Sana and Imran

Intimate Nikah photography

““Literally insane how much power photos have.. can literally relive the entire day of emotions!! Thank you so much Zehra for just being the best, to capture the start of all our wedding celebrations, and all the relief to finally be able to do this after all our changes and rearrangements in lockdown!”

— Sana

After postponing multiple times, after many tears (Sana burst into tears on a site visit, then I started crying). and many many stories this couple could tell you about their wedding and what they’ve been through, they started their celebrations finallllly after what felt like forever.

Their intimate Nikah ceremony took place in lovely family grounds with their close ones that could attend. There were lots of tears as unfortunately many of Sana’s family couldn’t attend from abroad. Sana already cries a lot so this made her even more sad :(

Even though it was sad many guests couldn’t be there, I loved how intimate and relaxed the day was, with close ones able to spend time together and eat and be happy with a little bit of sunshine, cake and paan. Special guest was Shufi the dog, who Sana has a special place for in her heart, dressed suitably in a lilac dupatta especially for the occasion. My special thanks to Shiza and all the family for making me feel so at home x

Sana’s look:
Outfit by Kanwal Malik
MUA @reenamuax
Floral jewellery @classictrends_flowers

Here are some of my faves from the day.

Planning your wedding or ceremony? Get in touch below! x

Choosing your photographer

How To Choose The Right Wedding Photographer

Choosing who will take your wedding photos is one of the biggest and most important decisions you'll ever make! There are millions of different wedding photographers out there. There are likely hundreds just in your local area. We know how hard it can be to find the perfect photographer for your Asian wedding! Rather than swaying in a sea of uncertainty, we've put together some simple yet effective ways you can narrow down your shortlist and finally decide on the perfect wedding photographer for your Asian wedding. Here we go...

Find Your Style

Every wedding photographer will specialise in a particular style. You'll also find yourself drawn to some photography styles over others.

Maybe you'll fall in love with traditional formal photographs, or you might favour a more fun and contemporary approach. There are loads to choose from!

Look over the different styles of wedding photography and decide which you like best. There's no point being like a kid in a candy shop who wants it all. You need to refine to decide!

As annoying as this might be, it can actually be a lot of fun! Spend some time looking on the internet at different photography styles and see which beautiful weddings catch your eye.

One type of photography will stand out to you and that’s how you know it’s the perfect fit for your Asian wedding!

Look At Reviews And Testimonials

Reviews and testimonials are a great way to testify to a photographer's skills and understand more about them as people. You want a friend in a photographer, not just images.

Your wedding photographer must understand the vision and meaning of your Asian wedding. After all, this is the most special day of your life!

Testimonials will make sure you can trust the service you're paying for, testify to the skills set they appear to attain and learn more about the experience of working with them more broadly. In short, read reviews, they’ll tell you essential information about who you’re hiring!

Go by recommendations too, if you know someone that has has hired a great photographer recently, is a testimonial in itself. Going by the number of Instagram followers is not always a sure way to gauge customer service.

Look At Their Previous Work

Another way to ensure you're choosing the right photographer for you is by looking at their previous work.

A picture speaks a thousand words! An old cliche, but it's true! When you're hiring a visual service, nothing is going to prove better than the image itself.

Take a look at the photographer's previous work, is this how you've always dreamed of showcasing and capturing your special day?

Does the editorial align with your personal taste and aesthetics? You can gauge a lot from a photograph, you should feel excited and enthusiastic about this creativework; this excitement is what’s going to tell you if they're the right photographer for you!"

Communicate With Them

Communication really is key, you need to make sure your photographer understands you. They need to understand your emotions and how you want your wedding to be captured. After you've discovered a photographer whose work you love, and who has great reviews, you need to reach out to them. From the beginning, their communication and attitude will give you an inclination as to whether they're the right photographer for you. We recommend arranging a meeting, whether in person or virtual, to ensure they understand your needs and desires, and that you all get on well! There's nothing worse than an awkward first meeting! Eliminate this possibility by communicating with them early on and seeing if you click.

So…

Hiring your wedding photographer is a big decision. You need to give yourself the time and patience to find the perfect photographer for you and your wedding day. All couples and weddings are different, which means there are numerous different styles of Asian wedding photography. Make sure you discover the perfect style for your wedding and location.
Your wedding photos are going to be part of your life as well as the lives of those closest to you. For many, wedding photos become an important family heirloom. There's a lot of meaning behind wedding photographs, and so, a lot of pressure to ensure you hire the right person to do the job. Take your time, make sure you look over different portfolios, reach out to lots of photographers and choose the perfect person to capture your special day.

Sophia and Rameez

Sophia and Rameez, like every other couple this year have had a rocky wedding planning journey. Not only were a lot of guests meant to fly in for the wedding, both Sophia and Rameez are medics. When lockdown kicked in over spring, I called Sophia to see how she was doing. She said “Zehra forget the wedding, what if my mum and Rameez’ family can’t fly over?”

With Rameez and Sophia both busy during the pandemic, the outfits they seemed to be planning to wear more than wedding outfits was the heavy PPE gear!! Sophia actually ordered her outfit online and prayed it would arrive as she hoped. The outfit was stunning!! I couldn’t believe she ordered online!!

Rameez’ sister sadly couldn’t come to the UK for the wedding, but she designed his outfit, and I LOVE the white!! One of the nicest groom’s outfits I’ve seen! Clean, simple, understated yet so classy. Thanks to zoom she was able to see her brother and the nikkah ceremony live.

What was meant to be a grand affair, became a gorgeous intimate one, with close family and friends and more loved ones over live stream video calls.

Sophia had chosen a light peach pink, silver and grey outfit with the most delicate embroidery. Sophia had no time to buy jewellery with her mum, but I think it turned out to be a blessing, as she wore the most beautiful heirlooms worn by her mum. I love Sophia’s delicate and sophisticated style with a little sass injected in, and her intricate rose hairstyle was absolutely perfect on her!

Sophia has lived away from her parents for a long time and was sure she wouldn’t get emotional on the wedding… but as soon as Daddy walked in she burst in tears and even got the rest of us going!

There always seems to be a story behind the ‘dupatta’. Sometimes it’s a brides heirloom-her mum or grandma’s from their wedding outfit, or someone burnt it while ironing it on the wedding day (yes I’ve seen this happen) or it’s been custom made with specific personal embroidery.

For Sophia, the dupatta she is about to be covered in belongs to a dear friend, that gave it up just moments before the nikah...

Sophia had her dupatta pinned beautifully to her outfit. Then we all said “Sophia but you need a dupatta to cover your head” she said “but my hair” 😂😂😂. Luckily her bestie Foujia came to the rescue with her gorgeous scarf that matched perfectly. And yes... Sophia’s gorgeous hair stayed intact...

Both Rameez and Sophia wanted matching wedding bands and went for classic Cartier wedding bands. Sophia says she can’t wear an Engagement ring to work, , having to wash her hands a million times a day between patients, and would cry if she lost it. She said she’d get broken heart syndrome -she says it’s an actual real medical condition (she’s a cardiologist so let’s take her word for it 😂!)

We got some gorgeous portraits outdoors, and Rameez said “Thank God, now Sophia should have enough photos so I shouldn’t have to take any for a few months” Haha!! He said “I hate photos”…yet Sophia and I laughed when he was secretly enjoying having his pictures taken!!

The speeches were super emotional, and there were lots of tears and laughter. Thank you Sophia and Rameez for letting me be a part of your special day, and thank you even more so for being so dedicated to your day jobs to save so many lives, I pray you get to have the honeymoon and big party you’ve been waiting so long for…x

So peeps, here' are some of my faves from the day. Show some love and leave some comments at the bottom, we love hearing what you think. Do you have family heirlooms you’d love to wear on your wedding? Does Sophia’s style inspire you?

Photographer Zehra Jagani
Hair Arpita Karania
Makeup Sana Ismail
Sophia’s Outfit Saira Shakira
Groom’s outfit
Rings Cartier
Shoes Jimmy Choo
Hair flowers Blooms by Vanita
Rameez’ watch and pen, Rolex and Mont Blanc, gifted to the couple by Rameez’ dad in honour of their nikah.

Hawkstone Hall

Persian Wedding at Hawkstone Hall

Part One: Sofreh Aghd Ceremony

Hawkstone Hall in rural Shresbury has recently been renovated to accommodate weddings, with some gorgeous interior elements. With wedding planner Abigail, a styled shoot was planned to showcase goregoues florals, two stunning dresses from The White Closet, with a traditional Iranian Wedding Ceremony with the Sofreh Aghd (loosely translated as wedding table spread).

As I walked into the Winter Garden Room at Hawkstone Hall, I had to hold my breath for a moment, to take in the detailing of such a stunning summer room. High ornate ceilings with floor to ceiling windows with light softened by voile curtains floating gently with the breeze. I’d highly recommend a trip here for a night’s stay and Afternoon Tea.

Mat from Red Floral had created insanely huge and beautiful floral structures. If you’ve seen Mat’s work, you’ll know he doesn’t do things by halves, everything is big, bold, creative and fun. The injection of colour with big blooms from coral and purples to soft pinks and yellows with soft green foliage was unbelievably stunning.

The Sofreh is found across the Persian land and Arabian states with the custom dating back centuries. The table consists of items to represent different elements to a marriage, from the Ayeeneh va Shamdoon (mirror and candles) to represent light, clarity and love, Shakheh Nabat (sugar) symbolising a sweetened life for the newlyweds, to the Tokhmeh Murgh, Badom va Gerdom (Eggs, Almonds, Walnuts) to represent fertility for the couple. The Divan (Holy book), is placed on the Sofreh to symbolize a blessing for the couple.

During the ceremony, the Kalleh Ghand (sugar blocks) are rubbed over a traditional cloth canopying the bride and groom to shower the couple with sweetness, After exchanging rings, the couple dip their pinky fingers into Asal (honey) to represent sweetness in their marriage. I’ve only mentioned a few elements, but each table is personalised for the couple with some beautifully decorated items.

Our gorgeous bride wore the low backed cowl dress by Charlie Brear from the Iconic Collection, a bold draped look, with a loose low bun and barely there elegant makeup whilst the groom sported a classic black tuxedo.

It was a pleasure to shoot this set with some amazingly talented vendors, here are some of my fave images from the first set (set two features a to-die-for Jesus Peiro dress eek!!)

Photographer Zehra Jagani
Wedding Planner Abigail Lucy Events
Cinematographer Dwiko Arie
Venue Hawkstone Hall
Florals Red Floral Architecture
Dress The White Closet , Didsbury
Cake Rosalind Miller
Makeup Made up by Cathryn
Hair JustJasleen
Fabrics, ribbon Lancaster and Cornish
Accessories Botias Accessories,
Watch JaegerLecoultre
Shoes Jimmy Choo and Hugo Boss
Stationary Lily Anna Rose
Tableware White House Crockery
Sofreh accessories John Lewis

Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, Arab Wedding

Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, Arab Wedding

Reminiscing over some of the lovely weddings I got to capture last year, this Arab wedding springs to mind.

Set at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool with beautiful art deco features, I felt very privileged to photograph this wedding within such romantic surroundings. This bride was ever so sweet, her dress was stunning with layers of voile and lace-would you believe she ordered it blindly from the States, thank heavens it fit her perfectly!

Here are some of my favourites from the day. Makeup by Lubna Nazir, Hair by Ilmaas