Sima and Bhavin’s incredible Hindu wedding

I’ve photographed a number of Indian weddings now and they are always SO much fun. I love everything about them, the culture and traditions, the colours, the emotions - moment after moment over the day (and sometimes days leading up to it) so obviously I was thrilled when Sima and Bhavin got in touch with me to be their Offley place wedding photographer.

When I first spoke with Sima over the phone she emphasised that what was important to them was the moments, the fun, and the family connections. They wanted their day documented naturally, creatively, and as it happened and they didn’t want loads of group photo’s or too many of them as a couple - just for me to be present and do my thing, I couldn’t wait!

Getting ready at Offley place

On the day I met Sima in one of the bedrooms of the 17th century manor house. It was such a beautiful morning and the huge window was wide open letting in loads of sunlight as she got ready for the first part of the day, the Ganesh puja down in the Hester ballroom with Hindu Priest Kamal Pandey.

Civil ceremony in the conservatory

Before the Indian wedding really kicked off there was a short civil ceremony in the gorgeous conservatory to the side of the building by the huge gardens. Both here and the Hester ballroom are perfect for weddings. The modern finishings compliment the country house with skylights and chandeliers running the length of the room, and today we would be using both rooms. Good times ahead.

bride and groom huggling and laughing under a tree

bride stood in a patch of light by the window

bride coming down the stairs at Offley place

bride and her father enter wedding ceremony in the conservatory

nice light on bride and groom as they listen to the readings

bride and groom laugh while signing the register in the conservatory

bride and groom walk out of the ceremony together

bride and groom walk along the side of the building

close up of the bride smiling at her husband

The grooms entrance

One of my favourite parts of Indian wedding photography has to be the grooms entrance. Bhavin started at the gates of Offley place, joined by the wedding guests and drummers and they all dance their way to the doors of the building. This is what it’s all about, real fun moments to just get lost in, dancing from the start of the day throughout and everyone completely at ease with me being right there in the middle of it with a camera.

After a few more challenges to pass from Sima’s parents, they led Bhavin down the aisle of the Hester ballroom to the stunning mandap at the end of the room.

The bride’s entrance and Hindu ceremony

Sima and Bhavin were so cool - the whole day. Super chilled and smiling and laughing the whole day. Understandably some people get nervous on their wedding day but it’s just the best day ever. Sima smiled the whole way down to the mandap with her grandad and brother, and when the sheet dropped to reveal themselves to each other the smiles beamed ear to ear.

One thing I’ve noticed at the various Indian weddings I’ve been to is that while there are some key rituals that remain the same, the ceremonies vary quite a bit depending on their familes and communities. Sima and Bhavin laughed all the way through and had the best time.

Garden games, portraits, and speeches at Offley place

After throwing rice in the air to say goodbye (vidaai ) Sima and Bhav danced down the aisle under flower petals thrown by the guests. As their friends and family head to the huge sun drenched gardens for food drinks, cricket and giant Jenga, we took a few moments to make a few pictures of the couple. As I mentioned - they aren’t into posey photo’s which suits my style perfectly, so after a big squeeze, laugh and a cheer we slowly made our way back under the trees to join the party.

As the time came for the incredible banquet the large Hester ballroom had been transformed and was the perfect setting to listen to hilarious speeches as the sun set through the skylight and over the views of the garden.

groom fastening buttons on traditional Indian wedding jacket

Groom and guests dancing between drums on the way to the Indian wedding ceremony

guests dancing during the groom procession

Photo of the groom shot through the arm of a woman holding earthen pot ( kalash) on her head

women holding earthen pot ( kalash) on their heads and drums during the grooms procession

groom and brides mother laughing during the grooms procession

close up of brides eyes and traditional Indian head wear

brides family putting head dress/veil on

focus of brides mothers hand adjusting the head dress

bridesmaids waiting to accept the groom for the Indian wedding ceremony

grooms shoes as he waits to enter the ceremony

brides mother puts rice on grooms forehead

family traditions for the groom to pass before he cn marry his bride

groom stands on cheese during wedding traditions

brides mother and father joke with the groom before the ceremony starts

groom and brides mother and father step up onto the mandap

groom and brides parents on the mandap laughing

Indian celebrant touching Ganesh ornament

2 children walk down the aisle. The groom is behind a sheet to the left of the frame

bride coming down the aisle with her grandfather and brother. Groom behind a sheet to the left

bride comes onto the stage with her grandfather

bride and groom first see each other on the mandap after the sheet is dropped.

groom puts floral garland around the brides neck

groom laughing and smiling at the bride on the mandap. Priest hands parent flowers to the left

BW photo, emotional moment for the bride and her parents. Giving her away. Tear in mums eyes

everyone laughing as the bride and groom throw rice on a fire on the mandap

flower petals thrown on the bride and groom

a line of light illuminates flower petals on the floor

great light on the Indian priest as he raises an arm

bride holds sindoor, a pot of red powder in nice light

light catching the brides eyes in the background

close up of the celebrant putting the red powder on the brides forehead, really nice light landing right on her eyes

bw photo, huge smile on brides mother face as she gives her daughter a big hug

bw photo, light and focus on the grooms brother wiping his eye in the background

bw photo. Emotional photo with lots of hugging

end of the ceremony, the bride throws rice up in the air at the edge of the mandap

busy wide scene of the bride and groom walking out of the ceremony as flowers are thrown on them

bride and groom walking and dancing out of the ceremony as flowers are thrown on them

tradition of wedding guests stopping the bride and grooms car from leaving

elderly relative holding the brides hand through the car window, and emotional ‘farewell’

bride and groom laughing and hugging under a tree

bride and groom portrait. Bride in foreground looking to the side of the camera with nice light hitting her face

focus on bride and grooms hands holding on bride’s shoulder out of focus is the groom looking at the bride as she laughs

happy photo of the bride and groom walking and holding hands

busy scene of the guests outside during cocktail hour with a nice lens flare coming down over the building

kids playing giant jenga, bricks toppling over

black and white photo of boy and girl looking cool

taken from behind the groom as he plays cricket in front of Offley place building

nice natural shot of the bride clapping while watching the groom play cricket as the low sun creeps around the building

bride and groom walking along the walled gardens

bride and groom walking through the grass

bride and groom walking through the gardens under a tree

bride and groom coming out of the gardens and looking into the sun

wide shot of guests in the Hester ballroom as the wedding breakfast is about to start

bride and groom do a little dance as they are welcomed into the room

bride’s mum looks lovingly at her daughter as she thanks the room

bride lifts a glass as she toasts the room

bw photo of the guests laughing during the speeches

bride and groom laughing during the best man speech

bride and groom holding hands under the top table

speech reactions, nice light on the brides face again

bride and her family laugh during the grooms speech

groom hugging guest, and bride hugging another guest

bride and groom singing to each other on stage taken also from the stage and focusing on the guest reactions

dance floor going off, packed full of all the guests dancing in the hester ball room at Offley place

guest on her knees singing to the bride and groom

guest on the dance floor taken from behind the bride and groom

bride and groom lifted up on the dance floor

bride and groom on the stage and facing their guests at the end of the night

A proper party with the London function band in the Hester Ballroom

It was now the evening and that meant it was time to party. The London function band were in charge and man are these guys are awesome! It was the first time I’d worked with them. They are totally cool, they have such an impressive set up of lights that turned the feel of the wedding reception into more of a concert. But more importantly the music was amazing, the singers, the sax, the crowd participation - the London function band ROCK!

Of course no Indian wedding would be complete without a good session of Bhangra, and I just loved how despite the size of the room the dance floor was full right up until the end of the night when I left. Indian weddings are top!

Offley Place wedding photography

Offley place is a luxury country house in the beautiful Hertfordshire. It’s perfect for smaller intimate weddings with a beautiful conservatory, and larger grand weddings in the stunning ballroom. It has 16 large bedrooms for your guests. As for portraits you are spoilt for choice whatever the weather. There is a beautiful area at the front, huge grounds at the back, and a gorgeous walled garden to the side. If it’s a little on the wet side there are arches to shelter under at the rose gardens and beautiful lounge areas inside that are full of character and have huge windows.

I absolutely loved photographing Sima and Bhavins Indian wedding here and can’t wait to return. If you are looking for a photographer for your wedding at Offley Place then I would love to hear from you, and if you think this looks like the venue for you then get in touch with them at;

Offley Place Country House Hotel,

Kings Walden Road,

Great Offley,

Hitchin

SG5 3DX

Tel: 01462 768 787

Email: reservations@offleyplace.com

SAHELI EVENTS

I have to give a shout to Saheli events. If you are looking for An award-winning planning service for luxury weddings, they were absolutely fantastic to work with. So friendly and with impeccable attention to detail. Working on my own at a large wedding like this could have been a challenge but they made it easy.

Telephone – 020 8938 3330

Email – hello@sahelievents.com

Other fantastic suppliers

Caterer: Shimla Catering

Decor: EM Designs

DJ: Enviouz Roadshow

Makeup: Natasha Berco

Priest: Kamal Pandey

Ceremony music: Shiv Gopal

Furniture hire: Rosetone

Band: The London Function Band

Offley Place Hindu wedding // Sima and Bhavin