The Journal
Long-form Sikh wedding stories.
Cultural deep-dives, planning guides, budgets, photographer briefs and destination intelligence — written for couples planning a wedding that respects every ritual.
Featured · Photography
Haldi Photography: The Complete Shot List
Haldi is the most colourful ceremony in any Sikh wedding — and the most badly photographed. Here's the full shot list we send every photographer on our roster, and why the lighting brief matters more than the lens.
Studio Editorial Desk · 8 min read
Hiring · 7 min read
Choosing a Sikh Wedding Photographer: 9 Questions to Ask Before You Book
Anand Karaj has rules. Most photographers don't know them.
Planning · 9 min read
Mehndi Night: A 6-Hour Planning Guide
Why your bride will sit for longer than you think, and how to make it the best night of the wedding.
Culture · 6 min read
Vidaai: The Hardest 45 Minutes of an Sikh Wedding
Why this is the moment every album is judged on.
Destinations · 10 min read
Where Sikh Couples Are Getting Married in 2026
Udaipur is full. Tuscany is back. And nobody told you about Sri Lanka.
Guests · 7 min read
What to Wear as a Guest at Each Sikh Wedding Event
A non-Sikh guest's complete attire guide, from Haldi to Reception.
Planning · 9 min read
The Sangeet Choreography Playbook: 12 Numbers That Always Land
The exact running order used by London's most-booked Sangeet choreographers.
Design · 7 min read
Wedding Invitation Design for a 5-Day Sikh Saga
Why one invitation is never enough — and what to put in each envelope.
Photography · 8 min read
Cinematic Feature Film vs Highlight Reel: Which One Do You Actually Want?
Everyone books both. Almost no one watches both.
Photography · 7 min read
Bridal Portraits: The Golden-Hour Brief
The 22 minutes that decide your entire album cover.
Planning · 6 min read
The Venue Lighting Audit Every Couple Skips (and Regrets)
Why the same lehenga photographs beautifully at one venue and orange at another.
Planning · 10 min read
Planning a Sikh Wedding as a Diaspora Couple
UK, US, Canada, UAE — where each event is easiest, cheapest and most authentic.
Destinations · 8 min read
The 15 Most Photographed Pre-Wedding Shoot Locations of 2026
From the Alhambra to Alappuzha, where Sikh couples are shooting engagement editorials this year.
Hiring · 6 min read
12 Questions to Ask Before Booking a Bridal Mehndi Artist
Why the wrong artist stains grey, cracks in an hour, and stresses the bride.
Hiring · 7 min read
The Post-Wedding Album Checklist: Everything to Ask For Before You Pay the Final Invoice
The 14 deliverables that separate a professional wedding contract from an amateur one.
Planning · 6 min read
Reception Grand-Entry Ideas That Aren't Cliché in 2026
Because 'Kala Chashma' at reception has been done 4,000 times.
Photography · 5 min read
Emotion vs Composition: The Debate Every Wedding Photographer Argues About
Why the technically perfect frame is often the wrong one.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Roka Ceremony
The first 'yes' — when two families officially stop looking.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Roka: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Roka.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Roka: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Roka properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Mehndi Ceremony
Six hours of stillness, a thousand secrets hidden in the leaves.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Mehndi: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Mehndi.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Mehndi: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Mehndi properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Sangeet Ceremony
Both families on one stage, taking each other on.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Sangeet: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Sangeet.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Sangeet: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Sangeet properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Reception Ceremony
The wedding's official 'after-party' — bigger, looser, more glamorous.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Reception: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Reception.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Reception: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Reception properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Anand Karaj Ceremony
Four Lavan. One Granth. A marriage of two souls into one light.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Anand Karaj: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Anand Karaj.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Anand Karaj: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Anand Karaj properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Jaago Ceremony
The night the aunts wake the village with a pot of fire on their heads.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Jaago: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Jaago.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Jaago: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Jaago properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Chooda & Kalire Ceremony
Red and ivory bangles she'll wear for a year, with silver kalire that fall over her unmarried friends.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Chooda & Kalire: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Chooda & Kalire.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Chooda & Kalire: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Chooda & Kalire properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Chunni Chadhai Ceremony
The moment a Punjabi bride is welcomed into her groom's family.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Chunni Chadhai: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Chunni Chadhai.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Chunni Chadhai: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Chunni Chadhai properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Milni Ceremony
The formal introduction of the two families — brother to brother, uncle to uncle.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Milni: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Milni.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Milni: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Milni properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Doli (Sikh) Ceremony
The Sikh bride's farewell — with rice thrown over her shoulder.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Doli (Sikh): The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Doli (Sikh).
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Doli (Sikh): Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Doli (Sikh) properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Pag Phera Ceremony
The bride's first return home — brothers come to collect her.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Pag Phera: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Pag Phera.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Pag Phera: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Pag Phera properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Cocktail Night Ceremony
The modern Sikh wedding's Western twin — champagne and choreography.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Cocktail Night: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Cocktail Night.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Cocktail Night: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Cocktail Night properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Post-Wedding Brunch Ceremony
The exhale — everyone in linen, mimosas at 11.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Post-Wedding Brunch: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Post-Wedding Brunch.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Post-Wedding Brunch: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Post-Wedding Brunch properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Golden Hour Portraits Ceremony
The 45 minutes that produce the album cover.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Golden Hour Portraits: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Golden Hour Portraits.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Golden Hour Portraits: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Golden Hour Portraits properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Save-the-Date Film Ceremony
A 60-second cinematic to announce the date.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Save-the-Date Film: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Save-the-Date Film.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Save-the-Date Film: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Save-the-Date Film properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Kurmai Ceremony
The formal Sikh engagement — a kara, a kirpan and a family's word.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Kurmai: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Kurmai.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Kurmai: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Kurmai properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Akhand Path Ceremony
Forty-eight unbroken hours of Gurbani before the wedding begins.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Akhand Path: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Akhand Path.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Akhand Path: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Akhand Path properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Sukhmani Sahib Path Ceremony
The women of the family read for peace of mind before the storm of the wedding.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Sukhmani Sahib Path: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Sukhmani Sahib Path.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Sukhmani Sahib Path: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Sukhmani Sahib Path properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Maiyan & Vatna Ceremony
Turmeric, mustard oil and boliyan — the loudest morning of a Punjabi wedding.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Maiyan & Vatna: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Maiyan & Vatna.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Maiyan & Vatna: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Maiyan & Vatna properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Sehra Bandi Ceremony
The last hour a Sikh groom spends as his parents' son.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Sehra Bandi: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Sehra Bandi.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Sehra Bandi: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Sehra Bandi properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Ghodi Chadhna Ceremony
Dhol, a decorated mare and a street that belongs to one family for an hour.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Ghodi Chadhna: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Ghodi Chadhna.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Ghodi Chadhna: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Ghodi Chadhna properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Laavan Ceremony
Four verses, four circuits, one marriage — the theological heart of the Anand Karaj.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Laavan: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Laavan.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Laavan: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Laavan properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Ardas & Hukamnama Ceremony
The sangat stands, the couple bow, and the Guru gives the day's order.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Ardas & Hukamnama: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Ardas & Hukamnama.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Ardas & Hukamnama: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Ardas & Hukamnama properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Karah Prasad & Langar Ceremony
Everyone sits on the same floor and eats the same food — the most Sikh moment of the day.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Karah Prasad & Langar: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Karah Prasad & Langar.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Karah Prasad & Langar: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Karah Prasad & Langar properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Paani Varna Ceremony
The bride is welcomed into her new home with water, oil and a mother-in-law's blessing.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Paani Varna: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Paani Varna.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Paani Varna: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Paani Varna properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Muklawa Ceremony
The old Punjabi tradition of a bride's second, permanent departure.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Muklawa: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Muklawa.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Muklawa: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Muklawa properly.
Reference · 22 min read
The Complete Guide to the Dastaar Bandi Ceremony
Yards of starched cotton, folded into the crown a Sikh groom wears for life.
Photography · 18 min read
Photographing the Dastaar Bandi: The Complete Brief
What every artist needs to know before shooting a Dastaar Bandi.
Planning · 15 min read
Planning a Dastaar Bandi: Timeline, Etiquette & Guest Guide
Everything a family and their guests need to know to attend a Dastaar Bandi properly.