Pre-Wedding Events

Sarnjeet & Bunty

Winnipeg, Manitoba

This is a big one, folks, a HUGE Indian wedding in Winnipeg, so please be patient while the photos load—trust me, they’re worth it! Since this was a huge wedding spanning five days, we have so many incredible moments to share. And because I just watched Kill Bill Vol. I & II again (LOL), I thought it would be fitting to split this up into two posts.

This first post covers the first three days leading up to the wedding day. These events were a mix of tradition, love, and, of course, non-stop celebration. But before I dive into the details, I have to say—Sarnjeet & Bunty, their families, and their friends are some of the most welcoming and joyful people I’ve ever worked with. Before the wedding even started, we were welcomed in like family, and by the time the week was over, we felt like part of the celebration, not just there to capture it.

Being a Winnipeg wedding photographer, I get to witness all kinds of beautiful celebrations, and while every wedding is unique, I’ll admit that Winnipeg Indian weddings hold a special place in my heart. There’s something about how deeply these families celebrate—not just the couple, but their entire community coming together. It’s truly a marriage of families, and that energy is an absolute joy to document.

Now, let’s talk about these first three days—because wow.

Pre-Wedding Festivities: A Non-Stop Party

The early days of the wedding week were filled with traditions and rituals, each more vibrant than the last. The bride’s family hosted their ceremonies, the groom’s family did the same, and then both sides came together to keep the energy going.

And let me tell you—this was a feast for the senses. The wedding decorations Manitoba couples choose for their celebrations always bring out the best in every moment. From rich colors and intricate setups to candlelit stages and lavish floral arrangements, every space was transformed into something magical.

And the wedding music Manitoba offers? Non-stop dhol beats, DJ sets, and live performances that had everyone on their feet. I’ve seen dance floors stay packed before, but this crew took it to another level!

All in all, these first three days set the stage for what was to come—the grand wedding day and an unforgettable reception. Stay tuned for the next post, where we get into the wedding day itself, including an epic Baraat procession (which, let’s be real, I’m still jealous I didn’t have at my own wedding, LOL).

Until then, enjoy these moments from the pre-wedding celebrations. More to come soon! You can see the rest of the wedding on the next blog post and if you’d like to dig deeper into Indian weddings, check out these posts: Your Indian Wedding Photography Planning Guide and also Finding the Perfect Photographer for your Indian Wedding.

Sarnjeet – The Bride – Her Mehndi, Sangeet, Maiyan & Jago rituals…

Mehndi – (or Henna) is a paste that is applied by an artist to the hands, arms and feet of the bride and many other women in the family and wedding party. It is said that the longer it stays on, and the darker it is, the stronger the love is between the bride and groom.
Sangeet – Is simply a party, LOL! It begins with traditional folk songs sang by the women and traditional indian dance into the night. There will be more of these on both sides.
Maiyan – In simple terms, this is where her family and friends cover the brides body in yellow paste and feed her deserts. The Maiyan is a design made from coloured powder, rice and flour. Vatna (the yellow paste), a mixture of turmeric powder, flower and mustard oil is applied to the face, arms and legs by close family members on each side. This is fun. The mother then performs a ritual and mixes the design with water and leaves two handprints on the house showing that this is a wedding house and to protect the bride and groom for their wedding.
Jago – Is another celebration the night before the wedding… one last excuse to dance and party. Jago means “wake up” and gets everything in the mood for whats to come. A decorated pot is placed on the dancers’ heads as the night goes on.

Bunty – The Groom – His Maiyan & Jago & Sangeet rituals…

Maiyan & Jago & Sangeet – Similar to what is explained above but for his Jago, we march through the streets to a relatives house, dance (sangeet) and then head back to his home to party the night away.