Vishal Punjabi And Nikki Krishan’s Wedding Album Is Going To Be Living In My Mind Rent-Free
Here’s why…
I imagine Vishal Punjabi, of the renowned The Wedding Filmer, would have had some pressure when it came to his own wedding. Not only has he captured weddings, but he has perfected the art of telling each couple’s unique love story through his frames. But I, dear reader, would be wrong.
What comes through their recently shared wedding album, is not practised poses or overly directed images in a bid to create an iconic wedding moment. The artfully captured photographs (he is The Wedding Filmer, after all) reveal the depth and devotion the couple holds for each other. What clearly makes it through, is their connection, palpable through every frame.
Back in 2024, Vishal Punjabi and Nikki Krishnan tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in London. In an exclusive interview with Manifest, the filmmaker spoke about the moment he realised he had found The One. "It felt like every energy and force in the universe was bringing us together. The first time I saw her, I was trying to park a car, and she came over to help me. Parking in London is always a challenge for me, and at that moment, a breeze blew, and ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ was playing on Sunshine Radio. It was pure magic. A few hours later, I found myself feeding her parathas because she had mehndi on her hands, and her sisters, playing the perfect wingmen, helping us connect. It truly felt like a scene from a movie.” Over the weekend, the couple established their union in an Indian traditional ceremony.
Sharing the photos from the recent ceremony on Instagram, Vishal Punjabi wrote, “Once upon a time, I met a girl, and something in her smile told me I’d do things I never imagined. Like dance. For her. With her. Because of her.” The beautiful pictures captured their second wedding ceremony and the pre-wedding celebrations held by the couple, surrounded by their loved ones.
After going through their wedding album on Instagram, it became evident to me that nobody is doing it like The Wedding Filmer. Here are all the reasons why I believe their wedding album deserves an A++...
How Vishal Punjabi (Of The Wedding Filmer) Set The Bar High For Wedding Photography
The joy of being photographed by people who love you
The haldi images of the couple, captured by Sam and Ekta (long-time friends of the couple) have a certain intimacy that’s hard to replicate. It tells a story similar to that of a friend capturing you during a golden hour when you’re not looking because in their eyes this is the most beautiful you look. The images capture grins, smiles, tears, and the playfulness the couple shares between themselves and the intimate gathering around them. Instead of aesthetics, they capture what ‘happiness’ looks like for the couple.
The juxtaposition of softness and stoicism in their sangeet pictures
The theme for their sangeet photoshoot was clearly ‘Grand’ (at least I assume!)It’s not about the location, or their outfits (a beautiful nod to traditional Indian handicraft of jamdani, Ghanaian Kente, Ajrakh and more) or the way the couple posed, it was in the way they held themselves. There is a beautiful juxtaposition of soft and strong, straight lines of the architecture and the curve of his moustache, the stoicism of this power couple and the palpable vulnerability when they hold each other. Their strong gazes contrasted by the giant red bougainvillaea (my best bet) that seemed like a curtain of 1000 roses.
The clear expression of joy
The popularity of cinematic wedding photography and videography has not accounted for the importance of storytelling through the medium. Watching Vishal Punjabi and Nikki Krishnan’s wedding album instantly makes it clear that the couple’s love story is front and centre throughout.
One of the images has Nikki’s face projected on Vishal’s back as they walk hand in hand at the venue. The image for me showcases their unending support of each other of making this journey together, of being bonded together and living their lives side by side.
Another one has Vishal on his knee and kissing Nikki’s wrist. The romantic in me could imagine the moment this frame came to life. With a team instructing them to start posing and for Vishal to go down on his knees, Nikki’s hand casually ends up on his shoulder, his eyes close - a sign of how earnestly he accepts her and the casual intimacy they share. How much this day means to them, and how much it means for him to find this love.
The beautifully captured wedding has set a template for what it means to capture love and joy through the camera and it’s something that’s easily going to occupy major real estate on my Manifestation board. What do you think?