• Home
  • Tips
  • Events
    • Weddings
    • Bridal Showers
    • Rehearsal Dinners
    • Parties
    • Baby Showers
    • Baptisms
    • Bat/Bar Mitzvahs
    • Corporate Events
    • Around Town
  • Portraits
    • Engagements
    • Proposals
    • Families
    • Maternity
    • Headshots
    • Executives
  • Personal Work
    • Travels
    • New York City
  • News
    • Behind the Scenes
Menu
  • Home
  • Tips
  • Events
    • Weddings
    • Bridal Showers
    • Rehearsal Dinners
    • Parties
    • Baby Showers
    • Baptisms
    • Bat/Bar Mitzvahs
    • Corporate Events
    • Around Town
  • Portraits
    • Engagements
    • Proposals
    • Families
    • Maternity
    • Headshots
    • Executives
  • Personal Work
    • Travels
    • New York City
  • News
    • Behind the Scenes

Events, Parties

A Hindu Engagement Ceremony in Queens: Sagai Ceremony Photos

April 7, 2021 No Comments
Sagai ceremony photos of bride and groom looking at each other

I recently had the pleasure of photographing the Hindu engagement ceremony of Kallema and Kevin. The service, called a sagai, is a special religious celebration announcing to the world that the couple is betrothed. It felt almost like a mini wedding, and even included the cutting of a cake. I’ve got all the details – and of course, all the sagai ceremony photos, in today’s blog post.

Meet Kallema and Kevin

Portrait of bride and groom wearing traditional Indian outfits for sagai ceremonyLet me start by introducing you to Kallema and Kevin. These two met and formed a strong bond when Kallema, a certified nurse, was hired as a caregiver for Kevin’s late father. It has been a difficult year for Kallema and Kevin, but with a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, these two are looking forward to finally tying the knot in September.

 

The Sagai

Sagai ceremony photos of bride and groom on stageWith a bright future ahead of them, Kallema and Kevin celebrated their engagement in the Shree Sundar Gopal Mandir in Queens surrounded by friends and family. During the ceremony, the couple offers prayers to specific Hindu deities in order to bless their future marriage. Parents of both the bride and groom attended, and gifts were exchanged between the two families.

The sagai marks the official betrothal of the couple, and as with Western cultures, jewelry is exchanged to signify the event. The groom gives the bride a ring, and his family also bestows other jewelry upon the bride. Equally, the bride and her family give the groom a piece of jewelry. In Kallema and Kevin’s case, Kallema’s family bestowed Kevin with a beautiful gold bracelet with Kallema’s name on it. At the end of the sagai, the couple blesses the family members present.

Sagai ceremony photos of family throwing rose petals at bride and groomI would be remiss if I did not mention one of the most beautiful aspects of the event: the henna artwork covering the bride. The detailed artistry, or mehendi designs, take hours to complete and is truly a thing of beauty.

Hands of Indian bride covered in mehendi or hennaTypically the sagai ends in a grand feast, and Kallema and Kevin’s ceremony was no different. A full buffet of excellent Indian food was offered, and Kallema and Kevin cut a cake in anticipation of their wedding.

Sagai ceremony photos of bride and groom about to eat cakeIf you would like to learn more about the sagai ceremony and how it differs with each cultural region of Indian, then check out this link at CulturalIndia.net.

Also, this link to the HinduWedding.info website gives more insight into the specific rituals performed during the sagai ceremony:

Enjoy all of Kallema and Kevin’s sagai ceremony photos, and I’ll have more adventures for you next week!


Are you going to be celebrating a Hindu engagement or wedding ceremony in the future?  Drop me a line and let’s chat about your photography needs.

Interested in seeing what a Hindu wedding looks like, complete with fire ceremony?  Check out these photos from Rupa & Ian’s wedding at the East Wind Inn.

If you would like to see more photos from my wedding portrait portfolio, then please visit my website KellyWilliamsPhotographer.com

Wide shot of sanctuary for Hindu engagement ceremony Little boy playing drum during Hindu engagement ceremony Man wearing mask singing during Hindu engagement ceremony Priest performing rituals during Hindu engagement ceremony Hands of priest tying string around coconutBride's hand sprinkling flower petals on a coconut during sagaiClose up of Hindu deity sculpturesHands of priest tying string around bride's wrist during sagaiSagai ceremony photos of bride and groom performing rituals togetherClose up of Hindu deity sculptureSagai ceremony photos of bride and groom performing ritualsSagai ceremony photos of bride and groom laughing during ritualBride and groom performing sagai rituals in front of audienceBride with folded hands covered in hennaFamily members making a speech during sagai ceremonyBride looking at groom during sagaiHindu bride wearing pink sariGroom wearing pink turban during sagai ceremonyGuests dancing during Hindu engagement ceremonyBride and groom offering prayers to Hindu deity sculptures during sagai ceremonyPriest blowing shell during sagai ceremonySagai ceremony photos of groom giving bride a ringClose up of groom holding bride's hand covered in hennaSagai ceremony photos of groom's mother giving jewelry to the brideClose up of hands holding jewelry during sagai ceremonySagai ceremony photos of groom's arm wearing gold braceletGroom hugging bride's father during Hindu engagement ceremonySagai ceremony photos of bride and groom listening to speechBride and groom looking at each other during Hindu engagement ceremonyFather of bride making a speech during Hindu engagement ceremonyBride listening to speeches during Hindu engagement ceremonySagai ceremony photos of father of bride giving speechMan pointing to head during speech at sagai ceremonyCouple holding hands during sagai ceremonyBride and groom looking at each other during Hindu engagement ceremony speechesGroom sprinkling flower petals on bride during sagai ceremonyClose up of hands of couple putting offerings in sacred fire during sagai ceremonyBride and groom holding hands over sacred fire during Hindu engagement ceremonyClose up of hands holding gold plates with candlesCouple performing puja during sagai ceremonyWoman wearing white sari praying with folded handsCouple holding candles in front of Hindu deity sculptures during sagai ceremonyCouple laughing in front of guests after sagai ceremonyGroom hugging male guest after Hindu engagement ceremonyWoman in white suit ringing bell during sagai ceremonyBride hugging male guest after Hindu engagement ceremonyClose up of Hindu deity sculptureFather kissing bride on cheek after sagai ceremonyPortrait of bride and groom wearing traditional outfits

Close up fo coasters given to guests
Coasters given to guests during the reception

Guest hugging bride during engagement receptionTraditional Indian bride and groom laughing during receptionBride and groom showing jewelry to male guestBride and groom cutting cake at engagement receptionClose up of bride and groom cutting cakeClose up of bride and groom holding hands during engagement reception

Previous Post Next Post
Kelly Williams, Photographer

Kelly Williams, Photographer

Hi! My name is Kelly Williams, and I am a wedding photojournalist and family portrait photographer based in New York City. I love telling the story of someone’s love, life, and happiness in one frame.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

NYC wedding photojournalist and family portrait photographer, Kelly Williams

Hi there! I am a NYC-based, documentary-style wedding, event, and portrait photographer. I love telling the story of someone’s love, life, and happiness in one frame.

Fine Art Products

Follow Me

Bridal Hair Accessories

Check Out My Websites

  • Corporate events and headshots
  • Travel and street photography
  • Weddings, events, and family portraits

Kids Party Hats

Subscribe

  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Souvenirs
  • Contact