Among all the rituals in a Bengali wedding, Subho Drishti stands out as a magical moment that can make your heart skip a beat. It’s that surreal first exchange of glances between the bride and groom — a tradition layered with symbolism, emotion, and cinematic potential.
If you’re a couple planning your wedding in Kolkata or Howrah, this is one ritual where you’ll want your wedding photographer to be on high alert — and rightly so.
What Is Subho Drishti?
Translating to “auspicious sight,” Subho Drishti is the first time the bride and groom are officially allowed to look at each other during the wedding ceremony. Typically, the bride is brought into the mandap on a piri (low wooden stool), hiding her face with betel leaves. As conch shells blow and ululation echoes, she slowly reveals her face and locks eyes with her groom.
Why This Moment Is So Special
- It’s the emotional icebreaker of the ceremony.
- It sets the tone for the rituals to come.
- It symbolizes mutual respect, destiny, and the beginning of your union.
How to Make It Memorable
- Practice the moment a few times privately to ease nerves.
- Add your own touch — a whispered compliment, a wink, or even a tiny smile.
- Request your Howrah photographer to capture candid reactions — that’s where the gold lies.
Photographer’s Checklist
- A dramatic close-up of your eyes meeting.
- The bride’s entrance sequence on the piri.
- Friends and family reacting joyfully.
- That exact second when betel leaves are lowered — slow motion video, anyone?
Make It Yours
- Want to wear sunglasses and do a reveal? Go for it.
- Add romantic music in the background.
- Ask your photographer to shoot from both behind and in front for multiple perspectives.
Why Subho Drishti Deserves Its Own Album Page
This is where the magic begins — not just for the wedding but for your life together. It’s that rare, emotional, powerful moment that says: We’ve arrived.