South Indian Weddings

Over the years Yogi Patel of Global Photography has captured an amazing amount of Indian wedding traditions and ceremonies. No two Indian weddings are the same. Diverse cultures, regions, religions,one of which is South Indian weddings.

One of the sights to behold at a South Indian weddings is a full grown tree tied to the gateposts of the wedding venue and festoons overhead of mango leaves and screw-pine petals that never fade, notes of the Nadaswaram, the South Indian Shehnai, Kolam or Ragoli design at the doorstep.

On the evening preluding the day of the ceremony, the groom is carried in through a procession from the temple in a ride adorned with flowers and, escorted by the brides parents to the marriage Mandapam.The Nadaswaram band lead the way in the street with their music while everyone dances. At the marriage hall, there is a formal ceremony of bethrotal and Ganapathi, the god of Initiation us invoked to keep evil hindrances away from the ceremony and the couple. Several other gods are also consulted, the likes of the Nandi Devatas and to please them, a leaf-laden branch of the Pipal tree is set up and five married women perform a ritual of washing it with milk.

There are many rituals in the ceremony, but these are a few of the important ones. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration and we’ll be sure to capture every ritual.

Indian weddings are filled with vibrant colours, loud music and dancing. From the eye catching bridal jewellery and decorations, the sari to the kesh or unique hairstyle, the henna decorations, Yogi captures from the bride’s getting ready, groom’s baraat or procession in vivid colour to the end of the events. The Ganesh pooja, Mehndi, Sangeet, Garbas, Pithi and Choora are some of the pre-wedding events. Celebrations may last up to six or seven days, and for every day the celebration lasts, he’ll be there to celebrate