COVID19 – 9 steps Charan & Meghna followed to have a Beautiful & Intimate (Home) Wedding

I am Anand from The Third Eye Photography team. On May 4th, immediately after lockdown 2.0 ended, I shot this really special COVID19 wedding for a close friend – Charan.

I thought of sharing my personal experience as it can help families and couples who are planning to get married and the people in the event industry. Currently, there are two main problems that are impacting couples:

1) Pressure to invite as many people as possible according to norms. This also influences the couples/families to try to bend or push their luck with guests’ numbers, vendors, etc. This is at the cost of risking the lives of the most important people in their lives such as family members, best friends, and relatives.

2) Many brides who are planning for minimalist weddings at home think “creative/candid” photography is tricky/not worth the price due to no or less decor, lack of picturesque backgrounds and hence fish for basic or budgeted photographers, which definitely impacts their once in a lifetime wedding experience, quality and safety.

Charan and Meghna’s wedding was minimalistic and most importantly SAFE! So no wedding invitation cards, no wedding planners, no elaborate rituals stretching across multiple days. Thanks to Coronavirus – none of this was a possibility. We took care of all the necessary precautions. The photos were tried to be kept not so basic. 🙂

It might not be pin-worthy, but it sure is a message to encourage couples and their families to look for such options as well. Here are the 9 steps Charan & Meghna followed to have a safe Covid-19 Wedding in Bengaluru:

1. This Amazing Couple’s priority was the safety of their family members and elders (especially the Grandmother of the groom). So they chose to have a very Intimate Wedding with around 20 – 25 members (including family, relatives, siblings, and photographer), following the Govt norms and regulations.

3. The Decor was a lovely DIY using fresh flowers and leaves. An activity that kept everyone at home excited, busy, and it all came out so wonderful.

4. The moment the members arrived, everyone was asked to sanitize their hands with a hand sanitizer. Multiple sanitizers were made available in all rooms including the hand wash areas and bathrooms.

6. The app “Zoom” was used, for video streaming to exhibit the Wedding to friends and relatives in India and abroad. The Wedding attendees blessed the couple virtually.

8. It was decided to keep a single photographer to cover the event, keeping in mind the gathering size and norms. I had covered Charan’s sister’s engagement and many of his friend’s weddings. Charan appreciated my work and the sensibilities I bring to the work I do, so we became very good friends through the process. Unsurprisingly, I was the obvious choice for him and his family. I handled Candid photography, traditional photography, group shots, shot some video clips, and managed the 3 zoom cameras as well (whenever possible). Not all but some moments are attached here from the wedding. Hope you like them.

2. All members lived in 3 houses & had home quarantined themselves for 3 weeks to keep the risks minimal. They followed all safety precautions before the wedding. Friends and relatives were invited to witness the ceremonies virtually.

5. Millennial brides, who prefer no makeup/ less makeup, fear the results of applying makeup themselves. The Bride did her makeup and it worked like magic. Meghna looked beautiful, looking like herself… needing no more.
Note: At that point of time (few weeks prior to May 4), we weren’t aware of options of Make-Up Artists – MUAs who could do makeup taking safety precautions such as sanitizing all the makeup equipment after every event, having masks and gloves, etc. Currently, there are many MUA’s who are following safe practices and doing multiple weddings in Bengaluru. So, those who do wish to hire MUAs have multiple options now.

7. Catering was done as a shared responsibility by various family members similar to the potluck concept. The food was South Indian food with Rice, Sambhar, an assortment of side dishes, papad/fries/crunchies, a sweet dish, and mildly spiced buttermilk. Simple, healthy, hygienic and really tasty as well.

9. Charan and Meghna, were a definite camera shy ‘not wanting to pose, but you click’ kind of couple. So the whole wedding was shot completely candid. No instructions were given to them to smile or pose for the camera. I did request them for some portraits for the wedding registration and when they saw the pics, they gave me more time for couple portraits.