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Grace Tan In Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Weddings

Ponnurukku: An Eelam Tamil Gold Melting Ceremony

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 Ponnurukku which is a gold melting ceremony. This was my first Ponnurukku 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…

Grace Tan In Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Weddings

Sri Lankan style wedding: Ganendra & Malini

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.

Grace Tan In Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Weddings

Siva + Sumitha: Temple wedding

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.

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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.

Grace Tan In Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Weddings

Maiyan & Sangeet Ceremony, Sikh Wedding – Raj & Charan

After seeing Alfred & Geeta’s photo slideshow during their dinner, Raj and Charan approached me on that same night saying that they were keen on hiring Wedding Story to cover their Sikh wedding. I was really excited as I’ve never covered a Sikh wedding celebration. Yesterday was the first day of celebrations starting with the groom and bride’s Sangeet. Held separately, it’s a joyous occasion where the groom and bride are individually covered with mustard oil on their faces and body.

There’s lots of singing and dancing, mainly the women are the ones participating. Since I am in the midst of preparing their express slideshow to be shown tomorrow night at the main dinner, I thought I’d share a few shots here. Tonight will be the bride’s mehndi, and then tomorrow the temple ceremony. Looking forward to it! I LOVE cultural ceremonies and colours!!

Part of the ceremony involves a woman being dressed as a man. There were 2 in this party. :)

Grace Tan In Indian + Punjabi Weddings, Weddings

Alfred & Geeta Part 2 – Wedding Dinner

Two weeks after Alfred’s and Geeta’s colourful wedding celebration, the Wedding Story team traveled down to Malacca to photograph their wedding dinner. It was held at MITC Hall in Ayer Keroh. The hall was decorated beautifully with lots of flowers and decorations everywhere.