Braxted Park Wedding: Bindiya & Al-Karim

Bindiya and Al-Karim’s Indian Wedding at Braxted Park: A Celebration of Love and Culture

The stunningly vibrant and brilliant Braxted Park Indian Wedding of Bindiya and Al-Karim in October 2018. Set in the beautiful rural Essex countryside of Great Braxted at one of Essex’s most famous wedding venues Braxted Park.

Braxted Park at a glance

Braxted Park, at Great Braxted in Essex, is a Georgian country house on a 500-acre wooded estate, booked for one wedding at a time. For larger celebrations, the Pavilion in the walled garden holds up to 350 guests. The venue offers dry hire, so you can bring your own caterers and bar, which suits Asian and multicultural weddings. Civil ceremonies take place in the Orangery, outdoors in the walled garden or Woodlands, and there is a parish church in the grounds. The estate is close to Colchester, Braintree and Chelmsford.

I first met Bindiya and Al-Karim at the Braxted Park Open Day as they stopped and chatted with me at my stand. We followed up with another meeting in early March in London and as Bindiya and Al had a brilliant wedding planned even at this stage, I knew it would be one I would look forward to. A Braxted Park Indian Wedding really is a spectacular occasion with vibrant colour and traditions throughout the day.

Bindiya and Al decided upon Braxted Park as soon as they saw what site has to offer. They had a very specific wedding in mind with lots of modern takes entwined with the more traditional aspects a Braxted Park Indian Wedding would bring.

The Ganesh Puja

The Ganesh Puja is when the bride and her family ask for the wedding to go without obstacles to Lord Ganesh. During this ceremony, offerings are made to Ganesh and a variety of mantras are spoken by the Priest, parents of the bride, and the bride herself.

The Wedding Ceremony

Hindu weddings take place under a canopy known as a Mandap. Each of the four pillars of the bridal canopy represents one of the four parents. If an outdoor wedding is not possible, a Mandap is built inside. Seating under it can be on the ground or on chairs.

A typical Indian ceremony includes a priest, a fire, and a Mandap. Front and centre under the Mandap is the sacred fire. The fire can be small and can be confined to a brazier or dish for safety. Agni, the god of fire, is said to be the sustainer of life, and thus gives life to the marriage.

Braxted Park Indian Wedding by Matt Wing Photo

The day started with the traditional Indian ceremony, where Bindiya and Al-Karim exchanged garlands and performed the sacred rituals of their culture. The atmosphere was electric, with the sound of the dhol and the smell of incense filling the air. I captured every moment, from the bride’s intricate henna designs to the groom’s joyful expressions.

As the ceremony came to a close, the couple shared a touching moment, where they exchanged heartfelt vows and promised to love and cherish each other for eternity. It was a beautiful moment, filled with love and emotion, and I felt honored to be there to capture it all.

We managed to get two, yes TWO separate portrait sessions due to the early start which gave two completely different styles and portrait opportunities. They really are some of my favourite Bride and Groom portrait sessions of the year. I also had the pleasure of shooting alongside one of my favourite videographers, David, from the brilliant Rideout Films and look forward to seeing his film soon.

Bindiya and Al-Karim really are a great couple and one I really connected with. They’re brilliant fun and nothing was too much trouble, despite the near 300 guests at their Braxted Park Indian Wedding who each wanted their own 5 minutes with them. I wish them the very best in the future and all the luck in the world.

Photographing an Indian wedding at Braxted Park

Bindiya and Al-Karim’s October day began early with the Ganesh Puja, then the ceremony under the Mandap: garlands, the dhol and the sacred fire. Because we started so early, we fitted in two separate portrait sessions, each in a completely different style. With nearly 300 guests who all wanted time with the couple, much of my job was keeping up with the people, and Braxted had the room for a crowd that size.

Braxted Park wedding questions

Can Braxted Park host a large Indian wedding?

Yes. The Pavilion holds up to 350 guests, and dry hire lets you bring your own caterers. Bindiya and Al-Karim had nearly 300 guests at their October 2018 wedding.

What ceremony spaces does Braxted Park have?

The Orangery for civil ceremonies, the walled garden and Woodlands for outdoor ceremonies, and a parish church in the grounds.

Where are the best photo spots at Braxted Park?

From this wedding: the Ganesh Puja and the Mandap ceremony, and two separate portrait sessions around the estate, made possible by an early start.

How much does a Braxted Park wedding photographer cost?

I charge £2,500 all in for the whole day, however long it runs. UK travel is included, with 800+ edited photos and 100+ next-day previews. See everything that’s included.