Lakshna & Neil’s Hilton Malta wedding began with their Haldi ceremony in St Julian’s — turmeric, marigolds and two golden lotus pods on a terrace above Portomaso Marina. Every Malta wedding photographer should be so lucky. As a destination wedding photographer, this is the brief I love most: real ritual, big family energy, and Mediterranean light doing half the work.
Hilton Malta at a glance
Hilton Malta is a seafront hotel at Portomaso in St Julian’s, overlooking Portomaso Marina and about 15 minutes from Valletta. For weddings it offers both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception venues, including two ballrooms, the Portomaso and Spinola rooms. Couples get a dedicated wedding planner, and menus are created by the hotel’s executive chef, with options for special dietary needs. Because it is a hotel, guests can stay where the celebrations happen, which suits multi-day weddings such as a Haldi before the main day.
The Haldi is the colour-soaked heart of an Indian wedding, and Malta gave it a backdrop of harbour water and honey-coloured limestone. As a Malta Wedding Photographer I photographed the day documentary-style — unposed, from the first marigold garland to the last handful of petals. If you’re planning an Indian wedding or a multi-day destination celebration in Malta, at the Hilton or anywhere on the island, I’d love to hear about it. This was day one of three — the Hindu wedding at Villa Bologna followed.
With thanks to the brilliant team: Perfect Weddings Malta · Sempre Films · DJ Rish · LNL Sound System · Mattea Formosa · Meera MUA
Photographing a Hilton Malta wedding
Lakshna and Neil’s Haldi was on a terrace above Portomaso Marina, so the harbour water and the limestone sat behind almost every frame. Being outdoors meant bright Mediterranean light, and I worked it unposed: turmeric, marigold garlands, petals thrown by family, and the two of them seated in golden lotus pods. I also took Lakshna down to the marina in her orange lehenga for a few portraits by the water.
Planning a Hilton Malta wedding? The Maltese sun is strong from late morning, so for a terrace Haldi or an outdoor ceremony I suggest an early start or a slot from late afternoon, when the light softens over the marina. Shade under the terrace awnings keeps faces even, and turmeric photographs best in open light. For a multi-day celebration, staying at the hotel means family can drift between events, and I can photograph the quieter moments in between as well as the rituals themselves.
Hilton Malta wedding questions
Can you get married at the Hilton Malta?
The hotel offers indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception venues, plus the Portomaso and Spinola ballrooms, with a dedicated wedding planner. For the legal requirements of marrying in Malta, check with the hotel’s wedding team.
Can wedding guests stay at the Hilton Malta?
Yes. It is a full hotel, so guests can stay on site, which is why it works so well for multi-day celebrations like Lakshna and Neil’s.
Where are the best photo spots at the Hilton Malta?
The terraces above Portomaso Marina, with the harbour behind, and the marina itself for portraits. Lakshna and Neil’s Haldi was photographed there.
How much does a Hilton Malta wedding photographer cost?
My price for weddings in Europe, Malta included, is £3,250. That includes my flights and two nights’ stay. See everything that’s included.
Have you photographed weddings at the Hilton Malta before?
Yes. I photographed Lakshna and Neil’s Haldi ceremony at the Hilton Malta, day one of their three-day wedding. Their Hindu ceremony at Villa Bologna followed.
