Intimate weddings are no doubt the latest trend for people who look forward to a quiet experience among select family & friends. Supreetha and Dr Srinand Srinivas's wedding venue was a farmhouse, a little away from the hustle and bustle of Bangalore. The serene and blissful surroundings added to the merriment and provided an intimate setting for the big day.
While the majestic entrance welcomed the guests, the surrounding coconut trees provided a perfect setting for the Iyengar wedding ceremony. It was such a pleasant sight to see the families of the bride, groom and the guests soaking in the salubrious weather with the early morning mist and rays of sun peeking through the coconut palms.
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The Venue
True to the rustic wedding idea, even the names of the bride and groom were fashioned using marigold on the coconut palm at the entrance. White sofas and wooden chairs with pink décor added to the allure of the event.
While the steps to the mandap were decorated with flower-filled urulis (round brass vessels), a Radha-Krishna statue was also kept decorated. The pillared mandap presented a charming look with flower garland decorations.
Enter The Bride
The bride, Supreetha, looked gorgeous in a pink silk saree and her neatly plaited hair adorned with jadanagam and jasmine flowers. To complete the Iyengar Tambrahm bridal look, she had worn a sun & moon nethi chutti (headpieces).
In a wedding, each ritual has a specific meaning and significance. There are many cultural, mythological and sometimes geographical aspects in each of these rituals. The Tamil Brahmin wedding stands out as one of the most ritualistic Indian weddings. The enchanting ceremonies have remained unchanged over centuries and they're still a grand affair.
Along Came the Groom
While the bride looked resplendent in the silk saree, the groom looked every inch an Iyengar groom with namam, wearing a panchagajam veshti.
After the bride and groom were welcomed by the elders in the family, the rituals started with a garland exchange. The couple was lifted in the air, and it was a laugh riot to see the families and friends making it difficult for them to garland each other by pulling the bride and groom back and forth. It was great fun and after they garlanded each other thrice; it was time for the oonjal ceremony.
Mystical Ceremonies That Weaved Magic
A swing was kept ready with floral decorations, and the couple was made to sit on it. Ladies sang traditional songs and the elder women threw red and yellow coloured rice balls in all four directions. Elder women of the family took turns to go around the couple, singing songs and blessing them. As the merriment lingered in the air, the couple was fed with sweetened milk and bananas.
The most sacred of the Brahmin wedding rituals is the Kanyadaan. This ritual is said to bind two people into one. This is a tradition that is a beautiful blend of bittersweet feelings, wherein the father of the bride gives away her hand to the groom.
Supreetha changed into a red nine-yard saree for it and sat on her father’s lap. As the groom got ready to tie the thali around her neck and waited for the auspicious time to arrive, to lighten the emotional moment, the entire family did a countdown making it one of the most cherished memories of the event.
As soon as the thali was over, Supreetha and her mom hugged each other with moist eyes. It was a very heartfelt occasion, and everyone hugged each other and congratulated the couple. Those perfect moments offered us the opportunity for some candid wedding photography, and we captured all of it.
An established singer and family friend, Sangeeta Katti, sang a beautiful song to conclude the wedding. We had a gala time capturing all the beautiful moments that will become reasons for the families to smile-wide for years to come.
