This was one of the bigger Sikh weddings I've hosted in my garden, and I loved every minute of it. Kanwarpal came from Canberra and Jashandeep from Sydney, and with around twenty relatives from both families in the garden it felt less like a ceremony I was conducting and more like a family I'd been invited into. Their Anand Karaj had already been held separately, earlier, so this day was for the legal marriage, the engagement and the photographs, all in one place.
Two cities, one family gathering
When a couple lives in two different cities, the planning can feel harder than it needs to. Kanwarpal was in Canberra, Jashandeep was in Sydney, and both sets of relatives had their own questions about what makes a marriage legal in Australia and what doesn't.
So I spoke with both of them and explained the legalities properly: the notice, the paperwork, the witnesses, and what happens on the day itself. Then we planned the ceremony around my garden in Bella Vista. By the time the families arrived, the legal side was settled and everyone's attention could go where it belonged: on the two of them.
A garden full of family
It's one thing to hear that a garden suits a big family and another to see it. About twenty relatives from both sides gathered on the lawn in their finest: Jashandeep in plum purple and gold, Kanwarpal in a cream suit with a matching purple turban. There was room for the elders to stand comfortably, for the younger family members to be right at the front, and for the photographs afterwards without anyone being herded.
When it came to the signing, the table under the pergola became the busiest corner of the garden, with family gathered around as the paperwork was completed. I like that part. A signature on a marriage certificate can be a cold, quick thing at a registry counter. Here, it was a moment the whole family stood close enough to share.
An engagement, a photoshoot and a wedding, on the same day
Their Anand Karaj had been done separately, earlier, so there was no religious ceremony to fit around. The day in my garden started with their engagement, moved into a photoshoot while the light was good, and then came the legal marriage itself. It meant families travelling from two cities only needed to make the one trip. I was glad to be part of all of it. As Kanwar later put it in his review, I was "fully present, supportive, and warm" through the day, which is exactly how I'd want any family to describe their celebrant.
"He performed our rituals with such sincerity, care, and respect, ensuring every moment felt meaningful and personal. His calm presence, attention to detail, and genuine passion made our ceremony unforgettable." Jashandeep Kaur · Verified Google review
English, Hindi, and explaining what marriage means
With families from two cities in the same garden, I wanted nobody to feel like a bystander. Kanwar mentioned in his review that being comfortable in both English and Hindi made the day more inclusive for their families, and that's exactly the point: grandparents, aunts and uncles should be able to follow every word. I also spent time on what marriage actually means for a couple, not only the legal declarations, and that's the part I care most about getting right.
"From the very beginning, Rohit was swift, confident, and extremely professional with the entire legal marriage process. Everything was handled so smoothly that we never had a single moment of stress. What truly sets him apart is how beautifully he explained what marriage really means." Kanwar · Verified Google review
The photographs, handled by the same person
Kanwarpal and Jashandeep chose the photography package too. I'm a photographer as well as a celebrant, which means one person who knows the order of the day, who is standing where the key moments happen, and who is already looking in the right direction when the family steps in for a photograph. For a day with this many relatives and this much going on, that made a real difference: the photoshoot before the ceremony, the family groups, the rings, the certificate presentation.
If you'd like to see more of what that looks like, the gallery has other ceremonies and families.
Marrying with family coming from another city?
If your families live in different cities, or you do, it's well worth getting the legal steps explained early. Your Notice of Intended Marriage needs to be lodged with your celebrant at least one calendar month before the ceremony, and it's far easier to sort that while the date is still flexible than while relatives are booking flights.
I look after the paperwork, the witnesses if you need them, and a warm ceremony in English, Hindi or Punjabi. Whether you want a quiet legals-only ceremony or a fuller family day in a garden setting, we'll shape it around your family. I regularly work with Sikh and Punjabi couples across the Hills District, Parramatta, Blacktown and Western Sydney.
Common questions about a Sikh garden wedding in Sydney
Can a couple living in two different cities marry with a Sydney celebrant?
Yes. You can marry anywhere in Australia regardless of where you live, and a celebrant in Sydney can marry a couple whose families are based in Sydney and Canberra, or anywhere else. Much of the planning, from explaining the legal steps to organising the ceremony, can happen by phone, message and email. Kanwarpal was based in Canberra and Jashandeep in Sydney, and I walked both of them through the legalities before the day. The one firm timing rule is that your Notice of Intended Marriage must be lodged with your celebrant at least one calendar month before the ceremony.
Can we hold our engagement and our wedding on the same day?
Yes. Some couples bring their engagement ceremony and their legal wedding into one day so that relatives travelling from another city only have to make one trip. Kanwarpal and Jashandeep did exactly this, with a photoshoot in between, and I was part of all of it. The legal marriage still has its required elements (the declarations, the vows and the signing with two witnesses aged 18 or over); the rest of the day can carry whichever family rituals matter to you.
Is a garden big enough for a family gathering?
A garden can work very well for a family gathering, because everyone is close enough to see and hear, and there's room for the elders to sit comfortably. My own garden in Bella Vista has hosted ceremonies from the very small to family gatherings like Kanwarpal and Jashandeep's, with about twenty relatives from both sides. If you're planning a larger group, tell me roughly how many are coming when you enquire and I'll tell you honestly whether it suits.
Do you conduct the ceremony in Hindi and English?
Yes. I conduct ceremonies in English, Hindi and Punjabi, so grandparents, aunts and uncles can follow every word. Kanwarpal and Jashandeep mentioned that being comfortable in both English and Hindi made the day more inclusive for their families. You can read more about Sikh and Punjabi ceremonies and bilingual weddings.
Is a garden wedding legal, or do we also need a gurdwara ceremony?
A garden ceremony with an authorised celebrant is a fully legal marriage in Australia. A gurdwara ceremony such as an Anand Karaj is a separate, religious step, and many couples hold the two on different days. Kanwarpal and Jashandeep had their Anand Karaj earlier and did the legal marriage with me in the garden. There's another example in Inder and Anchaldeep's story.
Can photography be added to a ceremony?
Yes. I'm a professional photographer as well as a celebrant, and couples often add a photography package so one person looks after the ceremony and the photographs together. Kanwarpal and Jashandeep chose it. Have a look at the gallery and services page, or just ask me.
Planning a wedding with family from two cities?
Let me explain the legal steps clearly, plan the ceremony with you, and look after the day for both families. Tell me what you're planning.
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