Indian Wedding Photographer
From The Baraat To The Vidaai Every Emotion, Every Tradition
The Loudest, Most Colourful, Most Emotional Day Of Your Life Documented
Indian weddings don’t follow a single script.
A Hindu ceremony in Surrey looks and feels entirely different to a celebration in London or a destination wedding in Rajasthan.
The rituals, the timeline, the energy, all of it varies by region, religion, and family.
What stays the same is the scale of emotion.
The Baraat arriving in full procession. The Kanyadaan. The Vidaai. These are moments that carry the weight of generations.
I’ve documented Indian weddings across the UK and beyond for over a decade.
I know the ceremonies, I know the moments that can’t be missed, and I know how to move through a celebration of this size without ever disrupting it.
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We got so emotional seeing everyone in parts of the day that we missed or didn’t see – we’re so obsessed
Hana & Atbin
What It’s Really Like To Photograph An Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding Photographer
Indian weddings are the most demanding and the most rewarding celebrations I photograph.
They’re long, loud, layered, and full of moments happening simultaneously in different rooms.
The Haldi is covered in turmeric and laughter while the elders watch quietly from the side.
The Baraat is arriving outside while the bride is getting her final touches done inside.
The Vidaai is raw and real while the car is already running.
You need to be everywhere at once. I’ve been doing this long enough to know exactly where to be and when.
I move quickly, I stay quiet, and I never ask you to stop what you’re doing for a photograph.
By the end of your wedding, you’ll have a gallery that tells the full story, every ceremony, every emotion, every moment you were too busy living to notice.
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Pre-Wedding Events
Typically, several pre-wedding events are held before the main wedding celebrations.
These can include the Sangeet, Mehndi, and Haldi ceremonies.
The Haldi (Mandvo or Pithi) ceremony is a fun, chaotic, and energetic event. I love capturing all the expressions, not just the couple’s, but also their family and friends’. It’s a big highlight of the wedding celebrations.
The Mehndi (Henna) ceremony is usually held a few days before the wedding, with the Henna artist applying intricate henna designs on the Bride’s hands and feet. It’s commonly believed that the darker the henna colour, the more intense the groom’s love for his bride.
The Mehndi party is a high-spirited, fun celebration full of music and dancing. The Sangeet is sometimes combined with the Mehndi.
Family members sing traditional and popular wedding songs, accompanied by tabla and other musical instruments. The dancing routines here are high-spirited and high-energy, and performed with great panache and skill. Capturing this level of energy keeps me on my toes!
Award-Winning
Baraat & Milni
One of my favourite parts of an Indian wedding is the Baraat, also known as the Jaan or Vara Yatra.
The groom arrives with his family and friends in a lively procession filled with music, dancing, and celebration. Dhol players lead the way, setting the rhythm as everyone moves together toward the venue.
I’ve photographed Baraats across London and Surrey, all over the UK, and destination weddings in Greece. By foot, by car, and more traditionally, on horseback. No matter how it starts, the energy is always incredible.
With so much happening at once, a second photographer is often helpful. While I focus on the groom’s side, the second photographer can capture the bride’s family as they wait to welcome the Baraat, a moment filled with anticipation and emotion.
Once the Baraat arrives, the bride’s close relatives greet the groom with garlands and gifts, where both families formally meet and exchange warm welcomes.
It’s a joyful and often playful part of the day. I love capturing the hugs, smiles, and spontaneous laughter as relatives greet each other.
Sometimes, the men engage in friendly contests to lift one another in a show of strength, and I’ve seen the women do the same. All of these moments make for great, genuine photographs.
Pokwanu & Joota Chupai
The Pokwanu is another great part of the day to capture, filled with fun and tradition. One playful moment I always look out for is when the bride’s mother tries to grab the groom’s nose, which never fails to get a laugh.
Another entertaining element occurs when the groom smashes a clay pot with his foot, symbolising his readiness to care for his bride.
What follows is one of the most spirited parts of the day: the Joota Chupai.
As the groom removes his shoes before entering the Mandap, the bride’s younger relatives try to steal them. Meanwhile, the groom’s side does everything they can to protect his shoes.
This playful tug-of-war usually concludes with some friendly bargaining at the end of the ceremony, often involving cash, before the shoes are finally returned. It’s a lively, noisy event and a lot of fun to photograph.
Ganesh Pooja, Vaarpooja, Kanya Aagman & Jai Mala
Photographing the Ganesh Puja is always a quiet and moving start to the day. The space feels calm, with the bride’s parents focused in prayer. It’s a peaceful moment before the energy of the celebrations begins, and I find it’s often where the emotions start to show.
The Vaarpooja follows, and I love how it shifts the mood. There’s a quiet sense of honour as the groom is welcomed with sweet offerings. I watch for the small gestures between the families during this part. A shared glance, a nervous smile. It’s respectful, emotional, and authentic.
Grantibandhan, Varmala & Kanyadaan
As the ceremony continues, the groom’s scarf is tied to the bride’s sari in the Grantibandan. I always pay close attention here. It’s a quiet but powerful moment that marks the beginning of their life together, united as one.
Next, the bride’s parents place the Varmala, a white cotton thread wrapped twenty-four times, around the couple’s shoulders. This simple gesture carries deep meaning, symbolising the spiritual bond between them.
Then comes one of the most emotional parts of the day. During the Kanyadaan, the bride’s parents place her hand into the groom’s. I often see a mix of tears, smiles, and silent emotion.
It’s a moment full of love and trust, and a reminder that this marriage is not just about two people, but about two families coming together for generations to come.
Havan, Laja Homa, Mangal Phera & Satapadi
Once the priest lights the sacred fire in the kund, it becomes the centre of the ceremony. I always take a moment here to capture the glow of the flames, the way the couple sits in quiet focus.
The Laja Homa is a beautiful, symbolic moment of unity, as the bride’s brothers place puffed rice in her hands. I focus on the expressions of the bride and her brothers as the couple guide the rice into the fire.
One of the most visually and joyfully memorable moments to photograph is the Mangal Fera, when the couple walks around the fire four times. There’s always a soft rain of flower petals or confetti.
I focus on the expressions of the bride and her brothers as the couple guide the rice into the fire.
After the final round, the priest sometimes invites them to sit, teasing that whoever sits first will rule the household. It always gets a laugh and a few playful glances between the two.
The Saptapadi, the seven steps, is a meaningful ritual and allows me to capture close-ups of their feet and hands as they take each step.
Sindoor, Mangal Sutra, Akhand Sauhagavati & Aashirwad
Once the Mangal Phera is completed, we come to the significant ritual, the Saptapadi (Seven Steps), where the couple takes seven steps together, or seven rounds around the Agni, to signify their journey together, reciting a vow with each step.
After the Saptapadi, the Groom blesses his Bride by placing sindoor (red vermillion powder) at the parting of her hair and tying the Mangal Sutra (sacred necklace) around her.
After the couple has shared their first meal, Kansar Ghojan, offering sweets to each other, is the Akhand Saubhagyavati (Blessings from Married Women).
Married women from both sides are invited to the Mandap to bless the couple by whispering their good wishes into the Bride’s right ear.
Before leaving the Mandap, the couple receives Aashirwad (blessings) from the priest, their parents, relatives and friends for a happy marriage.
Koda Kodi
The Koda Kodi is pure chaos in the best possible way. The couple sit back to back, each holding a stick, taking turns trying to hit one another while the other blocks.
The guests are fully involved, cheering, laughing, trying to distract them. It’s one of those moments where nobody is thinking about the camera, which means the photographs are always genuine.
I get right in the middle of it.
Vidaai
The Vidaai is one of the most emotional parts of the day, where the bride and groom leave to begin their life together, bidding farewell to their family and friends. It’s very common for me to capture tears during this part, from parents, siblings, and even close friends. It’s raw, and it’s real.
Once the couple steps into the car, there’s one last round of laughter as the bride’s friends and relatives block the vehicle and ask for a bit of fun payment before letting them go. It’s a nice break from the tears and always a moment full of energy.
After the couple returns, the mood shifts completely. It’s time to celebrate. The reception is usually loud, full of colour, music, and dancing. A proper party where everyone lets go and enjoys the night.
Documenting Your Extraordinary Indian Wedding Celebrations
Indian Wedding Photographer
From the Mehndi the night before to the final hugs at the end of the reception, I document everything.
The quiet getting-ready moments. The Baraat arriving in full procession. The tears during the Kanyadaan. The chaos of the Joota Chupai. The dancing that goes on long after anyone planned.
You will receive beautiful wedding photographs of your celebrations, allowing you to relive the emotions you felt during that time as you look through your pictures.
Whether you’re planning an Indian wedding in London, Surrey, India or anywhere on this blue planet (I’m a destination wedding photographer also!), the approach stays the same. Quiet, present, and completely focused on your day exactly as it unfolds.
QUESTIONS?
01 / Do You Cover Multi-Day Indian Weddings?
Absolutely. Many Indian weddings span several days across multiple ceremonies, Mehndi, Sangeet, the main wedding and reception. Coverage can be tailored to the full length of your celebrations.
03. Do You Work With A Second Photographer?
Yes, and I’d recommend it. For example, The Baraat is one of the most energy-filled parts of the day. While I focus on the groom’s procession, a second photographer can capture the bride’s family waiting to welcome them, moments you’d otherwise miss.
02 / Do You Travel Abroad For Destination Weddings?
Yes. I’ve photographed weddings across multiple countries and am very comfortable working anywhere in the world. If you’re planning a destination Indian wedding, get in touch and we can discuss the details.
04 / How Do You Handle Flash Photography During The Ceremony?
I always speak with the pandit or officiant ahead of the day to understand any restrictions. I work primarily with natural and available light, using flash only where absolutely necessary and with permission.
Every Asian Wedding Is Different
Indian Wedding Photographer
Indian weddings span an extraordinary range of traditions.
A Gujarati wedding brings the Garba and the Mandvo.
A Bengali celebration has its own distinct rituals, the Shubho Drishti, the Sindoor Khela.
A Tamil wedding moves to a completely different rhythm, with the Kashi Yatra and the Oonjal.
Whatever your background, whatever your traditions, I’ve either documented them before or I’ll research them thoroughly before your day. No two South Asian weddings are the same and I never treat them as if they are.
If you’re looking for a photographer who understands your celebration as well as you do,
I’d love to hear about your wedding celebration
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