Centuries-old customs, wazwan feasts and community spirit define Kashmiri weddingsLast updated: June 19, 2026 | 12:482 MIN READA Kashmiri bride admires intricate henna designs on her hands during her wedding celebrations in Srinagar. From lavish wazwan feasts to vibrant cultural performances, Kashmiri weddings are a powerful expression of heritage, faith and community. These generations-old traditions continue to thrive across the valley, supporting thousands of livelihoods, from chefs and decorators to artisans, servers and performers.AFP1/12A Kashmiri bride and groom sit inside a beautifully decorated wedding tent in Srinagar.AFP2/12A henna artist applies intricate designs to a bride's hands during her wedding celebrations in Srinagar.AFP3/12A Kashmiri bride sits inside a beautifully decorated wedding tent during her marriage ceremony in Srinagar, surrounded by traditions that have been passed down through generations.AFP4/12Kashmiri chefs, known as ‘wazas’, pound meat while preparing the traditional wazwan feast for a wedding celebration in Srinagar. At the heart of every celebration is the famed wazwan, a multi-course meal crafted by skilled wazas whose culinary traditions have been passed down through generations. Weddings also offer a platform for artists creating moments of recognition and belonging while helping preserve Kashmir’s rich cultural identity.AFP5/12Kashmiri head chef Ghulam Nabi Paloo (left) directs his team as they prepare platters for the traditional wazwan feast during a wedding celebration in Srinagar, a culinary tradition central to Kashmiri culture.AFP6/12A waza carefully chops lamb ribs for the elaborate wazwan banquet, a centrepiece of Kashmiri wedding celebrations in Srinagar.AFP7/12Kashmiri chefs, known as wazas, prepare the traditional wazwan feast for wedding guests in Srinagar.AFP8/12Traditional anklet bells adorn a Kashmiri performer as he dances during a wedding celebration in Srinagar, adding rhythm and colour to the festivities.AFP9/12A Kashmiri artist performs a traditional dance during a wedding celebration in Srinagar, entertaining guests and showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage.AFP10/12Kashmiri chefs, known as wazas, serve the traditional wazwan feast to wedding guests in Srinagar.AFP11/12Wedding guests enjoy the traditional wazwan feast served in shared platters known as trami during a wedding celebration in Srinagar.AFP12/12A wedding photographer captures portraits of a Kashmiri groom in Srinagar, preserving moments from a celebration steeped in tradition and cultural heritage.AFPDevadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 27 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct.