Philadelphia Wedding Photographers
Our team of Philadelphia wedding photographers was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph a traditional Pakistani wedding in the city. It was such a beautiful and cultural event, and I felt honored to be able to capture all of the special moments on camera.
The wedding took place at a stunning banquet hall in Philadelphia, and the decorations were absolutely breathtaking. Vibrant colors and intricate details set the stage for a truly memorable evening.
Pakistani Pre-wedding Event: Mehndi Party
One of the most exciting parts of the wedding was the mehndi ceremony, which is when the bride and her friends and family get their hands and feet adorned with beautiful henna designs. This is typically held a few days before the actual wedding, and it’s a fun and festive occasion that’s all about celebrating the bride. The mehndi is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the marriage, and the designs are always so intricate and beautiful. You can see highlights of the mehndi in this blog post.
Wedding Day
The actual wedding ceremony was just as breathtaking as the mehndi. The bride and groom both looked stunning in their traditional Pakistani attire, with the bride wearing a gorgeous red and gold lehenga (a type of long skirt) and the groom donning a handsome sherwani (a type of long coat). The ceremony itself was very traditional, with the couple exchanging vows and rings in front of a large crowd of family and friends.
Getting Ready Details
As a photographer, I was in my element the entire wedding day. We started the day photographing the couple’s getting ready moments. The bride’s mother wanted to place the veil for the first time on her daughter’s head. This was a beautiful moment to capture and I highly suggest every bride get this moment photographed. All the bridal details and groom’s accessories were captured in a classy way. We want our wedding couples to remember the details they so carefully chose.
Haris was impeccably dressed. He paired his red turban with a crisp creme colored sherwani. I loved the contrast in colors for this groom’s outfit!
I loved the bridal details Tahreem chose for her outfit. They were classic and so beautifully crafted.
The Groom’s Entrance
A South Asian wedding ceremony is not complete with a baraat ! Haris came with his family on a horse drawn carriage. There was lots of dancing, banghra, and fun!
Tahreem’s formal bridal entrance was so elegant. She was accompanied by her immediate family and the cutest flower girls! The way Haris looked at his beautiful wife was very special to photograph!
Tahreem and Haris signed their nikkah contracts in separate rooms before the bride’s formal entrance. We seemlessly worked with their wedding timeline to capture the nikkah. Even though it takes seconds, the signature of the nikkah contract is so crucial to photograph!
Custom wedding cookies made to commemorate their official new status as “husband and wife”!
The ring exchange during the wedding ceremony was so special because I love how the whole family gathered on stage to witness this special moment. I love how the ring bearer presented the rings on a custom platter made by the mother of the bride.
Are you drooling over this gorgeous wedding and engagement ring? This is a square halo round diamond ring custom made for the bride. Getting ring detail shots like this is key!
The “dhood pilai “ rasam is another fun tradition in pakistani weddings where the bride’s family demands money from the groom. Another opportunity to make some money at a south asian wedding event!
The ruhksati was a very emotional and bittersweet moment. It was filled with tears, joy and warm hugs. As a wedding photographer, we pay special attention to these moments because I notice that this is the time that hits the hardest for the parents of the bride.
Philadelphia Wedding Photo Tips
Overall, the traditional Pakistani wedding that I had the privilege of photographing in Philadelphia was a truly unforgettable experience. From the beautiful decorations to the cultural traditions and delicious food, it was a night that I will always treasure. As a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I am always on the lookout for unique and cultural events to photograph, and this one was definitely a highlight of my career so far.
The most important tip I can give you is to hire a wedding planner to help plan out the flow of the day and keep the timeline running smoothly. A philadelphia wedding planner that has extensive experience with Pakistani weddings will be able to manage all the vendor communication, handle contracts, oversee all the Pakistani marriage traditions and customs so that we can properly photograph these moments.
If you’re planning a wedding in the Philadelphia area and are in need of a talented and experienced photographer, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love to be a part of your special day and help capture all of the beautiful memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
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With over ten years of experience capturing sacred moments and an artful intuition for what it takes to get the perfect shot, time and time again, it’s our joy to create evocative, timeless photographs that are as one-of-a-kind as your story.
Maha Studios is a destination photography studio that delights in the vibrant traditions and rituals at the heart of South Asian and multicultural weddings.
