Sikh Wedding Photographer in Shenley

Serving Shenley

For Sikh couples marrying in Shenley

Shenley is a village with country-house wedding venues. Most Sikh couples in Hertfordshire hold the Anand Karaj at a gurdwara in the morning and the reception at a hall or hotel that evening, and we have covered that pairing at venues right across Radlett, Borehamwood and London Colney. Bowing before the Guru Granth Sahib on arrival, the matha tek, is often a family's first act of the morning, and we photograph it from the side, never from in front of the Guru.

Editing follows the same discipline as the shooting, honest colour and clean frames, so the finished album feels like the day itself rather than a filter. Guests first, photographers second. Shoes are left at the door and heads covered before a single camera comes out of the bag, and we do it without being asked or reminded. Out with the baraat we walk backwards more than forwards, framing the groom through the dancing rather than over it, and we keep well clear of the drummers' arcs while doing it.

There is real character to Shenley, and we have learned how to make the most of it. Shenley is a village with country-house wedding venues, and we photograph in London Colney and Ware close by too. Shenley and the towns around it offer venues such as London Shenley Club and Shenley Cricket Centre.

Shenley is a Hertfordshire village with country-house wedding venues and an unusual eighteenth century village lock-up known as the Cage beside its pond. Shenley lies close to the A1(M) and M25, with the nearest railway station at Radlett on the Thameslink route. For portraits away from the celebration, Shenley Park, with its walled garden, orchard and open parkland works beautifully, and Salisbury Hall, a Grade II* listed country house built in the seventeenth century adds a real sense of place.

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Every Sikh ritual

Milni, sehra bandi and the morning baraat

We photograph the ardas from the back of the hall, the whole sangat standing together, a wide and reverent frame that shows the community gathered around your marriage. Between the ardas and the karah prashad the hall relaxes almost audibly, and we work the rows at that point, gathering congratulations, embraces and the relief on both sets of parents. When your father places the palla in your groom's hands, we photograph the passing of the cloth and the look between you, a small gesture that carries the weight of the whole day.

We photograph the kalire close up before they are tied, the gold domes and hanging pieces, and then again mid-shake as the superstition plays out over the bridesmaids. At the reception we photograph the entrance as a highlight, the announcement, the walk in and the cheer as you arrive to bhangra with everyone you love. Reception entrances have grown ambitious, with smoke, lights and a dhol at the door, and we cover them as the performance they now are while staying ready for the real reaction behind it.