A Scaled-Down Sikh Wedding and Haldi Ceremony: A Beautiful Celebration

Harry and Reema had plans for a grand Indian celebration with over 200 people in Trafalgar Square, but unfortunately, when Covid reared its ugly head, they let go of their original plans to opt for an intimate wedding at their home in a marquee. And let me tell you, it was absolutely beautiful.

Traditional Haldi Ceremony

The celebrations started with the Haldi ceremony, a traditional Sikh pre-wedding ritual in which the bride and groom are covered in turmeric paste. It’s said to bring prosperity and good luck, but let’s be real, it’s also a lot of fun. The couple’s friends and family gathered around them, smearing turmeric paste on their faces, necks, hands, and feet. The joy and laughter were palpable!

Breaking the Mold: Reema’s Unique Style as a Sikh Bride

On the day of their wedding, one thing that really stood out to me was Reema’s unique style. As an Advertising Executive with tattoos and piercings, she was worried and never thought she’d fit into the “Indian bride” mold. But when she put on her traditional Lengha and walked out in front of her parents, they both burst into tears at her beauty. And Harry’s jaw practically hit the floor when he saw her. She looked stunning, and I could tell she felt like THAT bride.

Harry’s Heartwarming Gesture

Once he was all dressed and dapper, Harry visited his grandpa on the way to the ceremony. Due to his age, his grandpa wasn’t able to attend the wedding, but Harry wanted to make sure he was included in some way. It was a heartwarming moment to witness, their embrace was so loving and spoke a thousand words of a lifetime of memories. You could tell how much Harry’s grandpa meant to him, and how important family is to both him and Reema.

A Beautiful Sikh Wedding Ceremony

We headed to a Sikh temple for the Anand Karaj, or “Blissful Union.” The ceremony was centered around the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism, and included prayers and songs. The bride and groom walked slowly around the book four times in a clockwise direction, with the groom leading the bride and a red scarf laid across both their shoulders signifying their physical, emotional, and spiritual union happening right there as everyone watched. It was a beautiful and emotional ceremony. This is just one of the many Sikh wedding traditions that are truly one of a kind.

Couples Photoshoot

After they had formally tied the knot, Harry and Reema arrived at a nearby park in a beautiful white Rolls Royce. Glowing and excited from the day’s events, they were ready for their photo shoot. The couple was dressed in their wedding attire and looked like Sikh royalty. As a photographer, I always try to capture natural moments, and with Harry and Reema, it was effortless. They were laughing, joking around, and full of joy and love.

The park provided the perfect backdrop for their photos, with beautiful greenery and scenic views adding to the already beautiful couple. It was a joy to see their smiles so wide and so in love, I couldn’t help but feel privileged to be there to document such an important moment in their lives for them to treasure for years to come. Click here to see my photography style in other locations!

Family-Centred Celebration

The couple’s reception was held in their respective family homes, first with Reema’s family, then with Harry’s. The significant other arrived at each other’s family homes giving gifts and much respect as they entered, this is another Sikh tradition. It showed the intimacy and focus on family that dominated their wedding day.

The traditional Sikh celebratory wedding activities were a joy to witness, the cake looked so creative and delicious, and Reema’s customized bridal trainers with bright pink sparkles were the perfect touch. It was clear that every detail had been thoughtfully planned out, even their dog was sporting traditional Indian garb! It all came together seamlessly.

Photographing an Intimate Sikh Wedding

Photographing an intimate wedding in a smaller space does come with its challenges. I had to be creative in finding unique angles and good lighting and ensure that I captured all the family members in the photographs. However, due to the intimacy, I am happy that I could really focus on capturing the emotions and feelings of the couple and their families. If you want a photographer who values things like this in his work, you can contact me here about your wedding! This wedding was also featured by Rock My Wedding. Click here to read more!