Choosing the right photographer can shape how your Indian wedding is remembered—not just for you, but for generations. But with so many talented artists out there, how do you know who's truly the right fit?

In this episode, we sit down with the legendary Duke Khodaverdian of Duke Images, a globally recognized wedding photographer with over 20+years of experience. His work has graced the pages of Grace Ormonde, Vogue, and numerous high-end publications.

I first met Duke back in 2016 at a South Asian Bride Show in LA. Our booths were right next to each other, and I remember being struck not only by how beautifully curated his display was, but by the breathtaking images he showcased — photos I still think about today.

In our conversation, Duke breaks down what couples should look for in a great photographer, how to plan your photos for magazine-worthy features, and what goes into his creative process. His tips are practical, his insights are inspiring, and his perspective is refreshingly real.

We also talked about the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in wedding photography and his thoughts on using it vs not using it for editing.

It's a no-fluff conversation that every couple will find valuable — and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Sampati — a fine jewelry brand specializing in high-quality, versatile mangalsutras designed for modern women.

Founded in 1977, Sampati expanded its online presence in 2013, now serving customers worldwide.

Led by designer Jinal Sampat, the brand was created to redefine how women wear the mangalsutra — transforming it from a piece kept in the bank after the wedding into one that can be worn every day with style and meaning.

Sampati's designs are not just modern; they're timeless, versatile pieces meant to be cherished for years to come.

Learn more at: www.sampati.com

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the Indian Wedding Podcast
A warm welcome and what listeners can expect from today's episode.

00:45 – Meet Duke Images
Introducing Khodaverdian "Duke" of Duke Images — a globally recognized wedding photographer with 20+ years of experience and features in top publications like Grace Ormonde & Vogue.

02:10 – How Duke Approaches Wedding Photography
Duke shares his philosophy on capturing emotion, storytelling through imagery, and what makes his work distinct.

05:40 – What Makes a Wedding Photo Magazine-Worthy
From editorial composition to lighting, Duke explains what editors look for and how couples can prepare to get featured.

10:20 – Working With Your Photographer on Wedding Day
Practical tips for smoother timelines, best lighting moments, and how to collaborate without stress.

15:45 – Trends in South Asian Wedding Photography
Observations from photographing luxury multicultural weddings across major destinations.

19:30 – Duke's Most Memorable Wedding Moments
Behind-the-scenes stories that shaped his career and built his signature style.

24:00 – Advice for Couples Planning Their Wedding
What couples should prioritize, what to avoid, and how to choose the right photographer.

28:10 – Closing Thoughts & Where to Find Duke
Final advice + links to learn more about Duke Images.

Sign up here for more insightful episodes: www.indianweddingpodast.com

Duke Khodaverdian from Duke Images: www.dukeimages.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeimages

🙋 Please enjoy!

At Indian weddings, décor is often the heart of what makes each celebration unique. It's all about that first impression — the wow factor that families want their guests to experience.

In this episode, we chat with Alex and David from Square Root Designs, who take us behind the scenes of those extravagant, Pinterest-worthy wedding setups we all admire.

Based in Irvine, CA, Square Root Designs has been in the floral and event design industry since 2002. Their impressive client list includes President George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Kim Kardashian, Kobe Bryant, and many more.

We had such a fun and insightful conversation about design, execution, and—most importantly—budgeting. Alex and David break down what things actually cost, share their advice on venue selection (and why it can dramatically affect both design and cost), and tell us about one of their favorite projects — complete with the creative engineering behind those breathtaking Indian wedding designs.

We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did — it's full of inspiration, practical tips, and a peek into the artistry behind luxury wedding décor.

Sign up here for more insightful episodes: www.indianweddingpodast.com

Alex Amidi and David Yusuf https://www.squarerootdesigns.com/

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Sampati — a fine jewelry brand specializing in high-quality, versatile mangalsutras designed for modern women.

Founded in 1977, Sampati expanded its online presence in 2013, now serving customers worldwide.

Led by designer Jinal Sampat, the brand was created to redefine how women wear the mangalsutra — transforming it from a piece kept in the bank after the wedding into one that can be worn every day with style and meaning.

Sampati's designs are not just modern; they're timeless, versatile pieces meant to be cherished for years to come.

Learn more at: www.sampati.com

Are you unsure whether you need a wedding planner? Will hiring one be an extra expense, or could it actually help you save time and money? In this insightful podcast episode, we delve into what it truly means to work with a wedding planner and explore the invaluable support they can provide.

Our guest today is Vidhi Kshtritye, the founder of The Marigold Company. With a decade of experience in the wedding planning industry, Vidhi has assisted numerous couples in crafting their dream weddings. She candidly shares the secrets of working with a planner, including how they can facilitate negotiations with vendors and ensure a seamless wedding experience.

Join us as we uncover the role of wedding planners and gain valuable insights into making your special day truly magical.

Don't forget to check out the links and timestamps in the description below for specific topics and insights.

TIME STAMPS

00:00 Precap

02:18 Introduction

04:05 Vidhi's personal story and mission

07:37 Wedding planning tools

09.25 Importance of having family meeting with the wedding planner

13:07 The cost to hire a wedding planner for your wedding

15:05 Do we need a wedding planner?

17:09 How does the wedding planner help save money?

19:47 Booking a venue for the wedding with catering included vs outside catering

21:22 Choosing the right vendors for your wedding

23:59 Using your credit card for larger wedding payments to earn points/miles

26:18 How to choose a wedding planner?

28:47 Ideal couple

30:30 What will a wedding planer NOT do

32:11 What Inspires Vidhi everyday

34:10 Bonus Tips and Insights from a wedding planner

36:50 Subscribe to Indian Wedding Podcast

With your hosts Kunal and Jinal Sampat

📈🤳🏼 Sign up here for more insightful episodes: www.indianweddingpodcast.com

🎙️Vidhi Kshtritye | The Marigold Company

Website: https://themarigoldcompany.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marigoldcompany/

🙋 Please enjoy!

This Episode is brought to you by Sampati

https://sampatjewelers.com (5% off your first order)

Specializes in Modern Mangalsutra that you will wear, not store it in the bank safe.

🔗Brands and Link Mentioned:

Almost Free Luxury Honeymoon Travel with Trevor Wright https://sampatjewelers.com/podcast/honeymoon-travel/

#weddingday #weddingplanner #Southerncaliforniaweddingplanner #indianweddingpodcast #indianweddingplanning #indianweddingbuzz

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