The Ultimate Indian Wedding Timeline: What Happens & When
Hindu, Sikh & Muslim Ceremonies Explained
If you’re planning an Indian wedding in Melbourne, you’ve probably realized—this isn’t your typical one-day event. Indian weddings are vibrant, emotional, multi-day experiences filled with love, tradition, color, and modern flair.
Whether you’re having a Hindu, Sikh, or Muslim wedding, understanding the Indian wedding ceremony order can help you plan your timeline, book your vendors, and enjoy every moment without stress.
As a wedding photographer and videographer in Melbourne specializing in Indian weddings, I’ve covered hundreds of celebrations blending tradition with contemporary style. Here’s how it all usually unfolds…
Pre-Wedding Events (1–2 Days Before the Wedding)
Haldi (Hindu)
🕒 Timing: Morning, 1–2 days before
This is a joyful and messy (in the best way) pre-wedding ritual where turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom. It’s meant to purify, bless, and beautify the couple before the big day.
Photography tip: We capture this with vibrant colors, candid laughs, and flying turmeric — cinematic slow-motion shots look stunning here.
Mehndi (Hindu & Sikh)
🕒 Timing: Afternoon or evening, 1–2 days before
The bride’s hands and feet are adorned with intricate henna patterns, surrounded by music, food, and dance. This is one of the most relaxed and fun parts of the celebration.
Tip for brides: Wear something bright and comfortable. This is your time to enjoy, dance, and bond with your closest people.
Sangeet (Hindu & Sikh)
🕒 Timing: Evening before the wedding
Think of this as the party before the party! Family members prepare dance routines, there’s a full DJ setup, and both sides of the family mingle, laugh, and sometimes compete in dance battles.
We love to shoot this with a mix of energetic dance footage and emotional family moments.
Wedding Day Timeline (Main Ceremony Day)
This varies slightly depending on the tradition, so let’s break it down by culture.
Hindu Wedding Ceremony Order
Baraat (Groom’s Arrival)
🕒 Timing: Morning
The groom arrives in style — often on a horse or in a luxury car — with music, dancing, and family surrounding him. This is one of the most high-energy parts of the day.
📸 We use drone footage during the baraat to capture the scale and energy of the celebration.
Milni Ceremony
🕒 Timing: Right after baraat
A formal welcome where the bride’s and groom’s families greet each other with garlands and warm embraces.
The Hindu Wedding Ceremony
🕒 Timing: Late morning to early afternoon
The core of the wedding — under the mandap. It includes rituals like:
Kanyadaan (giving away the bride)
Mangal Pheras (circling the sacred fire)
Sindoor and Mangalsutra (signifying marriage)
🎥 We focus on cinematic angles during the pheras, capturing emotion, firelight, and close family reactions.
Lunch or Dinner Reception (Same Day or Evening)
A traditional vegetarian lunch is often served post-ceremony. Sometimes, a formal evening reception follows on the same night or another day.
Sikh Wedding Ceremony Order (Anand Karaj)
Baraat & Milni
🕒 Timing: Early morning
The groom arrives with his family at the gurdwara, welcomed by the bride’s family. A simple, respectful Milni follows.
Anand Karaj (The Sikh Ceremony)
🕒 Timing: Morning
Held in a gurdwara or Sikh temple, this peaceful, spiritual ceremony includes:
The couple sitting before the Guru Granth Sahib
Laavaan (four rounds around the scripture, each symbolizing a spiritual journey)
🧘♀️ It’s serene, sacred, and deeply emotional.
Langar (Community Meal)
After the ceremony, everyone is invited to a shared vegetarian meal — a beautiful display of equality and tradition.
Reception (Optional)
Most Sikh couples host a reception on a separate evening, filled with bhangra, food, and modern celebrations.
Muslim Wedding Ceremony Order (Nikah)
Bride & Groom Prep
🕒 Timing: Morning or afternoon
Both sides prepare separately, often with a prayer session or short ceremony before heading to the main event.
Nikah (Marriage Contract Ceremony)
🕒 Timing: Afternoon or evening
The religious officiant (Qazi or Imam) performs the Nikah — where the bride and groom formally accept the marriage, in the presence of witnesses.
📸 This is often an intimate and respectful ceremony — we use soft lighting and documentary-style coverage here.
Walima (Reception)
🕒 Timing: Same evening or next day
A joyful gathering hosted by the groom’s family to celebrate the marriage. Expect lavish décor, speeches, and lots of dancing.
Modern Additions & Tips
First Look Photos: Some couples do a first look before the ceremony for private portraits. This works beautifully with Melbourne’s scenic spots.
Candid Family Moments: We always keep cameras rolling during in-between moments — a dad adjusting his daughter’s veil, a grandmother’s tearful smile. That’s the real magic.
Fusion Ceremonies: We often work with couples blending cultures — Hindu-Muslim or Sikh-Christian weddings. We’ll help structure a timeline that honors both heritages.
📸 Our Signature Style
🎥 Drone coverage during the baraat
💞 Cinematic storytelling during pheras, laavaan, and nikah
😢 Emotional close-ups of families and parents
🎉 Party energy captured with vibrant dance coverage
We don’t just capture what happens — we tell the story of how it felt.
🙋♂️ FAQs
How many days is an Indian wedding?
Usually 2–3 days, including pre-wedding events and the main ceremony. Some couples condense it into 1–2 days for convenience.
Do I need a separate timeline for each event?
Yes! We help you build a detailed timeline for Haldi, Mehndi, Sangeet, and the wedding day to make sure your photos and videos are seamless.
Can I have a first look in an Indian wedding?
Absolutely. Many modern couples love this — it adds a beautiful private moment before the busy day.
Do you shoot mixed-faith weddings?
Yes — we specialize in documenting weddings that honor both cultures and work with you to create a timeline that respects all traditions.
How early should we book you?
We recommend booking at least 9–12 months in advance, especially for peak Melbourne wedding season.
Ready to Tell Your Story?
Whether your celebration is Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, or a beautiful mix, we’re here to help you preserve it with cinematic visuals and heart. Let’s document your traditions with soul and style.
