Sikh and Punjabi Wedding Photography in New York and New Jersey
Photo and video for Sikh and Punjabi weddings across NY and NJ: Jaggo, Maiyan, Sangeet, Baraat, Milni, the Anand Karaj at the gurdwara and the Doli.
Punjabi weddings are known for their energy, and Sikh weddings for the calm of the Anand Karaj at the center of it all. Verma Photography provides Sikh and Punjabi wedding photography and videography across New York and New Jersey, from our studio in New York. Our full-time photographers, videographers and editors cover everything from the late-night Jaggo to the morning Laavan at the gurdwara.
What Sikh and Punjabi wedding coverage looks like
Most Punjabi weddings run over several days. A typical celebration might include:
Roka or Chunni
the families formally accept the match, and the groom’s family presents the bride with a chunni.Maiyan
vatna, a paste of turmeric, flour and oil, applied to the bride and groom at their family homes.Jaggo
a night of boliyan and dancing, led by a decorated pot of lamps carried through the party.Mehndi and Sangeet
henna, giddha, bhangra and family performances.Chooda
the bride’s maternal uncles give her the red and white bangles, and the kaleere are tied on.Sehra Bandi and Baraat
the groom’s sehra is tied, and he arrives with his family and the dhol.Milni
male relatives from each family meet, embrace and exchange garlands.Anand Karaj
the Sikh marriage ceremony in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib.Doli and reception
the bride’s farewell, then an evening party.
Hindu Punjabi families may hold a ceremony with Pheras around the sacred fire instead of an Anand Karaj, and we cover both. See Indian wedding photography for more on Hindu ceremonies.
The Anand Karaj: what we make sure to capture
The ceremony begins with Ardas and the palla ceremony, when the bride’s father places one end of the groom’s scarf in her hand. Then come the four Laavan: the Raagis sing each hymn, and the couple walk around the Guru Granth Sahib, the groom leading, with family often helping the bride along. We photograph each round, the faces of the parents watching, and the sangat around you. Afterwards we cover the blessings, the langar and the family portraits outside.
Gurdwara etiquette
- Every member of our team covers their head and removes their shoes inside the gurdwara.
- We never stand with our backs to the Guru Granth Sahib or above it, and we move quietly and low during the Laavan.
- We follow the gurdwara’s rules on flash and on where photographers may stand, and we confirm them in advance.
What you receive
Edited digital photos
from each event you book.Films
if you add videography, from a highlight film to the full Laavan and speeches.Albums and canvas prints
for you and your parents.Drone footage
of a Baraat or an outdoor venue where airspace and the venue allow.
Every package can be customized with extra hours, events, albums and prints.
How planning works
- 01
Tell us your events,
dates, venues and the gurdwara for your Anand Karaj. - 02
We build a coverage plan
with the right team for each event, including early mornings and late nights. - 03
Before the wedding
we confirm the gurdwara’s photography rules, the Milni list and your family portrait list. - 04
On the day
we arrive early and work alongside your granthi, planner and DJ. - 05
Editing and delivery
by our in-house editors, as agreed in your package.
Why a team that knows the rituals matters
Each of the four Laavan lasts only as long as its hymn, and the Milni can move down a line of relatives in minutes. A team that knows the order is in the right place for each round and each embrace. Knowing gurdwara etiquette means your granthi and sangat never have to stop and remind us. Couples who review us often mention a friendly, professional team that captured every event.
Early mornings and long nights
A Punjabi wedding can run from a Jaggo that ends after midnight to an Anand Karaj that starts early the next morning. We plan our team around that, so the people photographing your Laavan are rested and ready. We also allow time for travel between the family home, the gurdwara and the reception venue, which can be some distance apart.
Many families want photos of the Chooda and the getting ready on both sides on the same morning. Tell us where each family will be and when, and we will plan coverage for each. If you have a list of relatives for the Milni, sharing it ahead of time helps us make sure every pair is photographed.
Where we photograph Sikh and Punjabi weddings
We cover Queens and the rest of New York City, all of Long Island, and every part of New Jersey, including Edison and Central Jersey. We also travel for destination weddings. See more South Asian wedding photography, browse the portfolio, or send us your dates.
Kaleere, phulkari and the details we look for
Chooda
The red and white bangles your maternal uncles give you. We photograph your hands before anyone else sees them, and your mama’s face as he slides them on.
Kaleere
The gold ornaments tied to the chooda. When the bride shakes them over her unmarried friends, everyone watches to see whose head they land on.
Phulkari
Embroidered cloth often held over the bride at the Maiyan. The colors photograph well, so we frame it from a step up as well as from the side.
Sehra and kalgi
The groom’s veil of flowers or pearls and the ornament on his turban. We photograph the Sehra Bandi and his first look in the mirror.
Kirpan
Many Sikh grooms carry a kirpan through the Anand Karaj. It is part of the formal portraits, so we ask how you would like it shown.
The Jaggo pot
Lamps carried through the night on a decorated pot. We light the faces around it without washing out the flames.
Red turbans, pink and gold, and a lot of laughing
Wedding films that follow every event
Our Wedding Photography Portfolio
An Anand Karaj or a Hindu Punjabi ceremony
Many Punjabi families hold one, and some hold both. The plan for each is different.
Anand Karaj
Held at the gurdwara, usually in the morning, in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib.
- Seated among the sangat, moving low and slowly
- Four Laavan, each as long as its hymn
- Natural light from the darbar hall, often without flash
- Langar and family portraits outside afterwards
Hindu Punjabi Pheras
Held around the sacred fire under a mandap, often at a banquet hall, sometimes in the evening.
- More freedom to move, within the pandit’s rules
- Smoke and firelight to plan for
- Rituals such as the Kanyadaan and the Sindoor
- Often runs straight into the reception
Preparing your Milni list
The Milni moves fast. A list in order means no pair is missed.
- Each pair written as two names, one from each family
- The relation for each pair, such as the fathers, the mamas or the chachas
- The order the pairs will be called
- A relative who will call out the names
- Who is looking after the garlands and gifts
- Elders who may need a chair nearby
- A copy for us and one for whoever calls the names
What Couples Say About Working With Jay’s Team
In their own words on Google: four-day weddings, Diwali parties, anniversaries and more.
A Virk
From start to finish, Jay and his entire team made our wedding experience effortless, joyful, and incredibly special. We had a four-day wedding celebration with a mix of Indian and American events, and somehow they captured everything, every emotion, every ritual, every candid moment, without ever feeling intrusive or stressful. Jay is not only an insanely talented photographer, but also a calm, organized, and reassuring presence. His team kept everything running smoothly, helped guide us when needed, and truly understood the flow and importance of both cultures. From Punjabi ceremonies to the American wedding events, they knew exactly what moments mattered and how to document them beautifully. What stood out most was how easy they made the entire process. During a long, multi-day wedding, that peace of mind is priceless. If you are looking for a photography team that is professional, culturally fluent, incredibly hardworking, and genuinely invested in your experience, I cannot recommend Verma Photography enough. We would choose them again in a heartbeat and recommend them to anyone and everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question? Ask us directly.
Check your date with us
Tell us your dates, events and venues, and we will come back with availability and coverage built around your celebration.