India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Late last year I was fortunate enough to be asked out to India to photograph a wedding in Mumbai and Goa.

Now this kind of thing doesn’t come around every day, and it was such an amazing experience, opening my eyes to a completely different religious ceremony, and reminding me of all the visceral pleasures if found travelling in the Indian subcontinent back when I was 18.  One of the many highlights of this wedding was that I got to spend 5 days at the start of the trip, just hanging out and acclimatising in Mumbai.  I absolutely loved the mad buzz of that city, the changing smells and suicidal traffic.

Some of you may have seen the two blogs I wrote featuring my Mumbai street photography, but if not part 1 is here and part 2 here.

The wedding couple at the heart of this story are quite private, so didn’t want this blogging too soon after their wedding for all to nosey at.  But I’ve now been given the go ahead to blog this goldmine, and it’s gonna be a long one!  Get the kettle on and brew up a chai, and make yourselves comfortable!

But before we get onto the 4 day wedding shenanigans, here are a few highlights of Mumbai to set the scene…

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Love this busy little scene

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

It’s so fascinating seeing the minareted muslim mosques and colourful hindu temples all on each others doorsteps

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

This was one of my fave street scenes, of a chap stoking the fires to heat water in the enormous human-powered washing machine known as Dhobi Ghat.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The stations and trains around Mumbai are worth a visit to see real India, away from the tourists.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The older parts of Mumbai have the great colonial history.  The former Victoria Terminus bears more than a passing resemblance to St Pancras station in London!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

And so it was day one of the Hindu wedding…

I wandered up through the oppressive swelter to Grandma’s beautifully decorated flat to join the fun at the body art party known as the Mehndi!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Here’s our lovely bride ready to be painted!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Mendhi is the name for the henna plant, and the green leaves are mushed into a pulp, squeezed into handmade piping bags, and snipped to make insanely precise painting tools. It takes a good while to be painted, then the girls are rendered amusingly unable to touch anything, while they leave it to set and work its magic.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

In grandma’s kitchen her cooks and staff were busy preparing tastiness for later…

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Then suddenly, the groom burst in, dancing in to the sound of LOUD Bangra drummers!

The brides family were Punjabi, and they’re known for their love of dance, drumming and hard partying!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Check it out! Amazing eh?

The lumpy henna eventually dries and crumbles off, leaving a temporary tattoo.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Everyone who wants can be henna painted. I was more than tempted, but figured it might make the photographic element difficult there-on-in

😉

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

And so began the dancing!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

One of the reasons I was asked along to this wedding was because I’d shot the amazing wedding of these guys Abi & Simon (above), at which this Indian wedding couple were guests.  Abi & Simon’s stunning wedding was at The Houses of Parliament in London (check it on the blog here).

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

I found a minute to get a few quick portraits of our happy couple before the party really got started.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Afterwards, and stuffed with delicious curry, I took a little stroll home and captured a few images of Mumbai by night.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The next day, we all hooked up and took to the air bound for Goa for the next part of the fun!  It was cool to see the island of Mumbai from the sky as we left…

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

…and the beaches of Goa as we landed!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Goa’s got a completely different look to Mumbai, with Portuguese influence in the colonial architecture, and a much more island vibe to the goings on.

Still lazy cows wandering everywhere though!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Our base for the wedding was the luxurious Taj Holiday Village Spa, again, bound in traditional orange marigolds.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

I have to pinch myself sometimes, the places I find myself.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

After a day unwinding by the pool, guests were invited to an evening meal on the beach

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

But the real reason was to do more dancing!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

And so began part 2 of the traditional Punjabi wedding, a day of feasting and chilling…

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

…and the evening everyone’s been looking forward to… The Sangeet!

The BIG party, in this case, a riot of colour in the woods up on the cliff!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Yet another ace costume change for our bridal couple!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

This traditional Mumbai streetfood stand was serving amazing ‘Bhelpuri’, a little puffed crisp, popped open and filled with deliciously spiced goodness!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

And then it was down to the serious business! Dancing and drumming!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Everyone gets a chance to dance, and while drummers drum, the family call our different opposite relations to hop up and take the stage.

It’s great fun. Even I got called up for a boogie!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Then the wedding party and pals, take turns doing their own ‘choreographed’ routines!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

These guys have got some energy, let me tell you!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

And so, the third part of the wedding, the traditional ceremony.

From what I learned (and saw), these can be very complex and filled with rituals. The nuances of a ceremony seem to vary greatly due to factors such as region and language, and modern couples like these guys, customise their weddings to highlight meaningful aspects of their heritage.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

I started by joining the groom for a blessing where he’s given a ceremonial coconut

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

But the fun part comes during the Haldi ritual, when they cleanse and refresh his skin with a cumin paste!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Hmm, where to apply?!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The brides beachfront house was dressed for the wedding

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

A little moment between bride and sister before the

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The next stage I think is called ‘Vivaha-homa’, where a priest lights a sacred fire and recites the sacred mantras in Sanskrit.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Oblations are offered to the fire whilst saying the prayers. The words “Id na mama” meaning “it is not for me” are repeated after the offerings. This teaches the virtue of selflessness required to run a family.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The ritual washing of conch shell bangles takes place at the bride’s house, dipped in buttermilk / turmeric water, and put on the bride by family members.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The ceremony of adorning the bride with bangles is called “chuda chadana”

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Everyone present during this ritual touches the bangles, and tie on the tinkling bells of the Kaleerey, to offer their good wishes and blessings.

This ceremony commences amidst heavy emotions, especially from the parents and close family.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Then it’s time for another costume change…

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Meanwhile, on the grooms side, the grooms father and a familial female entourage, steer the groom around the bridal fun to be turban’d up!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The guys that tie these are pretty damn amazing!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

One completed groom ready to go!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

I thought it rude not to get one myself!

😉

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The next stage is called the ‘Jayamaala’ where the groom is drummed to the bride’s parents house, who welcome him and his family at the boundary of the house. A red kum-kum powder mark is applied to foreheads and family members are formally introduced, marking the start of relationship between two families.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

During the introductions, matched members from each side of the family formerly meet, and feed each other a sweet biscuit made from Cashew nuts

The guys like to lift each other up too!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Then the kaleerey decked bride in her final wedding gown, is led out to meet her bridegroom!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyThe bride and the bridegroom then exchange garlands (in a deliberately comically unwilling way!) and declare: “Let all the learned persons present here know, we are accepting each other willingly, voluntarily and pleasantly. Our hearts are concordant and united like waters.”

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

And just as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, the ritual-filled Paanigrahan ceremony of vows began.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Again, fires were lit and a priest recites holy mantras

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The couple walk around the sacred fire four times. The bride leads three times and the fourth time the groom leads. He is reminded of his responsibilities. The couple join their hands into which the bride’s brothers pour some barley, which is offered to the fire, symbolising that they all will jointly work for the welfare of the society.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

And then they’re officially married, and the party can begin again!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

During the proceedings, and flow of formalities, we didn’t really get to do a huge amount of portraiture, but it was the story they wanted me to capture.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Still, it was nice to get a few relaxed portraits of the newlyweds in their finery.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

And a bunch of shots of their mates having fun!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

There are lots games played by family members on the bride and groom during the ceremony, one of which includes the bride’s sisters (or cousins) stealing the groom’s shoes as he takes them off before entering the mandap at the end of the night. The groom must pay the sisters to get them back because he is supposed to leave the mandap with the same shoes he came in.

I caught them at this at the end of the night!

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

It’s a wonderfully rich, colourful and emotional day to photograph

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

The bride then leaves for the groom’s home where her mother-in-law has placed a vessel filled with rice at the entrance of the home. The bride is supposed to spill the rice by touching it with her right foot to signify wealth and that the bride accepts her new responsibilities.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding PhotographyIndia Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

Aww!

Amazing eh?  What an experience.

India Destination Wedding Photography, UK Destination Wedding Photographer, Destination Wedding Photography

It was such an outrageous opportunity to join these guys and their warm and friendly families for this full-on week-long Indian wedding experience!

I do love my job, and the lovely people who enable me to do it in exotic and wonderful places as this.

You know who you are kids.  Thank you so much, and here’s hoping you’re enjoying married life.

One other thing this left me with is that I am SO going to go back to India this year!  I think Rajastan next, for further adventures in Indian street photography!

x

…please do make contract if you’re reading and interested in me photographing your destination wedding!

🙂

If you enjoyed this post, check out these similar posts: