A Hindu Wedding & Civil Ceremony in Yorkshire: A Real Wedding at Newburgh Priory
A Fusion wedding at Newburgh Priory Estate.
Hema & Will’s epic Hindu fusion wedding in Yorkshire was easily one of the highlights of my 2025 wedding photography season. Set at Newburgh Priory on the summer solstice in June, their day brought together a traditional Hindu ceremony and a civil ceremony in one seamless celebration. It was a day full of colour, energy, and traditions and was an absolute joy to capture from start to finish.
The Hindu Ceremony at Newburgh Priory
The day began with a traditional Hindu ceremony, led by a Brahmin priest, which lasted around two hours and was filled with meaningful rituals and symbolism. For me this was a real honour to witness and to capture.
The ceremony began with the Jaan, as Will arrived in a joyful, frenetic procession with family and friends and of course Dholis (drummers), before being welcomed and led to the mandap, the sacred space at the heart of the ceremony. From there, the couple moved through a series of key traditions, including the Jai Mala (exchange of garlands), Kanya Daan (giving away of the bride), and the Mangal Fera, where they circled the sacred fire together to represent the foundations of their marriage.
The ceremony also included the Saptapadi, where they took seven steps together as their vows, along with the tying of the mangalsutra and the application of sindoor, both important symbols of Hindu marriage. The celebration ended with blessings from family, the sharing of sweets, and the Akhand Saubhagyavati, where married women offered advice and well wishes for the future.
Capturing this Hindu ceremony was a real privilege and a standout moment of the day for me. From the energy of the Jaan and Will’s arrival with family and friends, there was an immediate sense of excitement and celebration that carried through the whole ceremony.
It was incredibly rich visually and emotionally, with so much happening throughout — a real joy to document from a photographer’s perspective. More than anything, it was a pleasure to simply witness and be immersed in such a meaningful and beautiful celebration.
The Civil Ceremony in the Priory ruins
The civil ceremony took place in the stunning ruins at Newburgh Priory, offering a beautiful contrast to the marquee setting of the earlier Hindu ceremony. Hema & Will took a chance with the British weather and, despite a brief shower just before things began, it more than paid off. The ruins created an incredible, atmospheric backdrop and felt like the perfect setting for Hema & Will’s ceremony.
After wearing a traditional deep red lehenga for the Hindu ceremony, Hema changed into an elegant gown by Suzanne Neville, bringing a striking shift in both style and feel. Will also swapped his traditional sherwani for a sharp blue suit, perfectly complementing the more classic tone of the civil ceremony.
One of the standout moments was Hema’s entrance, as her brother walked her down the aisle through the centre of the ruins.. a setting that made the moment truly memorable.
There’s something about outdoor ceremonies that always feels special… The ambient sounds, the natural light, and that sense of being immersed in the surroundings. In a setting like this, it adds an almost spiritual quality to the whole service and Hema & Will’s ceremony was just this.
Capturing two ceremonies from different cultures on the same day was an incredible experience for me. There were both differences and similarities, and it was genuinely beautiful to see Hema and Will honour and celebrate both of their heritages so thoughtfully.
Portraits, Confetti & an Unforgettable Evening at Newburgh Priory
After the ceremonies, myself and the videographer headed out to explore the stunning grounds of Newburgh Priory for some relaxed portraits with Hema & Will. The estate offered endless beautiful backdrops, and it was a lovely chance for them to take a breather and soak in what had already been an incredible day in together.
We then made our way back for an epic confetti toss… full of energy, laughter, and pure joy. From there, the day naturally flowed into the evening, with a welcome period of downtime where guests could mingle and soak up the incredible weather. With the temperature still soaring, the ice cream cart was a very welcome addition (and definitely well used), alongside a pizza van keeping everyone fuelled and happy.
Heartfelt and at times hilarious speeches followed (Hema’s Brother taking of his shirt to reveal a Manchester United shirt was both brave and epic), before Hema & Will took to the floor for their first dance, kicking off a brilliant evening of partying back in the marquee with the DJ keeping the dancefloor full with music from both Hema & Will’s cultures.
Tips for Planning a two ceremony wedding day
Keep the timeline flexible
When you’re planning two ceremonies in one day, things work best when the timeline has breathing room. It helps take the pressure off and lets the day unfold naturally rather than feeling rushed from one part to the next.
Build in buffer time
With larger cultural ceremonies especially, timings can naturally shift. Giving yourself extra space between key parts of the day means you can enjoy the moments as they happen without worrying about running behind.
Plan outfit changes properly
If you’re changing outfits between ceremonies, make sure there’s enough time and space built into the day to do this comfortably. It’s one of those things that always takes longer than you think, especially with more detailed traditional outfits.
Think about how the day flows between locations
If your day moves between different spaces, consider how guests will transition from one to the next. Keeping things simple and well signposted really helps maintain the flow and energy of the day.
Decide on your key moments in advance
With so much happening across two ceremonies, it really helps to know what matters most to you photographically. That way nothing important gets missed in the middle of a busy, fast-moving day.
If you’re planning a Hindu wedding in Yorkshire, a civil ceremony, or a multicultural wedding anywhere in the UK, I’d love to hear more about your plans and help capture your day in, head to my contact page and leave me a message.
Wedding Suppliers
Venue – Newburgh Priory, North Yorkshire
Videographer – Lana Johnson Video
Catering – Apna khana catering
Bar – Louisiannas mobile bar
Pizza Van – The Curious Pizza co
DJ – NSC Entertainment
Cake – The Pretty Sugar Cake Company
Mandap Hire – Bombay Events UK
Ice Cream – Rogue Ice cream
Wedding Photo Highlights
Scroll down to view some highlights from what was an unforgettable day from start to finish at Newburgh Priory, Yorkshire.
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