Taj Bekal, Kerala: A Chic and Stylish Destination Wedding

Bekal, a small town in Kerala, is known for its spectacular beachesy, lovely backwaters, and forts. Its beauty and allure attracts travellers looking for a romantic escape. No wonder Vishnu and Sonia selected the Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, Kerala for their destination wedding.  

The bespoke location ensured the guests enjoyed their stay and the wedding. Vishnu, who is of mixed Malayali and Tamilian heritage, tied the knot with Sonia, who has both Indian and Swiss roots, in a beautiful ceremony at the Taj Bekal Resort, surrounded by a serene canopy of abundant greenery and scenic backwaters.

The destination wedding, attended by people from all over the world, started with the welcome dinner. Amid the refined luxury, the guests were treated to a glimpse of Kerala's rich culture, where local artists performed for the guests.   

The picturesque venue allowed the us to take many gorgeous shots of the couple. 

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A Colourful Mehndi

For the mehndi, the couple arrived wearing colour-coordinated outfits, accompanied by the sounds of the dhol. Smoke bombs created a surreal ambience, and they made a stunning entry amidst jovial singing and dancing. The marigold decorations served as a spectacular backdrop to the event.

Special performances by Kathakali artists added a traditional charm to the event. Vishnu and Sonia joined the merriment and grooved to the pulsating music.

As the couple stood mesmerized by the enchanting beauty of Bekal, our photographers took the opportunity to click some fantastic photos of the couple, with the candid shots near the waterfront being some of our favourites.

A Lively Cocktail Night

Everyone was in high spirits as the beauteous evening faded into the night. Popular Kerala multi-genre music band Thaikkudam Bridge entertained the guests at the cocktail party with their power-packed and moving performance.

As the fusion band belted out one song after another from their repertoire, they lifted the audience's mood, who danced the night away to the band's live gigs. The joy-filled night became even more memorable with the illumination, songs, and the couple's dance.

A Traditional Wedding

The Taj Bekal Resort has a very calm and beautiful aura to it. The serene backwaters and the ocean were the perfect setting for Vishnu and Sonia's wedding.

The beautiful bride arrived in a strikingly-decorated raft wading through the river. The awe-inspiring scenery, vibrant culture, and outstanding beauty created an idyllic setting for the wedding.  

Sonia was welcomed with a surprise flower shower and made an entry along with Mohiniyattam dancers. Pretty women clad in Kerala Kasavu saree received her with thalam and garland.

Sonia changed to a traditional silk saree for the muhurat. Her family and friends carrying the flower canopy guided her to the stunningly decorated mandap abutting the river. 

Sonia's dad welcomed the groom, Vishnu, with a garland. Vishnu looked dapper wearing the veshti in traditional style with a silk angavastram.

Sonia's dad cajoled Vishnu not to take up the Kashi yatra. Instead, he assured the groom of his daughter's hand in marriage. After the impressive oonjal ceremony, the couple went to the mandap for the thali.  

They performed all the wedding rituals, including the pheras, saptapati, sindoor, and garlanding. The guests had fun lifting the groom and bride in the air. There was much laughter and merriment.

Brimming with traditions naturally blended with contemporary elements, Vishnu and Sonia's nuptials against the lush beauty of Bekal were a joy to behold.

The colourful wedding ceremony offered plentiful opportunities for our photographers to capture various shots to be etched in memories. 

A Happening Sangeet

A musical night celebrated the union of the bride and groom and the bonding of both families. The highlight of the event included lots of speeches and dance performances.

After his speech, Vishnu raised a toast to his bride, followed by the guests who toasted the happy couple. What followed was a crazy after-party.  

Interestingly, it rained post the Sangeet, but that did not deter the spirit of the party. Everyone moved indoors and partied till dawn! 

A Dehradun Destination Wedding of Sanya & Utkarsh

A wedding is a joyous celebration of the beginning of a new life together, surrounded by family and friends. Nestled in the midst of lush greenery and surrounded by breathtaking views, Hyatt Regency Dehradun  provided a stunning backdrop for the Marwari wedding festivities of Sanya & Utkarsh, creating a truly unforgettable experience.

A Fun Couple Shoot

The couple expressed their preference for a more casual and spontaneous approach, and thus we decided to simply roam around the property, capturing fun and lighthearted moments of the energetic duo. Rather than overly posed shots, we aimed to capture the couple's vibrant personalities in a playful and candid manner.

A Musical Mehndi Celebration

The couple, resplendent in traditional attire, looked gorgeous as they entered the venue with a flower shower. The event was a grand affair, with family and friends gathered to celebrate the couple's love. The highlight of the evening was the performance by the popular band A26, who had everyone on their feet dancing and singing along to their catchy tunes.

DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY

The Sangeet ceremony was an absolute delight to capture. The vibrant decor, the energetic performances, and the lively music by Faridkot band made for a truly memorable evening. We were in awe of the energy and the enthusiasm with which Sanya & Utkarsh’s family and friends performed the dances. The dance floor was super packed and it was an unforgettable night.

THE REGAL WEDDING

The nuptials of Sanya and Utkarsh were a grand and exultant celebration, brimming with an abundance of joyous moments. Adorned in a beautiful red lehenga, Sanya appeared resplendent, while her choice of exquisite jewelry further elevated her aesthetic appeal. Utkarsh, too, exuded regal charm, donning an off-white sherwani . The baraat arrived in a vintage car, followed by a large procession of dancing baraatis who synchronized their steps to the beats of the dhol.

The magical sunset lent an otherworldly ambiance to the wedding ceremony, as the couple exchanged jaymalas under a shower of fragrant flowers. The traditional pheras and the application of sindoor by Utkarsh on Sanya's forehead marked the culmination of the marriage rituals, which were followed by a poignant vidai ceremony.

As photographers, we captured numerous shots that marked the beginning of Sanya and Utkarsh's journey as a married couple.

Marwari Weddings: A Guide to Marwari Wedding Rituals, Traditions With Photos, Videos

Marwaris are an ethnic community belonging to the state of Rajasthan in India. They trace their origin to the princely state of Marwar, which is the Jodhpur region at present. Marwari weddings are lavish, colourful, and fun experiences celebrated with a lot of exuberance and enthusiasm.

The royal land of Rajasthan is known for its exquisite culture and grandeur. Marwari weddings encapsulate the same through various wedding rituals, vibrant outfits, grand music, and of course, delicious food.

Their vivid bouquet of traditions includes a lot of interesting customs and fun rituals that are meant to break the ice between both families. Like many Indian weddings, Marwari wedding customs trace their origin to ancient Vedic traditions.    

Traditionally, a Marwari groom is known as banna, and the bride is called banni.

While some prefer to introduce a touch of freshness to the customs, the basic essence of a Marwari wedding is always about celebrating the beginning of a lifelong bond in the grandest way possible.

Let’s get to know more about Marwari weddings!

The Dresses, the Jewellery and the Food!

Gorgeous outfits and food are an integral part of a Marwari wedding. A Marwari bride dresses up in a bright, colourful, and embellished silk lehenga choli. Traditional motifs and patterns define her outfit. A colourful odhni or chunni draped over the lehenga choli completes her wedding attire.

She complements her look with typical Rajasthani jewellery pieces such as chura (traditional bangles) Rajasthani nath (nose ornament), timaniyaan (choker necklace), bichiya (toe rings), and rakhri with a borla tika (maang tika) that sits prettily on her forehead.

As for the groom, he wears an achkan or sherwani with dhoti or pyjama and a kamarbandh (waistband). A pagri (turban) sits on his head. He teams up his attire with a pearl or stone-studded necklace, a turban ornament, and Rajasthani jootis.

Food is an elaborate affair at every Rajasthani wedding. Dishes like dal baati churma, methi bajra poori, Rajasthani kadhi, shahi gate, ker sangri, ghevar, and mawa kachori are some of the quintessential items that form a typical Marwari wedding menu.    

The Rituals That Make Marwari Weddings Stand Out!

A typical Marwari wedding is an elaborate celebration of pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding customs and rituals. Here are the major rituals of a Marwari wedding:

Roka

Roka is the ceremony where parents from both sides finalise the wedding plans. It usually takes place a few months before the wedding.

On this particular day, parents from both sides put a tilak on the bride and groom. An exchange of gifts also takes place between both families to mark the happy occasion.

Byah Haath

For this ritual, married women in the family and the neighbourhood gather to sing Mangal Geet or songs of happiness, in anticipation of a happy wedding.

This happens 5, 7, 11, or 21 days before the marriage. They prepare sweets made of lentils and jaggery, which are called Mangodi, and bless the bride/groom.

Naandi Ganesh Pooja

Naandi Ganesh pooja is performed to seek blessings from Lord Ganesh and other Hindu deities for a smooth and hassle-free ceremony.

The prevalent belief is that Lord Ganesh attends the wedding in the form of a small boy. That’s why a small boy accompanies the bride and groom in their pre-wedding rituals. He is believed to embody Lord Ganesh or Vinayak. 

Bhaat Nyotana and Bhaat Bharna

In Marwari traditions, the maternal aunt (mami) and uncle (mama) play an important role.

During the Bhaat Nyotana and Bhaat Bharna ceremony, the mother of the bride/groom formally invites her parents, brother, and sister-in-law to the wedding of her child. She puts a tika on her brother and sister-in-law as part of the invitation ceremony.

The maternal uncle, on his part, agrees to participate in the ceremony wholeheartedly and stand beside his sister.

Myra

The maternal family of the bride/groom’s mother is extended a warm welcome by her family as they arrive to attend the wedding.

The maternal uncle or mama presents gifts to his sister’s family. He also agrees to extend financial support for the wedding.  

Mehndi

The bride gets her hands and feet decorated with exquisite designs using Mehndi or henna dye.

Mehndi-decorated hands and feet symbolise abundance, happiness, and fulfilment in life. An interesting aspect of Marwari weddings is that the groom also gets a mehndi design done on his hand to mark this ceremony.

Mudda Tikka or Sagai

Sagai is the engagement ceremony that is traditionally held at the bride’s home. The bride and the groom exchange rings in the presence of family and friends to mark their sagai or official engagement. A vibrant function marks the occasion.

Mehfil

Mehfil, also known as the Sangeet ceremony, is another fun-filled pre-wedding function. It is a night of singing, dancing, and feasting, with plenty of entertainment thrown in.

The equivalent of a bachelorette party, this function involves a lot of merry-making and mischief.

Telbaan

Telbaan is a ritualistic bath given to the bride and groom on the wedding day morning.

A paste of turmeric, mustard oil, and fresh curd is applied on their face, hands, and feet. This is followed by feeding ghunghra or sweet pancakes to the bride and groom.

Pitthi Dastoor

Haldi assumes much significance in Indian weddings, including Marwari weddings.

The bride and groom are applied turmeric paste to enhance their glow for the wedding. They are given a bath by their relatives to wash off the turmeric paste. Lots of fun and frolic surround this ceremony. 

Nikasi

Just before the groom sets off with his baraat, his sister ties his sehra and puts a kajal tika behind his ear to ward off the evil eye. She also wraps a golden thread around the mare that he is to mount and ride to his wedding.

The groom’s mother feeds him a spoonful of a mixture of lentils, sugar, rice, and ghee, which is considered auspicious.

Baraat

The groom, along with his friends and family, heads towards the wedding venue. He covers the distance sitting on a mare amidst a lot of singing, dancing, and revelry by the members of his wedding procession. 

Toran

Toran refers to a decorative hanged at the entrance of the wedding venue.

Before entering the venue, the groom hits the toran with a stick from the neem plant. This age-old practice is done to ward off negative energy from the married life of the bride and groom. 

Jaimala

Jaimala is a common part of many Indian weddings.

Once the bride enters the wedding mandap, she goes on to put seven suhalis over the groom’s head. Following this, the groom and the bride exchange garlands amidst a lot of cheering by friends and family.

Kanyadaan

The Kanyadaan ritual in a Marwari wedding is similar to that in most Hindu weddings.

The bride’s father gives her hand to the groom during the ritual. He asks the groom to accept his daughter in marriage and take her responsibility.

The bride is also asked to accept the groom and take his surname. The couple promise to stay together, no matter what challenges life throws at them. 

Saptapadi or Phera

Regarded as the most important ritual of a Hindu marriage, Saptapadi assumes much significance in Marwari weddings as well.

During this ritual, the bride and the groom go around the holy fire seven times while the priests chant mantras. They take their wedding vows and promise to be there for each other all lifelong.

Sindoor Daan

Sindoor daan is the ritual in which the groom applies vermillion on the bride’s forehead. Sindoor, or vermillion, is the symbol of marriage in Hindu culture.

This ritual marks the beginning of the wedded life of a couple. The groom’s mother gifts the bride a nose ring or nath, which she is expected to wear.

Vidaai

Vidaai marks an emotional moment in the course of the wedding.

As the bride leaves her paternal home and sets off for the groom’s house, she bids a tearful goodbye to her family and friends. Her parents send her off with blessings for her new life.

Pag Phera

The bride, along with her newly wedded husband, visits her paternal home a couple of days after the wedding.

The newlywed couple is welcomed heartily by the bride’s family. Cousins and siblings of the bride crack jokes and tease the couple, and everyone has fun.

MARWARI WEDDING WEDDING ALBUMS

  1. A Royal Fort Marwari Wedding in Mundota Fort & Palace, Jaipur

  2. A Fun Punjabi- Marwari Wedding in The Leela Palace, Bangalore

  3. Marwari Destination Wedding Welligama Bay Marriott , Sri Lanka

  4. Marwari Destination Wedding Across 2 Palaces, Indana Palace & Ajit Palace, Jodhpur

  5. A Marwari Destination Wedding in Hyatt Dehradun

  6. Super Fun & Colorful Marwari Wedding in The Leela Bhartiya City, Bangalore

MARWARI WEDDING VIDEOS

Kannada Weddings: A Guide to Kannada Wedding Rituals With Photos, Videos

Kannada weddings refer to the traditional wedding ceremonies celebrated by Kannadigas or the Kannada people. Kannadigas trace their ancestry to the state of Karnataka in India and its surrounding areas.

Kannada weddings in the modern era are an interesting blend of traditions and colorful ceremonies, with an emphasis on forming a bond between the two families. The celebrations are usually spread over two to three days. Classic events like Dev Karya, Saptapadi, etc., form an integral part of the weddings.

While traditions and rituals may differ slightly among the various Kannada communities, the symbolism of the core events remains the same. In essence, Kannadiga weddings celebrate the beginning of the newly wedded couple’s journey together.

Making New Beginnings in the Traditional Way

The beauty of Kannada weddings is that they abide by the meaningful rituals and ceremonies that are a part of their rich culture. At the same time, they try to add a modern touch to the events to make them more relevant for the young couple.

Like most Hindu weddings, Kannada wedding rituals are based on the Vedas or ancient Indian scriptures. But there’s a strong influence of the Karnataka region on the rituals. While vibrant celebrations mark the special occasion, the focus is on creating memories. As such, Kannada wedding celebrations have a sophisticated vibe to them.

A Mesmerizing Milieu of Dresses, Jewellery, and Food

On the wedding day, the bride wears a traditional Naavari saree of 9 yards. Green glass bangles adorn her hands. She completes her bridal look with gold jewelry, such as gold necklaces, jhumkas, maang tika, and more. A kamarbandh sits on her waist and adds to her look.

The groom puts on a white vesti or dhoti with ornate thin borders in typical South Indian style, along with a kurti or sherwani. But during the wedding ritual, he wears an angavastram or silk stole along with the vesti. A pheta or turban sits on his head.

A pleasant whiff of jasmine and other flowers fills the wedding venue. Food forms an integral part of Kannada weddings. A traditional wedding menu includes items like puri, vada, Bisebele bath, payasam, kesari bhat, etc. In keeping with the traditions, the food is served on banana leaves.

The Meaningful Rituals That Make Kannada Weddings Stand Out

A Kannada wedding comprises several beautiful rituals and ceremonies. Many of the rituals are performed by all communities in Karnataka. But for some communities, a few of the rituals may differ.

NISCHAY TAMULAM

Nischay Tamulam is the official engagement ceremony before a Kannada wedding. This ceremony is held after the bride and groom's horoscopes have been matched.An age-old practice, it is done to ensure that the couple has a successful married life. On this day, a priest fixes the auspicious wedding date and time.   

The parents from both sides exchange plates full of betel leaves and nuts and bless the couple. The bride is presented with a saree, blouse, sweets, and coconut by the groom’s parents. The groom receives a dhoti, sweets, coconut, and other fruits from the bride’s parents.  

Naandi

The Naandi ceremony takes place a day before the marriage ceremony. It is performed in the homes of both the groom and the bride. It marks the beginning of the wedding ceremony.

Naandi is symbolic of presenting the first marriage invitation to the almighty. Both parties seek blessings for a smooth wedding ceremony and a long and happy wedded life for the couple. A priest fills a traditional copper pot with holy water and places a coconut on top of it. It symbolizes the pot of nectar or Amrit.

Mandap Puja

Mandap puja is the first ritual of the wedding ceremony that takes place on the wedding day.

Mandap refers to the area or stage where the wedding ceremony is set to take place. The priest purifies the mandap by chanting mantras and prepares the area for the wedding.

Dev Karya

A pre-wedding ceremony, Dev Karya is performed on the wedding day. The groom visits one or more temples and worships the deity before he sets out to marry his bride.

A significant part of the ceremony involves placing all the items to be used in the wedding ceremony before Lord Ganesha. This is done to sanctify the objects and seek his blessings for the auspicious event.

Groom’s Welcome

As the name indicates, this ceremony is about welcoming the groom. Once the groom reaches the wedding venue with his marriage party, five married women from the bride’s side receive him at the entrance.

They take turns performing aarti and extending him a traditional welcome. The bride’s father then escorts the groom to the mandap.

Var Puja

Kannada traditions consider the groom to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Members of the bride’s family worship the groom and lead him to the wedding mandap.

The bride’s father washes the groom’s feet and presents him with a silk vesti and angavastram. Kannada wedding traditions have it that the groom carries out the marriage rituals wearing the clothes presented by the bride’s father.

Jaimala

The bride enters the venue keeping her face covered behind a peacock-feather fan. A cloth screen shields the couple from seeing each other. As the screen is slowly lifted, the couple gets to look at each other for the first time on the wedding day.   

When it’s time for the jaimala, the groom and the bride exchange flower garlands three times. This symbolic wedding ritual indicates the unification of two souls through matrimony.

It is a visual delight to witness the ceremony as the bride and groom take the first steps towards becoming a married couple, as their friends and family look on.

Dhareherdu

Dhareherdu is the custom of the bride’s father giving her hand to the groom.

As he places his daughter’s hand in the groom’s hand, he expects the groom to take care of his daughter in every possible way.The groom promises to be a good life partner for his bride, and the wedding rituals begin on this positive note.

Saptapadi

Saptapadi is the ritual where the couple takes their wedding vows while going around the sacred fire. They go around the fire seven times, and during each of the rounds, they take a different vow for their married life ahead. This ritual is symbolic of their becoming life partners for their next seven births on earth.

One end of the bride’s saree is tied to an end of the groom’s outfit to indicate their unbreakable nuptial knot. This is followed by the groom tying the mangalsutra or sacred thread around the bride’s neck, which marks them as a wedded couple.

Okhli

Okhli refers to a post-wedding fun game. The groom’s ring is dropped in a huge vessel filled with coloured water or milk. The bride and the groom dip their hands in the liquid and compete with each other to retrieve the ring. This game is played three times before a winner is declared.

This fun game serves to break the ice between the two families after the wedding.

Vidaai

Vidaai marks one of the most emotional moments in an Indian wedding. It is the ceremony when the bride bids adieu to her family and friends before she sets off with her groom for her in-law’s home.

The bride is given a teary farewell by her loved ones even as they wish her a wonderful married life ahead.


Griha Pravesh

The term 'Griha Pravesh' translates into entering into a house. It marks the entry of the bride in her new home, i.e., her in-law’s home.

The bride is given a warm welcome and ushered into the house by her mother-in-law. She topples a pot or kalash over-filled with rice kept at the threshold of the house before stepping inside.

This symbolizes that wealth and prosperity will overflow into the home with her arrival.

Kannada Wedding Wedding Albums

  1. A Charming Kannada Wedding In The Tamarind Tree Bangalore

  2. Tradtional Kannada Wedding with a Dutch Groom

  3. A Kannadiga Wedding Royale at the Bengaluru Palace

The Kannada Bride

Kannada Wedding Videos

Other Resources

  1. Best Destination Wedding Locations, Venues, Hotels & Resorts In India

  2. The Best Wedding Venues & Resorts In Bangalore

  3. The Best Wedding Planners in Bangalore

  4. The Best Bridal Makeup Artists in Bangalore

To Wrap

Kannada weddings are colorful ceremonies that involve several big and small rituals.

The Kannadigas are proud to carry forward their rich cultural legacy. That is why even when they introduce modern events in their wedding ceremonies, most don’t shy away from the essential traditional rituals.