I had the chance to shoot a Sikh Wedding early this year. Here are some images I made in Jalandhar (Punjab). It was a great experience. Like all Punjabi weddings, this one too was full of laughter, frolic, negotiations between the groom and his sisters-in-law, dance, music, food and 'Lovely' sweets (from the most popular 'Lovely' sweet house of Jalandhar).
The Chunni ceremony was held two days before the wedding day at Hotel Radisson, Jalandhar.
The mehandi ceremony happened the day after and this bride wanted to get it done quick because she just didn't have the patience to sit through hours getting her mehandi done.
The following day, the groom arrived with the baraat
at the venue early morning (around 10a.m.) and received a welcome by
the girl's sisters after he cut the ribbon and paid them a 'bribe' to
enter. This is a fun custom and is usually a part of most Sikh and
non-Sikh Punjabi weddings, especially the ones in Punjab.
The pretty bride loved being clicked. On the other hand, her groom was extremely camera-shy
She said loved her portraits and thought they captured the bride's moods and emotions very well.
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The Chunni ceremony was held two days before the wedding day at Hotel Radisson, Jalandhar.
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| In this Punjabi custom of 'Chunni', the boy's mother and sisters cover the girl's head with a chunni, which in this case was a lovely traditional Phulkari. Beautiful; very colorful! This symbolizes that the girl is now taken. |
The mehandi ceremony happened the day after and this bride wanted to get it done quick because she just didn't have the patience to sit through hours getting her mehandi done.
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| It was a cold winter morning and henna can freeze you further; especially when it is all over your arms and feet. (Did you know, henna is used for its cooling property by many Indians in peak summer?) The electric heater was switched on for the bride while she got her mehandi put. Do you see the orange light of the heater falling on her arm? |
The following day, the groom arrived with the baraat
at the venue early morning (around 10a.m.) and received a welcome by
the girl's sisters after he cut the ribbon and paid them a 'bribe' to
enter. This is a fun custom and is usually a part of most Sikh and
non-Sikh Punjabi weddings, especially the ones in Punjab.
The bride was escorted to the Gurudwara by her brother and sister after her family along with the baraat reached there. After the Lawan Phere in the Gurudwara,
that must be performed before 12 noon, everybody came back to the venue
for photo ops, dance, drinks and the lavish food spread. It was a cold,
cloudy winter morning. Obviously the Sun was 'out' but decided to stay
behind the clouds throughout. Thank God, it was not freezing.
She said loved her portraits and thought they captured the bride's moods and emotions very well.
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