10 Must-Take Photos at Any Indian Wedding in Malaysia

Indian weddings in Malaysia are a spectacular mix of sights and sounds. They are usually massive in scale, and deep in rituals and customs that are based on Hindu tradition.

With so much going on, it’s essential to hire a wedding photographer who knows his/her way around an Indian wedding. We chat with a veteran photographer who gives us his top 10 ‘must-take’ photos for these weddings.

Andy Lim is a 23-year photography veteran. As an accomplished speaker, teacher and author on the subject, Andy’s company, Emotion in Pictures, attracts clients worldwide with his unique flavor of wedding and portrait photography. Andy is also a Recommend.my Verified Professional.

Andy Lim, Emotion in Pictures (RecomN.com Verified Professional)

“There are numerous types of Indian weddings in Malaysia, depending on its sub-religion or the region of India that it originates from. I have shot Hindu Ceylonese weddings, Hindu Tamil weddings, Hindu Malayalee weddings, and even fusions of Ceylonese-Telugu, Tamil-Malayalee; you name it,” says Andy.

“With any of these weddings, we need to know the slight variations in the important rites, so we can capture truly meaningful images,” he adds.

According to Andy, these are the top 10 photos that must be taken at any Indian wedding in Malaysia:

 

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1. Arrival of Groom at the wedding hall

The bride’s parents welcome the bridegroom and his family at the gate where the wedding is taking place.  The entrance takes place with music being played and the groom’s party dancing are they are welcomed in, with red kumkum powder is applied to their forehead. Members from both families are formally introduced, marking the start of relationship between two families.

Arrival of Groom at the wedding hall. Indian wedding in Malaysia. Photo by Emotion in Pictures

 

2. Bride’s entrance to the wedding hall

After much anticipation, the bride arrives in much glory, with her parents in front of her, with the guests’ eyes following her all the way to the Manavarai (stage).

Bride's entrance to the wedding hall. Indian wedding in Malaysia. Photo by Emotion in Pictures

 

3. Bride in prayer

Bride is seen in prayer as the ceremonies take place.

Bride in prayer. Indian wedding in Malaysia. Photo by Emotion in Pictures

 

4. Bride and groom on the manavarai

The bride and groom take their place on the stage, or manavarai to get ready for blessings of purification and protection. Most of the ceremonies will be performed by the priest at the manavarai.

Bride and groom sitting on manavarai. Indian wedding in Malaysia. Photo by Emotion in Pictures

 

5. Both parents bless and sprinkle scented water on each other

Another important moment that must be captured is the sprinkling of scented water by both sides parents. This is followed by a ritual of putting sandalwood paste on each other’s foreheads and exchanging gifts.

Both parents bless and sprinkle scented water on each other. Indian wedding in Malaysia. Photo by Emotion in Pictures

 

6. Thaali tying

The groom’s mother gives an auspicious necklace Thaali to the bride, an emblem of marital status for a Hindu woman. The thaali is taken around the marriage hall to be blessed by the crowd. After tying three knots, they are now officially married. The tying of the Thaali usually takes place at a pre-determined auspicious hour.

Thali tying. Indian wedding in Malaysia. Photo by Emotion in Pictures

 

7. Walking around the sacred fire

As part of the wedding, the couple also walks around the sacred fire, her pinky linked with his, with the groom leading. The couple then cup their hands together and throw grains into the fire.

Walking around the sacred fire. Indian wedding in Malaysia. Photo by Emotion in Pictures

8. Parents’ blessings

The couple are blessed by the elders and the priest for a long and prosperous married life. The priest blesses the couple first, showering them with rice. The parents of the bride and groom then bless their children by sprinkling rice on their heads; the rice symbolises prosperity and happiness.

Parents' blessings. Indian wedding in Malaysia. Photo by Emotion in Pictures

 

9. Blessings from family and friends

Members of the congregation including friends and family now bless the couple in the same way. The ceremony finally ends after Aarthi (blessing involving the rotation of a tray holding banana wick lamps) is performed for the couple.

Blessings from family and friends. Indian wedding in Malaysia. Photo by Emotion in Pictures

 

10. Portrait of the couple

And finally after a very elaborate wedding ceremony the couple takes their first picture together as officially married.

Portrait of the couple. Indian wedding in Malaysia. Photo by Emotion in Pictures

Thanks Andy for sharing your awesome work!

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