South Asian Wedding Photography​

Sri Lanka, Maldives, Thailand, & UK

South Asian Wedding Photography

The difference between photographing Western weddings and Asian weddings is guests at Western weddings get offended when they see the photographer eating the wedding food, at Asian weddings, they get offended if you are not eating!

Mendhi parties, Hindu weddings, Sikh weddings & Muslim weddings from around Asia & in the UK.

Featured South Asian Wedding Photography Galleries

Mendhi Party

bride with henna mendhi party hindu wedding

A mehndi party, also known as a henna party, is a traditional pre-wedding celebration that takes place in South Asian cultures. It is a women-centric event where the bride, her female family members, and friends gather to celebrate the upcoming wedding and have henna applied to their hands and feet. The mehndi ceremony typically takes place a day or two before the wedding day. It is usually held at the bride’s or groom’s home or at a rented event space. The following are some of the activities that take place during a mehndi party:

Henna Application

The main highlight of the mehndi party is the application of henna on the bride’s and guests’ hands and feet. Henna artists create intricate designs using a henna cone. Music and dance. Guests dance to traditional music, and the bride is often seated on a decorated stage where she is presented with gifts and blessings. Food and refreshments. Delicious traditional food and beverages are served to the guests.

Games and Activities

Various games and activities such as singing and dancing competitions, riddles, and quizzes are organized to entertain the guests. Gift-giving. The bride receives gifts from her family members and close friends. In some cultures, the bride’s mother-in-law or sister-in-law may also give her gifts during the mehndi ceremony. The mehndi party is a joyful celebration where the bride and her loved ones gather to celebrate the upcoming wedding.

Hindu Weddings

indian wedding photographer
indian wedding photographer

Hindu weddings are colourful, festive, and rich in traditions that date back centuries. Here are some of the most common Hindu wedding traditions: The pre-wedding rituals consist of the engagement ceremony, which people call Sagai or Mangni. Additionally, they include the haldi ceremony, where people apply turmeric paste to the bodies of the bride and groom to purify them.

Wedding Ceremony

The main event is called the vivah or kanyadaan. This involves a series of rituals that symbolize the union of two individuals and their families. The pheras. The couple takes seven rounds around a sacred fire, which represents the promise to each other of seven vows. This is known as the saat phere.

Mangal Sutra

The groom ties a sacred necklace made of black beads and gold around the bride’s neck to signify their marriage.

The Sindoor

The groom applies sindoor, which is a red powder, to the bride’s hair parting as a symbol of their union.

The Reception

The friends and family of the bride and groom honor them with food, music, and dance during the grand finale of the wedding celebration.

Sikh Weddings

grooms with parents at his Jago ceremony before his sikh wedding at Sava Villa Natai Beach Phang Nga Thailand
groom and bride before their Sikh wedding at Sava Villa Natai Beach Phang Nga Thailand

People celebrate Sikh weddings, also known as Anand Karaj, with great enthusiasm, considering them sacred and joyous occasions. Here are some of the most significant Sikh wedding traditions:

Engagement Ceremony

Also known as Kurmai, this is the first step in a Sikh wedding. During this ceremony, the families of the bride and groom exchange gifts, sweets, and dry fruits.

Milni Ceremony

This ceremony takes place on the day of the wedding. It is when the groom’s family is welcomed by the bride’s family. The two families exchange garlands and hug each other, symbolizing the union of the two families.

Anand Karaj Ceremony

The Anand Karaj Ceremony takes place in a Gurdwara. The bride and groom sit in front of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs. The ceremony starts with the Ardas, followed by the singing of hymns and the exchange of the four rounds of vows (Lavan). The bride and groom become officially married when the groom places a saffron-colored cloth over the bride’s head.

Reception Ceremony

After the wedding ceremony, the families of the bride and groom typically hold a grand reception to celebrate the newlyweds. The reception usually takes place on the same day as the wedding or the day after.

The Langar

The Langar is a significant part of the Sikh wedding tradition. The community kitchen serves food to all the guests, irrespective of their caste, religion, or social status.

Muslim Weddings

Muslim wedding traditions vary across different cultures and regions, but there are some common elements that are typically part of a Muslim wedding ceremony. Here are some of the most common traditions:

The Engagement

The engagement, or “nikah,” is the first step in the wedding process. It involves the formal agreement between the families of the bride and groom to marry.

Gift to the Bride

The groom must give the bride a mandatory gift called the mahr, which they agree on in advance and present during the wedding.

Mehndi

Mehndi is a pre-wedding celebration that involves a professional artist decorating the bride’s hands and feet with henna, along with music and dancing.

Nikah

Nikah is the actual wedding ceremony, which involves the signing of the marriage contract in the presence of witnesses and an Islamic scholar. The couple will exchange vows and rings, and the groom will give the mahr to the bride.

Post-Wedding Reception

The groom’s family hosts a post-wedding reception called Walima, which invites guests to celebrate the union of the bride and groom. It can be a large or small event, depending on the family’s preference.

Hijab

In some Muslim cultures, the bride and groom may wear traditional clothing, and the bride may choose to cover her hair with a hijab.

Separation of Genders

During many Muslim weddings, the ceremony and reception separate men and women, with men in one area and women in another.

South Asian Wedding Photography