Photographer: Grace
Dinner Reception: Subak Restaurant
In every Indian wedding, the most important element is the thali – the bridal pendant that must be worn at all times after a Hindu wedding ceremony. In Western culture, this would be equivalent to the wedding ring. The thali is made from gold and is fastened around the bride’s neck on the wedding day. But before the main wedding ceremony, there is a tradition of Ponn Urukku (or might be spelt Ponoruku), which is a gold melting ceremony. This was my first Ponn Urukku shoot, and I was fascinated by this entire ceremony.
Firstly, I found out that the ceremony is conducted by the groom’s family, in this case, Ganesh’s family. Veena, the bride was not even present during the ceremony. The event was witnessed by family and friends at home. Here’s Ganesh getting ready for the ceremony.
Love the colour and details!
All ready…
It’s been about 1.5 years since I was here in Bangladesh covering Ali & Farhat’s incredible wedding in 2009. This time, I am here again in Bangladesh but in Dhaka city, photographing Nabil and Maisha. Our team consists of myself, Andrew, Mark and Alex… but unfortunately, Alex and I will have to fly back to Malaysia after shooting only 2 out of the 5 events since I have other weddings to shoot in Malaysia. Mark and Andrew will take over the baton then and produce beautiful images, I am sure! I was told there’ll be an elephant and horses at the wedding… wow sounds amazing!
Yesterday was Maisha’s holudh. I experienced firsthand how crazy Dhaka traffic can be. It took us 1.5 hours to travel to her home from where we were staying. When we came home after the event ended, it only took us 20 minutes!
So… here are some teaser images from yesterday’s shoot… Don’t you just love the way the venue was decorated?
And how gorgeous Maisha looks?
Photographers: Grace & Andrew C
Ceremony: Kalamandapan Hall, Brickfields
Dinner Reception: Kelab Golf Negara Subang
When I first met Ganendra & Malini for the very first time in my home, they told me that they wanted to hire a photographer who was different – someone who would be able to capture moments and come up with creative shots. They said that they didn’t want a ‘traditional’ photographer for their wedding day. Of course, the difficult part was convincing their slightly more ‘traditional’ families that they are making the right decision. Fast forward to their wedding day and after the slideshow montage had been shown to the family and guests… I was so pleased when Malini’s mum came up to me to say, “Grace, thank you for the wonderful photographs! You managed to capture emotions, not just the event.”
I beamed. :)
Who wouldn’t?
After the event is over, the cake has been eaten, the decorations taken down, all you have are memories and photographs. I am so glad that our photos were able to record the emotions felt by Ganendra & Malini, family and friends on that special day in August.
Introducing… Malini.
Over the years, I have collected a series of ring shots from various weddings & engagements that I have shot. As with every wedding, each ring has a story to tell. At each wedding, I try to think of how to shoot the rings differently. I have a whole set of video shots of rings too, which I might share in the future. That is even more funky and creative because you get to play with motion! Hope you’ll enjoy this collection and do share which one is your personal favourite!
Ceremony: Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Temple, Shah Alam
Dinner Reception: Rumah Puspanita
Photographers: Grace & Mark
It has been 10 years since they started dating in college. The rain, an umbrella, and a ‘mamak‘ session brought Siva & Sumitha together. Their friendship blossomed over time, and soon, they discovered that they truly enjoyed laughing and poking fun at each other.
And now, 10 years later, they are married. I have never met a bride who slept 2 hours the night before her wedding day, woke up at 2am to do her hair and make up (for 4 hours! I admire Indian brides for their tenacity!) and then stayed energetic throughout the whole day till the dinner ended at 10.30pm.
She was still smiling from ear to ear. Way to go, Sumi!
Here are some of my favourite shots from their Hindu temple wedding and dinner. If you’d like to view their engagement portraits that I shot sometime back, click here.
Click to watch the same day slideshow. Press play, then pause for it to load fully before playing again.
Sumi is just gorgeous in that turqoise saree.
This temple is so full of character!
First part of the ceremony is for the groom. He has to undergo a series of rituals before he sees his bride.
Then the groom leaves, and the bride comes in for her part of the ceremony.
After these 2 ceremonies take place, the bride and groom see each other for the first time. And another round of ceremonies happen until the highlight of the event – the Thali tying. The thali symbolizes the fact that the bride and groom are finally married! Sumi waiting in anticipation of the tying of the thali.
Siva & Sumi’s dinner location had really funky lighting!
Halfway through dinner, Sumi’s sister gave a wonderful singing performance. She sang about how Siva and Sumi met under the rain. :) You’ll find a similar theme (umbrellas and rain) in their engagement portraits!
Siva & Sumi, I appreciate the both of you, and the fact that we’ve become friends over these past few months. Thank you for giving Mark and myself the opportunity to document this beautiful day.