"May the nights be honey-sweet for us.
May the mornings be honey-sweet for us.
May the plants be honey-sweet for us.
May the earth be honey-sweet for us."
The words above come from a Hindu Marriage Poem, and make the perfect intro to this blog since this is going to be about the traditions and events that typically take place during a traditional Indian Wedding. These photos hold a special place in my heart because it was my first time experiencing this culture's traditions and this family welcomed me with open arms and warm smiles.
I first met Ikjot when she reached out to me looking for a photographer to capture her bridal shower. This bridal shower was more of a typical western bridal shower, and included lovely details, food, games and the opportunity to capture candids of family and friends. I am not going to include any photos from that here, because the focus of this blog is the Indian Wedding events that Ikjot eventually hired me for.
When Ikjot reached out after her bridal shower gallery had been delivered, and asked if I would interested in capturing 4 days of events that celebrate the bride, I was honestly nervous. She listed out the events- Mehndi, Sangeet, Maiyan, and Milni, and explained that she was looking for a feminine touch to capture details, candids, and her extravagant outfits. After discussing what each event was and the symbolism they held, I booked the events and started preparing in the short time I had.
The first event was held at her home in Lynden, a family farm. This event was called Mehndi, which is a pre-wedding ritual in which the bride and her female family members/friends sit and have Henna applied to their hands and feet. Tradition says that the deeper the bride's Mehndi, the happier the marriage will be. During this time(this art takes some serious time!), the women in the family gather to dance, sing, and play drums.
When I arrived I was greeted by everyone and offered food and drink, and was even told that if I had time and wanted Henna I was welcome to stay. I seriously wish I had room on my skin to have done so, because the artwork was truly stunning! Once settled in I focused on the details- Under a massive white tent, set up next to lush fields of green, were tables and a backdrop with a pink couch, a floral arch full of pink and white flowers, and decor like lanterns & chests. The bride had put together a bangle bar where you could choose bangles to match your outfit, and there was a buffet of fresh cooked food being replenished by family members actively cooking it all.
The pink couch was the seat of honor, and was where the bride sat to have Henna applied to her hands and feet. The Henna artist was Purvey Katariwala, who is a master at her craft. (Check out her Instagram @purvihennacreations to see her other amazing work!) While she worked, some of the women beat drums and sang traditional songs. Several times, Ikjot took breaks and joined them in their dance. Before I left for the day we snapped details of her stunning dress and dupatta, which was full of lovely earth tones and golden touches.
The 2nd event was held at a community center in Lynden, Wa and this event was called Sangeet. Sangeet is a joyful celebration that includes a traditional dance called Jaggo in which the women all come in balancing pots on their heads. At this ceremony you can expect lots of traditional folk singing, dancing and of course food! It is also a very colorful celebration, which you will see in the photos.
When I arrived there was a large group of women sitting and standing in a circle, with the bride and her mother at the head. One woman was leading the others in folk songs, which were songs I had never heard before or even dreamed existed. I captured shots of the decor- brightly colored florals, disco balls reflecting onto all surfaces, and a huge display at the front doors that included a bicycle with a basket full of flowers. Everything was bright and colorful, including the women's outfits and the mens turbans, and especially the brides outfit.
Ikjot was wearing the most unique hot pink dress I have ever seen, it sparkled in the light and caught wind when she spun. At this point her Henna had settled, and looked remarkable against the color of her dress and her bangles. Her dress is easily the most interesting dress I have had the opportunity to capture, and I am still OBSESSED!
Before my time came to an end, I got to experience the Jaggo dance. People gathered outside with favors and instruments waving in the air, and some of the woman carried ornate pots on their heads. Once the smoke bombs had gone off, they made their way back inside in a procession, dancing and laughing. Inside they continued to dance, passing the pots around to different women. It was loud and upbeat, and I absolutely loved it.
The 3rd event was held again at the family farm, under the big white tent. This event was called Maiyan and is a pre-wedding ceremony that happens a day or two before the wedding. At this ceremony family and friends slather the bride and groom in a mixture of turmeric, oil, and milk. It is believed that this ritual, called Haldi Rasam, is done in order to prevent evil spirits from harming the couple. Turmeric is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant and it is believed that if applied to the bride and groom before the wedding, they will be blemish-free and have radiant skin on their wedding day. This is a fun and playful time, filled with joy.
Since I was not the main photographer, and my job was to focus on details and candids, I did not get very many photos of the ceremony itself. When I arrived I was blown away by yet another gorgeous backdrop that had rich gold and red colors, and fruit as decor. Some of the women sat in the center of the tent and used different colored sand and stencils to create beautiful designs on a canvas, which was left out for the ceremony. I included some photos of them doing so below, because I found it truly fascinating to watch them create.
Ikjot and her family were all dressed in different outfits of gold and deep yellows, yellow is a sacred and auspicious color in Indian culture and is worn to symbolize prosperity and new beginnings. It is often worn during this ceremony.
The ceremony began with a procession out of the house, with the bride at the center, under a colorful Phoolon Ki Chadar, which is a brightly colored cloth held on poles carried over the bride's head during her entrance. She was led to the center of the tent, and it started with both her parents at her side. Everyone gathered around them, laughing and cheering, and soon each family member started stepping in for their turn. I am so thankful I was there long enough to see them start this ceremony!
And finally, the wedding day and the Milni Ceremony. This ceremony happens at the temple, which was located in Bellingham, Wa. In this tradition, the men in the bride's family greet the men in the groom's family, and exchange garlands that symbolize the families uniting. Afterwards they sit together to eat breakfast before the wedding ceremony. During this time, the bride is tucked away wearing an intricate dress and dupatta in traditional red.
I was there specifically to capture the details and the Milni ceremony. I had never entered an Indian temple before, and was hopeful I was taking my shoes off in the right rooms and wearing my dupatta the correct way. It was very important to me that I be as respectful as possible in their space.
The buffet was an incredible layout of different foods and decor, and the bride had a coffee cart that created latte art of designs she created herself. Family started arriving, and soon each side of the entrance was lined- one side was the bride's family and the other was the groom's. The groom, Tal, arrived in a lovely blue and gold outfit, carrying a gold sword and wearing a peach colored turban dangling with pearls. After a prayer said by the priest, each father stepped forward to greet each other, followed by brothers, uncles, and so on. Soon each family member was adorned with a garland, and the joining of families was complete.
I did not stay for the wedding ceremony itself, though I wish I had. Each one of these events was packed with tradition, joy, and family. As someone who comes from a small family with no deep ties outside of the United States, this was truly a unique and educational experience. My take away- I want to be a part of more Indian Weddings. I want to be a part of the joy and celebration, and I want to experience their culture again. Family is so very important, and sometimes I think that gets lost in my own culture, and in weddings we can forget to focus on that part- two families coming together to uplift and celebrate the couple.
Keep on scrolling for a carousel of photos from each event. I am so proud of my work, and hope that you all find these images as meaningful as I do!
Cheers,
Kymber
Mehndi
Sangeet
Maiyan
Milni
