18 Oct 4 Day Indian Celebration and What You Should Know
Langkawi Weddings: What It’s Really Like Behind the Scenes of a 4 Day Indian Celebration
If you think shooting a destination wedding is just about showing up and taking pretty photos, think again. This one in Langkawi was a four day marathon filled with colour, culture, and humidity strong enough to test anyone’s stamina.
We came in as a two team setup. JC Studio handled video and my team covered photography. Together, we had one goal: tell a real story from start to finish without getting in the way of the emotions.
Planning an Indian wedding in Langkawi
means balancing culture, weather, and island logistics. From Haldi on the beach to a Barat procession under the sun, every moment needs coordination and timing. With four days of celebration, the key is pacing your events, trusting your team, and letting real emotions lead the story.
Photography : Jon Low Studios
Videography: JC Studios
Wedding Planner : Gadis Event
Venue: The Westin Langkawi
Day 1: Getting Comfortable with the Camera
We started with something simple. Portraits around Langkawi before the actual wedding began. Waterfalls, paddy fields, and beaches along the Andaman Sea.
This wasn’t just for the couple to get nice photos. It was a warm up. A way to get them comfortable in front of the camera and with us around. If you’re planning your Langkawi wedding, I highly recommend a pre shoot like this. It helps you ease into the rhythm and gets everyone ready for the big days ahead.
Day 2: Ceremony by the Beach
Morning prayers led straight into the Haldi ceremony, all in yellow. The colour, the laughter, the turmeric paste. This is what photographers dream about.
We didn’t direct much. The best photos came when people forgot we were there. Kids playing, families laughing, the couple jumping into the sea to wash off the turmeric. Pure, honest joy.
If you’re planning something similar, don’t over stage it. Let the rituals breathe. You’ll get photos that actually feel alive.
Day 3: The Wedding Day
By now everyone’s running on adrenaline. The groom’s turban session, the barat, the crowd, the heat. It’s chaos in the best way.
Timing is everything. You want enough time for portraits but also space to breathe. I always tell couples this: ten years later nobody remembers if you were late, but they’ll always remember how they felt looking at the photos.
The ceremony took place facing the Andaman Sea. The view was unreal. The bride walked in just after the groom and everyone was already emotional. You can’t script these moments. You can only be ready for them.
When you have a full photo and video team, communication is key. You need to move as one, not block each other’s angles, and still stay invisible. The goal is to capture the energy without interrupting it.
At the end of the ceremony, we gathered everyone for one big group shot. It’s something I do at almost every wedding. That one image becomes a time capsule. Every face that mattered is in that frame.
Day 4: The Reception and the Surprise
After all the rituals, we wrapped the celebration with a slideshow presentation of everything we shot in Langkawi. Watching their reaction to it was priceless. You could see them reliving every moment, from laughter to tears.
That’s the payoff for all the planning, sweat, and coordination. To see the couple and their families connect with those memories right there in the room.
What Couples Should Know When Planning a Langkawi Wedding
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- Plan with buffer time: Island weddings move slower than city ones. Build breathing room into your schedule.
- Scout for light: Langkawi’s beaches look different every hour. Visit your venue before the wedding day to find the best lighting zones.
- Be ready for heat and humidity: Dress smart, stay hydrated, and trust your photographer to adapt fast.
- Keep it real: The most memorable images come when you’re not posing. Enjoy the moment and let the cameras follow.
- Trust your team: Good wedding photos don’t just happen. They come from coordination between you, your planner, and your photo video crew.
- Plan with buffer time: Island weddings move slower than city ones. Build breathing room into your schedule.
How long should we plan for an Indian wedding in Langkawi?
From what I’ve seen, three days isn’t enough. Four days gives space for rituals like Haldi, Sangeet, the ceremony, and a reception without rushing through them. When families fly in, you want everyone to settle, not jump straight into makeup and outfits the next morning.
How do you photograph Indian wedding rituals without interrupting them?
The best way is to know the sequence before the day starts. Every ritual has its own rhythm. During Haldi or Barat, we move around quietly, reading the energy instead of directing it. For couples, the best photos happen when you stop worrying about the camera and just live the moment.
What challenges do you face photographing in Langkawi’s weather?
Heat and humidity drain everyone fast, especially during outdoor ceremonies. We plan around light and use shaded spots whenever possible. The good thing is, Langkawi’s light after rain or near sunset is stunning — it makes all the sweat worth it.
How do you balance between photo and video teams during a wedding this big?
It’s all about coordination. We communicate before every ceremony, decide who covers what angle, and avoid blocking each other. When both teams work like one, the couple gets the best of both worlds — cinematic footage and storytelling photos that flow together.
What’s the most rewarding part of shooting a wedding like this?
Watching the couple’s reaction to the slideshow at the end. After four days of nonstop celebration, seeing them relive everything in one sitting makes the whole thing worth it. That moment always reminds me why I shoot weddings in the first place.
What advice would you give couples planning a similar Indian wedding in Langkawi?
Start early, find a planner who knows the island, and don’t overpack your schedule. Let the events breathe. Give your family and guests space to enjoy it. The best memories come when the day isn’t rushed and everyone can just be themselves.