How to have a traditional Indian wedding without 300 guests
Adesh & Ishita’s intimate Indian wedding at Kiwiesque, Hawke’s Bay, was a highlight of my wedding season.
As a Hawke’s Bay wedding photographer, I photograph a huge range of celebrations across New Zealand, but Adesh and Ishita’s wedding at Kiwiesque was something especially memorable.
Set amongst the hills of Esk Valley in Hawke’s Bay, their vision was to create a deeply traditional Indian wedding that still felt intimate, relaxed and personal. Instead of a huge 300+ guest celebration, they focused on family, connection, incredible food, meaningful rituals, and bringing loved ones together under one roof for an unforgettable wedding weekend.
The result was colourful, emotional, joy-filled, and one of the most unique multicultural weddings I’ve photographed in New Zealand.
Q: How did this love story all kick off?
“We first met in 2017 at a mutual friend’s birthday in Hawke’s Bay, a relaxed evening with good company and laughter, nothing that hinted at something bigger beginning.
A week later, we ran into each other again at a badminton court in Napier, and were randomly paired against each other. Of all the people to end up on opposite sides of the net, it was us, and funnily enough, the first and only time we’ve ever been there since!
Somewhere between the playful competition and a brief conversation, there was a spark impossible to ignore. Looking back, it’s incredible how something so ordinary turned into something that changed everything.”
Q: Tell us what feeling/cultural experience you were hoping to achieve on your day and how you blended the 3 cultures?
“We wanted our wedding to feel like us, rooted, meaningful and full of joy. Honouring our Indian and Mauritian traditions was important, but so was New Zealand, especially Hawke’s Bay, the place where we met, fell in love and built our life together.
Coming from two different countries, New Zealand became our shared home. We wanted our day to reflect that balance, with traditional attire and ceremonies alongside warm “Kiwiesque” touches, from the venue to the kai.
Our vision was intimate, cosy and joyful, a colourful family celebration filled with dancing, laughter and incredible food. We actually called it our “wedding getaway”, creating a special experience for family and friends travelling from around New Zealand and across the world.”
Q: What qualities about a Hindu wedding are particularly special or unique?
“Honestly, all of it.
A Hindu wedding isn’t just a day, it’s a journey. The rituals create grounding moments to pause, reflect and truly feel the significance of what’s happening.
There was dancing, singing, colour and emotion everywhere, but most importantly, everyone belonged. Nobody simply attended, everyone contributed.
Looking back, the whole experience humbled us. For the first time, both families lived under one roof for weeks. What began as wedding preparation became a month-long celebration of togetherness, with late-night stories, music, dancing and constant laughter echoing through the house.
It wasn’t just a wedding. It was love, legacy and magic in its purest form.”
Q: What was the best part/memory of the celebration for each of you?
Adesh:
“There are two moments I’ll carry forever. The first was seeing Ishita walking towards me at the Mandap. Time slowed down and suddenly everything we had dreamed about was real. I couldn’t hold back the tears.
The second was my mum and dad helping me get ready. I didn’t just feel like a warrior, I felt like a warrior being prepared for something sacred.”
Ishita:
“Just before the wedding, when the nerves kicked in, we were sitting beside each other while I had my hair done and Ady had his makeup done. It was this quiet little pause amongst the chaos, and after everything we had planned and overcome together, it felt grounding, intimate and completely us.”
Q: What was the best part of working with me (Eva) and your feelings looking back at the photos?
“Booking Eva was the very first decision we made when planning our wedding, and one of the best.
From our first conversation, she gave us complete confidence. We wanted photos that would stand the test of time and transport us straight back into the moment, and three months later, they absolutely do.
She blended in like one of us, kept everything fun while staying incredibly professional, and somehow managed to capture moments we didn’t even realise were happening. We’re so grateful.
(We did miss out on seeing her dance moves though!)”
Q: Tell us about the INCREDIBLE food!
“Food was always going to be a huge part of the wedding. I’ve always loved cooking and experimenting with flavours, usually trying to create dishes Ishita would approve of, which is no small feat!
We wanted the food to feel deeply personal, reflecting our cultures, travels and favourite comfort foods. We spent countless late nights discussing flavours and guest experiences, then collaborated with some incredibly talented Hawke’s Bay chefs to bring it all to life.
Our pastry chef Jonathan from Origami in Napier and lead chef Max Gibson from Ari in Hastings created something truly special using beautiful seasonal New Zealand produce. The result felt thoughtful, layered and personal, more than dining, it was storytelling on a plate.”
What advice do you have for other couples planning a wedding with family spread around the globe?
Don’t do it!
But seriously, it’s not for the faint-hearted, but it’s absolutely worth it. Dream big, stick together, and stay grounded in what matters most to both of you.
A Dedication…And last thoughts from Eva:
One of the best parts of being a Hawke’s Bay wedding photographer is the genuine sense of connection I feel with the people I photograph. Despite being quite introverted in everyday life, weddings are my happy place, and some stay with me long after the day ends. This was one of them. I want to dedicate this blog post to Adita’s father, who made me feel like family from the moment I arrived. Sadly he passed away suddenly not long ago, and I’ll always be sad we never got to have that coffee we talked about. He was such a cool guy and helped create a truly beautiful daughter, inside and out. I know he’ll be so glad she has a new leading man in her life to take care of her.
To see more beautiful inspiration from real Hawke’s Bay weddings, check out my blog page.
If you’re looking for the best deserts on planet earth (well Hawke’s Bay the very lest!) get to Origami in Napier.
And never, ever EVER visit Hastings without booking in for lunch or dinner at Ari.
I’ve shot a number of small weddings and wedding prep at Kiwiesque and they’ve always been amazing. Make a beeline there if you’re looking for luxury vineyard accommodation.
