A 3 day celebration of love!


If you ever wonder what a traditional multiple day south Asian ceremony is like, look no further and please enjoy Mariah + Yusuf's beautiful wedding!!

day 1 : The Mehndi

The Celebrations kicked off with the Mehndi ceremony at Antun's in Hicksville! I showed up and got straight to work with Madiha + Yusuf on a quick portrait session, didn't really spend much time with this as I knew we would have plenty of opportunities over the coming days for MANY portraits, most importantly I wanted to showcase all the intricate details that come along with these type of ceremonies, the Lehenga, the Jewelry, the henna details, seriously makes my creative spirit drooooool every time. Once we locked in a handful of fun portraits it was the time for a cultural celebration of love! dances, gifts and games all a part of the Mehndi which sets the tone for the next 3 days!

Traditional South Asian bridal attire with coral and green embroidery, featuring floral details and intricate jewelry accessories.
Traditional South Asian bride in ornate pink and orange lengha with embellished dupatta standing against beige wall.
Traditional Indian bridal attire features detailed embroidery, pink dupatta, and floral decorations in ornate cultural style.
A couple in traditional South Asian attire dancing together, with the woman in a pink and orange lehenga.
Decorated hands with floral jewelry and bangles against emerald green fabric with delicate pearl embellishments.
Bearded man in embellished dark green traditional kurta smiling against beige background.
A couple in traditional South Asian wedding attire share an intimate moment wearing green and pink embellished outfits.
A person wearing a traditional dark green embroidered kurta with white pants stands against a beige wall.
Close up details of ornate South Asian bridal fashion showing pink dupatta, floral jewelry and embroidered dress.
A couple in traditional Indian wedding attire twirls together on a street, with the bride wearing a vibrant orange lehenga.
A couple in traditional South Asian wedding attire poses together outdoors, with emerald green and pink formal garments.
Couple in traditional South Asian wedding attire playfully posing outdoors in festive green and pink garments.
Elegant ballroom decorated with purple and pink drapes, chandeliers, and ornate seating for a luxurious wedding reception.
Traditional Indian wedding items displayed on a red velvet plate including a green bangle and decorative tea lights.
Ornate Indian wedding decor display with pink and burgundy roses, golden tea lights and decorative items on a round tray.
A decorative tray with gold accents displays small candles and pink flowers on a pink surface with ornate details.
A heartwarming moment at an elegant event shows a pair in festive attire, with green and burgundy dresses, embracing warmly.
Black and white candid photograph capturing multiple generations sharing a joyful moment at a dining table.
Three women in traditional South Asian attire including shalwar kameez and hijab gather at a formal celebration event.
A family wearing traditional South Asian attire poses together at an elegant event venue with purple lighting and chandeliers.
A couple in traditional Indian formal wear stands together at an elegant reception venue with purple ambient lighting.
A person in an olive green shirt holds a young child wearing white against a colorful draped backdrop.
Vibrant celebration at an Indian wedding event with colorful traditional outfits and decor against pink lighting.
Wedding guests dance and celebrate under floral decorations wearing vibrant green and red traditional Indian attire.
Celebratory dance under floral canopy with guests wearing traditional green and colorful ethnic attire.
Traditional emerald green sherwani outfit against a colorful draped backdrop with ornate white sofa at a celebratory event.
Celebratory group in traditional South Asian attire dancing at an indoor event under crystal chandeliers and floral decorations.
Cultural celebration with attendees in vibrant traditional outfits under decorated floral archway.
Festive guests dance and celebrate at an Indian wedding reception under floral decorations and crystal chandeliers.
Traditional South Asian wedding couple seated on ornate chairs with colorful draping and gold sequin backdrop.
A vibrant Indian wedding celebration with guests dancing and celebrating in colorful traditional attire.
Vibrant Indian wedding celebration with colorful decorations featuring pink and green traditional outfits and draping fabric.
Traditional gathering with ornate decorations featuring colorful drapes and guests in ethnic attire.
Colorful traditional Indian wedding ceremony with guests in vibrant attire seated under decorative drapery and lighting.
Colorful Indian wedding ceremony celebration with guests seated around decorative stage with vibrant drapes and floral decor.
Festive wedding celebration with bright colorful drapes and sparkly pink outfits at an ornate reception venue.
Joyful celebration at an Indian wedding reception with dancing guests in vibrant purple and pink traditional attire.
Traditional Indian wedding celebration with guests wearing bright purple and pink attire gathered around decorated stage.
A colorfully decorated banquet hall celebration with guests wearing vibrant traditional South Asian outfits and festive decor.
A colorful traditional Indian wedding celebration with guests gathered around decorative table under vibrant draped fabrics.
Colorful Indian umbrella decoration sits over marigold centerpiece on elegant table with pink and purple accents.
Colorful mosaic lantern centerpiece with hanging crystal decorations in pink and purple lighting at an event.
Elegant event space with ornate throne chairs under crystal chandelier and colorful draped fabric backdrop with floral decor.
Elegant table setting with pink runner, purple and olive napkins, water glasses, and orange floral centerpiece decoration.
People dance and celebrate at a colorful Indian wedding reception with elegant purple and gold decor.
Festive celebration showing guest in yellow and pink traditional Indian attire dancing at an elegant venue.
Wedding ceremony captured by camera crew filming a bride in pink lehenga and groom in green sherwani seated on chairs.
Guest wearing a yellow embroidered traditional outfit holds a gift during a festive celebration with pink lighting.
A couple dances together at an elegant wedding reception with crystal chandeliers and pink lighting in a ballroom setting.
Traditional wedding ceremony with couple seated on ornate chairs wearing formal cultural attire.
A group of people in traditional South Asian attire gather at a formal event in an elegant venue.
Traditional South Asian bride in red and gold embellished lehenga with dupatta stands against colorful draped fabric backdrop.
Vibrant indoor celebration with dancers in traditional Indian attire performing under colorful draped decorations.
A dancer in a vibrant pink traditional Punjabi outfit performs graceful movements at an elegantly decorated event venue.

Day 2 : The Shaadi

The Shaadi was held at The Floral Terrace in Floral Park NY and this is usually the most formal and important of all three celebrations. It's usually held on the same day as the Nikah, which is the wedding ceremony. This is usually a pretty long day photography wise where we shoot for 10+ hours and unlike most weddings where the grooms prep is sort of secondary to the brides, in south Asian culture, things are more balanced and as a photographer is good to understand this difference, with this said is very important to trust your team to not miss these moments and be properly equipped. After bride and groom prep, the groom makes his entrance to the ceremony where his bride to be is waiting, this is what is called the Baraat, once groom has made his procession, the actual wedding ceremony begins, this is known as there Nikah where Madiha and Yusuf were kept on opposites sides of a beautiful white rose curtain, for me is always awesome to see how other cultures celebrate not only the union of two people in love, but their perspective families. Once our bride and groom are official is usually a bit easier to navigate the dynamic of bridal portraits as prior to this ceremony it isn't typical for them to display much affection in public, so we wasted no time and went outside for a quick 30-40 minute portrait session, at this point we had already built some chemistry so it was rather simple to get our bride and groom comfortable behind our camera, hope that's evident from these photos! from this point forth the rest of the day sort of wrote itself like most weddings do.

Black and white portrait of someone wearing ornate Indian bridal jewelry and traditional attire against a soft blurred background.
Traditional red and gold Indian wedding bangles with ornate embroidered fabric featuring floral patterns and sequins.
Traditional Indian bridal accessories including gold sandals and red bangles displayed on white stool with red embroidered fabric.
Elegant beige wedding sandals with gold embellishments displayed next to red and gold jewelry and a decorative crown.
Traditional Indian bridal hands adorned with intricate henna designs and stacked red and gold wedding bangles.
Intricate henna mehndi design adorns hand with red bangles and bridal jewelry on white background.
Beautiful traditional Indian bridal portrait showing intricate henna designs, gold jewelry and red embroidered wedding attire.
Traditional Indian bridal mehndi designs on palms showing intricate elephants and floral patterns with red bangles.
A close-up of traditional Indian bridal jewelry and henna-adorned hands with ornate bangles and red and gold attire.
Artistic beauty portrait with traditional Indian bridal jewelry and red embroidered attire framed between hands.
Close up of intricate henna designs on hands adorned with ring and bangles in traditional South Asian bridal style.
Traditional Indian bridal bangles and ornate red wedding lehenga with intricate gold embroidery and embellishments.
Traditional Indian mehndi-decorated hands with bangles and jewelry display intricate henna patterns in a close-up shot.
Detailed mehndi patterns and bridal jewelry are displayed on hands adorned in traditional South Asian wedding attire.
Two women in traditional South Asian wedding attire with intricate jewelry and embellished red and lavender lehengas.
Beautiful traditional South Asian bridal jewelry and makeup details in red and gold tones during wedding preparation.
South Asian bride in traditional red wedding attire holds a drink while getting ready, with reflection in mirror.
A group of formally dressed men examine a patterned fabric at an elegant event with decorative backdrop.
People gathered at an indoor celebration wearing traditional South Asian attire including sari and embroidered black dress.
A group of people share drinks and conversation at an indoor gathering while celebrating.
People exchange holiday gifts at a festive gathering with colorful decorations and warm lighting in the background.
Two people in stylish clothing pose against a colorful wall with pink, yellow and red abstract designs.
Two people in traditional attire share a moment amidst colorful textiles and decorations at an indoor cultural setting.
A traditional wedding ceremony with ornate decorations featuring colorful fabrics and garlands in a richly decorated setting.
Two people help adjust a traditional wedding garment at a colorful celebration with draped fabric and string lights in background.
A colorful Indian wedding celebration with vibrant traditional attire including a red turban and floral garlands.
People celebrating joyfully at a lively Indian wedding ceremony with bright decorations and traditional attire.
A group in traditional attire gathers around decorated dessert plates at a festive celebration.
Guests in traditional South Asian attire holding plates at an indoor event.
Cultural wedding celebration outdoors with traditional dhol drummer performing for guests on red carpet.
Musicians playing dhol drums during traditional Indian wedding celebration outdoors.
Traditional wedding guests in colorful attire entering through doorway.
Wedding celebration with traditional dhol drummer and guests in festive attire.
A crowd of shoppers in traditional Japanese fashion and clothing browse inside a retail store corridor.
Musicians perform traditional music with drums and floral outfits as a crowd gathers in a hallway setting.
Groom wearing traditional black and white embroidered sherwani with red turban and garland at Indian wedding ceremony.
A musician carries a traditional wooden dhol drum outside a building with people gathered nearby.
Traditional Indian wedding ceremony showing hands exchanging rings with red bangles and embroidered attire.
Close-up of intricate red and white embroidered bridal veil with delicate floral patterns.
Traditional Indian bridal hands adorned with henna and red bangles against an embroidered red and gold wedding dress.
Detailed view of a red bridal lehenga with intricate silver embroidery and traditional bangles.
Traditional red lehenga outfit with intricate embroidery worn at an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Traditional Indian wedding attire showing intricate henna design on hand with red bangles and navy embroidered fabric.
Traditional Indian groom wearing navy sherwani with floral embroidery and red turban against green background.
Traditional Indian wedding attire features an ornate black sherwani with floral patterns, red turban and white garland.
Close-up of a navy embroidered fabric with floral motifs and a pink and gold decorative brooch or embellishment.
A dancing couple in South Asian wedding outfits, with the groom twirling the bride in her red lehenga.
Traditional Indian groom wearing a red turban and black sherwani with white garland against a blurred background.
Elegant wedding centerpiece with floating candles in glass cylinders and silver orb stems against purple uplighting and florals.
Elegant ballroom with crystal chandelier, flower arch decorations, and pink mood lighting creating a romantic atmosphere.
Elegant floral arrangement featuring white and red roses with hanging glass orbs against a pink-purple backdrop.
Family walking together at an elegant event wearing traditional Indian attire in a beautifully lit venue.
A young attendee in traditional South Asian attire dances during a wedding celebration with pink and purple lighting.
Three people walking together dressed in traditional Indian attire at an elegant venue with purple lighting effects.
Two people dancing together at an elegant reception venue with purple mood lighting in the background.
Three guests in traditional South Asian wedding attire pose together against purple lighting at a formal celebration.
Person wearing red turban and black embroidered sherwani performs at festive celebration with floral backdrop.
Family members in traditional Pakistani and Indian formal wear pose together at an elegant wedding celebration.
Traditional South Asian wedding ceremony with vibrant red and pink decor featuring floral arrangements and elegant attire.
A couple in traditional Indian wedding attire pose playfully in front of a floral backdrop at their celebration.
Wedding guests in colorful traditional Indian attire laugh and celebrate at elegant reception.
A group photo at an elegant wedding celebration with a floral arch backdrop and festive traditional attire.
Traditional Indian wedding scene with couple in red and maroon attire seated on white sofa against floral backdrop.
Someone wearing a festive red traditional kurta and pajama set speaks into a microphone at an elegant event venue.
A couple shares an intimate dance moment under a crystal chandelier with dramatic fog and blue lighting effects.
A couple in traditional South Asian wedding attire embraces during their ceremony against a backdrop of soft lighting and decor.
A couple in traditional wedding attire dance and laugh together at a reception decorated with pink floral arrangements.
Three women in sparkly formal lehengas perform a choreographed dance at an ornate ballroom reception.
Person dancing joyfully in a lavender floral Indian lehenga with intricate embroidery at an elegantly decorated event venue.
A dancer wearing a sparkly blue and pink traditional Indian outfit performs at an elegantly decorated venue with floral arches.
A person in a traditional white kurta and pajama dances energetically at an event with floral decorations and pink lighting.
A performer in traditional South Asian attire dancing barefoot at a decorated event venue with string lights.
Guests in elegant South Asian attire enjoying festivities at a formal celebration.
Guests in colorful traditional South Asian attire laugh together during a celebratory event.
A person in a vibrant red and gold traditional Indian lehenga dances at a wedding celebration with guests in the background.
Indian wedding celebration showing guests dancing under an ornate ceiling with warm lighting and decorative details.
Wedding celebration with guests dancing and clapping during vibrant reception with purple lighting and ornate decor.
Wedding guests celebrating and dancing at a traditional Indian wedding reception with purple lighting.
Guests dancing and celebrating at a vibrant Indian wedding reception with purple lighting and festive atmosphere.
Guests dance and celebrate at a colorful wedding reception with pink lighting and ornate ceiling decorations.
Festive wedding celebration with guests dancing and celebrating under ornate ceiling with colorful lighting.
Two wedding guests perform an energetic dance move on the illuminated dance floor at a reception.
Wedding party dancing and celebrating in decorated venue with dramatic lighting and ornate ceiling details.
Guests dancing and celebrating at an ornate Indian wedding venue with decorative ceiling and purple ambient lighting.
Dancer performing traditional moves on the dance floor at an Indian celebration with colorful ambient lighting.
People dancing and celebrating at a colorful party with vibrant green lighting and ornate ceiling decor.
People dance at a nightclub with colorful lighting and ornate ceiling decorations visible in the background.
Celebratory dance party with guests in traditional attire under a domed ceiling with purple lighting.
Wedding celebration with energetic dancing under purple lighting in an ornate ballroom with decorative ceiling details.
Wedding guests dance and celebrate on a crowded dance floor illuminated by pink lights at a festive reception.
A person in a sparkling red traditional bridal lehenga twirls on the dance floor while guests watch and celebrate.

Day 3 : The Walima

Interchangeable in most instances with "Wedding Reception" the last part of this multi-day ceremony is the Walima, typically this day is pretty straight forward and follows the usual routine of a more traditional wedding reception, there was a bit of bridal prep time followed by some bridal and family portraits held on the beautiful grounds of The Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury NY, but the main focus was really on the "party" portion of this beautiful 3 day wedding.


Close-up of glamorous styling with gold jewelry and sequined attire showing elegant makeup and dark wavy hair.
Detailed henna mehndi designs adorn outstretched palms against a sparkly light-colored traditional dress background.
Henna-adorned hands wearing gold bangles hold a wedding ring, showcasing intricate mehndi designs and bridal jewelry.
Traditional Indian bridal hand adorned with intricate henna designs and colorful bangles against sparkly fabric.
Traditional Indian bridal jewelry and intricate henna designs shown on hands with gold bangles and earrings.
Traditional South Asian bride wearing ornate white and gold saree with pearl jewelry and long flowing dark hair.
Couple in traditional South Asian wedding attire embracing outdoors with greenery in background.
South Asian bride in a peach-colored embroidered wedding dress with long veil stands on grass in outdoor garden setting.
Traditional bridal outfit with pink and gold embroidered lehenga photographed in a lush garden setting.
Beautiful South Asian bride in blush pink lehenga with ornate gold jewelry and glamorous waves in her long dark hair.
Close-up of hands adorned with henna and gold bangles wearing a pink embellished traditional Indian dress.
A person in a grey three-piece suit with pink accents smiling against a green background.
A well-dressed figure in a gray three-piece suit and brown leather shoes stands on a brick pathway amid garden foliage.
Close-up of hands with henna designs and gold bangles, showcasing traditional Indian wedding jewelry.
A romantic wedding photo showing traditional South Asian bridal details including mehndi and gold bangles with a blush pink outfit.
A romantic moment between newlyweds in traditional South Asian wedding attire, with the bride in peach and groom in grey.
Two people in formal attire strike playful dance poses on a brick pathway in a lush garden setting.
Couple shares romantic moment in garden setting with lush greenery and gold traditional attire.
Guests at an outdoor event taking photos with their phones and cameras in a festive atmosphere.
A group of guests in traditional South Asian attire gather at an outdoor celebration with string lights in the background.
Guests in formal attire gather outdoors at a social celebration event with green foliage in the background.
Baby in white dress peers over shoulder at event while being held by person wearing gray floral hijab at outdoor gathering.
Woman in an emerald green traditional dress stands on brick pathway surrounded by tropical plants and string lights.
A bright pink and black embellished sari with sunglasses and a clutch purse standing on a brick patio near greenery.
A bride in a peach-colored traditional South Asian wedding dress with intricate embroidery poses on a red couch.
Detailed view of traditional Indian bridal attire showing peach lehenga with intricate embroidery and gold bangles on henna-adorned hands.
Person in gray suit giving a speech at a formal event with decorative lighting and gold chairs in the background.
A couple sits on a red velvet sofa at their wedding reception with elegant crystal chandeliers and decorative backdrop.
Wedding guest in blue suit delivers a speech on the dance floor during the reception.
Wedding reception scene with people seated at tables in a decorated banquet room with festive decor and lighting.
Guests seated at formal dining tables during an elegant dinner event with decorative chairs and warm lighting.
Couple sits together on red velvet couch at elegant reception with crystal chandeliers and decorative lighting.
A wedding reception setup with elegant decor featuring hanging crystal lights, floral arrangements, and red velvet seating on stage.
Two people in blue suits dancing together at an elegant reception venue with chandeliers and decorated tables.
A couple dances in an elegant ballroom setting with the bride wearing a flowing white lace gown.
A couple dances together at an elegant reception venue with ornate chandeliers and red velvet seating in the background.
Couple in formal attire share an intimate moment during their first dance at a luxurious reception.
People in glittery outfits dance and celebrate at an indoor party venue under warm lighting.
Guests in elegant evening gowns dance and celebrate at a formal event under warm lighting in an ornate venue.
Wedding guests dance and celebrate on a dimly lit dance floor with warm ambient lighting.
People dancing and celebrating at a lively indoor party or reception with decorative lighting and banners.
Lively group photo at a party venue with colorful decorations and people posing enthusiastically together on a dance floor.

To conclude....

Ive done a couple of multiday south asian weddings in my 10+ years of working in the industry and while they are a TON of work, they are also extremely rewarding, at the end of the 3 days you almost sort of become part of the family as you work not only with the bride and groom for 3 days, but also their parents, siblings and friends, so yes in conclusion, hard work, but one that I welcome anytime! Thank you Madiha + Yusuf for this opportunity!