get totally embraced with their warmth and good wishes. It started with prayers sung for the couple. Then the bride arrived in a large procession, looking stunning as she walked under a silk canopy held by loved ones. She sat next to her groom at the head of the room, where they they received countless heartfelt blessings, were presented with gifts from their guests, and fed sweets by hand.

After the blessings and dinner was served, guests took their chairs to watch the much anticipated dance portion of the evening. The styles ranged as wide as the guests have traveled -- from the Middle East to the West Coast, demonstrated by elegant Bollywood moves, to hot salsa steps, to enthusiastic jumping to the best hip hop tunes! It was fabulous to watch, and all the guests were laughing and clapping along to the music. One of our favorite dances is when Yusuf performed a number involving little frog hops around his bride, and then motioned his adoration for her with outstretched arms.

Everyone was so excited and having so much fun watching the choreographed dancing, that the guests couldn't wait to get on the floor and dance with the bride and groom as well. Friends and family, old and young, danced the night away, rejoicing for the newly married couple.

We will be posting more photos soon of their Western ceremony at the Clos LaChance Winery, so check back soon :)

Wedding Photography at the Historic del Monte Building. © Bowerbird Photography 2013.

Wedding Photography at the Historic Del Monte Building in Sunnyvale.

Congratulations darling Jhale + Yusuf!

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam