Bungalow 7, Bangalore: A Charming Hindu Christian Wedding

Nothing says fusion wedding like the coming together of different cultures. For Aneesha and Aditya, the magic began when they met through common friends. 

Love marriages like theirs hold great significance in the shaping of traditions. They foster a bond not just between the bride and groom, but their families too.

With a South-Indian style Hindu wedding and a Christian wedding ceremony, it was almost as if the endless festivities were to be a symbol of the everlasting nature of love.

Music To The Ears

The engagement party was truly a night to remember. Adorned with flowers and jewels, the chandelier cake elicited collective gasps from the crowd. 

The ring ceremony proved to be the perfect opportunity for some candid wedding photography as a blissful sheen was etched on everyone's face. Fairy lights in warm and cool tones were used to brighten an already sparkling setting. But they had nothing on the glimmer radiating from the fiancés. 

Friends and family members took to the stage with dance performances and musical renditions. The husband and wife-to-be also performed to a typical jolly choreography. 

The Christian Wedding

St. Patrick's Church had been chosen as the Bangalore wedding venue that would host the Christian wedding ceremony.  

With their parents' blessings wrapped firmly around their hearts, the happy couple set out for the venue. 

At the church, earnest faces witnessed Aneesha and Aditya walk down the aisle, and be united in holy matrimony. 

The Christian bride's flowy, elegant gown lent a fairytale-esque look to the scenario. Then, as tradition would have it, it was time for the bouquet-throwing ritual. The arrangement was tastefully made with pink and white flowers. 

With the reception having been planned at Bungalow 7, our team of Bangalore wedding photographers was determined to capture the energetic turn of events. 

Post the cake-cutting, the newlyweds gave heartening speeches that had everyone beaming at them. The father-daughter dance was a highlight of the reception, closely followed by the exuberant games that had been organized. 

It was great to see all the guests on their feet, moving through the crowd, engaging with each other. 

The Hindu Wedding

Later, Iskcon was to be our canvas for the Hindu wedding photography, and what a picture we painted! 

They say all that is gold does not glitter. But, our team of Bangalore wedding photographers thought otherwise. Aneesha and Aditya looked absolutely majestic in their gilded ensemble. 

Their loved ones, witness to the ceremonial rites of a Hindu wedding, were just as fashionably dressed up in rich combinations of purple, red, and ochre. 

What is Indian wedding photography without a massive backdrop of genda phool, or what is commonly known as the marigold flower? The mandap was decorated with golden bells tinkling in between strings of marigold.

Under the guidance of their elders, the husband and wife completed the wedding rites of kanyadaan (symbolic giving away of the bride), exchanging the flower garlands, pouring rice over each other's head, tying the mangalsutra, and taking turns around the ceremonial fire, while the gathered showered flower petals on them. 

Theirs was a fun-filled Hindu Christian wedding indeed! And we were glad to have been a part of the monumental day that would start a new chapter in Aneesha and Aditya's lives. 

See the Complete Wedding Photos Below.

Panchavati The Pavilion: An Exquisite Wedding with the Bride in Red

Preethi & Keshav's wedding was one steeped in tradition. The Indian-SriLankan couple had traveled all the way from their homes in Australia to get hitched in Bangalore, surrounded by their friends and family. 

The mehndi ceremony was carried out at home, with only close friends being present for the celebration. Then, on the day of the wedding, the families participated in yet another pre-wedding ritual called the Kashi yatra, wherein the groom decides to leave his current life and move to Kashi to pursue true knowledge! Post this, Preethi's parents ushered Keshav to the wedding venue, after asking him to reconsider. 

A Paradise Pavilion

The Hindu Kannadiga style ceremony took place on a cool December day, at Panchavati The Pavilion, a prominent Bangalore wedding venue. 

As wedding photographers based in Bangalore, we were familiar with the aesthetics of the location. But upon seeing the vivid decor and the pulsing energy of the venue that day, we knew we had struck gold. All the smiling faces and the effortless mingling of the guests made for remarkable candid wedding photography. 

The mandap at Panchavati is outlined by a water canal filled with vibrant lilies. There are corridors facing this mandap, allowing the guests a clear view of the marriage ceremony and enabling them to partake in the joyous moments. Venues such as these that combine the architectural history of India with modern space dynamics are perfect for wedding photography. 

The swing at the venue had quickly become a crowd favorite, and we couldn't get enough of capturing photos with everyone around it. 

Tying the Knot

As is customary in some South-Indian weddings, the groom awaited the bride in the mandap with a curtain placed in front of him. Also known as antarapata, this is to prevent both of them from seeing each other until they have poured the jerrige bella (a mixture of cumin and jaggery) over each other's head. 

Amidst gales of laughter, the cloth was taken away for the rest of the customs to be followed. The tying of the thali was such a beautiful moment, sure to be a highlight of the wedding photography reel. At this point, everyone looked elated and worthy of capture on film. 

During the sapta padi ritual, the couple walked around the ritual fire while taking their wedding vows. Preethi & Keshav were a sight to behold in all their nobility and grace. 

To pay homage to one of the most revered sages - Vasishtha and his wife Arundhati, the newly-weds took part in a ritual called Arundhati Nakshatram. The purpose of this ritual is to imbibe the values of equality, loyalty, and marital fulfillment into one's marriage by locating the Arundhati star in the sky. 

The Reception

The religious ceremonies having come to an end, it was time for the reception. ITC Gardenia, the venue that had been chosen, was done up in shades of white and lavender to complement the couple's outfits. 

Lots of friends of the couple had arrived for the wedding from different parts of the world. The guests were making their way up to wish the happy couple and take photos with them. Everyone was visibly more relaxed, and a general atmosphere of light-hearted fun became apparent.

A towering cake, bedecked in flowers, was brought out to commemorate Preethi & Keshav's special day. 

Immersed in good company, all the guests appeared to be having a gala time. They may have joined in as the bride's team or the groom's team, but at that moment, it only looked like one big happy gathering. 

Zuri Kumarakom: A Summer Wedding By The Backwaters Of Kerala

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?

Click here for The Best Destination Wedding Venues in Kerala Guide
& our Destination Wedding Locations in India Guide.

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 :)