The Journal
Cultural deep-dives, planning guides, budgets, photographer briefs and destination intelligence — written for couples planning a wedding that respects every ritual.

Featured · Planning
We polled 240 South Asian couples married in the last 18 months across London, Toronto, Dubai and Mumbai. Here's where every pound, dirham and rupee actually went — and the five line items that quietly doubled.
AsianWedding Editors · 11 min read

Photography · 8 min read
The 27 frames every Haldi album needs — and the three lighting mistakes that ruin the colour.

Hiring · 7 min read
Anand Karaj has rules. Most photographers don't know them.

Reference · 22 min read
Roka to Reception, Pithi to Poruwa — a single reference for every culture, every ritual, every region.

Planning · 9 min read
Why your bride will sit for longer than you think, and how to make it the best night of the wedding.

Culture · 8 min read
Three questions. Three 'qubool hai's. And a contract that's older than any country at the wedding.

Culture · 6 min read
Why this is the moment every album is judged on.

Destinations · 10 min read
Udaipur is full. Tuscany is back. And nobody told you about Sri Lanka.

Culture · 9 min read
Why a Bengali biye looks like no other Indian wedding — and what you need to know if you're attending one.

Guests · 7 min read
A non-South-Asian guest's complete attire guide, from Haldi to Reception.

Planning · 9 min read
The exact running order used by London's most-booked Sangeet choreographers.

Design · 7 min read
Why one invitation is never enough — and what to put in each envelope.

Photography · 8 min read
Everyone books both. Almost no one watches both.

Photography · 7 min read
The 22 minutes that decide your entire album cover.

Hiring · 6 min read
Not every event needs two photographers. These four do.

Planning · 6 min read
Why the same lehenga photographs beautifully at one venue and orange at another.

Planning · 10 min read
UK, US, Canada, UAE — where each event is easiest, cheapest and most authentic.

Destinations · 8 min read
From the Alhambra to Alappuzha, where South Asian couples are shooting engagement editorials this year.

Hiring · 6 min read
Why the wrong artist stains grey, cracks in an hour, and stresses the bride.

Hiring · 7 min read
The 14 deliverables that separate a professional wedding contract from an amateur one.

Planning · 6 min read
Because 'Kala Chashma' at reception has been done 4,000 times.

Photography · 5 min read
Why the technically perfect frame is often the wrong one.

Reference · 10 min read
The first 'yes' — when two families officially stop looking.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Roka.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Roka properly.

Reference · 10 min read
Rings exchanged, but blessings come first.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Sagai.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Sagai properly.
Reference · 10 min read
Turmeric, laughter, and the loudest, messiest love.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Haldi.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Haldi properly.

Reference · 10 min read
Six hours of stillness, a thousand secrets hidden in the leaves.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Mehndi.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Mehndi properly.
Reference · 10 min read
Both families on one stage, taking each other on.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Sangeet.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Sangeet properly.

Reference · 10 min read
The first invitation goes to the remover of obstacles.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Ganesh Puja.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Ganesh Puja properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The bride's family travels to bless the groom — the first acceptance.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Tilak.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Tilak properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The groom arrives on horseback. Everyone else dances backwards.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Baraat.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Baraat properly.
Reference · 10 min read
A father gives away his daughter — the most quoted moment in every album.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Kanyadaan.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Kanyadaan properly.
Reference · 10 min read
Seven steps. Seven vows. One lifetime.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Saat Pheras.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Saat Pheras properly.
Reference · 10 min read
She throws rice backwards over her head and leaves the only home she's known.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Vidaai.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Vidaai properly.

Reference · 10 min read
She kicks the rice pot. The home becomes hers.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Griha Pravesh.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Griha Pravesh properly.

Reference · 10 min read
The wedding's official 'after-party' — bigger, looser, more glamorous.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Reception.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Reception properly.
Reference · 10 min read
Four Lavan. One Granth. A marriage of two souls into one light.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Anand Karaj.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Anand Karaj properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The night the aunts wake the village with a pot of fire on their heads.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Jaago.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Jaago properly.
Reference · 10 min read
Red and ivory bangles she'll wear for a year, with silver kalire that fall over her unmarried friends.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Chooda & Kalire.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Chooda & Kalire properly.

Reference · 10 min read
The proposal accepted, the rings exchanged, the date set.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Mangni.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Mangni properly.

Reference · 10 min read
She isn't allowed to leave the house, but she glows like the sun.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Mayun.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Mayun properly.
Reference · 10 min read
Three questions. Three 'qubool hai's. A marriage in front of God.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Nikah.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Nikah properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The groom's family hosts the world.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Walima.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Walima properly.
Reference · 10 min read
Yellow paste by day. 1,000-person dandiya by night.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Pithi & Garba.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Pithi & Garba properly.
Reference · 10 min read
She is carried in on a wooden stool. Their eyes meet under a betel leaf.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Bengali Wedding.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Bengali Wedding properly.
Reference · 10 min read
A two-day ritual where the mantras are 3,000 years old and the silk weighs more than the bride.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Tamil Brahmin Wedding.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Tamil Brahmin Wedding properly.

Reference · 10 min read
An antarpat curtain falls and the rice rains down.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Marathi Wedding.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Marathi Wedding properly.

Reference · 10 min read
Cumin and jaggery placed on each other's heads — that's the marriage.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Telugu Wedding.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Telugu Wedding properly.

Reference · 10 min read
A 20-minute ceremony, a thousand-year aesthetic.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Malayali Wedding.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Malayali Wedding properly.

Reference · 10 min read
A platform, a betel leaf, a queen's silhouette.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Poruwa Ceremony.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Poruwa Ceremony properly.
Reference · 10 min read
A South Indian wedding with an island accent.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Sri Lankan Tamil Wedding.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Sri Lankan Tamil Wedding properly.
Reference · 10 min read
Mountains in the backdrop, mantras at the centre.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Nepali Wedding.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Nepali Wedding properly.
Reference · 10 min read
No fire-walk. Just vows in the presence of the Tirthankaras.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Jain Wedding.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Jain Wedding properly.

Reference · 10 min read
Two souls behind a curtain, rice in the air, an entire community ululating.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Parsi Lagan.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Parsi Lagan properly.
Reference · 10 min read
A Catholic Mass, a Konkani roce, a Goan feni reception.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a South Asian Christian Wedding.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a South Asian Christian Wedding properly.

Reference · 10 min read
Two faiths, two languages, one wedding film.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Fusion / Interfaith Wedding.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Fusion / Interfaith Wedding properly.

Reference · 10 min read
A wedding that doubles as a holiday for 300.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Destination Wedding.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Destination Wedding properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The moment a Punjabi bride is welcomed into her groom's family.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Chunni Chadhai.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Chunni Chadhai properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The maternal uncle's grand gifting — a Rajasthani tradition of maternal love.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Mahira Dastoor.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Mahira Dastoor properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The Kashmiri Pandit rituals that mark the bride's transition to womanhood.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Livun & Mekhal.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Livun & Mekhal properly.

Reference · 10 min read
The Sindhi awakening — a night before, a morning after.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Berana & Ghari Puja.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Berana & Ghari Puja properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The Gujarati mandap raising and the maternal uncle's grand entry.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Mandvo & Mameru.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Mandvo & Mameru properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The Bengali bride's last meal as an unmarried woman.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Aiburo Bhaat.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Aiburo Bhaat properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The bride's first meal cooked in her new home.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Bou Bhaat.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Bou Bhaat properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The garland exchange — the couple's first mutual acceptance.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Jaimala / Varmala.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Jaimala / Varmala properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The joining of hands — the couple's ritual first touch as husband and wife.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Hasta Melap.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Hasta Melap properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The two most visible symbols of a married Hindu woman.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Sindoor Daan & Mangalsutra.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Sindoor Daan & Mangalsutra properly.

Reference · 10 min read
The formal introduction of the two families — brother to brother, uncle to uncle.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Milni.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Milni properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The Sikh bride's farewell — with rice thrown over her shoulder.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Doli (Sikh).
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Doli (Sikh) properly.

Reference · 10 min read
The Pakistani women's night — drums, dance and dholki songs.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Dholki.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Dholki properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The Muslim bride's farewell — Quran held over her head.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Rukhsati.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Rukhsati properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The bride's return to her parental home, four days after the wedding.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Chauthi.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Chauthi properly.

Reference · 10 min read
The Pakistani turmeric application — brighter, wetter, louder.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Manjha & Ubtan.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Manjha & Ubtan properly.

Reference · 10 min read
The mock-pilgrimage — the groom pretends to renounce marriage.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Kashi Yatra.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Kashi Yatra properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The couple on a swing — a symbol of life's ups and downs.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Oonjal.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Oonjal properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The astrologically-chosen sacred minute of the wedding.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Muhurtham.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Muhurtham properly.
Reference · 10 min read
Seven steps — each with a vow more specific than the last.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Saptapadi (South Indian).
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Saptapadi (South Indian) properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The Nepali garland exchange — deeply Vedic, rarely photographed abroad.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Swayamvar (Nepali).
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Swayamvar (Nepali) properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The Sri Lankan platform ceremony — Kandyan royal in every detail.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Kandyan Poruwa.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Kandyan Poruwa properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The Parsi welcome ritual — egg, coconut and rice.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Achumichu.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Achumichu properly.

Reference · 10 min read
The Syrian Christian gold cross pendant — Kerala's marriage symbol.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Minnu Kettu.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Minnu Kettu properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The Goan Catholic anointing — coconut milk instead of turmeric.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Roce Ceremony.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Roce Ceremony properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The formal unveiling of the bride to her new family.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Muh Dikhai.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Muh Dikhai properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The bride's first return home — brothers come to collect her.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Pag Phera.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Pag Phera properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The modern South Asian wedding's Western twin — champagne and choreography.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Cocktail Night.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Cocktail Night properly.
Reference · 10 min read
The exhale — everyone in linen, mimosas at 11.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Post-Wedding Brunch.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Post-Wedding Brunch properly.

Reference · 10 min read
The 45 minutes that produce the album cover.

Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Golden Hour Portraits.

Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Golden Hour Portraits properly.
Reference · 10 min read
Post-wedding editorial where the dress finally gets to move.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Trash the Dress.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Trash the Dress properly.
Reference · 10 min read
A 60-second cinematic to announce the date.
Photography · 8 min read
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Save-the-Date Film.
Planning · 7 min read
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Save-the-Date Film properly.