Bengali Wedding

On Friday evening, the bride's hands were decorated by an artist, using paste made from the henna plant.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

The paste was removed on Saturday, revealing the fine red pattern left beneath. Tradition has it that the darker the henna, the deeper the love.

The Nikah, or religious Muslim ceremony, took place this afternoon, and I was honored to be entrusted to capture images from the event. I've just begun to process the gallery, but this image is already my favorite.

View attachment 87081

More to come on this thread.

 

Thanks for all of your kind comments. As usual after an event, I've spent a good part of the night editing my catches. Here's a sampling of the Begali Wedding Gallery.

Arriving early, I was greeted by the bride's son and mother. The home was warmly decorated in anticipation of the arrival of the guests.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

View attachment 87083

Their beautiful, muted outfits didn't prepare me for the rainbow of bright colors that the guests would be wearing.

View attachment 87084

View attachment 87085

View attachment 87086

View attachment 87087

When this gentleman arrived, I didn't need to be introduced to understand that he would be conducting the ceremony. He's one of the leaders of the local Bengali cultural and religious community, and his quiet presence and dignity were felt immediately.

View attachment 87088

At 4PM, the solemn religious ceremony took place.

View attachment 87089

View attachment 87090

View attachment 87091

View attachment 87092

After the customary hugs, kisses, and congratulations, the bride and groom were re-seated for an interesting tradition.

View attachment 87093

As I understand it, the groom and bride are not suppose to look at each other before or during the ceremony, and their first glimpses of each other afterwards are to be by looking into a mirror.

View attachment 87094

View attachment 87095

Since the groom comes from outside their community, his acceptance by the ladies was a matter of importance.

View attachment 87096

Here's my formal picture of the couple.

View attachment 87097

Guess what? This was just a teaser! The big reception, will be held in July. I can't wait!

 

Thanks, Keith!

The 28-70 was my primary lens, but I also found uses for the 20/2.8, 60 micro, 85/1.4, and 180/2.8. I used flash for many of the pictures, though not for the ceremony itself.

 

That's my feeling at any wedding, but particularly at this one, Gordon,since I was allowed to witness and photograph a sacred ceremony from another religion. I'm sure I'd feel the same way if I were allowed to photograph an LDS wedding, but the cultural differences added to the religious one multiplied the impact this ceremony for me. It was rather amazing.

I spoke to the officiant before the ceremony, to make sure I wouldn't offend with my camera work, and he identified the sacred portions of the ceremony for me.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

I still worried, since I'm not built for stealth, but after the ceremon, he came over and said, "May I embrace you?", and gave me a big hug. I was honored.

But when all's said and done, a marriage ceremony in any culture or religion is about witnessing two souls uniting in love.

View attachment 87099

 

That's very flattering, Connie. In fact, if you don't stop, I might blush for the first time in many years :redface: .