South Asian Wedded Life
The Regeti's FaceBook Icon
The Regeti's Instagram Icon
The Regeti's Pinterest Icon
menuthe
2004studioest.Luxe BrandThe Regeti's Logo
List to SAWL podcast on Spotify

SAWL - South Asian (Indian) Wedded Life

2.7K subscribers

Welcome to SAWL (South Asian (Indian) Wedded Life) — From Shaadi to Soulmates - your go-to space for everything South Asian Indian, and fusion life related.

I’m Amy Regeti — wife, mom, daughter, daughter-in-law, and sister — and for nearly 20 years, I’ve been a wedding photographer standing beside South Asian and fusion couples. Beyond the photos, I saw a deeper need: a space for us to talk openly about culture, love, family, and the real life that happens before, during, and after the wedding.

Here I will share weekly episodes full of insight, encouragement, and practical tips — created especially for engaged couples, parents, and families navigating life between cultures.

While I’m the face and voice here week-to-week, Srinu (the hubby) joins me monthly for a longer, candid conversation — the two of us sharing our own experiences as a blended predominantly Indian/Fusion wedding photography co-working married team of 25+ years who honor tradition while staying true to ourselves.

SAWL - South Asian (Indian) Wedded Life
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193LjA5d2p6emNYM2dZ Planning an Indian or South Asian wedding is supposed to feel joyful — but for many brides, it quietly feels overwhelming, emotional, and heavy. In this episode of South Asian Wedded Life (SAWL), Amy Regeti speaks directly to South Asian and Indian-American brides who feel emotionally exhausted before the wedding even begins. This is not a planning video. This is not about timelines, outfits, or vendors. This is about the invisible weight brides carry: • Family expectations • Cultural pressure • Guilt for wanting something different • The feeling of being watched • The fear of disappointing people you love • The pressure to perform instead of feel If you’ve ever thought: “Why does this feel so hard?” “Why don’t I feel excited yet?” “Why does this feel heavier than I expected?” — This conversation is for you. Amy draws on nearly two decades of experience in Indian and fusion weddings — not just as a photographer, but as a witness to the emotional realities brides rarely feel allowed to discuss. This episode is about honesty, validation, and naming what often goes unspoken. 💬 Join the conversation: What part of planning your wedding feels the heaviest right now — emotionally? Share in the comments. You’re not alone here. 🌿 A Gentle Next Step If this episode resonated and you’re looking for a quiet place to reflect before the planning noise gets louder, Rituals & Reflections was created for South Asian and fusion brides who want clarity before decisions. It’s not a planning book. It’s a space to slow down and understand what you’re carrying. You can find it — and the SAWL community — at sawl.life No pressure. Just a place to land. 🔔 Stay Connected Subscribe for honest conversations about: • Indian & fusion weddings • Indian-American relationships • Culture, expectations, and identity • What brides aren’t told — but deserve to hear 📍 Instagram & Pinterest: @theregetis 📍 YouTube: @amyregeti
SAWL - South Asian (Indian) Wedded Life 2.7K
No One Warned Me How Heavy Planning an Indian Wedding Would Feel
SAWL - South Asian (Indian) Wedded Life December 11, 2025 11:27 pm
Planning an Indian or South Asian wedding is supposed to feel joyful — but for many brides, it quietly feels overwhelming, emotional, and heavy. In this episode of South Asian Wedded Life (SAWL), Amy Regeti speaks directly to South Asian and Indian-American brides who feel emotionally exhausted before the wedding even begins. This is not a planning video. This is not about timelines, outfits, or vendors. This is about the invisible weight brides carry: • Family expectations • Cultural pressure • Guilt for wanting something different • The feeling of being watched • The fear of disappointing people you love • The pressure to perform instead of feel If you’ve ever thought: “Why does this feel so hard?” “Why don’t I feel excited yet?” “Why does this feel heavier than I expected?” — This conversation is for you. Amy draws on nearly two decades of experience in Indian and fusion weddings — not just as a photographer, but as a witness to the emotional realities brides rarely feel allowed to discuss. This episode is about honesty, validation, and naming what often goes unspoken. 💬 Join the conversation: What part of planning your wedding feels the heaviest right now — emotionally? Share in the comments. You’re not alone here. 🌿 A Gentle Next Step If this episode resonated and you’re looking for a quiet place to reflect before the planning noise gets louder, Rituals & Reflections was created for South Asian and fusion brides who want clarity before decisions. It’s not a planning book. It’s a space to slow down and understand what you’re carrying. You can find it — and the SAWL community — at sawl.life No pressure. Just a place to land. 🔔 Stay Connected Subscribe for honest conversations about: • Indian & fusion weddings • Indian-American relationships • Culture, expectations, and identity • What brides aren’t told — but deserve to hear 📍 Instagram & Pinterest: @theregetis 📍 YouTube: @amyregeti
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193LjA5d2p6emNYM2dZ
27 years ago — I met the man who would change my entire life. What I didn’t know then was that loving him also meant learning a whole new world, a new family, a new culture, and an identity that would evolve in ways I never could have imagined. In this profoundly personal SAWL episode, I’m sharing the real story of what it means to build a marriage between Indian and American worlds — the beauty, the tension, the misunderstandings, the joy, and the years of growth it takes to truly blend two cultures. If you’re an Indian American couple, a fusion couple, or someone navigating modern love with traditional families… this episode will make you feel so seen. We’ll talk about: ✨ How Srinu and I met ✨ Why we had to wait nearly 2 years for parental blessing ✨ The truth about eloping — and why I don’t regret it ✨ My fear of losing myself when his parents came to America ✨ How I slowly became a part of his culture ✨ What Indian American couples really face behind closed doors ✨ How love evolves when two worlds collide ✨ And what I’ve learned after standing beside 1,000 South Asian weddings This isn’t just a story about marriage. It’s a story about identity, belonging, boundaries, healing, and choosing each other in the space where cultures meet. If you’ve ever felt “in-between,” misunderstood, or stretched thin by two worlds… this episode is your home. — 📍 STAY CONNECTED Photography & Weddings: theregetis.com SAWL Podcast, Books, Community: SAWL.life TikTok, Instagram, Facebook: @theregetis YouTube: @amyregeti — 🔔 If this story resonates with you, hit subscribe — we’re building a community where fusion love, Indian American identity, and cultural clarity finally have a home.
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193LmRBN0tpZUo1TTRR
Today’s vlog is a little different — no studio, no setup, just me, outside, taking a walk and finally saying out loud what has been on my heart for years. Somewhere between raising our family, photographing hundreds of South Asian weddings, navigating cultures, faiths, expectations, and the quiet in-between moments no one sees… I realized I had slowly stepped into a role I never expected to hold: A translator. A bridge. A voice for the conversations South Asian couples and families have never had a safe place to say out loud. That’s how SAWL — South Asian Wedded Life — was born. Not as a brand. Not as a project. But as a community I knew needed to exist… because I needed it, too. For nearly three decades, I’ve lived this life from the outside in — loving it, learning it, respecting it, and often feeling the weight of things no one explains but everyone feels. I’ve watched brides carry pressures they can’t name. I’ve watched families navigate expectations that stretch across oceans and generations. I’ve watched couples try to blend two worlds while staying true to themselves. And today, as I walked, I felt the shift: It’s time to stop waiting for permission. It’s time to make SAWL what it was always meant to be. A place where you don’t just listen — you belong. A place where you’re not judged — you’re understood. A place where culture, family, marriage, identity, and humor can coexist without conflict. So this is my invitation to you: 👉 Come be part of this with me. 👉 Help me shape SAWL into the space you need. 👉 Tell me what you want discussed, explained, validated, or unpacked. 👉 Join the tribe we are building — slowly, honestly, intentionally. Your support, your presence, your voice… that’s what will make SAWL real. Not algorithms. Not numbers. People. Stories. Community. If any part of this resonates — if you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, misunderstood, or caught between cultures — then you already belong here more than you know. Welcome to the walk. Welcome to the conversation. Welcome to SAWL.
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193LjNwVEZvZVhITzJZ
Today is a solo episode with Amy — a deep, honest conversation explicitly created for Indian, South Asian, and Fusion brides planning weddings in 2025 and 2026. We are officially in engagement + booking season (December through March), and couples everywhere are making huge decisions that shape their entire wedding experience. Before you rush to book a venue, photographer, planner, decorator, or priest… You need clarity. In this episode, Amy breaks down: • the FIRST thing you should decide before choosing a venue • Why South Asian weddings can’t fit into “8-hour coverage.” • how your TIMELINE determines your photography needs • What separates a “pretty picture” from cultural understanding • how to choose a planner who respects BOTH families • the conversations Indian & fusion couples must have with parents early • the emotional pressure unique to Desi brides • the 10 things every 2025–26 bride should do right now during booking season This isn’t just wedding advice — It’s cultural grounding, emotional clarity, and the insight that only comes from nearly 20 years of photographing Indian and fusion weddings. If you’re planning a South Asian or multicultural wedding next year, this episode will change the way you approach everything. Stay close for more SAWL episodes, guidance, and cultural clarity for Indian American couples. Find us here: theregetis.com — Our photography + wedding experience sawl.life — South Asian Wedded Life community Instagram & Pinterest: @theregetis YouTube: @amyregeti
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193LnFRSllTNVZOVkE0
In today’s episode of South Asian Wedded Life, I’m opening a conversation I never expected to have — one sparked by the tragic killing of Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, a member of the West Virginia National Guard, whose life was taken here at home by a man fueled by hate and instability. This episode isn’t political. It isn’t sensational. It’s human. Because when violence like this occurs — especially at the hands of someone who looks like members of our South Asian, Middle Eastern, Muslim, or immigrant communities — the fear spreads in two directions: ❤️ The grief for Sarah and her family 💔 And the fear that innocent brown families will face backlash, racism, and misplaced anger In this deeply personal conversation, I talk about: • Why this tragedy hits brown, South Asian, and immigrant families so intensely • The fear of collective blame when the perpetrator is brown • Why racism doesn’t differentiate individuals from entire communities • My own upbringing, hearing “casual jokes” that were anything but harmless • The moment my husband was targeted at a gas station • The lingering fear from the DC sniper days • How fusion families navigate layered realities • What we teach our children when their identity is both beautiful and vulnerable • And why we cannot let this become an excuse for more hate This episode is a call for: ✨ Compassion over fear ✨ Humanity over assumptions ✨ Awareness over ignorance ✨ Accountability over blame ✨ Community instead of division To Sarah’s family — we hold you close. To every brown, immigrant, Muslim, or South Asian family afraid right now — you are not alone. To every American listening, we can choose better than hate. 👉 I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. How are you feeling after this tragedy? What conversations are happening in your home? How do we protect one another in moments like this? Let’s talk. Let’s learn. Let’s stay human.
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193LndXbmNEcTJLdVdN
Today’s SAWL Podcast episode leaps  into one of the biggest issues brides don’t realize they’re facing: ✨ The Pinterest-Perfect Copy-Paste Wedding Trap. I’m Amy Regeti — half of The Regeti’s — photographer, wife, mom, and your friendly guide through the beautiful chaos of South Asian and fusion weddings. And in this episode, we’re talking about something I see every single week behind the camera: Brides are losing themselves in the scroll. We explore: • Why “inspiration” is turning into imitation • How algorithms quietly erase originality • What it costs (emotionally + financially) to chase trends • The rise of aesthetic debt • Why truly authentic weddings look and feel different • How to bring meaning back into your planning • And one question every bride should ask before saving another pin This conversation isn’t anti-Pinterest — it’s pro-YOU. Your wedding should feel like an autobiography, not a mood board. If you’re a South Asian or fusion bride struggling to find your voice beneath the noise, this episode may be the reset you’ve been waiting for. ✨ EXPLORE MORE OF OUR WORLD Dive deeper into everything we create for South Asian and fusion couples: 📸 The Regeti’s Wedding Photography Where storytelling, culture, and genuine emotion come alive. theregetis.com 🌿 SAWL — South Asian Wedded Life Our home for conversations, clarity, and culturally conscious wedding guidance. sawl.life 📚 Books, Guides & Our Upcoming Releases Rituals & Reflections, RENDERED, REHEARSED — and more. 📌 Hang out with us on Social: Instagram, TikTok & Pinterest: @theregetis YouTube: @amyregeti
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193LmNzTHV2QjU1Q3g0
In today’s SAWL episode, Amy & Srinu open up about their journey as an intercultural, interfaith South Asian–American couple — and how their cultural differences have become one of their greatest strengths in their marriage, parenting, and business. This episode explores: ✨ How early cultural friction became a connection ✨ The moments they felt proudest of one another ✨ How blended values shaped their family ✨ Why fusion couples are the future of modern American relationships ✨ The mission behind SAWL and The Regeti’s growing movement If you’re a South Asian bride, groom, fusion couple, or anyone building a life across cultures — this conversation was made for you. 📌 SUBSCRIBE for weekly SAWL episodes 📌 FOLLOW The Regeti’s on Instagram @theregetis 📌 VISIT theregetis.com for photography, books & clarity calls 📌 EXPLORE sawl.life for community, updates & resources Thank you for being part of this growing tribe — where love meets legacy and culture meets conversation.
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193LmxacXhJUlVTM3Aw
Before the guest lists, the colors, and the chaos — there’s a pause every bride deserves. But most never take it. In this episode of South Asian Wedded Life (SAWL), Amy Regeti — half of The Regeti’s and your go-to voice of reason in the world of weddings — opens up about the moment between “yes” and “what now?” It’s a truth few talk about: how quickly love turns into logistics, and why the most powerful thing a bride can do isn’t book vendors… but breathe. ✨ What you’ll take away:     •    Why clarity matters more than checklists     •    The cultural and emotional load South Asian brides carry     •    How to find your calm before the planning storm     •    The real meaning of self-care during wedding season If you’ve ever felt the weight of expectations, this episode will feel like a deep exhale — a reminder that your wedding isn’t a production; it’s a reflection. 💛 Because clarity isn’t quiet — it’s contagious. #SouthAsianWeddings #IndianWeddings #WeddingPodcast #BrideToBe #SouthAsianBride #MindfulWeddingPlanning #AmyRegeti #TheRegetis #SAWL #WeddingStress #WeddingWellness #EngagedLife #RitualsAndReflections
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193Lk9WVUJEdlBrTnR3
When you’ve walked even a quarter mile in someone else’s shoes, you stop judging — and start understanding. In this heartfelt episode of South Asian Wedded Life (SAWL), Amy and Srinu Regeti open up about what it truly means to live — and love — across faith lines. Prompted by recent conversations around JD and Usha Vance’s interfaith marriage, The Regeti’s reflect on their own 26-year journey as a Hindu-Christian couple navigating culture, family, and faith — both behind the lens and in real life. 💬 We talk about: What interfaith marriage really looks like behind closed doors Raising kids between belief systems with grace Why kindness matters more than conversion The cost of public judgment and the power of empathy How faith, family, and photography have taught us that love is greater than labels This isn’t politics. It’s people. It’s perspective. And it’s proof that love doesn’t have to match to matter. Explore More from The Regeti’s 📚 Rituals & Reflections: A Conscious Guide for the South Asian Bride — the emotional pre-planning tool every modern bride should start with. 📘 The Indian & Fusion Bride’s Clarity Guide — for newly engaged couples seeking grounded direction before planning begins. 🎓 REHEARSED: The South Asian Bride’s Pre-Wedding Walkthrough & Planning Companion — coming soon. 📖 Eshaan Asks children’s series — charming picture books for Indo-American families learning to bridge generations through curiosity and love. Nannamma, Did You Steal the Moon? Tataji, Can You Still See Me? (coming soon) Find them all at https://amazon.com/author/amyregeti Join Our World Visit https://theregetis.com — where wedding stories come alive and couples find more than photographers — they find us. Explore https://sawl.life — our home for South Asian Wedded Life. Join the SAWL Facebook Community for real conversations about culture, marriage, and meaning. Book a Clarity Call with Amy to start your journey with confidence and insight. Follow & Subscribe Instagram + Pinterest: @theregetis YouTube: @amyregeti #SouthAsianWeddedLife #InterfaithMarriage #FaithAndLove #TheRegetis #JDandUshaVance #IndianAmericanMarriage #CulturalConversation #MarriagePodcast #Rendered #RitualsAndReflections #EshaanAsks #FusionBride #WeddingClarityGuide
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193LmVvMnMxb2wyYlZv
Nobody tells you this stuff… but after 20 years in the Indian and Fusion wedding world, I will. I’m Amy Regeti — half of The Regeti’s — and after photographing hundreds of South Asian weddings across the country, I’ve heard it all: the grumbles, the side-eye, the whispers between aunties. In this episode of South Asian Wedded Life (SAWL), I’m sharing the 10 things Indian and fusion wedding guests secretly hate but never say out loud — plus what you can do about them. 🎧 Whether you’re a bride, groom, planner, or parent — this episode will help you host the kind of celebration people actually enjoy (and remember for all the right reasons). 💛 What You’ll Hear in This Episode: 1️⃣ The real reason guests dread long gaps between events. 2️⃣ How to keep cocktail hour from turning into nap time. 3️⃣ Why timelines matter more than flower walls. 4️⃣ The one mistake that kills the dance floor. 5️⃣ What guests really think about speeches, food, and outfit changes. 🎯 Perfect for: South Asian brides, fusion couples, parents, planners, and anyone who’s ever wondered what guests really think. ✨ Want to stay connected? Head to SAWL.life and drop your email — it’s never sold or shared. You’ll be first to know about new book releases, courses, and exclusive SAWL events. 📚 Available Now on Amazon: Rituals & Reflections: The South Asian & Fusion Bride’s Guide to Clarity (coauthored with Srinu Regeti) Eshaan Asks children’s series — Nannamma, Did You Steal the Moon? & Can Tataji Still See Me? South Asian word search puzzle books for brides, families, and bridal parties. 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube @AmyRegeti 📸 Follow us on Instagram @SAWL.life 💬 Drop a comment: What’s the one thing you’ve secretly hated as a wedding guest? south asian wedding, indian wedding, fusion wedding, indian wedding planning, wedding guests, amy regeti, the regetis, south asian wedded life, indian wedding mistakes, wedding guest tips, indian wedding podcast, fusion wedding podcast, indian american wedding, desi wedding advice
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193Lk9ycFc3RmZrRE5r
Too many brides (and grooms) find themselves planning a celebration that looks perfect on paper — but doesn’t feel like theirs. From family pressure to cultural traditions to vendors who think they know best, it’s easy to lose your voice in the noise. I’m Amy Regeti, and in this episode of South Asian Wedded Life (SAWL), we’re getting real about how to stop disappearing from your own wedding. I’ll share: ✨ The difference between healthy compromise and being steamrolled. ✨ Where to stand firm so your day reflects YOU. ✨ The exact traps to avoid so you don’t wake up married but resentful. ✨ My own story of eloping with Srinu when his mom wasn’t thrilled — and what that taught me about holding onto myself. 💬 Comment below: Did you ever feel like your wedding wasn’t really yours? What moment made you realize it? 📌 Stay connected:     •    SAWL.life — add your email (never shared or sold) to join our tribe and get updates on launches, courses, and events.     •    Instagram: @SAWL.life     •    YouTube: @AmyRegeti (with a SAWL playlist) 📚 My books & puzzles available now on Amazon:     •    Rituals & Reflections: The South Asian and Fusion Bride’s Guide to Clarity     •    Eshaan Asks children’s series: Nannamma, Did You Steal the Moon? & Can Tataji Still See Me?     •    South Asian wedding word search puzzle books for brides, families, & bridal parties This isn’t just about a wedding — it’s about your marriage, your family, your voice. Don’t lose yourself in the noise.
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193Lm43RVRqNXIyTVRR
We’re so excited to finally say it out loud: South Asian Wedded Life (SAWL) has officially begun! 🎉 Think of this as more than a podcast or YouTube channel — this is a movement. A space for: 💍 South Asian brides ✨ Fusion couples 🌎 Families navigating culture, love, and traditions across generations In this launch episode, we’re sharing: ✔️ Why SAWL exists and what it will cover ✔️ How this space is different from anything out there ✔️ How YOU can be part of building the community from day one 👉 Visit SAWL.life — the site is under construction, but you can already share your email to join our tribe. We’ll keep you updated on launches, resources, and the conversations we can’t wait to spill chai over. 💬 Drop a comment and let us know what YOU want SAWL to cover. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share — because the only way this movement grows is if you’re part of it. This is just the beginning. Welcome to South Asian Wedded Life.
YouTube Video VVUyOEUtOEhlRF9pa3dPa3hiTkpnb193Lkc4cWwyM3ZnVk9B
Load More... Subscribe
South Asian Wedded Life
The Regeti's FaceBook Icon
The Regeti's Instagram Icon
The Regeti's Pinterest Icon

We are on Instagram

Living between two worlds isn’t easy — even after 30 years of it.

One thing I’ve learned being married into an Indian family is this:

You can love a culture deeply… without carrying the emotional weight of all its expectations.

Sometimes we take on roles — mediator, peacemaker, translator — simply because we’re the ones who “get it.”

But here’s your reset for the week:

You’re not responsible for holding everything together alone.
Not every misunderstanding needs your fixing.
Not every expectation needs your yes.

Ask yourself today:

“Is this mine to carry, or did I pick it up because I always do?”
New SAWL blog is live with a perspective only someone living between cultures can offer.

Start the week with clarity and intention. ✨ Link to BOOK can be found in BIO

#SouthAsianWeddings
#IndianWeddingsUSA
#IndianWeddingPhotographersInVirginia
#WeddingPhotographersInVirginia
#SouthAsianWeddingPhotographer
#FusionWeddingPhotographer
#ShadowCreekWeddings
#LoudounCountyWeddings
#LeesburgVAWeddings
#VirginiaIndianWedding
#IndianWeddingVirginia
#SouthAsianBride
#SouthAsianGroom
#2026Bride
#DesiBride2026
#FusionBride
#WeddingStorytellers
#DocumentaryWeddingPhotography
#EmotionalWeddingPhotos
#WeddingLegacy
#FamilyCenteredWeddings
#NovaWeddingPhotographer
#VirginiaWeddingVenues
#SAWLlife
#TheRegetis
#MotivationalMonday
#BookAClarityCall

0 0
Open post by theregetis with ID 17979472418786120
Living between two worlds isn’t easy — even after 30 years of it. One thing I’ve learned being married into an Indian family is this: You can love a culture deeply… without carrying the emotional weight of all its expectations. Sometimes we take on roles — mediator, peacemaker, translator — simply because we’re the ones who “get it.” But here’s your reset for the week: You’re not responsible for holding everything together alone. Not every misunderstanding needs your fixing. Not every expectation needs your yes. Ask yourself today: “Is this mine to carry, or did I pick it up because I always do?” New SAWL blog is live with a perspective only someone living between cultures can offer. Start the week with clarity and intention. ✨ Link to BOOK can be found in BIO #SouthAsianWeddings #IndianWeddingsUSA #IndianWeddingPhotographersInVirginia #WeddingPhotographersInVirginia #SouthAsianWeddingPhotographer #FusionWeddingPhotographer #ShadowCreekWeddings #LoudounCountyWeddings #LeesburgVAWeddings #VirginiaIndianWedding #IndianWeddingVirginia #SouthAsianBride #SouthAsianGroom #2026Bride #DesiBride2026 #FusionBride #WeddingStorytellers #DocumentaryWeddingPhotography #EmotionalWeddingPhotos #WeddingLegacy #FamilyCenteredWeddings #NovaWeddingPhotographer #VirginiaWeddingVenues #SAWLlife #TheRegetis #MotivationalMonday #BookAClarityCall