Not that many of our regular blog followers know that ZaraZoo started out as a specialist Asian Wedding photography company in London in 2005.  Since then we have moved back to South Africa, but we still cover a few Asian Weddings in the UK every year.    Dharmesh & Rhakhee’s wedding h appened at the Krystel Banqueting Suite in Illford, London – not your usual Hindu ceremony, because this one was led by a woman!

See Dharmesh and Rakhee’ s Civil Wedding photo s.

Photographer – Andre van Niekerk

Photography Assistant – Anneli Marinovich

The importance of being part of a good network of photographers can never be underestimated!  When Andre ran into some unfortunate travel problems just before Dharmesh and Rakhee’s Civil wedding, we had no less than 3 of our good friends offering to stand in.   Taking insurance against the unexpected will cover your company, but will still leave the client in the dark – this is why it is so important to hook into your local photographers community – not only to have professional backup if problems occur, but also to be there for others when needed  Thx for taking on this shoot at short notice Chanelle!

Dharmesh & Rakhee’s Civil wedding happened at Eastbury Manor  House in Barking, London.  Their Hindu ceremony and reception which Andre shot at the Krystel Banqueting Suite in Ilford will be posted later this week.

Photographer – Chanelle of Segerius-Bruce Photography

ZaraZoo covers summer weddings in the UK and Europe during the winter months in South Africa.  Contact us for a quote for your wedding.

The Intercontinental Hotel on Hyde Park is a symbol of status and opulence!   For Leonard & Sue, there was no other choice than to host their extravagant wedd ing at this plush hotel.

The day was set in two parts.  At the English Civil wedding in the morning Sue paraded a fabulous white gown and for the reception later that afternoon she changed into a mythical traditional Indian wedding dress.

Photography by Andre van Niekerk

There was no way that we could head into this wedding with only one photographer, so we called in the help of Chanelle of Segerius Bruce photography.  Chanelle is a naturally talented photographer with an amazing eye for detail and the ability to see moments before they happen.  Check out her blog post on this wedding.   If we’re not available for your wedding, then she’s the one to book!

Two outfits meant two couple shoots.   For the morning session the luxurious hotel lobby was very fitting.  Then we headed across the road to the War Memorial on Hyde Park Corner.   With the Indian wedding dress we stayed indoors.

The next 3 photos reflect one of the most fun parts of Indian weddings.  Back in the day in India, it was tradition for the groom to pay over a sum of money to the family of the bride, before getting her hand in marriage.  Some couples still retain this tradition and it is normally the sisters of the bride that haggle the groom for as much money as they can.

The quibble can last up to 5 minutes -  It is literally a face-off between the families of the bride and groom, with a hilarious verbal exchange to determine the worth of the bride!  The groom always wins, but it comes at a price, as you can see in the 3rd photo.  This must be similar to Labola here in South Africa!

Second shooter:  Chanelle of Segerius Bruce Photography

If you would like us to cover  your Indian wedding in the UK, please contact us to arrange a meeting or E-session.

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In the Western Cape, very few weddings happen in the winter months (June, July & August) – that is why ZaraZoo moves its operations north for the UK summer.   This year was a bumper year for us in the UK, with no less than 20 shoots around London, Liverpool, Oxford and Paris.

This wedding at Knowsley Hall near Liverpool, was the last day of 3 days we covered for Raj & Arvinder.  See the other 2 days by clicking the links below:

• Sikh Wedding in Blackpool
• Choora & Jago ceremonies in Blackpool

Photography by Stefan Steenkamp

If you would close your eyes and dream up a stately English Palace, then surely the historic Knowsley House would be it!  It has class, it has history and the setting is magnificent.  Raj, this venue suits your personality 100% – no doubt about it!

The Civil Wedding and reception was hosted by Raj and his family – no expense was spared.   To add to the glamour of the day Raj hired a bright orange Lotus and a black Aston Martin to take guests for joy rides on the grounds.  Guests were also treated to the finest canape’s, ice cream & candy floss bars, cocktails, chocolate fountain and kids entertainers.  And all this in the most amazing setting with the Knowsley Hall gardens as a backdrop – Raj I think you’ ve earned your right to host lavish parties!

Oh, just as a point of interest… Knowsley Hall is the residence of the the Earl of Derby… Yes, it was his great great great great grandfather that started the world famous Derby horse race, and it is from this family that the very common term “Derby” stems when two arch rival teams play sports games like rugby and football!

Photography Assistant:  Verster Du Plessis

If you would like us to cover  your Asian wedding in the UK, please contact us to arrange a meeting or E-session.

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Arvinder and Raj’s Sikh wedding took place in Blackpool (UK) in July.   Blackpool is a typical UK coastal town riddled with amusements centers and fun fairs.  It is also the UK capital for Stag and Hen Nights.

This is the second of the 3 days we covered for this wedding.  See the photos of Mayian & Choora ceremonies the night before.

Photography by Stefan Steenkamp

The Milne ceremony and reception took place at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, one of the only venues that could accommodate the wopping guest list of 1000 people!

The Couple photo session was done on the concrete promenade that stretches for miles along the coastline -  I loved the way how the simplicity of the background shifts the focus to the bride and groom.   Oh, and after about 2 weeks of non stop rain, we were blessed by a brief 30 minute of blue skies, just when we started the photo shoot – what luck!

Photography Assistant:  Verster Du Plessis

If you would like to cover  your Asian wedding in the UK, please contact us to arr ange a meeting or E-session.

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Many of you probably don’t know that ZaraZoo started out covering Asian weddings in London.  And even though we are based in South Africa, this year we have shot no fewer than 15 Hindu, Sikh and Muslim weddings in the UK!

For Arvinder and Raj’s wedding, we traveled all the way up to Blackpool.  This post covers some of the pre-wedding ceremonies, the Mayian, Vatna, Choora bangles and Jaggo.  Still to come over the next week will be Arivinder & Raj’s Sikh wedding as well as their civil wedding at the magnificent Knowsley Hall!

I came to know of Arvinder & Raj’s wedding through my good friend Aziz of Aira Photography – Thanks Aziz!

Photography by Stefan Steenkamp

I love covering Asian weddings and have a special place for the Sikh people.  They have an amazing lifestyle centered around the family.  They are generous, kind hearted and they can party!   They actually remind me a lot of South Africans!

The pre-wedding ceremonies are all designed to bless the bride, her family  and the groom.   We missed a few of the other ceremonies, but joined the family for the Mayian (coloured rice) ceremony that is normally done together with the Vatna, where family members rub yellow tumeric paste on the bride.  This was followed by the Choora (ivory Bangles) is dipped into milk and put unto the bride.   Then the celebrations really picks up pace with the Jaggo when the bride and family members dance with copper pots (with candles on top) on their heads.

See Arvinder & Raj’s Sikh Wedding that took place in Blackpool the next day!

Photography Assistant:  Verster Du Plessis

If you would like to cover  your Asian wedding in the UK, please contact us to arrange a meeting or E-session.

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I’m not a big fan of too much posing for photos, but when you come across a couple like Hamza & Mariam that are so at easy in front of the camera, it is like having a ball of clay in your hands.

I must give credit to Aziz of Aira Photography for training them well.  Aziz covered the other 2 days of the wedding celebrations.   These two were such natural posers, that at times I doubted whether I was doing a wedding gig or a Model shoot!  Thanks for the opportunity to shoot for Aira Photography Aziz!

Photography by Stefan Steenkamp

Venue – Millenium Gloucester Road

Photography – Aira Photography

Videography – I Do Media

Photography Assitant – Verster Du Plessis

Other weddings that we covered for Aira Photography:

• Tamil Wedding – Central London.

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How awesome is it to be able to photograph such a big variety of people?  I feel very blessed to be able to meet and mingle with people across a wide cultural spectrum and to learn about their traditions, rituals and way of life!

I’m in the UK at the moment and just finished 8 shoots in as many days…  Over the past week, I have shot a Tamil wedding, a Hindu wedding, 2 Muslim weddings and 4 E-sessions – all in and around London!  And this coming weekend, I’m heading north, to Blackpool, where I’ll be shooting a Sikh wedding!

Manju and Hans got married at the breathtaking Painshill Park in Surrey – This wedd ing venue, in its idyllic country setting, certainly counts under the top wedding spots in the UK! – Enjoy!

Photography by Stefan Steenkamp

All Kudos to Manju & Hans for braving the rain to do this couple shoot {typical english weather!!}.  At times it was coming down very hard!  You can even see the rain drops in the pictures!

Painshill Park is certainly one of the most picturesque venues that I have shot at in the UK.  The grounds are breathtaking, with great landscapes, panaramic views, vinyards, gardens, ruins and 18th century structures.

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Venue – Painshill Park

Photography & Video – K-Couture (subcontracted our photography services)

Make-up – Aysha Make-up

Second Shooter – Chanelle of Segerius Bruce

Other weddings that we covered for K-Couture:

• Andre’s Asian Adventures
• Asian Civil Wedding – London

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Adrian & Abi’s wedding at Banqueting House in Central London was my first shoot in the UK this year.    Over the next two months, we have plenty of UK weddings to follow, so watch this space…

I did this wedding for my photographer friend, Aziz of Aira Photography with whom we have built a great international working relationship.  Aziz has shot a few weddings with and for us in Cape Town – charming bloke with a very creative  style.  He will be shooting with us again in December in South Africa – let us know if you’re interested in booking him.

Photography by Stefan Steenkamp

Shooting an Asian wedding is hard work – long hours, with lots of concentration and traveling in between.  Aziz covered the first part of the day (from 7am) up to the end of the Tamil ceremony.  I then took over from him and did two photo sessions with two different outfits at Horse Guards Parade, St James Park and Embankment.  I love working with period architecture, so this was an absolute feast for me!

Banqueting House, where the ceremony & reception was held, is an awesome venue.  It is owned by the Queen and boasts with the last remaining Rubens painted ceiling – I love this shot below – this is why I come to shoot in the UK!

Venue – Banqueting House.

DJ’s – Paragon Roadshow.

Videographer – A Dream Wedding

Photography assistant – Verster du Plessis

Weddings that Aziz has shot for and with us:

• Cathy & Saul – Boschendal
• Mei & Riaan – Oudekraal nature reserve

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Asian weddings in the UK are totally different to those we normally cover here in South Africa… but we love them!!

Every year, Andre and myself spend a combined total of 10 weeks in the UK – to cover the wedding season there.  Here are some images of a wedding Andre did in London last week.

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Photography by Andre van Niekerk.

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We still have availability for a few prime dates in the UK / London this year.  I will be in London from the beginning of July to early August. I can still take bookings for these dates:  11 & 12 July;  also 25 & 26 July.

Andre will take over from me in late July and has the following dates open:  22 & 23 August;  also 29 & 30 & 31 August (Bank holiday weekend)

Although we mostly shoot Christian weddings in South Africa, ZaraZoo specializes in Asian Wedding photography in London and the UK.  We have lots of experience in Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist weddings, knowing all the ceremonies and rituals conducted.

Contact us for more information on packages