Haldi is usually the most relaxed function of an Indian wedding, and often the one families enjoy the most. It is also the function that produces the warmest photographs, because nobody is dressed up and everyone is being themselves. A little planning makes it much better.
Keep it in daylight
Haldi is traditionally a morning function and it should stay that way. Natural light does most of the work here. If your venue has a courtyard, terrace or garden, use it. An indoor haldi in a dark hall loses most of its charm.
Choose the seating carefully
The couple usually sits low, on a stool or a chowki. Make sure there is space around them for people to move, and that the background behind them is clean. A plain wall, greenery or simple marigold decor works far better than a cluttered corner.
Yellow, but not everywhere
Guests often wear yellow, which looks lovely. But if the decor, the outfits and the background are all yellow, everything blends together. Ask your decorator to add contrast, white flowers, green leaves or orange marigolds.
Protect the outfit and the space
Haldi gets messy quickly. Keep old clothes for the couple, cover the seating area, and keep a change of clothes ready. Also keep phones, jewellery and gifts away from the main area.
Let it be chaotic
The best haldi photographs come from cousins throwing haldi, elders laughing, and water balloons appearing out of nowhere. Do not over organise it. Give the family space and let it happen.
A tip for the photographs
Ask your photographer to shoot a few frames just after the haldi is applied, before the couple washes it off. That yellow on the skin with morning light behind is one of the most striking images of the entire wedding.
If you are planning your wedding in Varanasi, our wedding photography page covers haldi, mehndi, sangeet and the wedding day, and our blog has more planning guides.
Written by the team at The WeddingShoot, wedding photographers in Varanasi.