Weddings always transport us to magical places. And what we loved about Abhishek and Shirley's special day was the beautiful coming together of two faiths and cultures. This Hindu-Christian wedding was a delight to shoot, because of the joyful vibe through the entire wedding, and the contrast of the inter-faith wedding ceremonies.
A New Chapter Begins
The journey began with a traditional Udupi-style Kannadiga Hindu wedding ceremony in a temple. A small puja was hosted at Abhishek's home.
As the couple got ready for the ceremony, we managed to do some candid wedding photography of them donning their bridal finery - the groom at his home, helped by his elder brother, while the bride got ready at a hotel in the vicinity.
A Touch Of God's Own Country
First, the bride entered under the traditional phoolon ki chaddar. She walked to the beats of the chande, a traditional instrument from Kerala, and the vibrant movements of the Yakshana dancers, followed by the groom.
The couple exchanged garlands with a lot of love. This was followed by the thali ritual, the most important part of the traditional Hindu marriage rites.
It was a beautiful sunny day, and the lighting was perfect for a blissful photoshoot with the couple and their loved ones.
Romance In The Air
As the marriage ceremony concluded, it was time to get ready for an evening reception hosted at the UVA Meridian Bay Resort & Spa. The perfectly colour-coordinated couple emerged in a crane, amidst a dazzling cloud of smoke, and a burst of confetti and pyro!
The groom and his besties put up an energetic dance performance, first performing the tiger dance, a traditional folk art form of Udupi, followed by a 90s Bollywood music routine. The bride and her friends put up an equally energetic performance to their favourite Bollywood tracks as well.
Of course, the best part of the night for us was the couple shoot. Abhishek and Shirley were a picture of serenity as they posed for us, amidst the backdrop of the beautiful UVA Meridian Bay Resort.
The Chime Of Wedding Bells
The beautiful church wedding service took place at the majestic St Patrick's church in Bangalore. The church, built over 175 years ago, was the perfect backdrop for the traditional Catholic ceremony.
As the bride got ready in her elegant white wedding gown, her bridesmaids, mother and sister were close at hand, helping her every step of the way.
We captured some lovely pictures of her jewellery, veil, tiara and sweeping white gown, followed by some candid shots, as she laughed with gay abandon with her bridesmaids, who wore light pink gowns.
Here Comes The Bride
The bride looked stunning as she stepped out of the car and walked down the aisle by the arms of her father. The bridegroom looked dapper in a contemporary suit, vest and bow-tie.
The couple proceeded to exchange vows, followed by the exchange of rings.
As the service concluded, we captured some beautiful portraits of the couple, against the backdrop of the church facade.
The Wedding March
After the solemn church service, the wedding party proceeded to the open-air green and serene Aadya Farms & leisure, Yelahanka for the final reception.
The decor looked absolutely gorgeous, and we indulged in some wedding photography of the bridal couple and their entourage of bridesmaids and groomsmen.
The reception started on a lively note. The couple, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen, made a grand entry amidst the fiery pyros.
They gathered in the centre, followed by the raising of toasts and cutting of the wedding cake. The guests participated sportingly in a shoe game, along with the bridal couple, adding to the suspense and excitement of the evening.
Let The Dancing Begin!
What came soon after was the first dance. The father of the bride danced with his daughter, a beautiful, moving sight to behold. The mother of the groom danced with her son, followed by the groom dancing with his mother-in-law.
The bridal couple then got together and set the dance floor on fire with their moves! The night ended on a high note with all the guests joining the couple on the dance floor.
We were absolutely honoured to be the wedding photographers for this magical journey of young, bold, fearless love.
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