Updated November 2026 · By the Voyara wedding concierge
Rules to know before you shoot
- No shoots on boats. Pre-wedding shoots on Udaipur's lake boats are banned. Shoot lakeside from ghats and promenades instead.
- Saheliyon ki Bari: ₹5,000 for a four-hour pre-wedding session.
- City Palace: professional shoots need prior permission from the palace trust.
- Drones: restricted near the airport, and temporary no-fly orders have covered spots like Fateh Sagar. Always check before flying.
- Hotels and private havelis allow shoots only with their approval, and many charge for it.
The locations
Palace · best at morning
City Palace (City Palace Museum)
Udaipur's largest palace complex, part museum and part royal residence, with courtyards, arches and lake-facing terraces. It is the city's signature heritage backdrop.
Get written MMCF permission well ahead and shoot soon after opening to avoid crowds. Pack light, as galleries are narrow and busy.
- Shoot permit / fee
- Permission needed
- Timings
- 09:00-21:00 daily
- From city
- 0 km
Official museum FAQ: commercial and professional photography only with prior permission from the MMCF (Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation) administration; flash not allowed in galleries. No shoot fee is published - contact mmcf@eternalmewar.in.
Garden · best at morning
Saheliyon ki Bari
Historic royal garden with fountains, lotus pools, marble pavilions and elephant sculptures. Managed by the state PWD.
Book the 4-hour slot and plan around fountain run times. Tree cover gives soft light even mid-morning.
- Shoot permit / fee
- ₹5,000
Rs 5,000 per pre-wedding shoot session of four hours, announced by the PWD Superintending Engineer (Udaipur Times, Sept 2024); previously free. Entry Rs 30 Indian / Rs 150 foreign.
Lakeside · best at sunrise
Ambrai Ghat (Lake Pichola)
Lakeside ghat with direct views across Pichola to the City Palace and Lake Palace. One of the most photographed spots in the city.
Arrive at first light for calm water and empty steps, since it gets crowded by sunset. Do not plan boat shots; frame the lake from the shore or a lakeside venue instead.
- Shoot permit / fee
- Check locally
- From city
- 0 km
Public ghat; no official shoot fee found. Pre-wedding shoots on boats are banned on Udaipur lakes (Rajasthan RTO meeting under the Rajasthan Boating Act, July 2021), and boating is allowed only in daylight.
Heritage · best at golden hour
Gangaur Ghat and Bagore ki Haveli
Stepped ghat with a triple-arched gateway, next to an 18th-century haveli that is now a museum. Offers lake, arches and colourful boats in one place.
Shoot the ghat in the late afternoon before evening show crowds gather. Get permission separately for haveli interiors.
- Shoot permit / fee
- Check locally
- From city
- 0 km
Ghat is public. Bagore ki Haveli is run by the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC); no official shoot fee found, and blog figures for its camera fee conflict (Rs 50-150).
Lakeside · best at golden hour
Fateh Sagar Lake (Fateh Sagar Pal)
Large lake with a long embankment promenade and hill views, overlooked by the Monsoon Palace. A relaxed, less formal alternative to Pichola.
Use the embankment and small pavilions for lakeside frames. Weekday mornings are quieter.
- Shoot permit / fee
- Check locally
No official shoot fee found for the public promenade. Boat-based pre-wedding shoots are banned.
Hilltop · best at sunset
Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace)
19th-century hilltop palace about 944 m above sea level, with sweeping views over the lakes and city. Known for its sunset views.
Arrive by late afternoon to shoot through golden hour, as the site closes at sunset. Budget for vehicle entry and the drive up the hill.
- Shoot permit / fee
- Check locally
- Timings
- Open until sunset
- From city
- 5 km
Under the Rajasthan Forest Department. No official shoot fee found.
Heritage · best at morning
Old City lanes and Hathipole Market
Busy bazaar lanes with painted facades, handicraft stalls and old havelis. Works well for colourful, candid-style frames.
Go early before shops open or traffic builds, and wear coordinated bright traditional outfits. Keep the crew small and be courteous to vendors.
- Shoot permit / fee
- No permit needed
- From city
- 0 km
Public streets; no official fee found. Shooting in private shops or homes needs owner consent.
Hilltop · best at sunrise
Badi Lake (Tiger Lake) and Bahubali Hills
Reservoir ringed by Aravalli hills, with the Bahubali hilltop viewpoint above it. Offers wide landscape frames close to the city.
Reach the viewpoint before about 6:30 am for sunrise and wear hiking shoes. There are no facilities at the top, so carry water and outfits.
- Shoot permit / fee
- Check locally
- From city
- 12 km
No official shoot fee found. Udaipur Times (Nov 2024, citing media reports) lists a Badi Lake entry fee of Rs 145 Indian, Rs 550 foreign, Rs 330 per four-wheeler; a photographer blog says entry is free - verify on site.
Garden · best at morning
Gulab Bagh (Sajjan Niwas Garden)
Large public garden in the city centre with rose beds and mature trees. Offers easy, low-cost greenery near the old city.
Use the tree shade for soft light when the sun is harsh. Avoid weekend evenings when it fills with walkers.
- Shoot permit / fee
- Check locally
- From city
- 0 km
No official shoot fee found. The bird park inside is ticketed separately (Rs 25.58 Indian per Udaipur Times, Nov 2024).
Heritage · best at morning
Ahar Cenotaphs (Mahasatiya)
Cluster of domed royal cenotaphs of the Mewar rulers. Its repeating domes and pillars suit moody or black-and-white work.
Go on a weekday morning when it is quiet. Respect that it is a memorial site.
- Shoot permit / fee
- Check locally
No official shoot fee or permission rule found; confirm at the site.
Countryside · best at golden hour
Rayta Hills
Rolling Aravalli hills with winding roads and open views. Good for road-trip and rustic themes.
Go early in the morning for privacy or late afternoon for warm light. Wear sturdy shoes for the hill walk.
- Shoot permit / fee
- No permit needed
Open countryside; a photographer blog reports free entry. No official rules found.
Resort · best at golden hour
The Oberoi Udaivilas (and other luxury lake hotels)
Luxury lakefront palace-style hotel with domes, courtyards and gardens facing the City Palace. Gives a polished, crowd-free palace look for a fee.
Request permission weeks ahead and agree on time slots with the hotel. Staying as a guest can make access easier.
- Shoot permit / fee
- Permission needed
Private hotel; shoots only with hotel approval. A photographer blog cites about Rs 70,000 + GST for Udaivilas shoot permission - unofficial.
Palace · best at golden hour
Kumbhalgarh Fort
15th-century fort with a wall around 36 km long on the Aravalli ridge. Offers huge ramparts and hill views for a full-day trip.
Plan a full day for the drive and the steep walk. Apply for ASI filming permission well ahead if using professional video or drones.
- Shoot permit / fee
- Permission needed
- From city
- 84 km
Hill fort in the UNESCO 'Hill Forts of Rajasthan' group, maintained by the ASI. ASI requires prior permission for commercial filming at protected monuments; the current per-day fee was not confirmed from an official page.
Pre-wedding photographers in Udaipur
The Wedding Capture Studio
Udaipur · 8+ years
Shakti Nagar-based team offering candid and traditional photography plus cinematic video for weddings and pre-wedding shoots. Strongest review base among Udaipur photographers found, with recent reviews on WedMeGood.
- Price
- ₹40,000 – ₹60,000 per day
- Rating
- ★ 4.9 · 57 reviews on WedMeGood
Veer Photofactory
Udaipur · 8+ years
Udaipur studio in the Bhupalpura area covering wedding photo and video, including cinematic films and pre-wedding shoots. Lists outstation travel and a 50% booking advance on WeddingWire.
- Price
- ₹60,000 – ₹70,000 per day
- Rating
- ★ 4.9 · 46 reviews on WedMeGood
WedClick
Udaipur · 5+ years
Studio near Celebration Mall that started in 2021 and covers weddings and pre-wedding shoots with photo, cinematography and drone. Reviewers often mention Udaipur pre-wedding shoots; WedMeGood Q&A cites roughly 15 weeks for photo delivery.
- Price
- ₹75,000 per day
- Rating
- ★ 4.8 · 32 reviews on WeddingWire India
Frequently asked questions
Is a permit needed for a pre-wedding shoot in Udaipur?
At some locations, yes. Saheliyon ki Bari charges ₹5,000 for a four-hour pre-wedding session, the City Palace needs prior permission from its trust for professional shoots, and private hotels need the hotel's approval. Public ghats and streets generally don't, but check on the day.
Can we do a pre-wedding shoot on a boat in Udaipur?
No. Pre-wedding shoots on boats on Udaipur's lakes have been banned by the state transport department, so plan lakeside shots from the ghats and promenades instead.
Can photographers fly drones in Udaipur?
Drone use is restricted near the airport under national rules, and the district has issued temporary no-fly orders over places such as Saheliyon ki Bari and Fateh Sagar. Your photographer should check current permissions before flying.
What is the best time of day for a pre-wedding shoot in Udaipur?
Golden hour, the hour after sunrise and before sunset, is best at the lakes and hilltops. Palaces and gardens photograph well in the morning, with softer light and fewer visitors.
