The mist hadn’t lifted yet when the groomsmen gathered on the lawn in Mahabalipuram, in matching dhotis with yellow-bordered angavastrams and sunglasses despite the hour, arms raised toward a sun that wasn’t quite up. They had flown in from all over the world for Suraj and Aishwarya, and the muhuratham was only the second act.
The weekend had started the day before, on that same lawn, with everyone in loud printed shirts. Friends formed an arch of raised arms and the couple stole a kiss underneath it. The dancing started early, and the haldi followed on the beach, where marigold petals filled the air, the guests wore heart-shaped sunglasses, and no one stayed clean. Afterwards came the chuda ceremony, the red bangles slipping onto Aishwarya’s wrists. That night the couple exchanged varmalas under sparklers and a stage glowing in warm reds
Then came the misty morning. The muhuratham followed South Indian rituals, with Suraj and Aishwarya in silk and jasmine. Before it began, there was a quiet first look on the grass, hands held, neither quite able to look away. Near the end, Aishwarya held a family member in a long hug. Then came the garland exchange, which turned into a contest. Guests lifted the couple onto their shoulders, and the garlands went back and forth, round after round, while the crowd cheered and a brass band played.
By evening it had become an informal reception, with toasts, sangeet performances, a popped champagne bottle and the cake. Somewhere after that, the reception turned into an after-party, and the dance floor became a blur of light, which is how the pictures should look.
Two cultures, two days and one very well-dressed group of friends who wouldn’t have missed it.


Venue : Mahabalipuram, Chennai
Photography & film by Keys and Blacks.