The bride is often led in by a brother or uncle, where the groom waits with the bride’s parents. The bride’s parents offer their daughter in marriage in a ritual called kanyadan.

Indian marriages are known for their lavish and vibrant look, but in reality there is much more than just the gloss and glamour in an Indian wedding ceremony. In fact, the Indian wedding ceremonies are the most ritualistic and serious of affair than any other kind of marriage performed anywhere else in the world, and it is considered as a soulful affair of the merger of two souls.

Hindu wedding ceremonies are traditionally conducted at least partially in Sanskrit, the language in which most holy Hindu ceremonies are conducted. This Hindu Priest was also fluent in English and translated the complete ceremony and the meanings of each ritual he performed into English.

In most Hindu weddings, the ceremony is held on a small, usually covered stage, known as mandap. This couple decided against the covering so that the guests could see and enjoy the ceremony, and they also felt the backdrop of the Langham Hotel was sufficient enough. It also allowed me to get better unobstructed wedding photography coverage.

After the initial exchange of garlands by the bride and groom, the bride and groom are next seated in front of a holy fire, or agni, as a priest recites various mantras from the Holy Scriptures. In Hinduism, fire is regarded as a purifier and a sustainer of life. In a ritual called Mangal Fera, the couple offer prayers to the fire, which represents God serving as the couple’s witness as the two are joined in marriage. Prayers are offered by placing honey, rice, and flowers in the flame. In this ceremony the sashes worn by the bride and groom are tied together for the bride and groom walk around the fire seven times; each time around the fire, a symbol of the four ashrams of life, praying and exchanging vows of duty, love, fidelity, and respect.

The rituals performed at an Indian ceremony vary greatly depending on what area of Indian they originate from. This ceremony was predominately based on traditions of Northern India, and one of the most cherished and symbolic tradition is the placing of the toe ring on the bride by the groom.

Brides typically dress in colorful saris and are painted in elaborate mendhi or henna designs covering her hands and feet before the ceremonies begin. It is said that the darker and bolder that the Henna becomes shows the deep love that she will hold for her husband. The groom is dressed in a sherwani (long jacket) and ‘churidars’ (fitted trousers).

And one of the final rituals performed in this ceremony was the application of the ceremonial Tilaka on the bride’s forehead by the groom to indicate her marital status.

It is worth mentioning that according to Indian tradition, in a Hindu wedding, the bride and groom marry each other and the priest only assists with the Mantra.

Te santu jard—istayah sampriyau royisnu sumansyamanau
Pasyema sharadah shatam jivema sharadah shatam shrunuyam shardah shatam
“We should be able to live a graceful life that is full of mutual love and warmth. Our sentiments should be auspicious.
We should be able to see for a hundred years, live a healthy life of a hundred years and listen the music of spring for a hundred years.”

To view more of my wedding photography coverage of this event, including pre-ceremony work and the reception, please check out my slide-show video of this event on DeRemus-Photography-In-Motion.

Their reception was in The Georgian Ballroom.

The Langham Hotel in Pasadena is located at 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue and is set on 23 lush acres overlooking the immaculate suburbs of San Marino.

To see more of my work, please visit deremus.com.

DeRemus Photography is an award winning photographer who specializes in wedding, portrait and fine art and is available for travel throughout Southern CA and for destination weddings worldwide.

All images are copyright David DeRemus Photography and may not be used without prior express written consent.

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