Jessica and Subra’s Wedding – Part 1

When someone asks me why do you want to be a wedding photographer, I simply say its because I get to experience the different cultures, their customs, the ability to capture and document the special day as well as learn and share what I experience on the day with others. This to me is what wedding photography should be all about. When Jessica contacted me a few months back I was so excited to photograph her wedding. It was my first time photographing a South Indian wedding and through it, I have realised how different it is to a North Indian Wedding.

Jessica and Subra’s wedding was conducted in Sanskrit which is the oldest surviving language in the Indo-European family of languages. The wedding ceremony is called ‘Vivaaham’ which means to support and sustain. This ceremony is to create a spiritual union to support and sustain a man and a woman in their pursuit of dharma (righteousness) through their married life.

The wedding day consisted of a pre wedding ceremony and the marriage ceremony. The sample pics below are from the pre-wedding ceremony. It consisted off three parts which can be seen below.

By photographing this spectacular day I feel I have gained a new experience in the South Indian culture and customs, therefore highlighting what I believe about my photography. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jess and Subra for allowing me to share their special day with them and I wish them all the love, joy and happiness together as a couple. Also a big thanks to my 2nd shooter Matt Mead for helping me out on the day.

1. Kasi Yathirai (Pilgrimage to Holy Kasi):

The young bachelor, Subra is on his way to Kasi to lead an ascetic life. Jessica’s father intervenes and advises him of the superiority of married life to ascetic life and asks him to take Jessica as a companion for life.

2. Exchange of Garlands:

Subra and Jessica exchange floral garlands three times symbolising the couples unification as one soul in two bodies.

3. Oonjal (The swing):

Aunties sing songs and offer and milk to the couple who are seated on the swing. While the couple is seated, the aunties throw coloured balls of rice over their heads to ensure good luck. The swinging motion represents the ups-and-downs of life in which the couple move in harmony, steady and stable throughout.