BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills
A hand-carved marble and pink sandstone mandir on a 20-acre site in Chino Hills, where Hindu wedding days unfold on the grounds, the terraces and a floral mandap with the pinnacles in view.
A mandir carved by hand, stone by stone
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir sits on a 20-acre site in Chino Hills, beside the 71 Freeway in San Bernardino County. Ground was broken in September 2005, and the mandir was completed in December 2012. It is built from 35,000 pieces of hand-carved Italian Carrara marble and Indian pink sandstone, carved in India by about 1,500 craftsmen and then assembled here. It is also described as the first earthquake-proof traditional mandir, resting on 40 base-isolator units hidden beneath the stone.
The detail is what draws the eye. Five shikhars, or pinnacles, rise above two carved domes, and 122 hand-carved pillars and 129 archways give the exterior its rhythm of light and shade. In front, a 91-foot reflection pond shaped like a lotus mirrors the mandir on still days. For a wedding, the pink sandstone arches, the open terraces and the plaza give a warm, softly colored backdrop that holds together from wide architectural frames to close portraits.
Photographing Hindu wedding days at the Chino Hills mandir
We photograph and film weddings, multi-day celebrations and couple sessions at the Chino Hills mandir. The days we cover here tend to follow the rhythm of the rituals: a baraat with dhol and dancing on the grounds, a ceremony under a floral mandap outdoors with the mandir in view, and family portraits afterward with elders first. Pre-wedding events such as a puja, pithi or haldi often take place in a carved wooden hall lit by a skylight.
Because this is a place of worship, we treat it as one. We confirm photography, video and ceremony arrangements with the mandir well ahead, work quietly around darshan and prayer, and keep portraits to the areas the mandir permits. Larger days usually call for two photographers and two videographers so the baraat, the mandap and guest moments are all covered.
Good to know
- Confirm photography, video and ceremony arrangements with the mandir well in advance
- Ceremonies we photograph are held at a floral mandap outdoors, with the mandir in view
- Plan modest attire and a respectful pace near the mandir and during darshan
- Ask the mandir about drone use before planning any aerial footage
- Ceremony times often follow the auspicious muhurat, so the timeline is built around it
Where we like to shoot
- The terrace, with the mandir rising behind you
- Pink sandstone archways framing the two of you
- The lotus-shaped reflection pond
- The plaza and the floral mandap with the pinnacles in view
- The carved wooden hall under its skylight, for puja and pithi
- Long-lens frames of the carved facades at sunset
Sample wedding day timelines at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Wedding days here take a few different shapes depending on the muhurat and whether the reception is on the same day. These are drawn from the weddings we have photographed and filmed here, and they are a starting point to adapt with your family, your priest and the mandir rather than a fixed schedule.
Afternoon baraat, sunset ceremony
- 2:30 PMCoverage begins. Mandap and decor, outfits and jewelry, and final getting ready moments.
- 3:15 PMFirst look and couple portraits on the terrace and through the pink sandstone arches.
- 4:15 PMImmediate family portraits for both sides, finished before the groom's party gathers.
- 5:00 PMThe groom's side gathers with dhol. Wide frames of the grounds and the mandir.
- 5:30 PMBaraat and milni, with dancing on the way to the mandap.
- 6:00 PMCeremony at the floral mandap: varmala, pheras and the key rituals.
- 7:15 PMFamily formals at the mandap, elders first, then larger groups.
- 7:45 PMCouple portraits in the last light, with long-lens frames of the carved facades.
- 8:30 PMVidai and the final evening frames, then coverage concludes.
Morning ceremony, reception elsewhere
- 9:30 AMCoverage begins. Details, decor and the architecture while the grounds are quiet.
- 9:45 AMCouple portraits on the terrace and by the reflection pond in soft morning light.
- 10:30 AMImmediate family portraits, with elders photographed first.
- 11:00 AMBaraat on the grounds.
- 11:30 AMCeremony at the mandap, close-ups and wides of each ritual.
- 12:45 PMLarge family and friends groups, and a brief moment for the two of you.
- 1:15 PMCoverage at the mandir wraps. Time to travel and rest before the reception.
A pre-wedding puja and haldi
- 5:00 PMCoverage begins. Puja items, decor and family arriving.
- 5:30 PMPuja in the carved hall with parents, photographed quietly and without flash where asked.
- 6:30 PMPithi or haldi, as family and guests apply turmeric to the couple.
- 7:15 PMCandids of family together, then a short set of immediate family portraits.
- 7:45 PMCouple portraits by the mandir facades in the evening light.
- 8:15 PMCoverage concludes.
What is specific to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
A few things about this place that shape the day, and that are worth settling early with your family and the mandir.
Where couples also photograph nearby
Spots on the grounds that come up again and again on mandir wedding days, and the places where the celebration continues.
- The lotus-shaped reflection pond
- The pink sandstone archways
- The terrace below the pinnacles
- The plaza mandap
- The carved wooden hall
- Hotel ballrooms near Chino Hills for the sangeet
- Richard Nixon Library, Yorba Linda
Questions couples ask about BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Can we have our wedding ceremony at the Chino Hills mandir?
The weddings we have photographed here held the ceremony at a floral mandap set up outdoors, with the mandir in view. Arrangements for ceremonies, and what is possible on your date, are made directly with the mandir, so we recommend confirming those details with them first.
Are there photography rules at the mandir?
It is a place of worship, so yes, it is worth asking early. We confirm photography and video arrangements with the mandir before the day, keep to permitted areas, and stay quiet and discreet during puja and darshan. If you are hoping for drone footage, ask the mandir about it before planning around it.
How many hours of coverage do couples book here?
Eight hours covers a typical wedding day, from getting ready through the baraat, ceremony, family formals and vidai. A morning ceremony with the reception elsewhere often splits into about four hours at the mandir and four at the reception. Pre-wedding events such as a puja or haldi usually need two to four hours.
Where are the best spots for portraits?
The terrace with the mandir behind you, the pink sandstone arches and the lotus-shaped reflection pond are our favorites. Late afternoon and the time around sunset bring out the warmth of the stone, and long-lens frames of the carved facades make a lovely closing set.
Do we need two photographers?
For a full wedding day with a large guest list, we usually recommend two photographers and two videographers. The baraat, the mandap and guest reactions often happen at the same time, and a second shooter makes sure each is covered. Smaller pre-wedding events work well with one photographer and one videographer.
More venues nearby on our regional venue guide and the city page.