Photographer and videographer for a Tamil wedding: moments not to miss

A Tamil Hindu wedding includes many rituals, outfit changes and family moments that can follow one another quickly.

For the photographer and the videographer, it is therefore essential to know the sequence of the ceremony before the wedding day.

A professional who understands the schedule will be able to anticipate the important moments and avoid missing a step that cannot be repeated.

Here are the main elements to prepare with your photographer and videographer.

Why choose a professional experienced with Tamil weddings?

A wedding photographer must of course know how to create beautiful images.

But at a Tamil wedding, they must also understand that a religious ceremony can include many successive steps.

Some moments last only a few minutes.

The photographer must therefore know:

• when to position themselves;
• which family members are participating;
• which rituals will begin;
• when to change angle;
• when to avoid disturbing the priest or the couple.

It is not mandatory for the professional to be Tamil themselves.

However, it is highly recommended that they take the time to understand the flow of your wedding.

Provide the schedule before the wedding

Do not simply give the photographer an arrival time and an end time.

Prepare a detailed schedule.

It can notably indicate:

• ☐ Bride preparation
• ☐ Groom preparation
• ☐ Arrival of families
• ☐ Arrival of the groom
• ☐ Arrival of the bride
• ☐ Start of the ceremony
• ☐ Exchange of the Maalai
• ☐ Oonjal if planned
• ☐ Main religious rituals
• ☐ Thali ceremony
• ☐ Family photos
• ☐ Meal
• ☐ Outfit change
• ☐ Reception
• ☐ Evening

The schedule should be sent a few days or a few weeks before the wedding.

For a complete example: Schedule of a Tamil wedding: example timeline for the big day

Bride preparations

Bride preparation offers many opportunities to create detail photos.

The photographer can notably capture:

• the sari;
• the jewelry;
• the makeup;
• the hairstyle;
• the flowers;
• the shoes;
• the accessories;
• the Thali before the ceremony.

They can also photograph moments with parents, siblings or bridesmaids.

To organize this preparation: Makeup and hairstyling for a Tamil bride: how to properly prepare for the big day?

Groom preparations

Groom preparations are sometimes less photographed, even though they also help tell the story of the whole day.

Be sure to plan images of:

• the Veshti;
• the accessories;
• the getting-ready moments;
• the close relatives;
• the departure to the ceremony.

To prepare your outfits: Tamil wedding outfits: sari, Veshti, jewelry and accessories

Arrival of the groom

The arrival of the groom is often lively.

Depending on the family's traditions, it may be accompanied by music, relatives and various welcome gestures.

To discover the traditional music: Nadaswaram and Thavil: the traditional music of the Tamil wedding

The photographer should be present before the arrival in order to capture:

• the entrance;
• the family's reactions;
• details of the outfit;
• the musicians;
• the welcome moments.

Entrance of the bride

The bride's entrance is naturally another important moment.

Before the ceremony, tell the photographer:

• which door she will enter through;
• who accompanies her;
• where she should position herself;
• if a pause is planned before her entrance.

This allows them to prepare their framing rather than discovering the route at the last minute.

Exchange of the Maalai

The exchange of the Maalai, the brides' and grooms' flower garlands, is particularly photogenic.

To learn more: Maalai in a Tamil wedding: meaning and exchange of the garlands

The photographer can plan for:

• a wide shot;
• close-ups of the garlands;
• the couple's reactions;
• the families' reactions;
• photos taken from each side of the stage.

If multiple photographers are present, they can position themselves in different spots to capture multiple angles.

Photographing the Oonjal

When the Oonjal is part of the ceremony, it is an ideal moment to obtain images of the couple surrounded by their family.

The photographer can notably capture:

• the decorated swing;
• the couple together;
• the blessings;
• the parents;
• the flowers;
• the traditional gestures.

To learn more: Oonjal in a Tamil wedding: meaning and proceedings

The Thali ceremony

The Thali ceremony is generally one of the moments that the photographer and videographer must absolutely anticipate.

It can be very quick.

You therefore need to tell them the exact scheduled time.

Before the wedding, also tell them where the couple will be positioned so they can choose their placement.

The professional must be able to capture:

• the Thali;
• the groom's gesture;
• the bride;
• the families' reactions;
• the atmosphere around the couple.

To learn more: The Thali in a Tamil wedding: meaning and tradition

Pay attention to the Muhurtham time

When the ceremony respects a Muhurtham, this information must appear clearly in the photographer's and videographer's schedule.

They must be in place before the start of the relevant moment.

A delay of a few minutes can be enough to miss an important step.

To learn more: Muhurtham in a Tamil wedding: date and ceremony time

Religious rituals

Each family may follow a different sequence.

It is therefore preferable to explain to the photographer the main rituals planned.

It can be useful to organize a short meeting with the professional before the wedding to show them the schedule.

If necessary, a family member can also help them identify the next important moments on the day.

Photos with families

With several hundred guests, group photos can take a lot of time.

It is therefore better to prepare a list.

For example:

1. Couple + bride's parents
2. Couple + groom's parents
3. Couple + both families
4. Couple + siblings
5. Couple + grandparents
6. Couple + witnesses
7. Couple + close friends

This organization avoids searching for each person for several minutes.

Designate a person to organize the photos

The photographer does not necessarily know the members of your family.

So designate a person able to gather the groups quickly.

They can announce:

"Now the bride's parents"

then:

"Now the brothers and sisters"

This can save a lot of time.

Plan a couple photo session

Even with a busy day, try to reserve a moment just for the couple.

This session can last a few minutes or longer depending on your schedule.

It can take place:

• before the reception;
• after the ceremony;
• in the venue's garden;
• at a nearby outdoor location;
• at sunset when the timing allows.

It is important to plan this moment in the schedule rather than hoping to find time on the day.

Photo and decor should be coordinated

Beautiful decoration can greatly enhance the images.

But it should not prevent the professionals from working.

The decorator should notably provide enough space around:

• the Mandap;
• the Oonjal;
• the couple's table;
• the ceremony.

Large floral arrangements placed in front of the couple can, for example, block certain angles.

To learn more: Tamil wedding decoration: Mandap, flowers and inspirations

Why also hire a videographer?

Photos allow you to preserve the important moments as images.

Video also lets you keep:

• the voices;
• the music;
• the prayers;
• the reactions;
• the speeches;
• the atmosphere;
• the movements of the ceremony.

For a wedding that includes many rituals, the two services can therefore be complementary.

Full film or wedding highlights?

Ask the videographer which formats are included.

They can notably offer:

Teaser

A short video intended for social networks.

Highlights

A summary of the main moments of the wedding.

Long film

A more complete version including more moments from the ceremony and the reception.

Full ceremony

Some couples also want to keep the entirety of the religious ceremony.

Before signing, check exactly what will be delivered.

Drone: is it necessary?

A drone can produce beautiful images of:

• the venue;
• the arrival of the couple;
• the exterior;
• the guests;
• the reception location.

But it is not essential.

Its use also depends on:

• the venue;
• the weather;
• permits;
• applicable regulations;
• technical possibilities.

Ask the videographer directly if this service is included or available as an option.

How many photographers to plan for?

This mainly depends on:

• the number of guests;
• the size of the venue;
• the number of locations;
• the program.

For a large wedding with several hundred people, having two professionals can allow coverage of multiple angles and moments simultaneously.

For example, one photographer can follow the bride while the second photographs the groom and the guests.

What questions to ask before booking?

Before choosing a professional, ask:

• ☐ Have you already covered a Tamil or Hindu wedding?
• ☐ How many hours are included?
• ☐ How many photographers will be present?
• ☐ How many videographers?
• ☐ Are travel expenses included?
• ☐ Is the drone included?
• ☐ How many photos will be delivered?
• ☐ Are the photos retouched?
• ☐ What is the delivery time?
• ☐ Is a teaser video included?
• ☐ Is a full film included?
• ☐ Can the full ceremony be delivered?
• ☐ Are the files available in high definition?

Check the portfolio

Do not choose solely based on the number of Instagram followers.

Look at several full weddings carried out by the professional.

A portfolio should allow you to evaluate:

• indoor photos;
• outdoor photos;
• ceremonies;
• group photos;
• portraits;
• low-light photos;
• the evening coverage.

Social networks usually only show the best images.

So ask to see a more complete gallery if possible.

Beware of price only

The photographer and the videographer are among the few providers whose work will still be visible several years after the wedding.

Comparing prices is important, but also check:

• experience;
• quality;
• services included;
• the number of hours;
• delivery times;
• reviews;
• artistic style.

The cheapest is not necessarily the best choice for your wedding.

Photo and video checklist

Before the wedding:

• ☐ Photographer booked
• ☐ Videographer booked
• ☐ Times confirmed
• ☐ Address confirmed
• ☐ Schedule sent
• ☐ Muhurtham indicated
• ☐ Thali indicated in the schedule
• ☐ Oonjal indicated if planned
• ☐ Family photo list prepared
• ☐ Person in charge of gathering families
• ☐ Couple session planned
• ☐ Outfit changes indicated
• ☐ End time confirmed
• ☐ Delivery formats confirmed

Finding your photographer and videographer

A Tamil wedding includes many moments that are important to anticipate.

So take the time to talk with the professionals before the wedding and provide them with a detailed schedule.

On DreamWeds, discover photographers and videographers and find the professionals suited to your wedding.