Deb and Raj’s colourful, intimate Hindu wedding took place in the back garden of their family home in Cheshire. Their wedding was a testament to the fact that a smaller guestlist does not have to mean a quiet or boring celebration: the energy and the vibes of the whole day were RIGHT up there! Deb and Raj had got in touch last minute to book my half day package and I’m so glad they did, because it was a total joy to be there to capture it on camera. 

A joyous entrance

This intimate Hindu wedding ceremony was held in the back garden, but they’d made sure to decorate the front driveway with colourful ribbons, floral garlands, and an ornate arch too. Upon making their way through to the back, guests were welcomed with snacks before taking their seats for Raj’s arrival.

And they’d soon be grateful they were seated – because Raj’s arrival was incredible. The groom’s procession is known as the “baraat”, and involves the groom plus his family and friends (“baraatis”). They make their way to the venue accompanied by music, drums, and loads of dancing – essentially, it’s a super lively, totally joyous start to the day. In fact, it was one of my favourite parts! 

Intimate Hindu wedding ceremony

Once Raj had arrived, it was time for this intimate Indian garden wedding to begin, with Deb’s mum welcoming him with lots of different symbolic articles. 

Their ceremony took place in a beautiful marquee, covered with luxurious drapes and strung with colourful flowers. Against the white fabric, the bold blooms really popped, both in the floral garlands and the arrangements fixing the drapes open. Raj took a seat in the marquee whilst Deb approached, with her face covered by a leaf. With the leaf still in front of her face, she walked around Raj seven times (the “Kanya Pravesh & Saat-Paak”) before lowering the leaf for the first look (the “Shubho Drishti”). This was another one of my favourite moments of this intimate Hindu wedding, because I loved seeing Deb dissolve into giggles as she revealed her face!

The rest of the ceremony was beautiful and poignant, including the “Mala Bodol”, where Deb and Raj exchanged colourful floral garlands, the “Panigrahan”, where their hands were tied together and prayers were made, the “Granthi Bandhan”, known as tying the holy knot; the “Hom”, a sacred fire lit as the divine witness to the marriage; the “Ajyahoma”, where Raj and Deb take their vows in front of the fire; the “Shila Aarohan”, where they placed their feet on a stone, symbolising that they will stand steady and firm as a rock in their life (such beautiful symbolism!), the “Mangal Phera”, where they walked around the fire and offered puffed rice; the “Saptapadi”, seven steps taken together whilst reciting a mantra; the “Sindhoor daan”, where Raj marked Deb’s forehead with vermillion powder, and the “Aashirvaad”, where they asked for their family’s blessings. 

Both Deb and Raj wore red with ornate gold embroidery, which contrasted beautifully with the soft white drapes of the marquee — for an extra special touch, Deb also wore her mum’s wedding jewellery! 

After they were pronounced husband and wife, they took a short stroll across the garden through to the second marquee where their guests were gathered for a confetti throw. 

Portraits in the park

Following group shots in front of the beautifully decorated marquee and a reception where we had more delicious food (another one of my favourite parts of the day – which I know I keep saying, but it was all just too good!), I took Deb and Raj away for some couples’ portraits.

As their intimate Indian garden wedding was taking place in a residential area, there weren’t many typical places to shoot – but don’t you worry, because your girl doesn’t do typical. I whisked them away to a park at the end of the street and used the greenery as the backdrop, including a path picturesquely framed with hedges. I love how they turned out!

Fishing the ring

We made our way back to the setting of their intimate Indian garden wedding, and all Deb and Raj’s guests were called back to the marquee area to watch them play a post-wedding game. 

This game is known as Fishing the Ring and involves – you guessed it! – fishing a ring out of a thaal. Deb’s sister in law placed the thaal filled with milk, water and flower petals in front of them, and then asked them to find the ring. Using only one hand each, Deb and Raj had to try and get their hand on the ring first, because the first to find it four times wins.

As you can see from the photos it got fairly competitive, so it was super fun to watch. Their family also got involved, enthusiastically rooting for one (or both) of them! Raj was the winner and found it almost 4 times in a row. 

Half day coverage

If you’re planning a smaller or shorter wedding and are looking for a fun, relaxed wedding photographer to shoot it, then I’d love to chat. I offer half-day packages – which is what Deb and Raj booked for their intimate Hindu wedding – as well as micro weddings and elopements. 

Suppliers

Debs Outfit: Ekaya, Shola Ghar

Flowers: The Flower Shack, Warrington

Catering: Sai Spice Chorlton