A Kerala wedding in the peak of summer took us to the legendary backwaters, where we had the delight of being a part of Niro and Vitha's wedding festivities.
The thing about weddings in India is that no matter how elaborate they may seem, no matter how tense the families get with D-day approaching closer and closer, the entire experience still remains pure and meaningful. And this London couple's wedding was no less spectacular.
The bride and the groom had chosen Zuri Kumarakom as the venue for their destination wedding because that is where Niro had proposed to Vitha. What better locale to make this magical occasion even more dreamy?
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Into the Backwaters
They commenced the celebrations with a houseboat ride for all the guests. Against the backdrop of the setting sun, the group enjoyed some refreshments while swaying in tandem with the music that blanketed the atmosphere, making it a lively and joyous space.
Later, dinner was served with a dash of thrill and a dollop of entertainment as dancers, and martial artists took to the spotlight. If Day 1 was anything to go by, I knew that more fun and frolic awaited all of us the next day.
Best Foot Forward
With the onset of dawn, the competitive spirit of all the guests was tested. There were boat races, football matches and a hearty game of cricket to bring everyone out of their rooms and mingle with one another.
Little did we know that there were a few surprises in store for us. Niro and Vitha entered, amidst a dramatic show of smoke bombs, to begin with the sangeet. As is customary, the bride and groom's folks competed with each other. The smile on everyone's faces grew even wider when the groom's mother danced along to Chammak Challo, much to the surprise of the couple.
With that, the pre-wedding festivities ended on a splendid note.
A New Chapter
The Hindu Sri Lankan style wedding that took place on May 16th, 2019 was imbued with the flavours of a Kerala wedding. The chenda melam marked the entry of the groom, whereas, the bride looked resplendent, arriving on a boat.
Once all the ritualistic arrangements were in place, the wedding ceremony began. Capturing these moments, seeing the couple enshrouded in a visage of love and affection is what drives a lot of wedding photographers like me. It is enough to secure our faith in the institution of marriage.
Needless to say, the couple and their families were quite emotional as Niro and Vitha tied the knot. But by no means was it an end to the tears. A change of outfit later, during the reception, several friends stepped up to recount hilarious anecdotes and heart-warming memories of the duo.
Claps, tears and cheers overlapped as everyone was reminded of how beautiful a union this was. The final program of the evening took the sentiment up a notch, and people trickled onto the dance floor, joining Niro and Vitha in a slow-dance number.
This summer wedding by the backwaters of Kumarakom was a picture of grace and the seamless blend of cultures. I wish the newly-weds great happiness in their life together.
Here is the complete set of pictures :)
