The start of Shalini and Jay Shankar’s wedding day was one of the most beautiful days of their lives, and they wanted to celebrate it with all their family and friends who couldn’t be there in person. Chennai, a luxury destination wedding destination in Tamil Nadu, was an obvious choice as the venue for such an event, and Dream Light Media Photography captured every moment of the celebrations so that everyone could share in the joy of this momentous occasion. You can see more of Dream Light’s work here.
Our Story
The day we decided to get married was one of those rare moments when you’re truly surprised. It felt right, and that’s all that mattered. Having both gone through huge changes over our adult lives, we knew what we didn’t want to do—make some long-term plan and make it work. Instead, we chose to make small plans for a life together and approach them one day at a time. As usual, all our friends and family were completely caught off guard by our news, as they should be! We got married last year on October 14, 2020.
Mehendi and Sangeet
There’s no one true path to becoming a married couple, but Indian brides and grooms generally believe it’s important to start getting ready for your wedding well in advance. A few days before your actual wedding day, you may celebrate Mehendi (the henna ceremony), where friends and family gather around you to wish you luck and paint symbols on your hands and feet. One or two days after that, you may have sangeet or music. You can thank Bollywood for popularizing these events, as they are relatively new additions to South Asian weddings. These celebrations also set up your wedding weekend, letting guests practice their moves ahead of time! Wedding photography in Chennai
Guests Arrival
The wedding took place in Chennai. The bride’s father and her brother escorted her to be wed to Mr. Jay Shankar, who is also an architect by profession. After that, Shalini then exchanged garlands with him while entering into wedlock, and they both were blessed by all family members and relatives. Both groom's family members had arrived from the US and other parts of India, and both families were excited about their wedding ceremony, which was held for 4 days. A lot of functions were held for 4 days.
Location Shots with the Bride and Groom
Starting at her home, we shot Shalini and her bridesmaids as they began their procession to make their way to Jay’s family home. We captured images of Shalini surrounded by all her closest friends, a reflection of how much she is loved. Arriving at the family home, we took shots of both families getting ready for what would be an amazing day for everyone. After that, it was time for pictures with just Shalini and Jay before heading off to their wedding venue.
Ceremony Details
Stunning lighting and colorful decor created an intimate setting for celebrating Shalini and Jay Shankar’s Hindu wedding. The couple married under a mandap decorated with twinkling lights, surrounded by roses, and accented with flower garlands. Before walking down an aisle adorned with white petals, guests enjoyed time at an adjacent bar, taking selfies on rustic wooden furniture while sipping cocktails and wine served from buckets filled with ice. Moving to what was designated as VIP seating next to flowers that cascaded from above, guests were served a light meal before watching performances by musicians who included singers who sang in Tamil. Wedding photography in Chennai
Reception Details
The wedding reception was held at one of Chennai’s most distinguished hotels. It’s located on Cathedral Road, which is a little farther away from Marina Beach than some other popular hotels but has spectacular views over Madras Harbour and Fort St. George—especially at night. The word singara is Tamil for the amphitheater, which accurately describes its incredible reception space: A large domed glass ceiling covers a terrace that leads down to an enormous garden and pool area that's flanked by majestic columns painted gold (gold columns!). Looking up from below, it feels like you're standing in a starry sky; looking down from above, it feels like you're part of nature itself.
