South Indian wedding pics

Wedding pics were in Chennai.

I'll be adding more to the other galleries as I get time. Will also be adding comments once I get all the facts straight.

Nice pics shakti. Like # 54 . Realy romantic one.

Wow! You must of had a front row seat to be able to take such nice shots.
Good job!

looking at the food am getting really hungry now....eating on Banana leaves is so unique.. i like it!

nice pix, as always, Shaktipalooza! i liked this one


that serene look letting the others do whatever they want to do with the rituals... nice shot it is indeed!

No23.

It is the only one where she is actually smiling!

You know that classic Indian habit of being all smiles right until you put you're finger on the shutter release? You'll see them both much more relaxed and smiley in the rest of the pics I'm going to post. They were actually quite a bit more emotional during the receiving line. I left those pics for the hired photographer to take so I could spend some time with my wife. It was after all the day of our one year wedding anniversery.

It was indeed an arranged marriage. I don't want to start another flame war about the subject but I will give a few details. After the initial engagement the couple was allowed to get to know each other. It wasn't too long before they became quite taken with each other. Sometimes it's easy to see how well a couple meshes. Even during this endurance test of a wedding it was plain to see they shared an affection. I think these two souls have a great future together.

She has a masters in EE, his is in computer engineering. I admire how in modern times the Indian culture has kept some of the most beautiful traditions and ceremonies intact.

nicely put shakti. Have to admit she looks lovely.

an indian friend of mine got arranged married. i took some photos for her. there's not a smile to be had in any of them. she had confided in me that she had grave doubts about the marriage, which may account for it. or it could have been nerves, or culture?

it could be either. I take it she's from some other country in which case it's more than understable.

Beautiful pictures... and comments

Excellent photographer, enjoyed it..

Cool pictures.

For non-Indian Indiamikers check out #5.

Look at the woman in the picture is doing. Learn that gesture people, learn it. You will need it if you are ever invited to dinner. Don’t want to belabor the obvious, do note that the palm is facing down, and her hand is directly beneath serving spoon.

I see the lady in question is quite the expert, even while looking at the person serving, her hand is still in the perfect blocking position. (Remember the great ones always get into perfect position even before playing their shot. Some even say they seem to have more time than the rest.) If this was a video we would have heard her saying “oh no no no I am quite full thank you…” The eyes, the hand the “no” all executed seamlessly with a touch of grace. Behold a master.

Now some of you, in a moment of panic, will try to pull the plate closer to your person. Rookies! That will not help you, go with handblock!

I also notice that they are mini-water bottles. This is a new trend I assume.

And I liked picture # 65 as well, for the grace exhibited therein.

Well, a "well-brought-up" Brahmin girl might not be all smiles in public. ...but the big brahmin wedding I went to last month had radiant smiles and hapiness all round.

I assume these are friends of Mr & Mrs SP and, as they haven't said otherwise, that it was a happy event....

The photos are simply unbelievably beautiful. I have spent quite a while to look at them and enjoyed them one by one...
Thanks a lot for sharing, Shakti!

Another reason for the lack of smiles and some of the blank looks from wedding couples might be that they are hungry and tired. In the South Indian traditions I know about, both the bride and groom must get up very early in the morning for special baths and prayers and they must fast until the end of the rituals when lunch is served. Boredom might be a factor too as few people understand Sanskrit or know what the various wedding rituals mean.