When cupid strikes, nothing else matters.
This is what happened when Subina and Jeff lost their heart to each other. Subina is a Malayali from India while Jeff is an American. Yet, the difference between the two countries and cultures was not enough to keep them apart. And when they decided to spend their life together, they went for a wedding that was brimming with love, laughter, lights, and plenty of candid shots!
The Picturesque Venue
To celebrate their cross-cultural wedding, Subina and Jeff selected a venue that was as contemporary as their love: the scenic CHESS PARK, The Leela Kovalam, a Raviz Hotel in Kerala. Nestled on a pristine beach and delimited by scintillating views, the sprawling property offered such a fusion of sights, sounds, and serenity that it turned into the perfect backdrop for a couple-shoot even before the wedding events started.
The lovebirds looked elegant in black and white combination as they stood taking in the breath-taking views and talked endlessly. We were delighted to capture the moments from near and afar as they strolled hand in hand and stole kisses before the grand ceremony.
A Carnival of Colors and Fun
The destination wedding kicked off with a vibrant Mehendi ceremony organized by the beach. The beachside location came alive with fun, laughter, and music that continued long after the sun had bid adieu to the day. It was endearing to see the bride and the groom mingle with everyone and share their happiness even as they snatched moments for themselves.
With everyone joining in the ceremonies and getting mehendi designs done on their hands, it was a sight to behold. Needless to say, we got shutter-happy and captured the moments that made the day an affair to remember.
The Gorgeous Wedding
The wedding ceremony took place on a canvas of greenery on the lawns of Leela Kovalam. With the Bay of Bengal serving as the perfect backdrop, the wedding mandap or stage was decorated in a spectacular shade of orange and bunches of fresh flowers. The bright floral décor of marigolds on the path leading to the stage further enhanced the beauty of the place.
It was a traditional marriage ceremony laced with contemporary elements. Subina and Jeff woke up to a bright sunny day. The bride was a bundle of energy and anticipation as her bridesmaids helped her to get ready. The groom was equally charged up for the big day.
In her white and golden ensemble and stunning golden ornaments, the bride looked no less than a dream. A garland of flowers adorned her hairdo. But it was the groom who stole the show with his Indian attire. Wearing a golden kurta and a dhoti (Veshti) in white and golden, he looked every bit Indian. To complete the look, he carried the angavastram or shoulder cloth, as is the custom. He even helped his infant nephew to wear a dhoti.
We couldn’t help but freeze the moment in our camera when the color-coordinated couple stood together before stepping out for the ceremony.
The groom made a grand entry in a decorated auto along with his nephew. His baarat danced to the beat of the music and beamed in delight. During her turn, the bride made her entry in the typical Malayali style. As per the tradition, her cousins and friends held lamps and escorted her to the stage. What followed was a short yet beautiful ceremony. As both sides looked on, the couple exchanged floral garlands and completed other traditional rituals to solemnize their wedding. Once the ceremony was over, friends and family members wished the couple.
Witnessing a wedding that marked the merger of two cultures was an experience in itself. But the real fun was clicking plenty of traditional and candid shots and capturing the joyous moments for eternity.
Celebrations of a Life Together
The final part of this wedding story was the reception held after sundown. For the reception, the bride chose a splendid lehenga choli in red and green while the groom looked impressive in his blue suit.
Held under the open sky and in the company of sparkling lights, it was a gorgeous ambiance. But nothing could beat the dazzling smiles of the couple. As the evening progressed, dance, music, and merriment ensued. When the bride and the groom did a beautiful first under the stary sky, we made sure that those moments got captured from every angle. Finally, everyone let their hair down and had a gala time.
Meanwhile, we made sure that every bit of the rituals, celebrations, fun, and frolic was captured. Because we know, every picture tells a story!
