A few weeks back I had the privilege of shooting a wedding with Kevin Lam Photography. He needed a female photographer to cover a muslim wedding in Toronto. Islamic wedding traditions are very unique and the entire experience was one I will never forget. Islamic brides and bridegrooms are almost never together during their wedding ceremony, also called a Nikah. It is a solemn and sacred social contract between bride and groom, presided over by the imam, or priest. The marriage-gift or Mahr is a divine injunction. The giving of mahr to the bride by the groom is an essential part of the contract. Mahr is a token commitment of the husband’s responsibility and may be paid in cash, property or movable objects to the bride herself. (http://www.soundvision.com/info/Islam/marriage.nikah.asp)
This was my first ever traditional Muslim wedding, I photographed almost solely from the females point of view and Kevin shot from the male perspectives. The end result was some truly unique images, I am so curious now to see what Kevin came up with.
Below are photographs from Jasenko and Camille’s muslim wedding ceremony which took place at the Islamic Society of North America in Mississauga Ontario.
Jasenko and the guys on the left waiting for the the Imam to arrive. Camille’s best friend pins her Hijab before we enter the Mosque.
The women patiently waiting in the womens area of the Mosque before the ceremony starts.
Camille, her mother and mother-in-law watch as the men prepare for the ceremony. The men and women are separated for the entire ceremony.
Jasenko & Camille see one another for the first time before the ceremony.
The Imam presents Camille with the contract, asks her if she is here on her own free accord and if she agrees to the mahr. Which she does :)
The contract is officially signed.
All the women waiting for the official word that Jasenko & Camille are officially married.
Jasenko & Camille’s mothers hug and get all teary eyed once their children are announced as husband and wife.
The men say their final prayers and a great shot of Kevin.
by Erika Hanchar
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