Nepalese Wedding Photographer in Kent
As a Nepalese Wedding Photographer in Kent, I know Nepalese wedding ceremonies are lavish, long – some take up to four days – and laden with tradition.
I recently had the pleasure of shooting Anita and Deep’s wedding, huge, Nepali wedding, over three days and featured a variety of colourful rituals and rites at different locations.
Day One – The Religious Ceremony
The first day started early with bridal and groom preparations at the couple’s respective family homes in Folkestone and Maidstone.
Anita wore a red and gold traditional Nepali wedding dress.
Deep wore a red and gold traditional Nepali groom outfit, called a daura-suruwal suit.
Both Anita and Deep both follow the Hindu faith, so they were having a Nepali Hindu Wedding.
Alongside natural shots of the couple’s preparations, I took the opportunity to take a series of bridal portraits. Anita’s poised expression, along with the position of her veil and hands, create a vivid, striking image.
The bride and Groom then made their way to the Royal Gurkha Rifles Barracks in Shorncliffe which contains a small Hindu temple.
Anita arrived first, followed by Deep heading up the Groom’s vibrant wedding procession (known as the Janti).
The religious ceremony began with the Kanyadaan, a significant Hindu ritual where the father of the bride gives away his daughter.
The priest and bride’s family present Deep with gifts, including small amounts of grass, rice and sandalwood.
Family members blessed the union by placing rice on Anita and Deep’s foreheads before the couple exchanged malas – flower garlands – and wedding rings.
A length of white cloth (the Gath-Bandhan) was tied around the couple, symbolising the link between Anita and Deep.
The wedding party moved outside for the exchange of vows in front of holy fire.
Back inside, the Groom applied sindoor – a traditional orange-red powder – to Anita’s hair parting.
The main religious aspects of the ceremony complete, a visibly relaxed and happy Anita and Deep undertook one of the final rituals – Anita feeding her new husband and herself a blend of ghee, honey and yoghurt.
Following the ceremony, the couple journeyed to another venue for Deep to meet and exchange well-wishes with Anita’s family members.
At the end of the meeting, tradition has it that the Groom takes his new wife to his family home. When the moment came to leave, happy emotions turned to tears as Anita said goodbye.
Day Two – The Groom’s Reception Party
The Groom’s party started with members of the bride’s family bringing gifts of flowers, fruit and money.
The party then moved onto a large reception venue lavishly decorated in traditional red and gold.
As well as cutting a rose-covered wedding cake, guests gave speeches, and as day turned to night, a heady mix of traditional and modern dancing began.
What struck me was the rich, jewel tones of the women’s outfits – the flashes of colour bring real energy to the final photographs.
Day Three – The Bride’s Reception Party
Anita’s Reception party was held in an elegant marquee and comprised a similar blend of speeches, cake cutting and dancing.
During the day, I managed to steal a moment to take creative wedding portraits of Anita and Deep.
One favourite shows the newly-weds holding each other lit only by fairy lights. It captures an intimate, quiet moment between them amid the bustle of the party.
Thank you to Anita and Deep for allowing me to capture your amazing wedding days!
Fun, Friendly Nepalese Wedding Photographer & Indian Wedding Photographer
I’ve vast experience of shooting extended weddings, from Nepalese to Indian wedding celebrations.
I’ve been fortunate to meet some incredible couples along the way, many of whom I count among my closest friends.
If you’re looking for contemporary, relaxed wedding photography that captures your feelings from start to finish, please do get in touch. I’d love to chat about your plans and how I can help create your perfect wedding album.
Please send me an e-mail here or call me on 07961 410 413.