A Wisconsin Sikh wedding by KB Image Photography

When Kate the bride emailed Kimberley of KB Image Photography and said “I’m having a big fat Irish Sikh wedding,” Kimberley knew this would be a wedding she had to photograph! Kate and Steven married with the traditions of both of their families in two separate ceremonies and one rocking reception. First was the Sikh ceremony, called the Anand Karaj, held at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin. “Anand Karaj” literally means “joyful ceremonial occasion or proceedings.” This ceremony is a joyous and festive event in which families and friends from both sides are heavily involved. Most Sikh weddings take place in the morning and are completed before noon. Following the ceremony was a langar, or formal lunch, with delicious vegetarian food.

After some formal portraits the party moved on to the Milwaukee County War Memorial for the joining of Kate and Steven in a less than traditional Christian-based ceremony on the Fitch Plaza, outdoors under blazing blue skies on the shores of lake Michigan. They were joined by their friend Wisconsin State Representative Kelda Helen Roys, who preformed a heartfelt personalized service. Members of both Steven and Kate’s family spoke about the couples love and stories of their youth and how they fell in love.

This was one wedding filled with tradition, pageantry, smiles, tears and laughter. The reception did not disappoint either. Kate’s father was not able to dance with her due to health issues, so Kate created a slideshow of them together over the years in lieu of the “first dance” and there were very few dry eyes in the house after viewing the touching (and funny) photos of them. Then the dancing…Bollywood, Lady GaGa and everything in between! This was a marriage of cultures, families and traditions!