Indian Weddings: Sangeet Ceremony

A sangeet is a traditional Hindu Punjabi ceremony held before a baraat. It is considered a ladies-only event, but men can participate if they are close to the bride and groom. The day is filled with dancing, singing, and a joyous celebration of the couple’s relationship. Depending on the size of the sangeet, it can be held in a large venue or at a house. To put it in a more Westernized term, it’s similar to a rehearsal dinner but differs because it’s a grander celebration of the couple’s history and journey towards marriage.

{Maharani Weddings}

{India Forums}

{South Asian Bride Magazine}

{Lin and Jirsa}

{Lin and Jirsa}

The two pictures above were from a wedding we worked on last year. The theme was a fun luau that had many natural elements in the sangeet decor.

The Sangeet Party

Indian Weddings are not solely about serious rituals and customs, they are also full of several fun filled rituals and designed to contain a scope of entertainment. Among all the pre-wedding celebrations, the Sangeet party is the most enjoyable one. The Sangeet ceremony known as, ‘Gaun’, is celebrated on an elaborate scale making it a very grand affair.

 The Sangeet party is an Indian tradition during which the family and friends shower the bride and groom with dance, music, and laughs. The sangeet party usually takes place in a large hall elaborately decorated and involves traditional dance, known as Garba, and dandia raas, dancing with sticks.

  

  

The decoration choices for a Sangeet celebration can vary. A traditional Sangeet decoration includes long beautiful drapes in rich embroidery with mirror work adding a special touch. You can make the decoration ethnic using colors like red, orange, maroon, and purple drapes with some gold glittering touches. Flowers like roses, marigolds, orchids, gerberas, give a special touch to the decorations and roses tend to be favored.

A western take on the Sangeet decoration can include, netted drapes and the use of silver in place of gold. Flowers like baby roses, orchid, lily or carnations tend to be used in western Sangeet decorations and these days, even things like heart shaped balloons with nets are added.

Traditionally only the women celebrated this ceremony but nowadays it is a co-ed affair making it all the more fun and interesting!

pictures courtesy of dariabishop.com

Don’t forget the powder room!

In the midst of all the planning preparations for your wedding day, there are so many details that can be overlooked.  One thing that we find is commonly overlooked is the guests bathrooms or powder rooms! It is the place that is most frequently visited by male and female alike outside of the dance floor during your reception. We just want to give you a few easy tips on how to incorporate your wedding day decor into the powder room and how to provide your guests with a little bit of comfort should something come up unexpectedly!!

You can begin your guest restroom decor planning by consulting with your planner and florist about 2-4 small arrangements with your extra flowers or floral arrangement elements that you can place in the guest restrooms, draping, or candles (whatever is within your budget) along with a basket or setting dish filled with thoughtful little  necessities that will be a delight for your guests.

The baskets can include such things as, mints, gum, mouthwash, hand cream, stain removers, baby wipes, deodorant, nail files, gel, hair spray, lint rollers, sowing kit, and the like….and always include a first aid kit!! What ever you decide to include in your necessity powder room baskets and incorporate into your rest room decor, we just wanted to remind you not to ignore a very popular spot on your wedding day!

Indian Bridal Fashions ~ Something Old and Something New!

What comes to your mind when we say “Indian Wedding”? Bright colors, shimmery fabrics, flowing lehengas, heavy embroidery and stone work, all of them having the typical traditional touch! There was a time when sari was considered to the only dress that could be worn by an Indian woman, on her wedding. However, with time, the traditional mindset moved from saris to lehengas and now, it is slowly, but rapidly, shifting towards an altogether new trend – gowns. Yes, you read that right! Indian brides are now increasingly moving towards the western style ‘gowns’, as their new wedding dress.

The Trend

Western wedding gowns have made a thumping entry into the bridal trousseau in India. These days, the more progressive brides are opting for the sophisticated and chic look over the traditional outfit. Apart from helping them look suave, the gowns also allow them to be different than the others (since lehengas still rule the roost in India, as far as weddings are concerned). However, the adaptation of the western gown is still not total. It is not worn during the wedding rituals; rather the brides choose to wear a gown during the cocktail party or the reception, a part of the pre and post-wedding functions.

Traditional Lehengas Wedding Attire

The Colors

In India, white is considered as an inauspicious color, mainly because it is worn during mourning. Apart from this color, any other shade might be considered for a wedding gown. However, you will see most of the Indian brides going for bright colors, like red, maroon, pink, yellow, silver, golden, green, etc, for their wedding gown. Then, there is the all-time favorite black color, which is the popular choice for the pre-wedding cocktail party. Many of the gowns also have elaborate designs and patterns embroidered on them. Top it off with Swarovski crystals and you have a winner!

 

The Fabrics

One of the most popular fabrics that Indian brides go for, while choosing their wedding gown, comprises of satin. The bright sheen, smooth feel and flowing look that it offers is what woos most of the brides. Then, there is the option of net and chiffon, both of which are flowing fabrics and surely make a bride look like a princess. You can also go for silk and organza, especially if you are too slim, since both the fabrics will be able to add some weight to your lean structure. The other options for wedding gown fabrics include lace, brocade, taffeta, jacquard, crepe and even silk dupioni.

Traditional Sari Attire

Courtesy of iloveindia.com

Invitation Inspiration

The whole concept for your wedding invitations, is that the invitation sets the tone of the wedding. Brides can go as fancy as they wish, if their wedding is going to be fancy this will give the guests a sneak peek at what they will be seeing when they arrive at the celebration. On the other hand, brides can keep the invitations as simple as they wish  if the wedding is going to be intimate and simple.

Also, the invitation can give the guests a glimpse into the theme of the wedding…. whether its going to be a fairytale, storybook, or seasonal themed occasion….for example. if the wedding is in the fall the couple may choose to have that scents of the fall added to the paper or accents in the invitation packaging for the recipient to indulge in as they open the envelope.

The invitation can be used to inform your guests about your conscious views….express you global contribution and go green with your invitations and your wedding theme….

Express your individuality beginning with your invitations….set the tone to your whole wedding planning journey!!

Invitation Inspirations courtesy of Rock Paper Scissors Design