My First Multi-Cultural Wedding Photography Experience

Wow what an incredible honour and nerve racking experience all in one weekend!

It's amazing how word of mouth is such an incredible business boomer. My first ever multi-cultural wedding was booking from a word of mouth reference via another awesome couple who were super happy with the job I did on their engagement session. 
At first I was a little scared to take on such a big job with areas I knew nothing about. But fear is a great motivation to help you better yourself, educate yourself and strive for more. 
And man am I happy I accepted the opportunity.

 

We started the big weekend long celebrations with a Mehendi Party at the couples home on the Friday afternoon. I had no idea what to expect but I was full of excitement. 
The party began with lots of friends and family catching up over tasty indian food - my favourite! You could feel the happiness and excitement in the air for the newlyweds big weekend. I took the opportunity to capture lots of candid shots as family and friends greeted each other and enjoyed celebrating with the engaged couple.  

As the afternoon moved on we headed inside to begin the Mehendi Party with lots of traditions and beautiful henna artwork. 

The Mehendi Party was so much fun with so much colour and beautiful traditions. It was tough to know what to capture as so much was happening all around me but I just jumped right in and tried to get as much as I possibly could. 

The following day the couple had arranged a Boat Cruise Party with all their guests. We boarded  'Obsession III' down at the Toronto docks just before dusk. Family and friends were turning up in some of the most stunning outfits. It was a photography dream. 

Once aboard the Wedding Co-ordinator/Master of Ceremonies prepped everyone on the evenings activities which included lots of food, drinks, dancing, a sikh engagement ceremony, singing and of course more dancing. 

What an incredible night of photography. In this one evening I had to utilize so many different aspects and techniques of photography. It was an awesome challenge which i absolutely loved. The boat was open top so the lighting situations varied as the night progressed. It was beautiful. 

After celebrating until the early hours under the stunning Toronto skyline is was time for the BIG day...

We began the Sunday ceremonies with the Sikh Ceremony. So bright and early I met the bride and her wonderful bridesmaids at her apartment to prep in all their Sikh attire. The make-up, hair and jewellery was out of this world. So many different pieces to be put together and create the final look. There was jewellery passed down through the generations which was so special. 

Next I raced ahead of the ladies to get to the Temple before them and capture the pre-ceremony celebrations. It was incredible to see and photograph. I had never attended a Sikh wedding before so other then what I had googled I was a little lost on what to expect. It took my breath away.

There was music, dancing in the street and then a big meeting on the families outside of the Temple at which point they greeted each other with necklaces. The joining of the two families had begun. 
Then under a beautiful veil emerged the bride to her groom. They too exchanged necklaces before heading into the Temple for food before the official ceremony began. 

As the guests were enjoying some drinks the bride and groom were once again separated. The bride has a special room allocated for her to rest in and prepare. We took this opportunity to capture a couple more photos of her by herself as we had run short on time in the morning. 
 

The nerves were beginning as the ceremony commencement was rapidly upon us. It was lovely to see just how much the bride cared for her husband, his family and their faith. She wanted to do everything just right. 

I had double checked with the men in the temple and with the wedding co-ordinator encase there was anything I should not do within the ceremony/temple itself and then we were set to go. 

Time had run away with the couple already so our time for their Bride and Groom photos had been cut down to just 15 minutes. We did a mad rush with the limo to the local park to grab some special photos. The newlyweds were up for the mad session and loved the time just being together. A few moments away from the masses is one to be treasured. 

Next was the crazy dash back to downtown Toronto to a beautiful hotel were all the bridesmaids and the bride were getting ready for the second half of the days ceremonies. This time it was a civil ceremony at Berkeley Church. This location was absolutely stunning. 

After a lovely, intimate ceremony let the party begin. Food and drinks were served as we nipped out into a stunning little courtyard to grab the family and wedding party photography. 

Next was the wedding reception which was totally out of this world. It was once again full of colour, culture, dancing, speeches, awesome food, fun, tears and laughter. 

The venue and decoration were stunning. Photographing it all was so enjoyable. 

Sometimes I just love to sit back and observe. I often think to myself how blessed I am to have a job that invites me into these special moments, helping to capture the memories for them to treasure for a lifetime. 

What an incredible Photography weekend but also personal weekend getting to experience so many new things. I was touched to meet such wonderful families who welcomed me into the wedding to not only capture it but to celebrate with them. 

x Congratulations Abhijit & Sarisaa x