What happens when you put together a Hindu girl and a Punjabi boy on a beach in Cancun, Mexico? Well, grab a margarita and enjoy the show.
A glorious Caribbean sunrise, the usual in these parts of the world, is giving us a taste of what today is going to be about: beautiful colors and intense feelings and emotions.
Even the busy bride-to-be takes a moment to enjoy the silence before the craziness.
Soon enough, Sonam's room is full of activity.
All we need is service for the above mentioned room:
For a second, while reading Tanveer's letter, Sonam forgets about everyone else:
In the same time, her husband-to-be enjoys his gift watch.
The boys are getting paghs tied all over the hotel.
Including the lobby area, which makes it an unexpected cultural attraction for the resort staff and other passing guests. It's quite a fascinating scene.
In baraat formation, the groom and his people are making their way to meet the bride's family:
According to the Mayan calendar, the Sikh wedding ceremony takes place in the future, on the 4th of December, 2019.
However, everything has been already prepared with a lot of attention to detail, including the little basins for washing the feet. As you all may very well know by now, whoever attends the Anand Karaj, has to be barefoot. (and yes, I did write bearfoot first, but there's a reason I pay so much for auto-correct)
Tanveer's father helps bringing in the Guru Granth Sahib, which is indispensable for a Sikh wedding ceremony:
It is a reverential process that requires the holy scripture to be covered and protected the whole time.
Now everyone else can step in and bow in front of the holy book before they take their seats on the floor.
After a pink flowery wave of bridesmaids, Sonam is ushered in by her family.
The ceremony is underway when the overwhelming occasion is claiming its first victim:
Sonam's father needs a little guidance with the palla rasam, a custom that occurs completely different in Hindu wedding ceremonies:
It's the first time in my ten year career as an Indian wedding photographer when the bride has so many cousin/brothers that they need to split into two groups and take turns for the lamas.
Rose petals and delicious prasad bring the formalities close to the end.
After joyous congratulations, we're all off to the beach! Yaaaayy!
But nobody takes their cloths off just yet. The Hindu vedic ceremony is about to start:
The deep blue sky and brilliant turquoise seas are the perfect background for announcing Kanya Agamana (entrance of the bride):
Come to think about it, the sky and the sea are the perfect background for everything.
This is a different sort of palla ritual, known under the name Gath Bandhanam and it is preformed by the groom's sister:
Agni, the sacred fire, never misses an event of this importance, not even in the tropical temperatures of Cancun.
The ceremony is so fascinating, drones come out of nowhere to watch:
A first of its kind, the Sapta Padi (seven steps) ritual is performed sitting down. I have to admit, it's a clever way to save space and energy:
During the Akhanda Saubhagyawati, married women are called to the mandap to give blessings to the newlyweds.
The more blessings, the better.
In a rose petal shower, the couple walks away through a traditional tunnel of cellphones:
Every single guest is summoned for a classic Cancun group shot on the beach, in front of Panama Jack Hotel:
We can't leave the beach without a friendly volleyball game between the groomsmen and the bridesmaids.
The tide is coming in, so we move inside for a few more rituals.
This is the margarita ritual and it's not necessary of Indian origins, but it's very easy to incorporate in today's itinerary.
The selfie ritual quickly becomes the most popular worldwide and this picture proves it was done long before the smartphones arrived:
I don't really have to tell you about the ice cream ritual:
And, if you've been with me for the last 10 years, I shouldn't really have to tell you about the doli, either.
It's that part where Tanveer has to negotiate with Sonam's family in order to take his new wife away for good.
No matter his skills, the groom always ends up paying:
Even if it's only dollar bills:
Saying goodbye is a moment with powerful emotional meaning, regardless culture and background:
By its nature, this is a process where the groom is a little left out, but there's a random act of kindness for him, as well:
The sun is sharing it's generous light on a different side of the planet by the time Paani Varna is taking place.
Tanveer is bringing Sonam home, despite the fact that home is the sea-view terrace by the pool. Actually, I wouldn't mind that being my home.
It has been a short day, so we're filling it up with a few more games at the gentle light of the cellphones.
On the last day of the festivities I meet a completely different couple:
They even have different passions:
Kind of.
But enough playing around, everyone is expecting us in the reception hall:
After the cake, poignant speeches and joyful dances set up the mood for a memorable evening.
Tanveer's dad wants to make sure he'll never forget the groom's dance with his mom:
Soon enough, everyone is on the dance floor.
Dollar bills and shots keep coming.
The long-established dance off routine is followed by more or less successful hand stands:
Being only her second Indian wedding, my lovely assistant, Simona, left the camera down for a while to continue her Bhangra lessons:
Forget about Coco Bongo! Come try the new and improved tie limbo!
Countless fun and very few back accidents.
Congratulations one more time, Sonam & Tanveer! Thank you so much for inviting us to your Sikh/Hindu/Canadian/Mexican wedding on the beach!
amor.mas.cosmin
Vendors 'n' Things (more to come):
Sikh Anand Karaj Venue - The Most Wise Panama Jack Resorts
Hindu Wedding Ceremony - The Caribbean Sea Beach at Panama Jack Resorts
Sikh Wedding Officials - Sat Purkh
Hindu Wedding Pundit - Bernardo
MUA - Pristine Allure
Music - DJ Heer from Vancouver, BC
Dhol Player -Jonathan Katz, Groove manager at Drums in Paradise
Photography Assistant - The Beautiful and Talented Elena Simona Craciun
Mexico Destination Wedding Photography - Cancun Indian Marriage Photographer
You like? You want? Let's set something up:
cosmindanilaphoto@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment