Don’t Let These Wedding Faux Pas Get on Camera!

A wedding is a complicated affair and in all the bustle and confusion, there’s a high chance of something going wrong. You don’t want whatever that is to be saved for posterity by your wedding photographer. Here are a few situations you should look out for:

The Drunk Bride

It’s a classic plot for sitcoms and movies, but when it comes to real life, getting drunk in your own wedding is simply in poor taste. Even when the bride isn’t tipsy and all over the place, chances are that inebriation will significantly affect the outcomes of the photos, especially the close-ups, which can definitely reveal wine stains and a flushed face.

Unique Wedding Photo Ideas

When it comes to wedding photography, most people think of stiff, pre-determined poses. However, it isn’t much like that nowadays, as photographers are artists by their own right. For those looking for unique wedding photo ideas, here are a few.

Bride before her gown – Before the bride puts her dress on, a photographer can opt to capture a stunningly candid moment of his or her subject taking it all in and admiring her beautiful dress before the ceremony kicks in.

Important Highlights of Indian Weddings

A professional wedding photographer doesn’t just snap pictures of the couple and their families. He should know how to immerse his photos with the culture and ambience of the ceremony. When choosing a photographer, be sure to pick one who knows how to capture the spirit of the day.

This is even more true for Asian weddings, which have more of a flourish to them than simple Western ones. Their pomp and detail, whether in South Asian or Chinese ceremonies, can be confusing for amateur photographers to showcase properly. Professionals, however, are expected to have familiarised themselves with them.

South Asian Culture Basics: Anand Karaj

Generally, it's called a wedding; but Sikhs have a sacred name for it: "Anand Karaj", which is Punjabi for "blissful union."

Sikh marital unions are closer in principle to western marriages than any other South Asian cultures, in that Sikhs are free to choose their partners, provided they are also Sikhs. However, the Anand Karaj is vastly different from a western wedding ceremony.

The Anand Karaj consists of a series of rituals, many of which involve paying respect to the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism's sacred text. The ceremony also does away with marriage documents, needing nothing more than an affirmation by the bride and groom of their undying love for each other.

One of the highlights of the Anand Karaj is the four wedding rounds known as the Lavan. These rounds signify the four stages in a life of love: duty to the family and community, selfless love and holy fear, freedom from any desire other than God, and total harmony. As these verses are sung, the couple walks around the Guru Granth Sahib four times.

At the end of the Anand Karaj is the feast. Unlike Christian churches, the Gurdwara, where the wedding ceremony takes place, comes with its own free kitchen where the food for the guests is prepared and served.

Some of the Best Practices for Asian Wedding Photography in London

The photographer could go the extra mile for the client by researching how the ceremony goes, or get briefed by you or a member of the family. On the other hand, it would be more convenient to hire a veteran who handles Asian wedding photography in London, like someone from Pixcellence Photography. Such services will be well-versed in covering Asian weddings.

One less worry

With the multitude of things on your mind, the last thing you need to worry about is directing the photographer throughout the ceremony, and worry if his timing was right. This is the day you and your spouse mark the beginning of your journey in life together as one, and it deserves to live on in your photographs as well as your memories.
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Planning Your Chinese Wedding

Weddings are momentous and joyous occasions regardless of what culture you hail from. If you’re Chinese, however, planning your big day entails unique challenges and preparations not present in western weddings.

South Asian Culture Basics: The Gurdwara

Whereas Islam weddings are held in mosques, and Hindu weddings in the Mandir, Sikh weddings are performed in the Gurdwara, the religion’s place of worship. There are dozens of Gurdwaras spread across England alone, catering to the spiritual needs of the country’s Sikh Indian population. In Punjab, Gurdwara translates to "residence of the Guru".

At one point in time, the Gurdwara was called a dharamsala, which means "spiritual dwelling" in Sanskrit. There's also a city called Dharamsala in the province of Himachal Pradesh in northern India, which is the Dalai Lama's residence in exile. In the early 17th century, Guru Har Gobind introduced the term "Gurdwara."  

Apart from carpets, the inside of a Gurdwara is plain; there are no figures nor physical symbols of the faith, as Sikh teachings say that God has no physical form. However, the Guru Granth Sahib, or the Sikh book of scriptures, is housed in a Gurdwara. Basically, in Sikhism today, the term "guru" refers to the scriptures.  

While inside the Gurdwara, it's important to observe the sanctity of the place at all times. For this reason, footwear must be taken off, and the feet must be washed before entering. The Gurdwara also functions as an event hall with its own Langar or kitchen where food is served. To avoid offending other religions, vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwara. 

Don’t Ruin Your Elegant Wedding Photography Moment with These Faux Pas

This tip goes to the parents of the wedding’s ring bearer and flower girls. Kids can get into all sorts of hijinks when left unattended, so be sure not to leave them out of your sight throughout the ceremony and well into the reception. If you don’t think you can supervise your little one on that day, request or hire someone who can to come with you to the wedding.

Another opportunity for embarrassing photos are cultural weddings, so if you will, for example, have an Asian wedding ceremony and you’ll be hiring a professional for Asian wedding photography, be sure to verse your guests about the do’s and don’ts for the event. While no wedding can be absolutely perfect, you should nevertheless seek to make every moment photo-worthy.

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The Three Styles of Wedding Photography

Capturing your wedding through photographs enables you to look back and relive your special day. The challenge lies in deciding how it should be done. Will you request candid shots, or should all the pictures be professionally staged? One of the basic wedding photography styles is bound to fit the bill.

There are three styles of wedding photography – traditional, reportage, and contemporary. Find out which one would work best for your taste:

Traditional

When traditional wedding photos are taken, the photographer usually acts as your director. He/she will call out the people who will be on each shot, arrange your positions with universal principles, and take the photos in standard portraits or landscapes. A classic, organized photo-op makes sure that everyone in the wedding can have photos with you.

Reportage

Candid shots are the meat of reportage wedding photos. The photographer acts like a canny photojournalist and finds the right angles and unscripted scenes that will best document your wedding. A lot of the snapped memories are unusual, but the photographer will work his/her magic to create a pure illustrated narrative of your wedding.

Contemporary

Contemporary wedding photography uses more modern techniques and unique concepts for the pictures. The photographer will beautifully manoeuvre the elements of light, backgrounds, colours or specific forms. The inspiration can come from anywhere – from premier magazine editorials to any out-of-the-box theme that you can come up with.

Choose, and let the distinct approach create the finest stills of that fleeting but memorable day. 

Intimacy through Wedding Photography

Smaller, intimate weddings are one of the rising trends this year. The memorable event can certainly be more special with aspects closer to your heart, be it in terms of guests or in terms of your wedding designs. As you settle plans to make your big day feel more intimate, let these simple tips guide you to make the most of your wedding photography:

Highlight your heritage.

Wedding inspiration magazines are putting a spotlight on locally themed weddings, particularly of Asian cultures. Unlike classic western weddings, Asian weddings are saturated in bright colours and solemn traditions. Have your wedding photographs highlight this heritage during the preparation, ceremony, and celebratory feasts to create a more personal and unified touch in your gallery of pictures. 

 

Add personal touches.

Customisation is one of the trends couples opt for, even with the extra expense. Personal touches to wedding elements bring interesting, distinctive twists to an otherwise cookie cutter wedding. Use do-it-yourself decors, customised cakes, and personalised favours to celebrate your uniqueness as a couple, which guests often find delightful as welcome treats to remember the event by.

Get a photographer that knows you.

Hiring a local photographer or one that specialises in your theme is the best way to preserve an intimate wedding. The photographer needs to understand your preferences and personality in order to take the right shots at the right moment. Look for a professional that can capture the noteworthy moments that become your cherished memories of your special day.

Asian Wedding Photography Discerns Between Sikh and Hindu Ceremonies

With the population of these three religions being almost equal, it is quite easy for the uninitiated to mistake one for the other. In many cases, addressing the wrong faith can be deemed highly disrespectful. While Sikhism may have retained some Hindu and Islamic teachings, it has its own stamp on several practices, including the wedding ceremony. Reputable Asian wedding photography services understand this, and ensure that they make a clear distinction.

Caste
Sikh and Hindu marriages are exclusive only to couples within the same religion. The difference is that Hindu couples must belong to the same caste, whereas Sikh couples don’t need to. Although Sikhism has its own caste system, it’s not used as a factor in choosing a spouse.

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Tips for Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Your wedding is a day you will want to be able to relive for the rest of your life. Having stunning photographs and videos can help capture precious moments that you may not have been able to see first-hand. As such, it is important to hire a skilled and experienced wedding photographer.

However, any wedding photographer simply won’t do. If you want the best wedding photos, you will need to hire the best wedding photographer for your special day. With that in mind, try to assess the following factors before hiring a photographer:

Wedding Style

Know what type of wedding you and your spouse-to-be will be having. Will it be a traditional ceremony in a church, or will you have it outdoors? The wedding style helps the wedding photographer you hire to plan out the best possible angles.

Such a factor becomes increasingly important if you will be having a traditional cultural wedding. Traditional Asian weddings, for instance, proceed differently from Western marriages, so you will need to look for a photographer who understands the flow of these ceremonies.

Portfolio

Many wedding photographers display their portfolio on their websites. Be sure to take a long look at their entire portfolio to get a feel of how your wedding photos will most likely turn out. Pay close attention to whether the photos have been edited for colour to ensure consistent quality with every shot.

Professional Wedding Photography Is Invaluable for Asian Weddings

Additionally, there are the Kanya Daan and the Bidaai, or when the bride’s family hands her over to her groom, and she formally leaves her parents’ house and moves in with him. Professional photographers would know what to take pictures of and how to best frame the shot so it would have the maximum emotional effect. They also bring with them professional experience and equipment.

It is a good thing that skill with Asian wedding photography in London can be found with professionals like Pixcellence Photography, who can do all the heavy lifting in terms of photography needs. Asian weddings are already complex affairs and having one less thing to worry about is a good thing for many wedding planners.

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How To Know If a Wedding Photographer is Reliable

One of the things that could contribute to your anxiety on your wedding day is the thought that the wedding photos might not turn out as beautifully as you expected. Fortunately, you need not worry about this if you hired a reliable and experienced wedding photographer. How do you know if your photography service provider is really reliable? One indication is his preparedness.

A wedding celebration that lasts for an entire day takes months or years of thorough planning. Your photographer should know that a simple mistake he commits because of lack of preparation can put all those efforts to waste. A reliable photographer will make sure he does his job excellently by holding a dry run a month before the big day.

The dry run may not involve actual shots; the focus will be on running through the event and identifying locations where the shots can be taken. This allows the photographer to see various options and study factors that might influence the photo shoot. For instance, the lighting in the wedding venue and the traffic surrounding the area on the same day of the wedding may affect the quality of the pictures.

A reliable photographer also understands the importance of enough sleep before the main event, as well as having extra batteries and camera accessories on hand. Being physically fit and equipped will reduce his worries, as well as yours, allowing him to focus on the job: that of giving you the best pictures for your special day.