As wedding photographer, it is always a privilege to be a part of the celebration of a couple who is about to embark on a lifelong journey together. Sometimes it goes beyond that and you have absolutely no idea what’s coming.

Late last year, Gail and Chandra contacted me via email all the way from the UK to shoot their traditional Hindu wedding in Singapore. We met up few days before the wedding when they got back.

Chandra subsequently informed me that the wedding will be held at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. Chandra’s grandfather, the late P. Govindasamy Pillay, a well-known and successful South Indian businessman and founder-member of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, contributed generously to the temple.  He also funded the building of the wedding hall where Chandra’s family and members of the Indian community have since held their own weddings.

Early this year, the Preservations of Monuments Board contacted me after spotting the blog entry on Gail and Chandra’s wedding. They were preparing for an upcoming exhibition featuring wedding photographs taken at national monuments in Singapore at the National Museum of Singapore

Long story short, after several email exchanges and six months later, several pictures from the wedding have been featured in the exhibition, even appearing on the main poster.

Gail and Chandra are also featured in one of the four short films shot on location at the monuments, where they relate stories of their deep-felt commitment and loves on screen.

Consider that I have a two people from afar, who entrusted me to document their wedding in a significant location where the groom’s grandfather contributed, and later to be showcased in a museum exhibition, it is indeed a privilege and honor that I cannot be grateful enough for.

The Monumental Weddings exhibition is held from 4 September 2012 to 4 January 2013. Admission is free. More information at the Preservation of Monuments Board.

Here are some pictures from the exhibition.