Raja & Collin’s Ritual-Filled Wedding at Windrift Hall
Raja & Collin’s Creative LGBTQ Wedding at Windrift Hall
Updated: May 27, 2025
When Raja and Collin contacted me about photographing their wedding, I immediately knew it was a perfect match. Not only did we share a few mutual friends, but their chosen venue—Windrift Hall in the Catskills—is one of my all-time favorites. It was also important to them to work with an LGBTQ wedding photographer, which made the connection feel even more aligned.
“We are both artists and love to throw good (specific) parties, so it was imperative that we take the reins and have full creative agency over our wedding. We created a four directions ceremony as a way to honor the history of the land and the people gathered to celebrate our union—and to solidify our wedding as a ritual.
After spending the night apart (we were not allowed to see each other until the ceremony), we were blindfolded and taken to the west side of the ceremony space. Our guests were seated to the North; dancing guests to the South; and our ceremony culminated under a 250-year-old maple tree to the East.
Our wedding party formed an aisle we slowly walked through as they blessed the path—literally and spiritually—that we would walk together from that day forward. Windrift Hall was the perfect setting. We were secured in nature, surrounded by the elements, and immersed in beauty.
We also had a Ring Warming ceremony. Though we cried the whole time, it was one of the most sacred moments. Our rings—made from elk teeth—were passed around to each guest, who held them and infused them with blessings. While this happened, our close friends sang custom lyrics we wrote to the Radiohead song I Promise:
Love you ’til the end of time, I promise
Even when I get old, I promise
Even when the shit gets real, I promise
I’ll always be my true me, I promise
After that, the night took off into celebration: dancing, joy, laughter, and the best wedding cake you’ve ever had. We even asked all of our guests to learn The Hustle ahead of time—we sent them a video tutorial—and when it came time to hit the dance floor, it was PERFECT.”
Gay wedding at Windrift Hall by LGBTQ wedding photographer Erica Camille.
Photo: @ericacamilleweddings
Event coordination: @marcus.mcgregor
Suits: @bindleandkeep
Shoes: Mr. Undandy
Hair and makeup: @lolasthicker
Flowers: Cellen Wolk
Cake: @winklesbakery
Catering: @dinosaur_bbq
Beverages: @reedstreetbottleshop and Aaron Moses Robin @someonesproblem
