Srilankan Wedding Photography Melbourne

Srilankan weddings are an amalgamation of Sinhalese and Buddhist traditions. With the occasion today being celebrated as one grand event, certain customs like Poruwa and Pirith Nool form an integral part of every wedding.

Shaadi Capture provides quality and affordable Srilankan wedding photography Melbourne can offer. Understanding the culture behind the wedding enables the photographer to be present at the right place and at the right time to capture important moments.

Traditional Srilankan Wedding Customs

Poruwa Ceremony

The ceremony is carried out according to the Nekatha as decided by the astrologer. Nekatha is the auspicious date and time when the wedding is to be held.

The bride and the groom walk together towards a ‘Poruwa’, a platform adorned with four wooden pillars during the ceremony. There is also a hanging roof, like a beautifully decorated silk umbrella under which the couple stands. They then greet one another by traditionally folding their palms.

The priest or the master of the ceremonies hands the couple a sheaf of betel leaves which they hold and return to be used in the next ritual.

Auspicious Seven

The sheaf of betel leaves is placed on the Poruwa. Then, as a symbolic gesture of giving his daughter away to the groom, the father places the bride’s right hand on that of the groom.

Next, the bride and the groom take turns dropping the seven sheaves of betel leaves placed under coins onto the Poruwa. This ritual is done to honour and show gratitude to the seven generations of family on both sides.

Pirith Nool 

The groom is presented with a golden necklace, which he picks and places around the bride’s neck, representing the promise that he will protect and take care of her. Nowadays, couples also exchange rings before the pirith nool ceremony. Thus, one must look for specialised Srilankan wedding photography Melbourne to have such moments beautifully captured and preserved.

 The bride’s maternal uncle then ties the couple’s little fingers together with a sacred thread to symbolise the union of marriage. The bride’s father then pours holy water from a silver jug over the bound fingers. Water and earth are important elements in Buddhism. Thus, the ritual signifies these elements being witness to the marriage.

 Milk and Kiribath

The groom gifts the bride with a white cloth which she hands over to her mother. The ritual shows the groom’s gratitude towards his mother-in-law for taking care of the bride since the day she was born.

The bride’s mother feeds the couple kiribath. It is a special Srilankan delicacy prepared with rice and coconut milk. The groom’s mother then offers the couple a sip of milk each. The significance of this ritual is that the couple can now start their new journey with the blessings of their mothers.

A group of girls related to the couple sing the ‘jayamangala gatha’, a Buddhist chant comprising of stories of wisdom and compassion. Fresh coconut is also broken from the groom’s side as the couple steps down from the podium signifying new beginnings.

Look for an experienced company providing Srilankan wedding photography Melbourne. Experience of capturing South-Asian weddings plays an important role, as the photographer better understands the nuances of the ceremony. You can be present in the moment and indulge in wedding celebrations without worrying about providing instructions to the photographer.