Three-Day Philadelphia Indian Wedding | The Deacon & Please Touch Museum
Rahkee & Suraj’s Three-Day Indian Wedding in Philadelphia
Some Indian weddings are so full of energy and love that you feel swept into something bigger than yourself. That’s exactly how it felt documenting Rahkee and Suraj’s three-day Philadelphia Indian wedding weekend. The fall leaves were turning, the weather was crisp and clear, and every detail across their celebration felt both deeply personal and full of joy. From the intimate traditions at The Deacon wedding ceremonies to the grand celebration of a Please Touch Museum wedding reception, this was a Philly wedding we won’t forget anytime soon.
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Thursday at The Deacon: Hindu Pheras
The weekend began at The Deacon, a former church turned boutique event space, the perfect backdrop for such a meaningful ceremony. The Hindu pheras, or “circling the fire,” are a series of sacred steps that symbolize the couple’s promises to one another. Each round has its own meaning: nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, progeny, long life, harmony, and friendship. As Rahkee and Suraj made their way around the fire, the room was filled with reverence but also this tangible warmth. Family gathered close, friends leaned in, and everyone focused on the two of them.
Rahkee wore a vibrant orange lehenga that practically glowed against the historic architecture of The Deacon. Her jewelry carried stories of generations, pieces passed down through family, layered with history and sentiment. Every detail of this night connected past and present in the most beautiful way.
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Friday at The Deacon: Haldi & Welcome
Friday’s Haldi was the perfect counterbalance to the formality of Thursday. If you’ve never experienced a Haldi ceremony, picture this: laughter, turmeric paste flying, family members trying not to cry while also joining in the silliness. It’s playful, but it can also be so emotional, especially for parents and close relatives who are truly feeling the weight of the moment. We love this part of Indian weddings because it’s all heart. You see tears, you see joy, and you see everyone getting messy together.
Later that evening, guests gathered back at The Deacon for the welcome event. This was casual and cozy, filled with mingling, hugs, and toasts to Philly itself. After years of building a life in this city, Rahkee and Suraj wanted to honor their time here. It was their way of saying, “This place shaped us, and we’ll carry it with us forever.”
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Saturday at the Please Touch Museum: Baraat, Ceremony, and Reception
Saturday was all about celebration on a bigger scale, and the Please Touch Museum could not have been a more perfect stage. Day three of this Philadelphia Indian Wedding kicked off with something unique: a dual baraat. Traditionally, the baraat is the groom’s procession, but Rahkee and Suraj made it their own. Music and dancing filled the crisp fall air outside the museum as the crowd lit up the street with glow sticks.
The ceremony itself was officiated by their sisters, making it incredibly personal. Rahkee and Suraj exchanged vows and rings, weaving in one Hindu tradition, the varmala or floral garland exchange. It felt like the perfect blending of cultures and traditions, grounded in love and family.
As guests moved into cocktail hour and dinner, the evening kept unfolding with heartfelt speeches, incredible dances, and the kind of energy that makes photographing a reception pure fun. The Please Touch Museum is such a photogenic venue for a Philly wedding photographer. The grandeur of the space, the iconic carousel, and the way history and playfulness combine made it unforgettable. Some of our favorite shots from the night were on that carousel, Rahkee’s orange outfit whirling against the lights, her intricate Philly-inspired henna on full display.
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A Fall Weekend to Remember
Looking back, what stands out most is how perfectly everything aligned. The weather held all weekend, the leaves were at peak color, and every space—The Deacon and the Please Touch Museum—felt like an extension of Rahkee and Suraj’s personalities. The framed photos of grandparents and parents at the reception, the layers of jewelry rich with meaning, the intentional nods to Philadelphia tied together tradition and modern life seamlessly.
Indian weddings in Philadelphia are always vibrant, but this one felt especially full of heart. Rahkee and Suraj gave their guests not just a wedding, but an experience: three days of love, culture, laughter, and community. And we were lucky enough to capture it all.
. Philadelphia Indian Wedding
Thursday & Friday Celebrations: The Deacon
Saturday Venue: Please Touch Museum
Planner + Florist: Elegant Events
Caterer: Moghul Caterers
Hair+ Makeup: Mar & Co. Beauty
Invites: Chick Invitations
Henna: Hiral Amin
Band: Platinum Roadshow
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