They say weddings are made in heaven but endings need not always have fairy-tale backdrops. They’re also Arabian, Egyptian, Moroccan, Russian and with blingy disco flair, too! Splurging on the big day now includes innovative high-end decor, exotic food and outfits. Affluent people are moving away from the good ol’ shaadi and welcoming a host of new themes…
Trip around the world
While destination weddings to Bangkok, Hawaii and Italy are in hot demand, planners can also create the same ambience right in your home city. “The scope is actually endless here,” smiles wedding planner Dhawal Oza. “Each theme is so elaborate – in the Arabian one you have tents with special music, for the Egyptian-style there are huge pyramids as the backdrop and for ‘One Night in Vegas’ there are special roulette tables too. People also ask for the Moulin Rouge theme with dancers and music. Thus, it’s a blend of everything and it’s cost no bar. The Indian wedding industry today is easily about `50,000 crores and it increases by 25 per cent each year, so people want their shaadis to have over-the-top grandeur!”
Fairy-tale palace effect
Every bride and groom would want to feel like the queen and king for their big night and the palace look is most popular, adds Oza. “We made a huge 400 feet stage recently in Mumbai with a Rajasthani jharoka effect. And recently, at South Indian businessman’s daughter’s wedding, he had the designer of Bahubali to create a traditional palace.”
Disco sangeet, anyone?
The blingy disco nite is one of the most sought-after themes for a pre wedding function like sangeet or cocktail, adds Oza. “This is essentially a youngster’s night and is about retro fun with psychedelic swirls, dico balls, LED lights for the dance floor and a DJ, specially flown down for it. The playlist starts from the 70s era. For the cocktail guests go with retro outfits too like bell bottoms and large collar polka dot shirts and for the sangeet they wear anarkalis for this,” he says.
Sit-down dinner
A plated sit-down dinner is extremely formal. This trend is more about the food and good conversation. “Here, guests prefer to have a sit down dinner-styled wedding and reception rather than an elaborate backdrop,” informs planner Zuzer Lucknowala. “This dinner seating maybe an expensive decor theme, but it is about being elegant as it gets. Families like to sit together, have food and conversation over well-decorated tables, centerpieces and candlelight.”
Bohemian style
Indian wedding decoration now sees a lot of fusion in the way of a bohemian theme, informs Zuzer. “In this informal style everyone gets the feel of being a gypsy or hippie, thanks to the thematic charisma of this decor.” Elements of bohemian includes fun dreamcatcher hangings, macrame knotted backdrop and netted fabrics. Wedding guests are also handed little props like floral hairbands, which they love,” he says.
Garden theme
What is also in big demand is to go floral with a garden theme. Says wedding planner Ritika Chari, “Here, the emphasis is on natural elements. “We use a lot of garden grass as well as accessories like benches, lamppost, a water sprinkler, statues and vases, a flower cart and other elements. Tables have printed floral fabric and there is a long green leaved wall used in photos,” she adds.
Good ol’ vintage
It’s back to retro times with this. “The theme offers the quiet charm of 50s and 60s. For decor elements we use very subtle colour combinations. For the flowers, pink, peach and white roses play a major role as well as a lot of elements like tea lights and lace elements. The surroundings have a rustic look of surrounding with flower sprays, vintage wooden boxes, etc,” explains planner Rachana Lucknowala.