Create Exotic Romance with East Indian Wedding Decoration

Perhaps, you are of East Indian descent, or maybe you just fell in love with the country watching too many Bollywood films, either way here are some tips on how to incorporate East Indian style into your wedding.

 

Age-old East Indian Weddings Practice

Traditionally East Indian weddings take place over several days (more elaborate ceremonies can last up to two weeks), include the entire family in the celebration and involve many costume changes. The bride and groom are treated royally for the days preceding the wedding and are showered with gifts and attention.

On the day of the wedding the groom mounts a grandly decorated horse and rides to the wedding ceremony accompanied by his family and friends. This retinue also has a band that sings and dances their way to the wedding ceremony.

The bride has been decorated with painstaking care by her loving female relatives. The bride traditionally wears a pink or red sari on her wedding day and has layers or lush fabrics and sparkling jewels given to her by family and close friends.

At a Hindu ceremony, rituals are performed honored Hindu deities and symbolically joining the bride and groom. After the ceremony a huge feast is served that can last for days.

Modern Indian Wedding Decoration Ideas

Mixing the beauty and richness of Indian tradition with American customs affords one many creative options. If you don’t have the time or resources to but on a full-on Indian wedding here are some ideas to include Indian wedding decorations and themes into your festivities.

1. A party is given in honor of the bride called a Chunni Chandana. At this event, the bride is adorned with henna, jewelry and silks. Traditionally the intimate group consists of female relatives from the bride and groom’s side. After this intimate ceremony, more female friends of the bride to show up and prepare her for the wedding. Why not adopt the Chunni Chandana as a girls’ wedding prep? Hire a henna artist a day or two before your wedding to entertain out of town guests and get them in the mood of the wedding.
2. Flowers have always been a part of East Indian wedding decorations. At your ceremony include the traditional custom of exchanging jaimala or garlands. The exchange of garlands is a gesture of generosity and love. Instead of limiting the garland exchange to bride and groom, why not offer garlands to your attendants and family too? Another way to incorporate flowers is to adopt the Indian tradition of showering the couple with rose petals after the ceremony has been completed.
3. Decorative tents or shamianas are often rented for Indian weddings celebrations. This is a terrific idea for anyone working with an outdoor venue. Hire a tent from a party planner and then select elaborate carpets to line the tent. Scatter richly colored pillows on the floor. Deep golds and reds are the colors associated with Indian wedding decoration so make sure to use these as your anchor colors when decorating. Use Indian inspired lanterns and candles for lighting. Burn sultry incense in the room to create an exotic atmosphere.

The romance of an East Indian wedding is irresistible. East Indian wedding decoration encompasses all the senses, and will surely make for a memorable event.