Spectacular Asian Destination Weddings in Italy – Aaron and Simran

July 18, 2023
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Asian wedding photography, Pre wedding shoot, Sikh wedding photography, Uncategorized

Asian Destination Weddings

We love capturing Asian weddings across London and the UK, but there’s something extra special when couples book us for Asian destination weddings. So, as you can imagine, we were over the moon when Aaron and Simran invited us to join them on the Amalfi Coast for their pre-wedding shoot and wedding.

Asian Wedding on the Amalfi Coast

Their pre-wedding shoot took place in Amalfi. The town – which gave its name to the area – is beautiful and quaint. It has medieval buildings (it dates back to at at least the 6th century) and pretty, colourful houses. There are ancient towers, cobbled streets, alleyways, piazza and the historical old city gates. All of which made for great backdrops to our shoot!

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Aaron and Simran looked incredible. He was dapper in white tie whilst Simran wore a stunning evening gown. They’d arrived in a classic open topped Merc. As soon as we set eyes on it we knew it would be featuring pretty heavily in their photographs! The whole session had a very old school Hollywood glamour feel to it. We wanted to make the most of the town’s landscape and the incredible views all around, so drove up the winding cliff road until we came to the perfect spot overlooking the port, harbour and that amazing blue sea. It couldn’t have been planned any better!

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Afterwards we made our way back into the town and strolled around the alleyways, taking in the architecture. Simran and Aaron were so relaxed, they wandered together hand in hand and couldn’t stop laughing as we got them to perch on a scooter or try on some trilbys!

Sunset Civil Ceremony

We were blown away by the venue they’d chosen for their civil ceremony. Castello di Rocca Cilento, a medieval castle perched high up on a mountain. Of course, that made for some incredible views and we still can’t get over their sunset ceremony. I think everyone was lost for words at that point. A beautiful couple and those orange skies, amazing!

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Earlier that day we’d joined Simran in the bridal suite. After she was ready we couldn’t resist taking some portraits – the window light was just perfect – before we went outside to see her parents. Her dad’s reaction was great! He was overcome with joy at the sight of his daughter, there was even a tear or two in his eyes that he quickly hid behind his sunglasses.

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Down in the courtyard their family and friends were enjoying an Italian buffet and dancing along to the band before taking their seats for the outdoor ceremony. Check out that mirrored aisle, we’d never seen anything like it before.

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When the sun began to set Aaron’s mother escorted him down the aisle before Simran appeared, arm in arm with her dad. As the sky changed from brilliant blue to a deep orange, and with the castle towers as their backdrop, Aaron and Simran exchanged vows.

YH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7, Rashpal Photography

Ahead of their wedding it was time for Aaron and Simran’s Haldi ceremony, which took place in front of (and with the involvement of!) their close family and friends. Starting with a blessing, the ceremony is made up of a number of Indian rituals and is a lot of fun for a photographer to capture! There’s so much colour and laughter! The Haldi (or turmeric) is applied to the couple by their guests in the belief it will ward off evil spirits. Everybody got involved and went rather wild with the turmeric! Aaron and Simran were covered!

Next up was Simran’s Choora ceremony. This is another beautiful Indian pre-wedding tradition that’s really interesting – and lovely – to photograph. Choora, or wedding bangles, are tied onto the bride by her family, normally her maternal uncles and aunts. Traditionally a bride will end up wearing 21 red and ivory chooras although nowadays other colours are often chosen.

Stunning Sikh Wedding Ceremony and Reception in Italy

All their guests assumed that Aaron and Simran’s Sikh ceremony would take place on the beach – we were on the Amalfi coast after all. However, the couple had a surprise up their sleeves. Early that morning their loved ones were taken across Paestum’s sandy beach and into the pine forest. It’s hard to imagine a more tranquil setting for a ceremony.

Simran looked absolutely stunning. Her burnt orange and rich red outfit complemented the rustic colours of the forest. We began with some natural light portraits, before her parents placed her dupatta over her head and spent some time with her ahead of the ceremony.

Meanwhile Aaron had a peaceful moment amongst the trees in the forest as his turban was fitted before joining his family and friends for his baraat. Drums, singing and joyful shouts echoed through the forest as the procession wound its way through the forest to the ceremony spot. The excitement and mayhem of the baraat soon gave way to serenity. Their ceremony was gorgeous, it really did feel like we were all in the middle of nowhere, miles from civilisation and truly amongst nature.

This mind blowing multi day wedding extravaganza ended back in Amalfi with a reception at Giardini del Fuenti. Aaron and Simran arrived in style, driving into the venue in that pristine, classic Mercedes. Food was served on the terrace overlooking the stunning coastline and the night passed by in a blur of emotional speeches, music and dancing. All in all, there couldn’t have been a more fitting finale to such a whirlwind few days.