One of the best things about being a wedding photographer or videographer is the unique opportunity
to witness love manifest itself in all kinds of different ceremonies, traditions and customs. It is a true
honour to be granted a peek into couples’ most intimate moments that they share with their loved
ones. We were honoured in such a way many times over and it solidified our belief that love transcends
different ethnicities, cultures and that it actually is the universal language of the world.
This time, we were taken on a trip through a beautiful world of Indian culture and wedding ceremony by
our adorable newlyweds, Bella and Kunal. Both, the ceremony and the banquet, took place in The
Watermill hotel, located in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, with its riverside views and charming
countryside setting – a perfect little gem. The venue was completely transformed for the ceremony into
a marvellous sea of white with the accent of red and pink rose petals that oozed of elegance, freshness
and purity. A vast Mandap with ornate wood carvings and intricate wooden pillars alongside main
entrance really made the whole place feel truly sacred, welcoming and awoke humility and grace, all at
once.
While our gorgeous bride was preparing in her suite her happiness and excitement were almost
palpable. She looked nothing less than regal with her hands and feet adorned in mesmerizing henna
design topped with elegant gold jewellery and Maang Tikka of gold and pearls. And her bridal sari was
just breathtaking. An impeccable combination of golden embroidery and dashes of bright red, it was an
ensemble of dreams. Her face seemed to truly beam framed with gold thread and the red complimented
her perfect hairdo.
Meanwhile, she was anxiously awaited by her proud groom. Upon arrival, he was greeted by her family,
especially mother of the bride, gifted and accompanied with song and dance. He proved his strength by
breaking terracotta bowl at the entrance and had the symbol of the approval of the family on him. The
ceremony was ready to start and he looked happy, calm and ready for his chosen one.
And what a ceremony it was… The reveal of the groom felt very playful and heartwarming, you could
see the bond and connection our couple shares so clearly at that moment and the joy they emitted felt
viral. Surrounded with symbolism and blessings of their family and friends, after exchanging flower
garlands and prayers, our bride and groom were completely in sync with one another, thrilled and
serene at the same time, taking their first steps together around holly fire, joined together by her sari
and his scarf. Their Saptapadi was very graceful with our groom, in a gentleman-like manner, helping our
bride to delicately touch seven betel nuts while chanting vows. Like in every ceremony there was a
bitter-sweet moment when our bride said goodbye to her family while stepping into a new one. That
whirlwind of emotions, happiness mixed with a bit of sadness, always brings tears to our eyes and is
probably the most intimate and revealing part of every goodbye. But they are the tears of joy, too.
Before changing into their evening outfits and dancing a night away, our happy couple, took some time
to themselves, to memorise the moment of their union by taking few shots with surrounding garden
flora serving as the perfect backdrop. Capturing them posing while flirtatiously gazing into each other’s
eyes, laughing and kissing was very spontaneous. They were so easy going and comfortable with each
other that every move, every pose seemed like a stolen moment and very precious.
Being stylish and modern couple that they are while honouring tradition at the same time, the evening
attire of our bride and groom was something different compared to their ceremony outfits. The intricate
gold embroidery on the bride’s wedding dress somehow seemed like an extension of her sari but with a
twist. Also, it came together beautifully with her henna adorned hands and golden jewellery. This time
around the bright reds were changed to light blues and our groom followed the bride’s lead with his
navy suit and pale blue bow tie. Again, they were a perfect match.
It was incredible to see how the venue changed from sacred and white, to elegant and dark with hints of
gold and crystals all around. Four tier white wedding cake decorated with red ribbons and roses echoed
the sentiment of the ceremony. With glasses of bubbly flowing in plenty, the vast podium was quickly
filled with cheerful guests ready to dance and rejoice with our newlyweds. It was the perfect ending of a
perfect day.
Being part of every couples’ special day is always such a humbling and fulfilling experience and this one
was no exception. Thank you, Bella and Kunal, for your trust and the opportunity to accompany you
while you declared your love for each other. We wish you many blessings in days to come.