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Your Big Fat Indian Wedding
Published by Therez on 2009/10/4 (2925 reads)
Planning Your Big Fat Indian Weddings with a touch of Western Influences
Rich colors, ornate jewelry, elaborate mandaps (Indian style wedding canopy structure), intricate henna designs, guest lists of 500 or more, rituals over several days, and flowers galore . . . must be an Indian wedding. Planning a Big Fat Indian Wedding with a touch of Western influences? Or do you love Indian culture and want to incorporate some authentic customs in your special day? You’re in the right place. Color dictates the feel and look of an Indian wedding; hence a great deal of emphasis is placed on decor. Rich jewel tones like amethyst, ruby red, emerald green, topaz yellow, blue sapphire, and turquoise with dashes of ornate gold, bronze, and silver make up the color palette for an event. Elaborate and colorful tents, opulent linens, flamboyant mandaps with flower adornments all make up an out of this world celebration. Traditionally Indian wedding colors are shades of red and gold. Brides typically wear a colored gown of these colors. Unlike in our Western culture where brides classically wear gowns of white, white is considered to be a color of mourning in many regions in India. The color red is thought to bring good luck and happiness to the marrying couple. With the large influence of Western traditions in the bridal industry may brides of South Asian descent decide to blend the wedding traditions. For instance, they may were a white gown for their ceremony and change into an elaborate sari for their reception. In the Indian culture there are many cultural and religious differences which may be seen in the attire chosen for a wedding dress. There are 3 styles that seem to be common. They are: 1. A sari is a length of cloth that is wrapped around the body in an intricate pattern. The sari may be secured by pins or simply tucked in the waistband, with the remaining part draped over the shoulder. The length of cloth that remains after the sari has been wrapped is called the pallu. 2. A gaghra choli usually consists of a very long skirt and short blouse. A lengthy scarf called a dupatta is draped across the chest. 3. A shalwar chameez is a long tunic over pants, also with a dupatta draped across the chest. Depending on the bride’s preference, the dupatta can also be worn around the neck, over the head or pinned to one shoulder on the side. One common thread throughout Indian wedding attire is the elaborate hand sewn embroidery detailing. Elaborate details of sophisticated workmanship combine patterns, sequences, beadwork, and threading. Materials of silk, satin, and chiffon are often used. As well as the clothing being opulent, the bride’s accessories add to the richness of her attire. 24 karat gold necklaces and bracelets, nose rings, chandelier earrings, and hair ornaments are all worn together to create the overall look and make the bride feel like a queen. Traditional clothing colors of reds, rusts, and maroons are often seen in the winter months, while shades of pink, creams, and gold are worn during the spring and summer months. A new trend some Indian brides are using for their attire is ombre shading for their saris, skirts, and dupattas. Think of Gwen Stefani’s custom made pink and white silk faille Dior gown.
Buffet style catering is the most common way to serve the large number of guests at an Indian wedding. Multi-cuisine buffets with a plethora of food stations are to be expected. For dessert how about a dessert buffet with an assortment of Indian sugary sweets such as gulab jamun or the frozen treat, kulfi. For the bar have signature cocktails using litchi fruit, a liquor infused Mango Lassi, or mango and chai martinis. Be created when naming your drinks. Anyone for a South Goa Breeze, a Hot Night in Mambi, or a Mango Mojito? When planning an Indian wedding most Indian families have an older relative who c directs the bride and groom on religious customs and expectations. When a wedding planner is called in, their role is typically to manager the guests, act as a liaison between vendors and the wedding couple, and implement the décor aspects of the wedding. As I tell all my couples, plan an event that is uniquely yours by combining traditional customs with a modern flair. Give your guests something to take about. Eventfully Yours,
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Today’s modern bride is influenced by the grandeur of Bollywood. Typically Indian weddings have more than 400 guests, so the entertainment for the evening must be able to get the crowd moving. Many couples choose to have an Indian entertainment group complete with live bhangra music and dhol drumming, in addition to a DJ and possibly professional dancers.
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