INDIAN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER


I developed a strong passion to photograph Indian Weddings because of the mix of customs, rituals, beautiful people and vibrant colors. Photographing a Gujarati Indian Wedding is never easy. During the wedding day you have to pay attention all the time because something may happen around you.

MANOR OF GROVES WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER


I left London early in the morning to reach the final destination. Manor of Groves, a beautiful venue 10 minutes away from the Stansted airport, is a perfect place to hold your wedding if you think you will have around 400 guests. Pooja and Chandan’s wedding was nearly there.


Chandan, also a wedding photographer, arrived at the Manor of Groves next to his family for the first ritual of the day: welcoming the groom or Ponkhana. Pooja’s family welcomed him in a traditional way, then he had to step forward by crushing earthen pots into small pieces signifying he has the power to overcome any obstacles in his married life.


The ceremony started with prayers then Pooja’s father washed Chandan’s feet with honey, yoghurt and ghee in a ritual called Madhuparka. He was prepared for his bride’s arrival. The first look was “obstructed” by a curtain which separated them from each other. After that they exchanged garlands and the ceremony started properly. The next important moment was when parents gave away their daughter by keeping her hand onto Chandan’s hand and some other rituals like wrapping a cord around the couple to keep them safe from any evil spirits or throwing petals of flowers and rice grains on them were performed.


Then they had to take four circles around the hawan (fire) signifying the promise to be with each other, good health and prosperity, blessings, love and loyalty and Chandan helped Pooja to touch 7 betel nuts with her right toes meaning his support from his wife during their life together.


What impressed me most was the moment when Pooja had to leave his family for her new life. Lots of hugs, tears and good words around me so it was really hard to pick the moments I wanted to frame for them.

01 / 46