Taking place in two different countries over 4 days, Shazma and Jameel's Ismaili wedding starts with an afternoon packed with rituals:
Mandhvo.
Puro.
Ponkwa.
Everybody has to look dashing for the Nikah ceremony and PJ does not discriminate:
There's always a good show on TV, even when it's turned off:
The bride-to-be's smile is the driving force behind this whole event:
Onkar spends the morning with the groom:
Jameel needs some training for later today, when the stakes are much higher:
Not sure why this happens, but his feet can use all the care and attention right now. In their hands lies the future status of Jameel in his family:
The first 'first look':
Don't judge. I made them pose like this since we are in the Edmonton Headquarters Jamatkhana:
Everyone is sitting down for the Nikah - Muslim wedding ceremony:
A few signatures and smarties later, we have the newest couple in town:
The moment Jameel has trained all this time for, has arrived:
I'm not good with words, so I'll just show you this in slow motion:
On the right side of the screen, you can see where things start to go wrong:
While Jameel is lucky to be alive, Shazma can start celebrating:
The result is devastating for the groom... He's not going to wear the pants in his new family:
For those who missed it, I'll show you again from a different angle, thanks to my second shooter:
This is how a perfectly executed job looks like:
Bandhni ceremony - The groom's mother wraps a protective shawl (bandhni) around the newly wedded couple and leads them symbolically to the groom's home where they formerly cross the threshold into their new life:
Khobo ceremony - A tray full of coins is presented by the groom's father to his new daughter-in-law to bring blessings and wishes that she'll conceive many children and thereby increase the wealth of the family:
On the way out of Canada, we stop at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel for a few interesting shots:
A short few days later, we are excited to change the scenery for more exotic pictures. The Ocean Coral & Turquesa Resort in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, will do:
More wedding rituals include the pithi:
And henna:
We move outdoors for the froshing of Jameel.
You just get a feeling of how bad things will turn, when you realise they have to put a sheet on the ground, in Mexico, so the beach doesn't get contaminated. Well, it might be bad for the beach, but it's just fine for the groom:
It gets really ugly, really fast:
I still have egg on my camera and flash.
The groom is helpless and can't see anything, but, at least, he knows his bride to be is on his side. Or maybe not at the moment:
Fortunately, we have an ocean a few steps away, and all that egg will give the necessary proteins to a bunch of lucky fish:
Next morning is as beautiful as the Mayan Riviera can be. Nothing reminds us of the horrors we miraculously survived last night on the beach:
This very beach will host a beautiful ceremony in a few hours, so it's time for Shazma to get ready again:
A new style of makeup is all the rage in Cancun. You might know it as 'finger painting':
Jameel: “If you were to tell me a few years ago I would be getting married I would have laughed out loud. Now the day is here and we’re getting married in Mexico where we first got to know each other. Beach, Ocean, Family & Friends, what more could you ask for!”
Jameel and his men are almost ready, too. I said almost:
It may seem so, but it's not one of those clothing optional weddings.
Fayaz, the bride's brother, is tying the neckties for everyone:
The man has to live, too:
The second 'first look' of the wedding looks better simply because it happens in a balcony overlooking the Caribbean Sea (no, you don't have to excuse my pun. I love my puns):
Shazma: “I had known Jameel for a while but only really got to know him at his brother's wedding right here in the Riviera Maya. It is only fitting that we have our wedding in Mexico on the same beaches. I'm looking forward to getting to know him better with each year that we spend together as husband and wife.”
Time for a few pictures with the stars. The boys find a way to make it extra fun:
One of those images that a wedding photographer from landlocked Alberta, Canada, keeps dreaming about:
Dad steals one more hug before the ceremony begins:
Luis came all the way from Playa del Carmen to help me. Muchas gracias, senor:
Such a convenient ritual to perform on the beach, the sand ceremony is a visually touching moment that symbolises the joining of the bride and groom:
Another clean victory for Shazma and Jameel, newly wedded twice in less than a week:
A little bit more romance before the party.
The reception looks like a lot of fun from the entrance:
And the open air location with views of the Caribbean:
And let's not forget about the food. I have this condition where I have to eat every day, so I can never forget about the food:
Specially when it looks like this:
Cheddo (aka cherro) ceremony is all about fun and some thoughtful gifts for the bride and groom's brothers.
Doesn't get more romantic than reading your speech at the light of your smart phone:
Shiraz is testing his new son-in-law:
Ella was supposed to help me with the lights, but, I have to admit, dancing is way more fun:
However, the most important mission of the bride's dad while at the Ocean Coral and Turquesa Resort, was to make sure every single member of the staff is enjoying the bhangra.
You must be wondering how come everyone is having such a great time. Blame DJ Vijay who hates his job just as much as I hate mine, but you never hear him complain:
Congratulations one more time, Shazma & Jameel! Thank you so much for taking me with you to party in Mexico! Just like I mentioned before, I hated it, but my strong work ethic and professionalism will keep me from complaining.
love.travel.more.cosmin
Vendors 'n' Things:
Nikah - Muslim Wedding Ceremony - Edmonton Headquarters Jamatkhana
Beach Wedding Ceremony & Wild Pithi - Ocean Coral & Turquesa, Puerto Morelos, México
Makeup - PJ Sangha
International Entertainer - DJ Vijay
Second Shooter Edmonton - Onkar Hayer
Second Shooter Riviera Maya, Mexico - Luis Ortiz
Photography Assistant - Ella Anderson
Ismaili Wedding Photographer - Mexico/Destination Wedding Photographer
You like? You want? Send me a message:
cosmindanilaphoto@gmail.com
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