Sydney Murugan Temple Wedding Photos
A Tamil Hindu temple on the crest of Mays Hill, consecrated in 1999, with the ceremony hall beside it
Sydney Murugan Temple stands on the Great Western Highway at Mays Hill, near Parramatta in western Sydney. It was built by the Saiva Manram, a society formed in 1985 to give Sydney’s Tamil community a temple to Lord Murugan: the foundation stone was laid in 1994, construction began in 1997 and the temple was consecrated on 17 June 1999. The main shrine has Murugan at the centre and Shiva and Ambal on either side, and the complex includes a community hall for weddings.
Veri photographed Felice and Praz’s Hindu wedding ceremony and reception here, one of two days for the same couple, the other being their celebration in the Great Hall at the University of Sydney. A temple wedding is long, ritual by ritual, and the photographs follow the priest, the fire and the families rather than a run sheet.
How to prepare for your wedding photos (without overthinking it)
Seven small things that make a real difference on the day — learned across hundreds of weddings. None of them involve practising poses.
In motion, unposed · FR 15A1. Be yourselves — that's where the magic is
You don't need to perform or worry about what you look like. The best photos come from real moments: a glance, a laugh, a shared breath. Let go a little — we'll guide when needed, and the best unfolds naturally.
2. Build buffer time into your timeline
A little breathing room between getting ready, the ceremony and couple portraits makes all the difference. It gives us space for spontaneous shots — and gives you time to soak it all in.
3. Choose locations that feel like you
A quiet lane, an open field, a textured wall — we love meaningful or interesting spots. Trust us to find great light, but if you've got a place you love, let's work it in.
4. Consider an unplugged ceremony
Phones can distract from the emotion (and your photos). Asking guests to be fully present makes for cleaner frames and a more heartfelt atmosphere.
5. Get ready in calm, light-filled spaces
Clutter-free rooms with natural light are a photographer's dream, and calm energy in the morning sets the tone for the day. Keep the space tidy — or assign a friend to do a quick sweep before we arrive.
6. Keep a drink and snacks nearby
Especially during portraits — hydration and a little sugar go a long way in keeping energy and moods high.
7. Trust the process
We've worked at hundreds of weddings and we're here to make you look and feel amazing. Trust us with the light, the angles, the pace — we've got you.
Photographing a wedding at Sydney Murugan Temple
Temple ceremonies happen in the hall by fixed light, so we shoot with fast lenses and no flash, staying to the side of the mandap and low. The rituals set the pace: the exchange of garlands, the tying of the thali and the circling of the fire are the moments to be ready for, and they come without announcement. Outside, the temple’s carved facade against the sky gives the couple portrait, best in the morning before the heat builds. The gallery below is Felice and Praz’s temple wedding.