A Pakistani wedding is a joyous and festive celebration that brings together family and friends to celebrate the union of two people in love. The wedding ceremony is truly a fun, traditional & exciting cultural event. It is filled with many rituals and customs that have been passed down through the generations. The wedding reception is a lively and celebratory occasion, with music, dancing, and delicious Pakistani cuisine. In a Pakistani wedding, the bride and groom may wear traditional Pakistani attire, such as a shalwar kameez for the groom and a lehenga or sari for the bride. The wedding ceremony and reception may also be adorned with colorful decorations and floral arrangements, adding to the festive atmosphere. One interesting aspect of a Pakistani wedding is the engagement ceremony, also known as the “nikah,” which takes place before the actual wedding. During the nikah, the couple exchange rings and the groom presents the bride with a gift, known as the “mahr.” The mahr is a symbol of the groom’s commitment to the bride and is considered a legal requirement in Pakistani Muslim weddings. Another interesting aspect of Pakistani weddings is the involvement of the extended family and community in the celebration. Often, the entire community is invited to attend the wedding and participate in the festivities, which creates a sense of togetherness and unity. A Pakistani wedding is a celebration that is rich in tradition and cultural customs, and is a truly special and memorable event. A Pakistani wedding is a celebration of love, family, and community, and is a truly special and memorable event.

DARS Photography is thrilled to be part of a Pakistani Wedding with fun-filled Ismaili traditions and ceremonies. Our beautiful bride Sunainna and handsome groom Aly begin the celebration at Ashyana Banquets as they are showered with flower petals. The bride receives blessings from the families and everyone eats sweets (Mithaai). The bride receives gifts in the form of money from everyone. The mehndi on the bride looks more attractive and shiny as glitter is added. The holy water is brought by girls from jamatkhana from both sides.

After the initial welcome, comes a ceremony of Pithi, in which the groom is applied a paste made of turmeric, chickpea flour, and oils. A ritual that promotes a glowing skin on the day of the wedding. The ceremony of pithi is also enjoyed by the groom since each family member has to pay in order to be a part of it. After the Pithi ceremony, both bride and groom break sapatia, which is a small clay pot with various symbolic elements. They break it by stepping on it and taking the gifts from inside. After that, comes the time to have some fun with the groom. At the groom, both sides of the family get to throw all types of food items, such as, eggs, milk, different mixture of sauces, lard, sugar, flour, cake, Hershey’s syrup, ketchup, mustard, pasta sauce, and various other food items. After enough of spaying and smashing, the bride and groom get ready again and make a grand entrance.

Once everyone settles, the bride side of the family, either mom or older sister, places a chunni on the bride and there is a mix of dances and performances by cousins and both sides of family. Then, the celebration begins.

A sneak peek of the wedding….more to come!

Venue:  Ashyana Banquets [Downers Grove, IL]

Jamatkhana:  Ismaili Community Center & Jamatkhana [Naperville, IL]

DJ: Raunak Raunak Entertainment

Floral & Decor:  Elegance Decor

And the celebration of our Pakistani wedding continues…

Back to our Photography Portfolio