Thilak and Ragi- entry two

To continue with Thilak and Ragi's day:


Here are the condensed number of photos from the originally uploaded ones..although i sent ALL the photos to the groom for his perusal, he was too polite not to take anything out.

there is so much nervous tension in the air..both have been friends for some time, and meet up (with their parents around) whenever he is in India and yet, they were not physically together as much as any normal boyfriend-girlfriend. their phone conversations, (and apparently big phone bills between india and the US) somehow made this day a finality with loads of love jitter.






Its the first time i have done a wedding, nor attended one, where the bestman and the maid-of-honour sits beside the groom and the bride.. apparently, that is how they do it for a Christian wedding in india.

The bride and the groom initially a little bit is awkward with one another..like being on a first date (which it wasnt obviously), but as the wedding progresses, both relaxed and starts to smile and enjoy the moment.





because im friends with the groom, i could read most of his silent expressions. here,i thought he was thinking to himself, "this is it". well, thats how i read it.





this church became fuller and fuller as the ceremony went on. and outside, you can imagine the crowd. people/families with children with them were outside, waiting to join in for the reception which was just in the hall across.





all the women tend to wear traditional costumes, while all the men wear western costumes. most men in their relaxed mode would wear the "monde" (a sort of a skirt for the bottom part of the outfit).

all the women wears open toed/open sandals. i havent seen anyone with closed-shoes on.

these girls were the most well-behaved kids i have seen in a wedding. in all weddings i was fortunate to photograph, or was a guest in, kids, whether they were guests, or part of the entourage, they will always do some mischief, either running, or getting agitated once the ceremony start. but these little girls, they just sat there, and listened. like little madams. isnt that cute?




they were so intent in listening to the ceremony. either they were prepped by their moms to do so, or they were really like that in day to day situations..but in a ceremony which was quite lengthy timewise, i was expecting them to be moving about and running from one end to the other: they proved me wrong.

such adults.





she was a little bit self conscious..and rightfully so. to be wearing such a beautiful gown and those jewelries, it must felt like you were on the spot in a show.




..not to mention alot of videos and cameras facing you.





..documenting the event, and your every move, ever second if they could.





..and then they had to touch..




..the connection that starts to relax both...as someone looking through the lens, i also breathed a sigh of relief.





the priest blessing their union..and the bride and groom doing as they're told.






In a christian indian wedding, instead of a ring, the groom ties a "thali" (or a gold chain with a pendant with a cross), around the bride's neck. this signifies that she is his. (isnt that nice?).

i almost cried during this part.




putting on the necklace/thali..and securing it, just like putting a ring on someone's finger..





they are now man and wife..and instead of a kiss, they join hand with the priest.





..God being the centre of their union..

when i was there, i felt the real meaning of a church wedding where a couple promises, that God, above anything else, will be their start-up; their foundation.





..and a prayer to ask for blessings and guidance for the union..


**


more photos on the next entry...:-)