An Indian wedding in Christchurch

at the Lincoln Events Centre

I was totally stoked about photographing Krina and Nitin’s Indian wedding in Christchurch. I’ll tell you why. These two are flippin’ AWESOME! My husband’s family live in Christchurch. And the CBD there has loads of very cool, contemporary architecture and incredible, colourful street art.


I have to tell you how Krina and Nitin met. They were introduced to each other at a wedding I photographed in Wellington a few years ago. How cool is that?!


Krina and Nitin’s wedding ceremonies and celebrations took place over three days. This is day one and two. Get ready to see vibrant outfits, dazzling jewellery, ancient rituals and traditions, and a whole load of emotion.

Day 1: Krina's Pre-wedding events

An Indian Bride dressed in a yellow sari performing pre-wedding Hindu rituals before her traditional Indian wedding
An Indian Bride dressed in a yellow sari performing pre-wedding Hindu rituals before her traditional Indian wedding
An Indian Bride dressed in a yellow sari performing pre-wedding Hindu rituals before her traditional Indian wedding
An Indian Bride dressed in a yellow sari performing pre-wedding Hindu rituals before her traditional Indian wedding
An Indian Bride dressed in a yellow sari performing pre-wedding Hindu rituals before her traditional Indian wedding
An Indian Bride and her parents performing pre-wedding Hindu rituals before her traditional Indian wedding

Day Two: Traditional Hindu Wedding Day

We started the day with Krina and Nitin’s location shoot in the Christchurch CBD. In the lead up to their wedding we talked about where we’d take their photos and the kind of vibe we were going for. I suggested Christchurch’s inner city with its impressive, modern buildings and structures, and colourful murals. Krina and Nitin were totally into it as they really wanted something different. Gosh! I love it when couples are unique like these two. What I love so much about these photos, besides being bright, bold and beautiful, is the contrast of their traditional Indian outfits in a very contemporary setting.

Bride & Groom standing side by side holding hands in traditional Indian wedding outfits in front of a street art mural
An Indian Bride and Groom in traditional wedding attire standing on a earthquake ruin in Christchurch, New Zealand
An Indian Bride and Groom in traditional wedding attire standing on a earthquake ruin in Christchurch, New Zealand
An Indian Bride and Groom in traditional wedding attire standing on a earthquake ruin in Christchurch, New Zealand

With Krina and Nitin’s photos done, it was time for them to get married. Their wedding was big with a few hundred guests at the Lincoln Events Centre. After Nitin arrived in a cool, classic car with his groomsmen, they danced outside with guests joining in.

The large hall inside the Lincoln Events Centre decorated with a mandap and aisle for a tradition Indian wedding
The large hall inside the Lincoln Events Centre decorated with a mandap and aisle for a tradition Indian wedding
A traditional Indian drummer is playing while the groomsmen and other guests dance at an Indian wedding
A groomsmen at a traditional Indian wedding at the Lincoln Events Centre in Christchurch dancing outside the venue.

Coming up are photos of Krina’s Mum escorting Nitin from his wedding car to the doorway of the Lincoln Event Centre. You’ll see the priest conducting an entrance ceremony that ends with Nitin crushing a little clay pot with his foot. This ceremony represents a Groom’s ability to look after and protect his wife. Then Nitin makes his way inside to the mandap ie ceremonial area.

Photo of the Groom's entrance ceremony at an Indian wedding. It's conducted by a Hindu priest with the Bride's mother
Photo of the Groom's entrance ceremony at an Indian wedding. It's conducted by a Hindu priest with the Bride's mother
Photo of the Groom's entrance ceremony at an Indian wedding. It's conducted by a Hindu priest with the Bride's mother
Photo of the Groom's entrance ceremony at an Indian wedding. It's conducted by a Hindu priest with the Bride's mother
A groom making his entrance at a traditional Indian wedding. Photo by Mala Photography, Auckland wedding photographer

Keep scrolling to see Krina entering the wedding, and the look and smile on Nitin’s face when he sees her. It’s obvious how happy these two are to be together as they were smiling all day.

An Indian Bride entering her wedding with her uncle and auntie . The Bride is traditionally in red.
The garland exchange that takes place at the start of a traditional Indian wedding ceremony.

With the wedding ceremony done, it was time for a few quick photos of Krina and Nitin with their bridesmaids and groomsmen around the Lincoln Events Centre. The centre’s modern design, and interesting lines and curves mean these photos complement the couple shots we did in the inner city.

Krina and Nitin’s wedding day ended at Krina’s family home. That’s where the vidae or farewell took place. Krina’s family said their good-byes. As you can see from these photos the vidae involves more prayers and rituals to send the happy couple on their way.

Krina and Nitin’s Indian wedding day in Christchurch was a blast. I left on a high looking forward to the following day when I’d be photographing their civil service and reception at Pemberton Gardens.


I’ve been doing Indian wedding photography in Auckland and throughout New Zealand for over ten years. To see more of my photos of Indian weddings, check out my Indian Weddings page. You’ll also find me on Instagram and Facebook.


Are you having an Indian wedding? Get in touch with me about photographing your big day. I'd love to hear from you and chat with you.