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Grace Tan In Bangladeshi Weddings, International, Weddings

Teasers from Dhaka, Bangladesh

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?

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 International, Life, Musings

India: Sights, Smells, Sounds

A kaleidoscope of colours, smell and taste. I did not imagine India to be anything else but interesting. In my list of countries to visit, India is definitely not one of my top 10. But at the end of June 2010, I had a taste of India. AND, felt the burning heat of the sun, all 40 degrees of it. I was in India for a corporate shoot. 8 days, 4 internal flights, many hours on the road and 5 cities later, I felt I had seen two different sides to India.

On one hand, you have poverty…

Children with growths on their heads, young girls who barely look like teenagers holding on to babies, begging on the streets…

And then you have development…

Fancy buildings that look so futuristic. Offices with coloured glass windows. High end apartments that only few can enjoy.

What a contrast.

Grace Tan In Outdoor Weddings, Weddings

Garden wedding at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang, Penang: Greta & Mohit (part1)

Garden Ceremony & Dinner Reception: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort, Penang, Malaysia
Photographers: Grace & Johan
Videographer: Wedding Story

Months ago, I received an enquiry from Greta, who resides in the UK. We exchanged a couple of emails, and then she booked us to cover her wedding. I met Greta for the first time on her wedding day, but the moment I started talking to her, it felt as if we have known each other for months. She is really bubbly and fun, and I found out that she used to go to the same primary school as I did, in Malacca! The similarities end there, however… since I don’t have a black belt in martial arts, as Greta does!

Mohit is more subdued, but he enjoys things like climbing mountains and diving. Their family and friends flew from UK, Australia and many other parts of the world to be in Penang for their wedding ceremony.

Greta’s wedding dress is really unique. I love the detail on her gown.

And her wedding invite is superb too! Red is one of my favourite colours.

And of course, Greta looks really amazing!

Of course, Mohit looks pretty good himself!

The gorgeous bridal party.

I loooove garden & beach weddings. The garden at Rasa Sayang Resort combines the best of both worlds – you can have a garden ceremony and portraits by the beach!

More images coming up soon in Part 2! [updated: View part 2 here]

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.

[flv:http://www.stories.my/wp-content/uploads/2010/slideshows/sivasumi.flv http://www.stories.my/wp-content/uploads/2010/slideshows/sivasumi.jpg 700 394]

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.