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When Diwali Meets Fall: How We Celebrate Light, Love & a Little Bit of Pumpkin Pie

By Amy & Srinu Regeti — The Regeti’s | South Asian Wedded Life (SAWL)

There’s something truly magical about October and November in Virginia — that crisp fall air, the rustle of leaves under your feet, and the glow of porch pumpkins that seem to smile as the sun goes down earlier each day. But in our house, this time of year means something even brighter — Diwali, the festival of lights.

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And for us — a blended Indian-American family — it’s never just one thing or the other. It’s a mix of flickering diyas andcandlelit pumpkins. It’s the sound of sparklers crackling outside while Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan songs play in the background. It’s the smell of basmati rice, chickpea curry, mushroom fry, potato masala, and masoor dal wafting through the kitchen — followed by Besan ladoos and pumpkin pie because, well, why not both?

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A Festival of Light — and Meaning

Diwali, at its heart, is about light — about goodness, gratitude, and renewal. In India, it’s a time to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and hope over despair. It’s marked by lighting oil lamps, decorating homes, exchanging sweets, and spending time with family.

For us here in America, it’s also become a season of reflection — a reminder to pause, give thanks, and welcome warmth into our home as the year winds down. There’s something beautiful about how this festival, though rooted in Hindu tradition, resonates universally: we all crave light, peace, and togetherness.

Our Family Blend — Diwali, with a Dash of Fall

This year, we decorated the outside of our home with strands of golden fairy lights that wrapped around the porch railing and glimmered through the pumpkins we’d picked earlier that week. The flicker of diyas danced alongside our carved gourds — East met West in the prettiest way.

Eshaan and our niece Monita took turns holding sparklers in the driveway, their laughter mixing with the echoes of “It’s the Time to Disco” and “Senorita” from our Bollywood playlist. Inside, the kitchen came alive — pots bubbling, spices sizzling, the comfort of familiar aromas wrapping around us like a warm hug.

Dinner was a colorful spread of everything we love: fragrant rice, chickpea curry, mushroom fry, potato curry, and masoor dal — a little taste of home. And because traditions evolve beautifully, dessert was a perfect pairing of Besan ladoos and homemade pumpkin pie.

Somewhere between lighting diyas and refilling plates, we all paused for that simple, sweet feeling — gratitude.

Finding Your Own Fusion of Light

What I love about celebrating Diwali here in the States is that it doesn’t have to look one particular way. Whether you’re Indian, married to someone who is, or simply drawn to the spirit of the season — there’s room for everyone at the Diwali table.

You can hang string lights along your porch, place a few tea candles by the window, cook a simple Indian meal, or even add a pumpkin spice twist to your ladoos. The point isn’t perfection — it’s participation. It’s about creating your version of light.

In a world that sometimes feels too divided, holidays like Diwali remind us that joy doesn’t belong to one culture — it belongs to all of us who choose to celebrate it.

A Little Light, A Lot of Love

As the diyas flickered against the night sky and the fireworks faded, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for our little fusion life — one filled with laughter, music, and the kind of memories that glow long after the candles go out.

If you’ve never celebrated Diwali before, this might just be the perfect time to start. Add your own touch — light a candle, make something sweet, play your favorite Bollywood playlist, and invite a little extra light into your life this season.

From our family to yours — Happy Diwali and Happy Fall! ✨

🎶 Our Diwali Playlist Favorites

  • “It’s the Time to Disco” – Shah Rukh Khan (Kal Ho Naa Ho)
  • “Senorita” – Hrithik Roshan (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)
  • “Ghungroo” – Hrithik Roshan (War)
  • “Deewangi Deewangi” – Shah Rukh Khan (Om Shanti Om)
  • “Badtameez Dil” – Ranbir Kapoor (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani)
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    That half-second before the twirl settles — Alekhya`s lehenga still mid-spin, and Amar just... watching her. Not posing, not performing for the camera. Just watching his new wife catch the evening light in red and gold.



    This is why we always build in time for portraits. The ceremony is beautiful, but moments like this — quiet, unscripted, a little giddy.



    Planning a Sikh ceremony and want photos that feel like this? Drop a comment or DM us — we`d love to hear about your day.

    0 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18132749119748283
    That half-second before the twirl settles — Alekhya's lehenga still mid-spin, and Amar just... watching her. Not posing, not performing for the camera. Just watching his new wife catch the evening light in red and gold. This is why we always build in time for portraits. The ceremony is beautiful, but moments like this — quiet, unscripted, a little giddy. Planning a Sikh ceremony and want photos that feel like this? Drop a comment or DM us — we'd love to hear about your day.

    There`s a reason we always try to get this angle during an Anand Karaj — shooting from behind the Guru Granth Sahib, with the granthi in the frame, so you see exactly what the couple sees: the entire sangat, seated together, witnessing. Alekhya and Amar are mid-Laav here, the moment where the groom leads and the bride follows around the Guru Granth Sahib, four times, each round a vow. You can feel the room`s attention even in a still photo.



    This is why we love photographing Sikh weddings — the symbolism is so visual and so intentional. Thinking about a Sikh ceremony for your own wedding? Send us a DM, we`d love to talk through how we`d cover it.

    2 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18107452325613429
    There's a reason we always try to get this angle during an Anand Karaj — shooting from behind the Guru Granth Sahib, with the granthi in the frame, so you see exactly what the couple sees: the entire sangat, seated together, witnessing. Alekhya and Amar are mid-Laav here, the moment where the groom leads and the bride follows around the Guru Granth Sahib, four times, each round a vow. You can feel the room's attention even in a still photo. This is why we love photographing Sikh weddings — the symbolism is so visual and so intentional. Thinking about a Sikh ceremony for your own wedding? Send us a DM, we'd love to talk through how we'd cover it.

    Everyone faces forward during an Anand Karaj — toward the Guru Granth Sahib, toward the moment being witnessed — so some of the most beautiful details happen in the one direction no one else is looking. That embroidery on the back of Alekhya`s lehenga? Most of the room never saw it like this. We did.



    There`s something about photographing from behind the couple during a Sikh ceremony — you catch the whole sangat, the colors, the stillness of people sitting shoulder to shoulder in prayer. It`s a different kind of portrait. Quieter. Bigger than just the two of them.



    Planning a Sikh or Punjabi wedding and want a team that knows the ceremony flow, not just the aesthetics? Drop a comment or DM us — let`s talk.

    1 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18171136159476067
    Everyone faces forward during an Anand Karaj — toward the Guru Granth Sahib, toward the moment being witnessed — so some of the most beautiful details happen in the one direction no one else is looking. That embroidery on the back of Alekhya's lehenga? Most of the room never saw it like this. We did. There's something about photographing from behind the couple during a Sikh ceremony — you catch the whole sangat, the colors, the stillness of people sitting shoulder to shoulder in prayer. It's a different kind of portrait. Quieter. Bigger than just the two of them. Planning a Sikh or Punjabi wedding and want a team that knows the ceremony flow, not just the aesthetics? Drop a comment or DM us — let's talk.

    This is the moment everyone`s eyes skip right past because they`re waiting for the big kiss or the garland exchange, won`t be happening here folks!— but this is still the good stuff. The palla draped and placed in the bride`s hand, her chuda bangles catching the light. It`s such a small gesture, but it`s literally the moment she takes hold of the journey they`re starting together.



    At Sikh ceremonies we always tell couples: don`t rush the hands. The jewelry, the fabric, the grip — it all tells a story the wide shot can`t. Alekhya and Amar`s ceremony at the Sikh Foundation of Virginia was full of these in-between moments, and I`m so glad we caught this one.



    Planning a Sikh or Punjabi ceremony and want a photographer who knows to watch for the small stuff? Drop a comment or send us a DM — we`d love to talk through your day.

    1 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 17898243057393424
    This is the moment everyone's eyes skip right past because they're waiting for the big kiss or the garland exchange, won't be happening here folks!— but this is still the good stuff. The palla draped and placed in the bride's hand, her chuda bangles catching the light. It's such a small gesture, but it's literally the moment she takes hold of the journey they're starting together. At Sikh ceremonies we always tell couples: don't rush the hands. The jewelry, the fabric, the grip — it all tells a story the wide shot can't. Alekhya and Amar's ceremony at the Sikh Foundation of Virginia was full of these in-between moments, and I'm so glad we caught this one. Planning a Sikh or Punjabi ceremony and want a photographer who knows to watch for the small stuff? Drop a comment or send us a DM — we'd love to talk through your day.

    Given that Alekhya`s father is no longer with us, her mother instead gently places the other end of the Palla, into the cupped hands of the bride. Alekhya, eyes down, soaking in the quiet before everything became official, while her new father-in-law watched the whole thing unfold with the kind of smile you can`t fake.



    This is what we love about shooting Sikh ceremonies — the formality of the moment never erases the small, human gestures happening right alongside it. We`re always watching for these in-between beats because years from now, this is the photo that gets pointed at first.



    Want moments like this from your own ceremony? Drop a comment or send us a DM — we`d love to hear about your wedding.

    3 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 17940263463376362
    Given that Alekhya's father is no longer with us, her mother instead gently places the other end of the Palla, into the cupped hands of the bride. Alekhya, eyes down, soaking in the quiet before everything became official, while her new father-in-law watched the whole thing unfold with the kind of smile you can't fake. This is what we love about shooting Sikh ceremonies — the formality of the moment never erases the small, human gestures happening right alongside it. We're always watching for these in-between beats because years from now, this is the photo that gets pointed at first. Want moments like this from your own ceremony? Drop a comment or send us a DM — we'd love to hear about your wedding.

    There`s a moment right before the words come out — eyes closed, hand lifted, like he`s reaching for the note before it exists yet. This ragi was leading shabad kirtan at Alekhya and Amar`s Sikh wedding ceremony, and I love how you can see the tabla player`s hand already waiting, perfectly in sync, like they`ve done this a thousand times together (they probably have).



    This is the part of a wedding day people don`t always think to document — not the couple, not the decor, but the musicians who carry the entire spiritual weight of the ceremony on their voices. You can see decades of practice in that harmonium, worn smooth at the keys. That`s not something you stage. That`s something you notice.



    If you`re planning a Sikh ceremony and want a photographer who understands the significance of these quieter moments — not just the big ones — let`s talk. Drop a comment or send us a DM.

    2 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18058446743797894
    There's a moment right before the words come out — eyes closed, hand lifted, like he's reaching for the note before it exists yet. This ragi was leading shabad kirtan at Alekhya and Amar's Sikh wedding ceremony, and I love how you can see the tabla player's hand already waiting, perfectly in sync, like they've done this a thousand times together (they probably have). This is the part of a wedding day people don't always think to document — not the couple, not the decor, but the musicians who carry the entire spiritual weight of the ceremony on their voices. You can see decades of practice in that harmonium, worn smooth at the keys. That's not something you stage. That's something you notice. If you're planning a Sikh ceremony and want a photographer who understands the significance of these quieter moments — not just the big ones — let's talk. Drop a comment or send us a DM.

    That look. Right in the middle of the ceremony, surrounded by family, and Amar still can`t help but grin at Alekhya like no one else is in the room. We caught this at the Sikh Foundation of Virginia, and moments like this are exactly why we never put the cameras down during the ceremony — the real stuff happens in the glances, not just the rituals.

    Sikh wedding ceremonies have such a beautiful rhythm to them, the quiet focus, the hymns, and then these little bursts of pure joy between the couple. We live for catching both.

    Planning a Sikh or Punjabi wedding and want a team that knows the flow of the ceremony? Drop us a comment or DM — let`s talk.

    #SouthAsianWeddings #IndianWeddings #WeddingPhotographersInVirginia #IndianWeddingPhotographersInVirginia #SikhWedding #PunjabiWedding #SouthAsianWedding #DesiWedding #IndianWeddingPhotography #RegetisPhotography #WeddingPhotography

    5 0
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18174440296455445
    That look. Right in the middle of the ceremony, surrounded by family, and Amar still can't help but grin at Alekhya like no one else is in the room. We caught this at the Sikh Foundation of Virginia, and moments like this are exactly why we never put the cameras down during the ceremony — the real stuff happens in the glances, not just the rituals. Sikh wedding ceremonies have such a beautiful rhythm to them, the quiet focus, the hymns, and then these little bursts of pure joy between the couple. We live for catching both. Planning a Sikh or Punjabi wedding and want a team that knows the flow of the ceremony? Drop us a comment or DM — let's talk. #SouthAsianWeddings #IndianWeddings #WeddingPhotographersInVirginia #IndianWeddingPhotographersInVirginia #SikhWedding #PunjabiWedding #SouthAsianWedding #DesiWedding #IndianWeddingPhotography #RegetisPhotography #WeddingPhotography

    This is the kind of moment you have to be watching for — not posed, not repeated. Amar kneeling before the Guru Granth Sahib, kirpan in hand, the whole room holding its breath for a second. The maroon turban against that cream sherwani, the flowers banking the altar like they`re standing guard too.



    These quiet, reverent seconds inside a Sikh ceremony are some of my favorite to photograph — there`s so much weight and history in them that you can`t fake. Planning a Sikh wedding and want someone who knows how to catch these moments without getting in the way? Send us a DM, we`d love to talk.

    3 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18138299467623803
    This is the kind of moment you have to be watching for — not posed, not repeated. Amar kneeling before the Guru Granth Sahib, kirpan in hand, the whole room holding its breath for a second. The maroon turban against that cream sherwani, the flowers banking the altar like they're standing guard too. These quiet, reverent seconds inside a Sikh ceremony are some of my favorite to photograph — there's so much weight and history in them that you can't fake. Planning a Sikh wedding and want someone who knows how to catch these moments without getting in the way? Send us a DM, we'd love to talk.

    The room is empty, the guests haven`t arrived yet, and these little gold baskets are already doing their job, hold the Karah Parshad which is handed out to attendees - it is much more than just a dessert; it embodies the core principles of Sikhism. This is the kind of detail I find myself photographing before anyone else even walks in — because the care put into a Sikh wedding goes so far beyond the ceremony itself. At the Sikh Foundation of Virginia, hospitality isn`t an afterthought, it`s woven into everything, right down to how the napkins are set out.



    These are the moments that remind me why I show up early to every wedding. Want us there for yours from the very first detail? Send us a DM or book a consult — link in bio.

    1 2
    Open post by theregetis with ID 17967694947186961
    The room is empty, the guests haven't arrived yet, and these little gold baskets are already doing their job, hold the Karah Parshad which is handed out to attendees - it is much more than just a dessert; it embodies the core principles of Sikhism. This is the kind of detail I find myself photographing before anyone else even walks in — because the care put into a Sikh wedding goes so far beyond the ceremony itself. At the Sikh Foundation of Virginia, hospitality isn't an afterthought, it's woven into everything, right down to how the napkins are set out. These are the moments that remind me why I show up early to every wedding. Want us there for yours from the very first detail? Send us a DM or book a consult — link in bio.

    Before the shabad even starts, there`s this moment of quiet — flowers arranged just so, everyone finding their seats, the whole room settling into what`s about to happen. These blush roses were part of Alekhya and Amar`s day at the Sikh Foundation of Virginia, and I always make a point to slow down and capture the details like this before the ceremony energy picks up. They matter just as much as the big moments.



    If you`re planning a Sikh ceremony and want a photographer who understands the flow of the Anand Karaj — from the quiet setup to the joy after — let`s talk. Send us a DM or book a consultation through the link in our bio.

    3 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18115905160949910
    Before the shabad even starts, there's this moment of quiet — flowers arranged just so, everyone finding their seats, the whole room settling into what's about to happen. These blush roses were part of Alekhya and Amar's day at the Sikh Foundation of Virginia, and I always make a point to slow down and capture the details like this before the ceremony energy picks up. They matter just as much as the big moments. If you're planning a Sikh ceremony and want a photographer who understands the flow of the Anand Karaj — from the quiet setup to the joy after — let's talk. Send us a DM or book a consultation through the link in our bio.

    Some of my favorite frames from a wedding day aren`t the big moments — they`re the quiet textures in between. This soft white fringe falling across hand-embroidered paisley fabric, caught during Alekhya and Amar`s Sikh ceremony, is the kind of detail most people don`t really give a second thought too, Chaur Sahib, the ceremonial whisk. But it tells its own story: generations of craftsmanship, layers of tradition, and their Rumala Sahib, one of the little things that make their wedding day feel truly theirs.



    If you`re planning a wedding and want a photographer who notices the details as much as the big moments, let`s chat — drop a comment or send us a DM!

    1 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18430002679148993
    Some of my favorite frames from a wedding day aren't the big moments — they're the quiet textures in between. This soft white fringe falling across hand-embroidered paisley fabric, caught during Alekhya and Amar's Sikh ceremony, is the kind of detail most people don't really give a second thought too, Chaur Sahib, the ceremonial whisk. But it tells its own story: generations of craftsmanship, layers of tradition, and their Rumala Sahib, one of the little things that make their wedding day feel truly theirs. If you're planning a wedding and want a photographer who notices the details as much as the big moments, let's chat — drop a comment or send us a DM!

    I always tell couples — look up. The ceiling details at ceremonies like this one are never an afterthought, and this cluster of gold and pearl tassels hanging from the canopy at Alekhya and Amar`s Sikh wedding was one of those small moments I couldn`t walk past without photographing. Every strand catching the light a little differently, swaying so slightly you`d miss it if you weren`t paying attention.



    This is the kind of detail that gets lost in the rush of a wedding day but means everything when you look back years later and remember exactly where you were standing. Got a ceremony space full of details like this? Tell me about it in the comments, or DM me to chat about your date.

    2 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18072712121577590
    I always tell couples — look up. The ceiling details at ceremonies like this one are never an afterthought, and this cluster of gold and pearl tassels hanging from the canopy at Alekhya and Amar's Sikh wedding was one of those small moments I couldn't walk past without photographing. Every strand catching the light a little differently, swaying so slightly you'd miss it if you weren't paying attention. This is the kind of detail that gets lost in the rush of a wedding day but means everything when you look back years later and remember exactly where you were standing. Got a ceremony space full of details like this? Tell me about it in the comments, or DM me to chat about your date.

    That moment right before the ceremony even starts, when two families fold into one. The dhol is still going in the background, the garlands haven`t even settled yet, and these two are just... holding on. You can tell there is a bit of happiness in this union — this isn`t a polite greeting, this is relief and joy all mixed together.



    This is what I mean when I say the baraat isn`t just an entrance, it`s a union. Got a Sikh ceremony or baraat coming up? DM us — we`d love to be there for these moments.

    2 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18111568952151167
    That moment right before the ceremony even starts, when two families fold into one. The dhol is still going in the background, the garlands haven't even settled yet, and these two are just... holding on. You can tell there is a bit of happiness in this union — this isn't a polite greeting, this is relief and joy all mixed together. This is what I mean when I say the baraat isn't just an entrance, it's a union. Got a Sikh ceremony or baraat coming up? DM us — we'd love to be there for these moments.

    Before the shabad even begins, this is the moment I always watch for — the elders, barefoot on the path to the Gurdwara, hands clasped the exact same way without even realizing it. There`s a quiet conversation happening here that isn`t for the camera, it`s just two family elders settling into the weight and joy of the day ahead.



    Twenty years of shooting Sikh weddings and I still catch my breath at moments like this. The crisp white, the navy turbans, the stillness before the ceremony gets loud with music and blessings — it`s my favorite kind of photo because it`s the one families didn`t know they needed until they see it. Tell me, whose dad or uncle does this remind you of? 👇

    4 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18113076692120301
    Before the shabad even begins, this is the moment I always watch for — the elders, barefoot on the path to the Gurdwara, hands clasped the exact same way without even realizing it. There's a quiet conversation happening here that isn't for the camera, it's just two family elders settling into the weight and joy of the day ahead. Twenty years of shooting Sikh weddings and I still catch my breath at moments like this. The crisp white, the navy turbans, the stillness before the ceremony gets loud with music and blessings — it's my favorite kind of photo because it's the one families didn't know they needed until they see it. Tell me, whose dad or uncle does this remind you of? 👇

    Before Alekhya and Amar even stepped in for their Anand Karaj, this was happening outside the Sikh Foundation of Virginia — guests barefoot, phones up, waiting for the doors to open. I love this little moment because it`s not posed, it`s not the `main event,` but it tells you everything about how much this day mattered to everyone standing there. Someone`s filming for a grandparent who couldn`t make the trip. Someone`s just excited. That`s the stuff I`m always watching for.



    The colors alone — dusty lavender next to coral next to crimson — guests don`t usually think about how beautifully they`re dressing for each other, but they are.



    If you`re planning a Sikh or Punjabi wedding and want someone who notices these in-between moments, not just the ceremony itself, let`s talk. DM us or book a consultation.

    1 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18128981521698261
    Before Alekhya and Amar even stepped in for their Anand Karaj, this was happening outside the Sikh Foundation of Virginia — guests barefoot, phones up, waiting for the doors to open. I love this little moment because it's not posed, it's not the 'main event,' but it tells you everything about how much this day mattered to everyone standing there. Someone's filming for a grandparent who couldn't make the trip. Someone's just excited. That's the stuff I'm always watching for. The colors alone — dusty lavender next to coral next to crimson — guests don't usually think about how beautifully they're dressing for each other, but they are. If you're planning a Sikh or Punjabi wedding and want someone who notices these in-between moments, not just the ceremony itself, let's talk. DM us or book a consultation.

    Everyone`s watching the groom on the horse, but look closer — he`s looking right back at someone in the crowd. That`s the thing about baraats, there`s so much happening (the drums, the dancing, the horse!) but if you keep your eyes open you catch these tiny exchanges that tell you who this day really belongs to. This is why we shoot the crowd just as much as we shoot the groom.



    Alekhya and Amar`s Sikh wedding ceremony had this energy all day — joyful, loud, and full of moments like this one. Tell us in the comments what you notice first in this photo 👇

    3 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18123702871914099
    Everyone's watching the groom on the horse, but look closer — he's looking right back at someone in the crowd. That's the thing about baraats, there's so much happening (the drums, the dancing, the horse!) but if you keep your eyes open you catch these tiny exchanges that tell you who this day really belongs to. This is why we shoot the crowd just as much as we shoot the groom. Alekhya and Amar's Sikh wedding ceremony had this energy all day — joyful, loud, and full of moments like this one. Tell us in the comments what you notice first in this photo 👇

    The dhol hits and everyone`s feet just... know what to do. That`s Amar making his way in on horseback, drummer leading the way. We always tell couples: the groom`s entrance is never just about the groom. It`s about who shows up to walk him in.



    You can plan the outfits and the horse and the route, but you can`t plan the way a grandmother`s face lights up watching her grandson ride in to get married. That`s the stuff we`re always watching for. Want to talk about photographing your baraat? Drop a comment or send us a DM.

    8 1
    Open post by theregetis with ID 18597520483067241
    The dhol hits and everyone's feet just... know what to do. That's Amar making his way in on horseback, drummer leading the way. We always tell couples: the groom's entrance is never just about the groom. It's about who shows up to walk him in. You can plan the outfits and the horse and the route, but you can't plan the way a grandmother's face lights up watching her grandson ride in to get married. That's the stuff we're always watching for. Want to talk about photographing your baraat? Drop a comment or send us a DM.