During the summer, I spent three incredible days capturing Sanjay and Harry’s wedding events and I have loved every moment! We started off with the Civil ceremony in Oxford followed by a meal at McD’s! The following day was the Mandhvo and Pithi which was mental, both Sanjay and Harry were fully plastered like Bhajias ready to be fried!
The evening was a chilled out Pizza party with entertainment from the talented Bollyqueer with their incredible dance performance, and let’s not forget Harry’s surprise dance, Sanjay was shocked! In typical gujji style, everyone started doing Garba soon after!
Keeping to old traditions from many generations ago, friends and family all helped make the wedding garlands and arranging florals. I Loved that everyone was able to give their Arshivad/Blessings to the couple by staining their right hand on the antrapath, even Ridhesh (the videographer) and I were asked which was an honour. The antrapath even had chundari’s (and sindoor) from various temples (in India) that Sanjay and Harry visited together, again more blessings for the couple.
Now onto the big day…oh my gosh, there was so much fun, laughter, joy and a few tears…Oh and there was an elephant during Sanjay’s jaan entrance! The Hindu wedding ceremony was full of intimate moments that I loved capturing and I really feel that made the day unique. Harry won both the sitting down competition AND the Koda Kodi, the reactions say it all!
Now, imagine an evening Civil ceremony taking place on a riverbank in Oxford while the sun was setting, sounds great hey? This is Exactly what Sanjay and Harry did and it was beautiful and very very emotional. There was a reading of a poem titled ‘The Birds and Bees’ which was very moving and many guest were left with tears in their eyes. I felt it too.
Soon after, the smiles and laughter were back in full swing and it was time to celebrate with an incredible evening of drinks, food, speeches and lot of energy once the dance floor.
Sanjay and Harry, I had the Best time with you both and your loved ones. I feel your wedding celebrations were full of your fun personalities while incorporating the Hindu wedding traditions, which is incredible and I feel privileged to have been part of the celebrations. I hope the photographs last a life time and beyond, and I hope they are a catalyst for anyone in the LGBTQ community that has dreamed of having a Hindu wedding.
Much love to you both and here’s to a lifetime of happiness as MR&MR!
Enough chit chat, enjoy the moments!
Sanj
Huge Thank you to Sailesh for his help on the day
Shout out to the fab suppliers I had the opportunity to work with, on the day
Chanda Vyas, Hindu Priest
Gayatri Weddings
We Are Visual Agency
Ragasaan
Target AV
Aishi make up artist
Valerian Entertainment
The styling pod
Amys Mehndi
Bollyqueer
Desi Delite
Panache events management
