INDIAN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Authentically Documenting Your Indian Wedding with Candid Moments and Timeless Elegance
Documentary Photographer Surrey, The UK & Destinations Worldwide
Indian Wedding Photography
Hi, I’m Soven, a multi-award-winning Indian wedding photographer. Indian weddings are energetic, fun and brimming with beautiful traditions.
I have vast experience documenting exclusive and exquisite Indian weddings, and I’ve been fortunate to capture many stunning Asian weddings. So you are in safe hands with me.
There is no such thing as a “typical” Indian wedding!!! While some common elements and rituals are often associated with Indian weddings, the ceremonies, customs, practices and traditions can vary within a specific religious, cultural or regional group.
The rich diversity results in a rich mosaic of wedding traditions.
What remains constant is the emphasis on family, community, and celebrating the union between two individuals.
Choosing you as our photographer was one of the best decisions we ever made!
JOANNA + DANIEL
FEATURED IN
Documenting Your Extraordinary Celebrations
My discreet and fun style, which combines storytelling moments with natural portraits, attracts couples who want high-quality, authentic, honest, and fun photographs of their wedding celebrations.
I capture every moment and emotion as they unfold, from the quick and intimate looks between you to the bigger moments throughout your wedding.
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.
From the moment you get ready. The joyous laughter of the arrival of the groom. The heartfelt emotions of the bride’s parents as they watch their daughter get married, the tears as the Bride leaves as a married woman, and the end-of-party hugs.
I will be there to capture it all. So you have the best memories of your wedding day.
Whether you’re planning an Indian wedding in London, Surrey, India or anywhere on this blue planet (I’m a destination wedding photographer also!), I’d love to hear about your wedding plans.
Over A Decade
Of Excellence
Experienced In
Diverse Cultural, Fusion & LGTBQIA+ Weddings
Destination
Wedding Expert
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, crazy, 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 crazy, high-spirited and high-energy, and performed with great panache and skill. Capturing this level of energy keeps me on my toes!
Internationally Acclaimed Multi-Award-Winning Photographer
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 grooms arriving in all kinds of ways. 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.
“You have an incredible eye, capturing wonderful moments without ever feeling intrusive”
“Honestly, you were our favourite supplier”
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
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.
You didn’t just photograph our wedding. You went far beyond that and helped make the whole experience amazing
MARISA + MICHAEL
Koda Kodi
The Koda Kodi is boisterous and fun to photograph. I love watching the reactions of the couple and the guests getting involved!
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.
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