Mangni – done. Haldi and Mehendi –covered. Sangeet – Check. Baarat – double check! Jaimala –waiting for it! We know you are. So what else is left for a Bollywood themed wedding? Here are 6 tips to bring in some B-town magic on your Dream Day:
1. Get a band
Yes. We mean a band but not the traditional baarat band of course. We mean the new age rockers and DJs who can play, sing, orchestrate and coordinate top Bollywood music for all small and big ceremonies during the wedding making the wedding video look like a replay of Hum Aap Ke hai Kaun. Have them play Bollywood songs, either the original versions or remixed. Get your guests dance to these numbers. Get performers to sing and dance up on stage and generally mingle with your guests. If you are up to it- perform impromptu feats like dancing or singing romantic songs like “tujhe dekha to yeh” and maybe even gently nudge the guests to revel in the Bollywood tamasha!
image: Fuerstjh
2. Add some drama-Bollywood style!
Include all traditional rituals and ceremonies like “jootey chupana”, teasing and misleading the nephews and nieces, sisters and brother-in-law etc to create classic Bollywood movie-like atmosphere.
3. Glam up the venue
Don’t forget the red carpets and the golden tents. Have your decorators use Bollywood wedding décor elements including pillow cases having pictures of top Bollywood celebs. If that sounds a bit farfetched- go in for an outdoor themed wedding with a makeshift mandap instead of the traditional banquet hall. (Most often than not, this works out less expensive than a traditional wedding and also gives the look and feel of a big movie wedding set).
image: Planshadi
If you are taking your wedding outdoors, make sure it isn’t too windy, rainy or warm. Choose a mahurat that falls in the evening when it is cool and pleasant. Outdoor theme is also best if you are getting married in summer. Keep some air coolers and massive stand fans as backup. Ensure you have electrical outlets close by which can be used to power up these gadgets if the weather decides to give you a little hard time. For evening weddings, light diyas and tea lights to create a glam atmosphere. Decorate the walkway up to the Mandap with seasonal flower petals.
4. Bollywood style menu
Indian weddings are all about food. What would a fun Punjabi wedding be without Dal Makhni, Paneer Kofta, Tandoori Murg, Butter Chicken and Naan? Have separate stations for all food items giving them fun names like movies or names of actors and actresses. Spice it up with caterers wearing costume of the region famous for that particular food stall.
5. Celeb inspired jewelry
Browse through our galleries and blog for some inspirational jewellery as worn by Bollywood actresses. Have these pieces customized to your liking.
6. Choose unique and non-traditional colour palettes
If you have been thinking gold, red, yellow and green, think again. Modern Bollywood films have depicted hatke colours like burnt orange, turquoise, violet, sky blue and even white and its shades – literally all other colours than the usual reds or pinks! Have your lehengas and your groom’s Sherwani customized and colour coordinated. You can even seek tons of inspiration from the fashion ramps. These days, you can even rent Bollywood inspired bridal attire, if budget is tight.
Finally, remember that your wedding is all about taking vows in order to live happily and contently ever after. So make sure you have tons of fun on the Big Day, Bollywood style or otherwise!
Image: Featured image via Priya Chellani