Sangeet Night Photography and Videography: What to Expect

A Sangeet is a pre-wedding music and dance event which is organised one to three days before an Indian wedding, Punjabi wedding and Gujarati wedding, where the family shares songs and choreographed dances. It is not as formal as the wedding ceremony and only about celebration.

What is a Sangeet ceremony?

The Sangeet is a pre-wedding celebration that focuses on music and dance with family and friends from both sides perform for the couple. It typically occurs one to three days before the wedding.

The Sanskrit origin of the word is "sung together. Historically, it was first a PUNJABI tradition, where folk songs and storytelling were presented to women only, and has now become an all evening event with all communities of the South Asian such as Hindu, Sikh, and Gujarati.

How is Sangeet different from Garba and Mehndi?

Sangeet, Garba and Mehndi are 3 separate pre-wedding events which are often confused. Let's take some time to explain the differences.

Some families combine Mehndi and Sangeet in only one evening to make their wedding week shorter. If it does, discuss it with your photography team ahead of time, so that coverage can be planned around both.

What happens at a Sangeet night?

Once the choreographed dances from both families have been performed, there will be a few surprises and an open dance floor once the planned routines are done.

The evenings are generally three to five hours. A grand entrance for the couple, some performances by siblings, cousins and parents, and sometimes even a dance battle between bride and groom's side. The night is usually wrapped up with dinner and open dancing.

How should photography and videography be planned for a Sangeet?

There is a different way to shoot a Sangeet than the day of the wedding, primarily due to low light, constant movement, and performances that are only performed once and can't be done over.

We get there before visitors to capture the stage set, the decor done and the lights arranged, before the place is packed with dancers, as all that is lost once the dance floor is full. The shots during the performances are a combination of wide shots showing the whole routine and closer shots on the couple reacting to the choreography; the reactions are sometimes what is remembered rather than the movement.

Here, as well as in photography, video becomes relevant. If there is a surprise performance that is planned please tell us beforehand so we can be on our toes for it and not catching it sideways during the evening or wedding reception.

If you have a couple's portrait session in your Sangeet, either before guests arrive or during a quiet time, then you should plan for that as well. It provides you with pictures in your Sangeet outfits which you would not find otherwise.

Memory Filming has captured many Sangeet night phototgraphy and videography in London and Uk venues like Syon Park, and many others.

What should we tell guests about Sangeet attire?

Clothing that is bright, comfortable and stays up to dancing is best. Most guests wear lehenga or salwar kameez or formal western attire is best too.

The brighter the clothes, the better they will look when photographed, and movement is also good when it comes to photography, so it is best to have clothes that move in their photos.

How far in advance should you book Sangeet coverage in London?

Make bookings up to 6 to 12 months in advance, if your Sangeet is on a weekend during the peak wedding season (May to September).

Sangeet, Mehndi and the main ceremony are usually held in the same week. So, most couples choose to book the whole week instead of separately. That is typically a better value and will allow one team to know your family, your venues and your schedule by the time of the wedding.

Also read our guide on Haldi Ceremony.

Sangeet Ceremony: Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Sangeet and Garba?

Garba is a particular folk dance of the Gujarati people, which is done in circles. Sangeet refers to the music and pre-wedding dances, which is a larger scale observance, celebrated in Punjabi and other South Asian communities and amongst the Hindu community. Garba can be an integral part of the Gujarati wedding Sangeet.

Can Sangeet and Mehndi be combined into one event?

Yes, there are some families who will put them together in one evening in order to make the wedding week shorter. If yours does, let your photography crew know to plan for coverage of the henna application and the performances.

Do you photograph and film the Sangeet as a standalone booking?

Yes, but most couples book it with the wedding day and other pre-wedding activities which are likely to be a better deal when the two are booked together.

How many hours of coverage does a Sangeet usually need?

Most evenings will be 3 to 5 hours long, with coverage for the duration of the show and some time in advance of guests to shoot the set and props.

Is a second videographer needed for Sangeet performances?

This will vary according to the number of shows and the layout of the performance space. A second angle is helpful in case the stage is wide or when more than one act takes place in succession, but this is not usually required for most Sangeets.

How far in advance should we book?

The time is usually between 6 and 12 months, but it may be sooner during the busy seasons between May to September on a Saturday.

If you have a Sangeet planned in your wedding week, please reach out to us and we'll arrange coverage for the entire week instead of each night.