Esther + Mark’s Buddhist Wedding by Ottawa Wedding Photographer Sara
Esther + Mark mixed 60s style with ‘old world’ charm and guests brought African vibrance to make this an entirely beautiful celebration. From the music to the venues, the Bride’s gorgeous vintage dress and her cool sixties hair and make-up. This wedding was a vibe. Photos by Ottawa Wedding Photographer Sara.
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During the ceremony, the bride and groom lit candles and incense and lay flowers around the Buddha statue (which I was requested not to photograph). The tea ceremony, is a time-honoured institution in Japan, rooted in the principles of Zen Buddhism and founded upon the reverence of the beautiful in the daily routine of life. In some Buddhist tradition, the couple is discouraged from spending a lot of money on their wedding and the blessing from a Monk is usually done separately from the ceremony itself. It was fascinating for me to be a part of this event as I had never been inside a Buddhist temple. There was a prayer room where people would be in continuous prayer with at least one person present 24 hours a day. I learned so much and am grateful for this experience!
After the ceremony, family and friends came together at an intimate restaurant on the banks of the River. Afternoon sunlight shone through large windows to bring soft light to the room during speeches. The energy was big and the joyous mood was catching. I had a great time documenting all the little stories of the day and watching people of different religions and cultures unite to celebrate this beautiful union was inspiring.
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Equipment used: Pentax 645 with 45mm f2.8 and Fujifilm X-T1 with 35mm f1.4 and 60 mm f2.4