Kimberly Reed Photography

Saturday morning was Priya and Jeremy’s Indian ceremony. Here are some of the things that caught my eye:
detail of the sari Priya used to cover her head.

the stage the ceremony will take place on.

the lights from the videographer cast this cool shadow on the wall from one of the statues.

jeremy holding the garland that he’ll wear during the ceremony. it’s made entirely of rolled up rose petals.

Priya’s mother welcomes Jeremy with garland at the entrance to the ceremony. There was a little ritual that happened here, during which his groomsmen were supposed to lift Jeremy on their shoulders to prevent Priya’s mom from being able to reach him for certain things. Here, they were a little too slow, and she caught hold of his nose. She wouldn’t let go until his best man gave her a ‘bribe’ of an envelope filled with money. The girl in the background that’s delighted by all of this is Jeremy’s sister.

One of the statues decorating the walk down the aisle. Jeremy and Priya’s parents are on stage taking part in a short ceremony before Priya and her bridemaids enter.

a white sheet is held so jeremy can’t see priya’s arrival.

priya was carried into the ceremony in a small carriage, and then lifted onstage

jeremy seeing his bride for the first time

everyone that went onstage during the ceremony had to take off their shoes first

it’s customary to give one of the grooms’ younger female relatives the job of keeping the groom awake by shaking a metal pot filled with a few coins and a betel nut over his head. Jeremy’s sister gladly filled that role.

The couple walk around the sacred fire four times. Each time they stop to touch with their toe a stone in their path. This symbolises obstacles in life that they will overcome together. The fourth time around, one of Priya’s male relatives grabbed Jeremy’s toe and wouldn’t let him continue until he gave him a ‘bribe’. That was one of the key functions of Jeremy’s best man- to hang on to his envelopes of ‘bribe’ money, and get him out of trouble when needed. One of the things I loved about this ceremony was it was very heavy with customs and tradition, but there was also a lot of laughter and pranks (Priya’s sisters took Jeremy’s shoes at one point, and he couldn’t leave the ceremony until he ‘bought’ them back). It kept people engaged, and was a lot of fun to witness.

and finally, a portrait of jeremy and priya taken outside after the ceremony.

that’s all for part three! if you’d like to know more about some of the customs of hindu weddings, this is a good resource. Next up, Priya and Jeremy had an American ceremony and reception that took place that evening. I’ll post those pictures next in the fourth and final edition of Priya and Jeremy’s amazing wedding weekend!