by Mario Dimain

Created on: November 13, 2009

Of all the festivities known to man, it is indisputable that weddings are the most celebrated occasions in the universe, and embraced by people from all walks of life regardless of cultures, race, religions and beliefs.

In a diverse society such as Toronto, weddings come in many forms and colours. To anybody who is photographically-inclined and is genuinely interested in learning about other cultures, shooting weddings could prove to be a rewarding experience.

What I find most interesting about being a wedding photographer is the great opportunity to witness a variety of ethnic groups, practice some of their fascinating traditions and wedding rituals that are distinctive from the rest of the world. Although most young "Canadianized" brides and bridegrooms shy away from their roots, their parents often encourage them to be proud of their heritage and to keep it alive, at least on the wedding day.

In Scottish and Irish weddings, bridegrooms prove that weddings are not just about the brides. The sharp-looking kilts they wear that depict the unique pattern of their clans can also compete with the princess-like dress of their new wives. A Hindu bridegroom, on the other hand, with his sultan-like headdress, can justify the regal greetings that welcome his arrival at the temple. From a non-racial perspective though, most men such as firefighters, police and the military prefer their modern uniforms over the black tuxedo or cultural attire, thereby appearing like knights in shining armour in the eyes of their beautiful brides.

However, there is also the other side of masculinity. In one of the Chinese weddings that I covered, the bridegroom was required to eat two whole hard-boiled duck eggs that symbolized his testicles, for fertility and power. It is also believed that this practice is a statement that marks the man's ability to raise a family.

On the other end of the spectrum, the common concept that brides are generally seen in a white wedding dress is not the case in other cultures. In the Hindu religion, brides are beautifully dressed in vibrant colours adorned with glittering jewels and intricate henna on both hands. They look like royalty and are always a delight to photograph.

As for the Caribbean and African brides that I have shot, they all shared a common timeless clock. They took their time getting ready and often reached the church in what's known to many as island time. On their wedding day they're given the special privilege of the day to make everyone

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