A Love Letter to Wedding Publications (But Also... We Need to Talk)
Image taken by The HP Collective
Hello lovely humans behind wedding blogs, magazines, and those dreamy Instagram feeds 👋🏼 — this one’s for you. Consider this blog post a love letter. The kind with a little glitter, a few feels, and just a pinch of tough love.
Because we love what you do. We see how hard you work to celebrate love. But... as someone who lives and breathes Indian weddings — and documents them with great care — I have to say it:
We need more representation. Like, actually. Properly. Consistently.
Let's Get Real: Representation Still Has a Long Way to Go
Here’s a not-so-fun fact:
While around 20% of modern weddings are interracial, only 2% of weddings featured on mainstream wedding blogs (not run by people of color) highlight non-white couples.
Source: Think Splendid
Yup. TWO percent. I gasped too.
And yet, Indian weddings? They’re not exactly a niche. The Indian wedding industry is worth over $130 billion globally. That’s billion — with a B. We’re talking multi-day celebrations, layers of tradition, a million tiny details that mean everything — and still, we’re struggling to be seen in wedding media.
It's Not Just About Aesthetics. It's About Visibility.
Let me be super clear — this isn’t about begging to be included for vanity’s sake. It’s about couples who flip through magazines, scroll through styled shoots, and wonder:
“Where are the people who look like me? Who celebrate like me?”
When Indian weddings do get featured, they often come with a side of stereotypes: “colorful,” “opulent,” “big fat Indian wedding!” (We’ve heard it all.) And while yes — some of our weddings are bold and vibrant — that’s not the only version that exists.
Some are intimate. Some are neutral-toned. Some blend cultures, languages, and rituals. We’re not a monolith.
Publications Have the Power to Change the Game
Wedding blogs and publications have so much power in shaping what’s considered "timeless," "elegant," or "editorial." So imagine the impact of regularly and respectfully showcasing Indian weddings (and other underrepresented communities) in all their beautiful, nuanced glory.
It tells the world:
Love doesn’t come in one size or color palette.
Tradition isn’t one-size-fits-all.
And yes — that fusion wedding with haldi on Friday and a vineyard reception on Sunday? That’s worthy of a cover spread too.
From the Lens of Someone Who Gets It
As someone who photographs Indian weddings in New Zealand and beyond, I can confirm: the magic is real. The emotions are powerful. The visuals are editorial and meaningful. But even more importantly, these weddings carry generations of stories. They deserve to be captured — and celebrated — with care.
And when publications choose to share these stories, it’s not just good SEO or diversity checkboxing — it’s legacy-building.
So, Here's My Invitation to You:
Let’s normalise seeing South Asian weddings in wedding media — not just once a year, but all year round.
Let’s ditch the tokenism and showcase the real diversity within our communities.
And let’s all remember that love — in every form — is always editorial-worthy.
Because if the wedding industry is really about love… then let’s make sure it loves everyone back.
With a whole lotta heart (and a camera always ready), Harshpreet x