Wedding day tips for your BIG FAT PAKISTANI WEDDING!
If you’re planning a Big Fat Pakistani Wedding in New Jersey, then this post is a must-read! Over the years as a Pakistani wedding photographer, I’ve seen my fair share of wedding-day mishaps—especially at Desi weddings. With the right planning, you can minimize stress and make sure your big day runs as smoothly as possible.
Below are my tried-and-true wedding day tips for Pakistani brides and grooms. This list is always evolving, so I’ll continue adding new insights as they come to mind!
1. Create a Detailed Wedding Itinerary
Prepare a detailed itinerary at least 10 days before the wedding day. This single step will make your entire event more organized and stress-free.
An itinerary benefits everyone—especially your vendors and photographer. Without one, chaos can quickly take over, and timing goes out the window.
As a photographer, I always review the itinerary in advance to ensure everything makes sense and is doable. It also gives me time to adjust lighting setups, choose lenses, or move equipment between key moments.
When drafting your timeline, be as specific as possible. Instead of writing:
“10:00 PM – Rukhsati”
write something like:
“10:00 PM – Rukhsati: Immediate family will accompany the bride and groom from the ballroom through the hotel lobby to the main entrance, where they’ll depart in a limo.”
Details like this help photographers plan lighting and location logistics ahead of time—especially if outdoor photos are involved.
2. Declutter Your Getting Ready Room
Before your bridal or groom prep photos, make sure your getting-ready space is neat. Pick up anything off the floor, make the bed, and tidy up countertops. A clutter-free environment makes a world of difference in your photos!
3. Choose a Well-Lit Room
Whenever possible, get ready in a room with large windows and natural light. Open the blinds and position yourself near the window. Natural light is far more flattering than yellow or mixed room lighting, so you won’t need harsh overhead lights.
4. Be Strategic When Booking Your Makeup Artist
Do your research before booking your makeup artist (MUA). Many MUAs take multiple brides in one day, which can lead to delays. I’ve seen artists arrive up to two hours late—throwing the entire timeline off balance.
Confirm your artist’s schedule in advance and consider doing a trial session to estimate how long your look will take on the big day.
5. Perfect the Pin Placement on Your Dress
Pay close attention to where the pins are placed on your bridal outfit. We photographers rely on how your outfit looks in real time—photoshop can’t fix hundreds of images if a pin is creating an awkward fold or lump. Always do a mirror check before finalizing your look.
6. Confirm Imam Timing for Your Nikkah
If your Nikkah ceremony is taking place on the same day as your wedding, make sure to confirm the Imam’s availability and timing. Occasionally, delays happen—which can disrupt the rest of your event timeline.
7. Schedule a “First Look” Session
A First Look is when the bride and groom see each other for the first time before the ceremony. It’s an intimate, emotional moment that makes for some of the most memorable wedding photos.
Keep it private—just the two of you. No family members, no friends, no distractions. Ideal First Look locations include venue gardens, nearby parks, or scenic hotel lobbies. I usually scout the location in advance and provide my recommendations.
8. Allow Plenty of Time for Portraits
Reserve at least 1–2 hours for your wedding-day photoshoot. Between walking in heavy bridal wear, setting up lighting, and capturing solo and couple portraits, this time goes by fast. The more time we have, the more creative shots we can produce.
9. Keep Stage Lighting in Check
Avoid colored uplighting that shines directly on faces. While pinks and purples look great on the background, they can make your guests’ skin tones appear unnatural in photos. Keep those lights dim or directed toward the walls—not the people.
Also, skip stage setups with pillars or curtains in the front—they block light and make it difficult to photograph large groups.
10. Organize Family Photos on Stage
This is one of the biggest challenges at Desi weddings! To avoid chaos, create a list of group photos in priority order and give it to the DJ or coordinator. Have them call guests up by name or table number—not by vague groups like “all the groom’s side.”
When done correctly, your stage photos will flow quickly and efficiently without crowding.
11. Manage the Entrance & Guest Crowds
Ask your DJ to remind guests to stay seated during entrances so your photographers can capture unobstructed shots. Avoid harsh spotlights unless previously discussed with your photo and video team. Sudden lighting changes can cause missed moments.
12. Keep Kids Occupied
Every Pakistani wedding has a few energetic little ones! To maintain a polished, elegant atmosphere, consider hiring an entertainer—a magician, clown, or game area—for the kids. This keeps them happy and prevents them from running into shots (which happens all too often).
13. Avoid “Uncle Photographers”
Every wedding has at least one “Uncle Tom” who thinks he’s part of the photo team! While we love enthusiastic guests, having someone follow us around with their camera can disrupt shots and confuse the subjects.
Please remind your guests to enjoy the wedding and trust the professionals. We use specialized lighting, lenses, and editing techniques to deliver results that no smartphone can match!
Bonus: Venue Recommendations
Here are a few beautiful Pakistani wedding venues in New Jersey that I highly recommend:
Looking for more venue ideas? Feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to share more recommendations based on your vision, budget, and guest count.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding day is one of the biggest moments of your life, and with the right planning and coordination, it can unfold beautifully. By following these Pakistani wedding day tips, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and ensure that every precious moment is captured perfectly.
If you’re looking for a Pakistani wedding photographer in New Jersey, I’d love to document your big day. Click here to see some of the Pakistani weddings that I’ve photographed.