Hindu Wedding & Reception | Hedsor House | Hertfordshire

An incredible day full of energy, emotions and good times.

A Beautiful Morning for a Wedding

It was an early start and was already very warm. Driving up to the venue, Hedsor House looked incredible. There was already a hive of activity as Gayatri Weddings were setting up the mandap in the Centre Hall. This gave me a perfect opportunity to grab my gear and have a wander around the venue.

As it was the first time at the venue, it was great discovering locations for portraits for later on in the day. Hedsor House is a fairly intimate venue, but it has incredible grounds. From the impressive front of the house, to the beautiful gardens at the back, we would be spoilt for choice.

After capturing establishing shots, I headed upstairs in the House to see Sapna. She was a picture of calm while having her make up applied. Her family were also getting ready in the same room and applying the finishing touches to their outfits.  

With Sapna now fully ready, we had time to capture some portraits in the beautiful bedroom, as well as a first look with her family. The emotions were there for all to see, as her family were fighting back their tears of joy.

Meanwhile, Nimit’s Rolls Royce rolled up to the front of the house. Like Sapna, he looked relaxed and couldn’t wait for the day to get started. We had a few minutes before he made his Jaan arrival for portraits of his own in the gardens.

The Start of the Ceremony

Guests arrived promptly and were making their way out to the front of Hedsor House for the start of the Jaan arrival. Nimit, now back in his Rolls Royce, was making his way back up the driveway accompanied by his family. The sun was now beating down as he and his family danced towards the house, with the dhol players providing the energy. With the two families coming together and performing a short ceremony, guests made their way in to the Crentre Hall to take their seats.

The pokwanu ceremony set the tone for the rest of the morning, which was filled with joy and plenty of laughter. As with tradition, the brides mother would try and pinch the grooms nose for a little fun. She was truly successful in this task!

Once Nimit was welcomed into the mandap and a short ceremony performed, the time had come for Sapna to make her entrance as well. Emotions were there for all to see as she was led in to the mandap, with the antrapat dropping in front of Nimit to reveal both bride and groom to each other.

An Intimate Setting

The ceremony was beautifully performed by priest Kamal Pandey. The intimate setting looked incredible and it really felt like the guests were fully immersed with the ceremony. Nimit & Sapna were also enjoying every moment, often giving each other glances. Smiles, laughter and tears of joy were in abundance. As a Documentary Wedding Photographer, this is what you look for to get the genuine moment of the day.

Before we knew it, the Hindu ceremony had concluded. But there was still time for the traditional Koda Kodi game and a happy vidai, as the newlyweds exited the mandap flanked by their beaming guests.

As guests headed out into the sun and to get some lunch, this gave us the opportunity to take some portraits. The front of the house and the gardens provided us with stunning backdrops, and Nimit & Sapna were true naturals in front of the camera (the pre-wed shoot a few weeks earlier definitely helped!).

The Celebrations Continued

The afternoon break offered a respite for the couple and their guests, allowing them to relax and get changed for the evenings celebrations. With a little break myself to cool down, focus quickly switched to capturing guests slowly arriving for the drinks reception on the lawn. The early evening sun was making its way round to the side of the house, and I knew we were in for a stunning sunset – more on that later!

Nimit & Sapna looked incredible in their evening outfits, and they made their was back to the front of the house for some more portraits. They then headed off to the lawn to mingle with their guess during the drinks reception. I always like it when the couple are able to enjoy their own event. And for them to catch up with their guests in a relaxed environment, especially when the morning can be quite hectic.

Guests filtered their way back into the house to take their seats in the Ballroom. They didn’t have to wait long for the happy couple to make their entrance. Both were beaming with joy, and their guests matched their excitement levels. Meanwhile, I was keeping an eye on the sun outside, and it was getting lower and more orange by the minute. With a little heads up to the couple that’s it’s now or never for sunset portraits, they were really up for it.

As we headed outside, the sun was dipping fast, nicely between a gap in a hedge. We literally had minutes to capture some shots and Nimit & Sapna totally smashed it. They were some of my favourite portraits of the day and I’m so glad we managed to get out there in time.

A Day To Remember

Back in the Ballroom for the reception, the celebrations continued with speeches and mains, before everyone headed back into the Centre Hall for the cake cutting and first dance. The night continued with as the day started, with plenty of energy, emotions and good times.

From the first moment we spoke after their initial enquiry, I already knew working with Nimit & Sapna would be a whole lot of fun. Both have really outgoing personalities, and it shows in their relationship as well as their wedding images.

There was so much happiness and joy throughout the day, it was an incredible experience and honour being there to capture it all. As an Asian Wedding Photographer, this is all you can ask for. Where every moment, big or small, deserved to be captured.

And with that, here are some highlights from their day. Enjoy!