Intimate Backyard Fun Indian Wedding, Toronto was thing in 2020. This was the year when a lot of couples were left with almost no options but to plan a backyard Indian wedding due to COVID-19. Before 2020, planning an intimate Indian wedding was a challenge. It was nearly impossible for most parents to cut down the guestlist to fit in a Toronto backyard house.
We had the pleasure to take part of a few beautiful backyard ceremonies. We wanted to talk to you about the challenges, and how to overcome them as photographers.
Priyanka and Rish were supposed to get married at the Liberty Grand, one of the most scenic venues in Toronto. When the pandemic hit and the Ontario government had multiple restrictions on indoor weddings. This couple moved their wedding ceremony to their backyard. Priyanka grew up in this house and had actually always envisioned her wedding in their backyard.
Even when we were talking to Rishi, he mentioned when he first met Priyanka’s parents at their house, “I told Priyanka that this is a beautiful place to get married”. Indian weddings have a long list of guests. Sometimes, it is impossible to fit in an average size backyard. We can say COVID was a blessing in some way that this couple got the intimate backyard wedding they wanted.
How to plan for a Intimate Backyard Fun Indian Wedding, Toronto
Backyard Indian weddings have their own challenges. We have to worry about rain, parking, washroom logistics and much more. The bride’s backyard was where the ceremony was planned and the max guest count was 75, as allowed per government restrictions.
Didn’t some wise person once say, if it rains on your wedding day you are considered to be lucky
Bride was wearing this beautiful red Shyamal and Bhumika red bridal lengha. Priyanka looked stunning and we can give some credit to the very talented Shimmer Studio. We created this set in Priyanka’s living room and incorporated the furniture to create that ultra regal look.
Priyanka told us some stories of her and her grandparents while getting ready in her childhood home; it was very special for her to get married in the house she grew up in. Rish sent her a letter on the morning of the wedding which evoked a lot of emotions in the bride, you can see for yourself in the images.
First look in a Backyard Indian Wedding
Planning a first at this intimate Backyard Fun Indian Wedding, Toronto was not easy. We were supposed to do the couple’s first look before the guests arrived. Yes, God was really happy for Rishi and Priyanka. It was raining cats and dogs at the time. First looks are a special moment shared by the couple. However, the house was full with the bride’s family at this point so we decided to do the first look on the front porch. As a photographer, we have to make decisions very quickly sometimes.
To protect the bride and groom from the pouring rain, we decided that they will be standing in the covered area of the porch. We will be photographing standing in the rain. I could see the stress in the eyes of the bride when she saw heavy rainfall. It is also our job as photographers to bring positivity on a chaotic day so I told Priyanka to trust us it will be beautiful in pictures.
They both saw each for the very first time and it was such a magical moment. It was very challenging to get our cameras to focus on the couple when you are shooting through rain. Inside story we were nervous too.
Backyard Indian Wedding ceremony begins
Every single member of the bride’s family was coming together to pull this backyard Indian wedding. With uncles of the bride escorting the guests with giant umbrellas to protect them from rain. As soon it was time for the groom to enter the tent, the weather gods blessed this wedding. Sun was shinning and we were blessed with good weather for the rest of the day.
Trust us it all works out.
Bride walked in with her brother and grandfather to her backyard. It was the moment everyone was waiting for. Gujrati traditional ceremony started in this backyard tent. The ceremony takes about 1 hour including all Gujrati traditional rituals.
COVID restrictions only allowed for 75 people gatherings, so brides parents couldn’t have catering servers. This beautiful ceremony was planned in a tent. Uncles, cousins, extended family members took responsibility for the wedding chores. Family members coming together to make the best of this intimate backyard wedding. It was such a special feeling; something we had never witnessed before. There is something about intimate Indian ceremonies, I guess it brings family together.
After the wedding, we decided to take portraits in the backyard as well to complete the story of this intimate backyard wedding. Here are some more memories from this beautiful Gujarati ceremony in the backyard.
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