Zeena and Kayzad's wedding day was a day of two parts, bound by love. A silvery grey morning was spent observing the traditional ceremonies of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Iranian monotheist religion followed by Zeena and Kayzad's families in India and now in Australia.
In the morning Zeena was attended by a priest and prayed with him before bathing and changing into a white sari.
She was dressed by her mother and family friends before travelling to the nearby temple. Whilst not a Zoroastrian temple, Zeena and Kayzad's family and friends were welcomed warmly - this being the first Zoroastrian wedding celebrated here. Kayzad arrived, also dressed in white, and after ceremoniously being greeted by his own mother and then Zeena's, Zeena and Kayzad were seated opposite each other with a white cloth between them, placed so they could not see each other. Two priests officiated and a fire was kept burning throughout, the scented smoke drifting over the participants. Their right hands were bound with string and then that string was passed around them seven times, symbolising the strength of the bond between them.
The next part of the ceremony saw the couple seated together, facing east and being strewn with rice and deep red rose petals as the priests prayed over the couple.
After the ceremony Zeena and Kayzad went into the temple proper to pay their respects and to pray. There followed a lunch of delicious Indian food and then a return to Zeena's home to get ready for the civil ceremony.
Zeena asked that we photograph a "First Look" - across the road from her home is a lovely park and it was a wonderful opportunity for Zeena and Kayzad to have a quiet few moments together before the rest of the day unfolded.
The afternoon's civil ceremony took place at Footscray Park.
The grey morning had transformed into a blue afternoon - with a gentle breeze blowing. Becaues Zeena and Kayzad were already married in the eyes of their faith - and also because we had the time - we were able to take photos of the two of them together before the ceremony. Then, in a quiet corner of the park by the river, the couple spoke vows they had written especially for each other before exchanging rings.
A green carpet greeted guests at the reception venue - an old warehouse in Melbourne's Docklands. Inside was dramatically black with a high white ceiling - and long white tables decorated with gorgeous flowers. Long branches were hung with glass jars filled with peonies and daisies. Zoroastrian wedding receptions are renowned for their feasting and dancing and the joy that filled the room was palpable. Of course a tear or two were shed during the speeches but then it was time to dance again!
What an extraordinary privilege it was for me to witness this day.
Zeena and Kayzad - thank you so much for allowing me to be part of it - I wish you all the happiness of a long life together.
Oh how breathtakingly glorious. Just delightful and wondrous and full of love and new beginnings and all the promise of a new life together. Gorgeous.
Posted by: kim at allconsuming | 12/09/2011 at 05:25 PM
Speechless. So much beauty.
Posted by: Eleanor | 12/09/2011 at 07:08 PM
Mary, you captured the love and true natural beauty of the couple and their day so wonderfully.xx
Posted by: judi | 12/20/2011 at 09:28 PM