South Indian wedding pics

That also happens in North India but most of the weddings I've attended are of the North Indian variety where most of the immediate friend/relations are of same age so all kinds of naughty things about the 1st night are asked which do keep them in high spirits. It's only in the later half when people start becoming emotional.

Beautiful pictures -thanks for posting! I remember going to a Brahmim Wedding a few years ago in Hyd. and it was a real novlety eating out the leaves!

Great pictures. made me feel like I was part of it. Thanks for sharing

I'm surprised to hear you say that!

Meals on leaves are common in Chennai hotels (hotel here = cafe in most other English languages)

I don't live in Chenai you see. So it was a unique experience for me!

g8 photos , traditional values only in SOUTH india.

did you have to jostle with the videographer and the other photographers to get such good shots!..?..or did you have a long distance zoom?...this seems to be a brahmin IYER wedding...other sects like IYENGARS have a bit different..in dressing, makeup, food and rituals.....

the bride looks tired because of so many reasons...the muhurthams (auspicious time for the ceremony) usually in south indian brahmin weddings are early in the morning...and everybody is woken up by 4 or 5am or so by the nadaswaram (trumpet) guys...usually people (the relatives..close ones and extended ones )sleep on the floor in the marriage hall and maybe a couple of rooms by the side of it...and everyone has to get up by this time unless you are staying in a nearby hotel or scored one of those few private rooms in the marriage hall...

the bride has to go though hair and makeup...the flower arrangements on her hair are pretty heavy..so are the garlands..~..also there a lot of saree changes during the course of the ceremony and after as well....3 atleast.. if not more..can go up to 8 or 9 too.. ~...going from 6 yards saree (and the way of draping it) to a 9 yard saree (red specific to this occassion as seen in the photograph..) and their specific way of draping it (styles differ according to sects) for the key ceremony. these saree changes are done on the bride by two or three women...aunts, pattees (grandma's) and cousins...

the bride/groom are sitting as well in front of the fire/smoke for quite a bit of time..and doing a lot of shifting and moving around according to the rituals and commands of the priest~...it tires you quite a bit!..so not surprised if the bride looks a bit wasted .

good pics shaktipalooza~