No matter how big or small the wedding, pre and post-wedding shoots have become quite the norm with couples. With so many rituals, ceremonies and guests all around, pre and post-wedding shoots are the best way a couple can enjoy some ‘we’ time. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, things have changed drastically. With a limited number of guests, a couple can now focus more on the kind of pre and post-wedding shoot which they will cherish forever. If you are still wondering on how to make the best of this time and situation here are a few tips to remember before you get started with those gorgeous shoots. Ahmedabad-based wedding photographer Radhika Pandit who has been in their field for years now, decodes a few pointers which is not just going to make things easier but also, ensure that you make the best of the pre and post-wedding shoots.

1: Find a theme that reflects your style and vibe

First and foremost pick a theme. With the pandemic, try and pick a theme which needs less manpower and can be done easily. Explore an option which can be done in your garden/ farmhouse by using some props. Think smart and safe options.

2: Make house pre/post-wedding shoots a vibrant affair

Having a shoot at home? Sounds challenging and fun, doesn’t it? You can let your imagination run wild for the best and most captivating photographs at home. Doing so keeps you safe from the waves of the pandemic while still giving you the chance to document fabulous memories. From bringing rain through a hosepipe and using artefacts for enhanced aesthetics to making the best of natural sunlight and finding symmetrical patterns, so much can be explored within homes. Real moments can be the prime focus where you’re simply playing a board game with your loved one or sharing a cup of chai on the verandah. Simply watch Netflix, cook together, or read to each other; whatever you do, just be yourselves and your photographs will capture you in your truest cheer.

3: Always, hire a photographer who resonates with your style

Always pick a pre/post-wedding photographer who brings out a storytelling process that you vibe best with. Your photographer should be able to capture you in your truest bliss in the setting of your chosen theme. Lately, the hygiene of your photographer also matters most. Ensure that your person carries a foolproof safety kit containing masks, face shields, gloves, and sanitisers.

4. Ensure your ensemble are photoshoot-friendly and in sync with your theme

Undoubtedly, the clothes that you wear for your pre/post-wedding the shoot must correspond to your theme. From bohemian to long, flowy dresses to simple sarees choose the outfit that suits the theme best. Ensure, the makeup to suits the theme. With mask being essential, play with eye makeup.

5: Nail those stylish pre/post-wedding poses

Enliven the aesthetic of your photographs with surface lean, fixing your hair, or the angry young man look. Explore interesting poses like the thought bubble or take on the pensive attitude to give your shoot a whole new vibe.

6: Go for a smaller photography crew

Choose an all-inclusive crew that caters to all your needs. Instead of hiring different videographers and photographers, find those who can do both beautifully. The smaller the crew, lesser is the risk of contracting infections, and greater is the safety.

 A while ago, Pune-based designer Rajni Kolhapure’s WhatsApp notification put her in a dilemma. While her BFF Radhika’s gorgeous, animated pink wedding e-invite with hearts and balloons, and happening in Goa, was exciting, it also made her anxious and confused.

‘Should I travel all the way to Goa to attend this wedding?’ ‘Will I contract COVID-19?’ ‘What if one of the guests is positive?’ These were a few questions that troubled Rajni. She, however, is not the only one who is wary of attending a wedding in the pandemic.

While brides and grooms are following strict guidelines like limiting the guest list to only 50 people, maintaining social distancing, thermal scanning, and making masks and sanitisers mandatory for everyone, those receiving a wedding invite or attending the wedding are still apprehensive.

Counting blessings… err… wedding guests

Mihir Ahluwalia, a young entrepreneur from Delhi, attended his cousin’s wedding in Noida in July. However, instead of enjoying the rituals and ceremonies, his focus was on the number of guests. “The entire time that I was there, I was counting the number of people arriving at the venue. With each new entrant, my heart pounded a little more. I couldn’t wait for the wedding to get over and drive back home. Being a social person, I’ve always enjoyed socialising with other guests, but this wedding turned out to be a nightmare for me. No sooner were the pheras complete, when I just dashed out of the venue and drove home,” recalled Mihir, who feels that people should either postpone their wedding or simply share Zoom links to the invitees.

Kolkata-based homemaker Sazia Sultana says, “Wedding invites amid the current crisis make me paranoid. I have already declined to attend five wedding in August and am coming up with creative ways to continue doing so till the

situation improves."

Dress code: Ethnic + PPE

Surili Venkateshan, an IT professional from Bengaluru, who couldn’t avoid attending a colleague’s wedding despite making enough excuses, says he hated the fact that a guest accidentally touched her handbag. “The pandemic has aggravated my OCD and going to a wedding means subjecting myself to mental trauma. I tried my best to avoid going to this wedding but had to attend it. I was scared about being accidentally touched by someone and wore a PPE over my beautiful salwar-kameez throughout. It did look funny, but I didn’t want to risk my safety at any cost,” said the 29-year-old, adding, “I have resolved to not attend any wedding until coronavirus just goes away from the face of this earth,” she shared.

Bhook jaaye par praan na jaaye

It’s not just the fear of being touched or coughed upon that is preventing guests from attending weddings in the current scenario. Sandhya Singh, an HR professional from Pune, stayed hungry at a wedding. In fact, she didn’t even sit on a chair throughout the function nor touched the water bottles being served. “I kept rubbing sanitiser on my hands every five minutes. I didn’t even have food at the venue fearing the infection,” she said.

Actress Miya married businessman Ashwin Philip today at St Mary's Basilica, Ernakulam. The function, conducted following Covid - 19 protocols, was attended only by close relatives and friends. But, here we bring you a few glimpses into the low-key yet dreamy wedding ceremony, which was held in the afternoon, today:

1 Royal wedding traditions

Royal weddings are one of the most sought after and celebrated occasions in the world. From the most stunning wedding dresses to the highly special wedding bands, almost everything ceases to amaze us and leaves us in a state of wonder and exhilaration. With the most recent matrimonial union between Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, the world was yet again swept off of its feet. That being said, it is only natural to want to know more about these royal weddings and their traditional etiquettes although most of it may seem impossible. Here are some of the most fascinating royal wedding traditions you could take inspiration from and channel it accordingly.

2 The British royals must seek the permission of the Queen to marry

While this is something we’re all familiar with and abide by in our families too, similarly, the members of the British royal family also have to seek the permission of the Queen to marry the love of their lives. It is absolutely mandatory for royals up to sixth in line to the throne to ask for the blessings of the reigning monarch before initiating the marriage.

3 A bouquet of myrtle is a must for the royal bride to carry

Dating back to the time of Queen Victoria, every royal bride since then has carried a sprig of myrtle on their wedding day. The tradition began when Prince Albert’s grandmother gave Queen Victoria some myrtle as a symbol of good fortune, which she planted in her garden. On the wedding of her eldest daughter Princess Victoria, Queen Victoria cut a sprig of myrtle from the garden and since then the tradition has remained in the family.

4 The wedding band is incomplete without Welsh gold

British royal wedding is surely incomplete without a wedding band made up of Welsh gold. In 1923, when the Queen Elizabeth, mother of the current Queen of England, was wedded to King George VI, chose Welsh gold for her wedding ring. Reportedly, the gold that was used them was extracted from the now-closed Clogau St. David’s mine in North Wales, which is now rumoured to have been completely depleted. However, there have been other wedding rings adorned with Welsh gold.

5 The Groom must suit up in military clothing

Apart from the beautiful wedding gowns worn by the brides, the royal grooms are also obligated to dress up in their military attires for the ceremony. In 1840, Albert, Prince Consort to Queen Victoria, became the first to dress up in his military suit for the wedding ceremony, beginning a long-standing tradition of wedding in the royal family.

6 Fruitcakes are the traditional cake for weddings

From the classic wedding moments of Queen Victoria and Albert to something as recent as Prince William and Kate Middleton’s marriage ceremony, fruitcakes have always remained the traditional cakes for wedding occasions.

7 Following the wedding, the bride’s bouquet must be laid on a soldier’s tomb

As a way to honour her brother late Capt. Fergus Bowes-Lyon, who died in World War I, the Queen Mother or current Queen Elizabeth II’s mother, laid her bridal bouquet on his tomb. Following the tradition, every royal bride places her bouquet on a soldier’s tomb.

8 What’s a royal wedding without a family portrait!

As the royal wedding always starts with a grand ceremony, similarly, the wedding day ends with an even grander family-cum-wedding portrait. The photograph is taken in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace and includes every immediate family of the bride and the groom.