Kunal + Milly’s Sangeet at Baltimore Marriott Waterfront

Mantas Kubilinskas

Sep 12, 2019

2 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Overhead view of serving trays and spoons, with a person's legs visible beside the table.

Sangeet Ceremony

Black-and-white portrait of two people beneath large circular ceiling lights.

Sangeet Ceremony which is one of the important wedding rituals. It is the Ceremony where both the families meet and enjoy the moments by singing, dancing, and merrymaking. This wedding ritual is making inroads across all the communities and regions. The Sangeet Ceremony takes place after the Mehendi ceremony. The occasion is full of fun and enthusiasm which makes the families comfortable with each other. Through this ritual, families have fun and get to know each other. During this ceremony ladies ding various songs on the beat of "Dholak". The songs also have some meaningful lyrics which describes the family members and their natures. The songs also tell the importance of marriage in life. Ceremony & Reception location: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel Wedding Planner: Designed Perfectly Events Flowers & Decor: Imperial Decor Photographer: Mantas Photography Videographer: Stan Pe Films Flower wall & Marque Letters: Brightly Ever After DJ & MC: Live Sound Entertainment Hair & Make-Up: SKS Salon Baraat Horse: Harmon’s Hayrides & Carriages Accommodations: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel Gelato Vendor: Pitango Gelato

Two people posing for a phone photograph among a gathering indoors.

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Close view of a person holding a decorated red tray with a wrapped parcel.

Photographing Kunal and Milly's Sangeet as an event of its own

A Sangeet is not simply a rehearsal for the wedding photographs. For the people gathered around Kunal and Milly, the music, performances and time together deserve their own story. Customs and the order of events vary between families, so I would ask the couple and planner what is actually happening rather than rely on a generic description of how every Sangeet should look.

At a hotel celebration, the lighting may move between speeches, dance performances and people meeting in smaller groups. I look for a wide photograph that shows the room, a clear view of the people performing and the reactions from those watching. Those responses can be just as important as what is happening onstage.

Before the event, ask the planner for the performance sequence and any important family groups. Agree on where the photographer can stand without blocking guests or performers, and keep vendor credits and permissions accurate. A useful gallery should remind the family how the evening felt, not only record who appeared in each performance.

See the separate Baltimore Marriott Waterfront wedding gallery for another chapter of Kunal and Milly's celebration.

Planning photography for this kind of celebration

Person facing rows of seated guests in a brightly patterned room.

A strong wedding gallery starts with enough breathing room in the timeline. I recommend protecting the moments that matter most, allowing realistic travel time, and avoiding an oversized shot list. Family photographs can be organized efficiently, while the rest of the day is photographed with a documentary approach so reactions and atmosphere are not interrupted.

People gathered around a seated woman holding her hands near her mouth.

Light, portraits, and candid moments

Woman in a bright pink outfit standing beside seated guests.

I scout for clean light and backgrounds as the day unfolds rather than forcing every portrait into one predetermined spot. Short portrait windows usually work better than disappearing for a long photo session. That leaves more time with guests while still creating a handful of composed, editorial images alongside the candid story.

Woman bending forward with her hands together as two people hold a tray nearby.

Black-and-white photograph of a child walking through patches of window light.

Black-and-white scene of two people beside metal serving equipment.

Two seated people watching a performer in front of colorful drapery.

Black-and-white photograph of a line of performers bending sideways before seated spectators.

Black-and-white scene of guests standing with phones in a room with patterned carpet.

Three people dancing on a wooden floor beneath circular ceiling lights.

Black-and-white photograph of people gathered on a dance floor with raised hands.

Two people dancing on a wooden floor with seated guests behind.

Black-and-white photograph of children and adults moving across a dance floor.

Close view of bare feet and turquoise trousers beside a pair of shoes.

Woman smiling while holding two short sticks on a dance floor.

Crowd dancing with short sticks on a wooden floor beneath warm ceiling lights.

Continue with Kunal and Milly's Baltimore Marriott Waterfront wedding for more of their celebration.