A South Asian Wedding at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Chicago
A Vibrant Celebration at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
This wedding film captures a day of deep tradition, vibrant energy, and intimate moments set against one of the most breathtaking backdrops in Illinois: the hand-carved marble BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett. From quiet morning preparations to the high-energy Baraat and the emotional Vidaai, every frame tells a story of love and heritage.
Morning Preparations at Indian Lakes
The day began at the Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, where we focused on the intricate details of the bride’s transformation, the jewelry, the hands, the final look in the mirror, before the couple transitioned to the temple.
The First Look and Personal Vows
On the temple grounds, we captured a private, emotional first look between the couple, along with drone cinematography of the mandir’s intricate carved architecture, aerial frames that give the film a sense of scale no ground camera can match. And because the traditional ceremony does not include spoken vows, we took a quiet moment to record the couple’s personal vows to one another, creating a poignant narrative thread that runs through their highlight film.
The Baraat and Sacred Ceremony
The energy shifted as the Baraat began, a lively procession culminating in a traditional welcome ceremony at the temple doors. The wedding ceremony inside the mandir was a 90-minute showcase of sacred rituals and cultural significance, filmed with the reverence the setting deserves.
The Farewell: Vidaai
Following the ceremony and a celebratory dinner, the day concluded with the Vidaai, the emotional send-off capturing the bittersweet moments as the bride bid farewell to her family and the couple prepared to start their new life together.
The Details
- Videography: 312FILMS
- Ceremony: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bartlett
- Getting ready: Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort, Bloomingdale
- Key features: aerial drone footage of the mandir, personal vow recordings, and full coverage from Baraat to Vidaai
Love these traditions? See Shivani & Kiran’s five-day celebration and browse our South Asian and Indian wedding films.
Planning a wedding at the BAPS Mandir or a South Asian celebration? We film every ritual with cultural fluency and a licensed drone pilot for the temple’s grandeur. Check your date →
