A Nepalese-Irish Wedding

19 Jul

There’s something really special about photographing a couple more than once. You get past the “nice to meet you” stage pretty quickly and into something much more familiar. Inside jokes, knowing glances, a bit more trust, a bit less formality. I’d already had the joy of photographing Bandy & Jon’s Hindu ceremony the year before, and their pre-wedding shoot a few months before this one, so by the time their wedding day at The Reid Rooms came around, it felt less like turning up to work and more like being welcomed back in.

And honestly, being invited into people’s lives like that, to capture all the important moments as they unfold over time, is one of the best parts of being a documentary wedding photographer.

The Reid Rooms is a venue that just works. Tucked away in the Essex countryside, it has that relaxed, all-in-one feel. Different spaces flowing into each other, plenty of room to move, and a calmness to it that lets the day breathe. Bandy got ready in the farmhouse on site, which is bright, spacious, and perfect for those slow morning moments.

She wore a traditional red lehenga, rich in colour and detail, layered with an abundance of jewellery that caught the light from every angle. It was completely striking from the second you see it. Meanwhile, Jon kept things classic, and together they struck that perfect balance between tradition and personal style that carried through the whole day.

They chose to do a first look, which I’m always quietly rooting for. It shifts the energy straight away, takes the edge off the nerves, gives you a moment together before everything properly begins. We followed it with couple portraits and time with their bridal party, which meant once the ceremony came around, they could just be present in it rather than thinking about what came next.

The ceremony itself took place outside, in full sunshine, which felt like a bit of a win. Guests gathered, the atmosphere relaxed but expectant, and everything unfolded exactly as it should. Simple, but meaningful.

From there, things moved quickly into celebration mode. The reception kicked off with an Irish band, Rakish Paddy, bringing a proper burst of energy and a nod to Jon’s roots. It’s always one of my favourite parts of weddings like this, where cultures blend naturally into the day. No hard lines, no sections, just everything layered together.

Food followed, and it was a full Nepalese buffet from Yellow Kitchen, which, according to Bandy, had been one of the best parts of planning (and honestly, fair). People gathered, plates piled high, conversations flowing.

The speeches hit that perfect balance: funny, warm, a few moments that landed emotionally without tipping too far into it. And then, as always, the shift. Tables cleared, music up, and the dancefloor opened properly.

We snuck away briefly for golden hour, which felt like the right pause in the middle of everything. Bandy had changed into her second outfit. Equally stunning, just a different kind of energy, her long white dress moment. The light was doing exactly what you want it to do: Soft, warm, and fleeting.

Back inside, the party picked up again, this time with DJs taking over and keeping things moving well into the evening. People dancing, drifting in and out, that slightly chaotic but very joyful energy that builds as the night goes on.

As a documentary wedding photographer, I see a lot of different kinds of days, but the ones that stay with me are always the ones that feel layered. Different cultures, different moments, different parts of a couple’s story all coming together. Bandy & Jon’s wedding had all of that. Familiar, meaningful, and full of life.

A very good one to be part of.