Surya Garigipati Photography & Films photographs Indian Christian weddings and Catholic–Hindu fusion days across New Jersey and New York: the church ceremony or nuptial Mass within the parish’s rules and without flash, the receptions that follow, and days that pair a Hindu ceremony with a church service. The studio is rated 4.9 on Google.
At a glance
| Weddings | Indian Christian weddings; Catholic, Christian and Hindu fusion days; Indian-American weekends with a church ceremony |
| In the church | No flash, fast lenses and silent shutters; positions agreed with the priest or officiant beforehand; the vows, rings and readings covered in full |
| Studio | Surya Garigipati Photography & Films LLC, Flemington, New Jersey |
| Team | Two photographers on the wedding day, one with each family; cinematographers in-house since 2016 |
| Travel | New Jersey, New York City and Philadelphia included in every collection |
| Reviews | 4.9 on Google from 38 public reviews: read them |
Who this page is for
Three kinds of couple find us this way. Indian Christian families, from Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Mangalore and the North East, whose wedding is a church ceremony with a reception that may still have a sangeet the night before and a saree or a lehenga at the reception. Couples planning a fusion day, a Hindu ceremony in the morning and a Catholic or Christian one in the afternoon, which is one of the most common shapes of wedding we cover. And Indian-American couples with a church or civil ceremony on the last day of an otherwise Indian weekend. Our guide to fusion and interfaith weddings covers the two-ceremony day hour by hour.
Inside the church
A mandap and a church ask completely different things of a photographer. At a Hindu ceremony the priest usually welcomes us close; in a church the rules belong to the parish, and they vary. Many parishes keep photographers at the back or in the balcony during the service, some limit movement in the sanctuary altogether, and flash is almost universally forbidden, which is right. We speak with the priest or officiant beforehand, every time, use fast lenses and silent shutters, and are in position for the vows, the rings, the readings given by both families and the walk back up the aisle before each happens. A ceremony with a nuptial Mass runs close to an hour; without one it is shorter, and we plan the afternoon around which it is.
The two-ceremony day
The part couples underestimate is the change: lehenga to gown, sherwani to tuxedo, hair restyled, jewellery swapped. It takes ninety minutes, not thirty, so we ask for at least two hours between the end of the first ceremony and the start of the second, with the family portraits and lunch inside it. Two photographers cover the day, one with each family at the getting-ready, the baraat and both ceremonies, so both sides appear equally in the album, and a first look in Western dress gives ten quiet minutes before the church. The wedding photographer in New Jersey page covers fusion and multicultural weddings more broadly.
The reception, the film and the sound
The reception is lit the way we light any evening party: soft constant light placed high in the room before guests arrive, so faces read and the décor keeps its colour. Two ceremonies mean two sets of sound to capture, and the film team puts lapel microphones on the couple and the officiant at each and takes a feed from the DJ’s board, so the vows and the mantras are both in the feature film, delivered alongside the highlight film. Kasturi & Benjamin’s film from the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City is on our films page.
Where church weddings take us
Across New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia: the parish churches of Central and North Jersey, the cathedrals and historic churches of Newark, Jersey City and Manhattan, and the receptions at the ballrooms and waterfront hotels covered on our area pages, from Jersey City to Princeton and Montclair. Travel within 90 miles of New Jersey is included in every collection.
How do we book?
Send us your date, your church and the shape of your day. Surya replies personally within 24 hours, then a twenty-minute call, then a written proposal itemised to the dollar. See packages and prices or check your date.
What couples wrote on Google
"Surya captured our wedding perfectly. We had a packed day with multiple events including Catholic and Hindu wedding and Surya’s time management was perfect. He, in fact made us feel calm throughout the day and did not take over the event" — Nimmy Arpan
"We had an incredible experience with Surya and his team for our wedding in April 2024! From start to finish, he and his team were professional, talented, and truly dedicated to capturing every special moment of our big day." — Nikki N
Questions about church and fusion weddings
Do you photograph Indian Christian weddings?
Yes. Church ceremonies and nuptial Masses, the receptions after them, and fusion days that pair a Hindu ceremony with a Catholic or Christian one, across New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.
Do churches allow photographers during the ceremony?
Most do, with rules: many keep photographers at the back or in the balcony, nearly all forbid flash, and some limit movement in the sanctuary. We speak with the priest or officiant beforehand and work within the parish’s rules.
Can you photograph a Hindu ceremony and a church wedding on the same day?
Yes, it is one of the most common shapes of wedding we cover. One timeline for both ceremonies, positions agreed with the priest and the officiant in advance, two photographers so each family is covered at each ceremony, and at least two hours between them for the outfit change.
Will the vows and readings be on the film?
Yes. Lapel microphones on the couple and the officiant and a feed from the sound system mean the full ceremony is recorded and delivered alongside the highlight film.
How much does an Indian Christian wedding photographer cost in New Jersey?
Single-celebration collections begin in the mid four figures, and most couples who celebrate across a full weekend make a five-figure investment, set out in a written, itemised proposal.
Your church wedding
Tell us your date, your church and the shape of your day. Surya replies personally within 24 hours.
Check Your Date