The New Year always brings in new trends and themes. Indian brides or dulhans are sure to want to benefit from this. If you’ve had your roka (engagement) ceremony in 2017, then we’re sure you’re planning your shaadi (wedding) in 2018. This year is sure to bring out some of the best trends and themes yet. Gather your family, friends, and cousins to start planning your wedding. Indian weddings always have the motto of ‘More the Merrier’!
Image: Radha Photos
Once you’ve picked the brides dress, the men’s wedding rings and you’re done deciding the venue, guest list, muhurat, and all the ceremonies (Mehendi, Cocktails, and Haldi) for the wedding, it’s time to start planning the theme and décor. Another critical thing to remember before you start with the décor and theme is finalizing a caterer who specializes in Vegetarian, Jain, and Non-vegetarian cuisines. If you’re planning a destination wedding, vegan and vegetarian options are a must. Your guests are sure to thank you for it.
Let us look at some of the favorite Indian wedding themes for 2018.
1. Violet Weddings
Violet is Pantone color of 2018 and we will be seeing a lot of it this wedding season. Design your wedding mandap, entrance, lighting, dining area, flowers, wedding cake, and invitations with violet. Make violet and gold the theme of your wedding for it to look royal. You can merge the color with silver or gold throughout all the aspects of the shaadi. Violet and gold inlay work on invitations with the text in gold or white is a beautiful way to send out elegant invites. Decorate your centerpieces with violet and white orchids or other flowers that are varied shades of violet.
The dulha (groom) doesn’t have to feel left out. Small violet pocket squares look smashing with tuxedos. The groomsmen can also sport violet ties or pocket squares for the reception. The dulha can opt for a cream, gold, and violet sherwani for the wedding while you can choose a lehenga or saree of the same colors.
Let your Mama-Mami (maternal uncle and aunt), Fufa-Fufi (Paternal uncle and aunt), Chacha-Chachi (paternal uncle and aunt), cousins, and all your friends know about the theme in advance so that they can color coordinate your idea with their wedding attire. You can also order the wedding garlands in colors of violet flowers like clematis, orchids, and iris.
2. Royal Rajasthani theme
Image: Camera Crew
Nothing is more elegant than a Royal Rajasthani décor. A Rajwada theme with props, rangoli, traditional folk performances with dancers, Ghoomer performers, and entertainers will boost the Rajasthani theme throughout your wedding celebrations. If you plan a destination wedding, opt for a venue in Jaipur or Udaipur and hire a local wedding planner and coordinator.
The Rajputana era was famed for its palkhi designs, jharokha patterns, and groom entrances on a mare or ghodi. Bring the old Rajwada era back into 2018 with a bang! You can also opt for Rajasthani mannequins, art pieces, and traditional Rajasthani cuisine. Create a fantastic atmosphere with bright fireworks that go off during the pheras to add to the Rajasthani theme of your wedding. This vibrant theme will magically transform your wedding to one of elegance and luxury.
3. Fusion themed weddings
Fusion themes are as fantastic as they sound! 2018 is sure to see some great fusion themes throughout the year. You could mix traditional Indian wedding décor with a fusion of another culture or theme you fancy. You can combine a dress code, food, theme, music, décor, and ceremonies from both cultures you choose.
Image: Octopus Film
Some common fusion themes are Indo-Western, Indo-Moroccan, and Indo-Thai. Mix up the cocktail bar and the cuisines to suit palates from different cultures. Think about it – you can serve Thai green curry with rotis, naans, and jeera rice! Decorate your wedding venue with flowers from both cultures, ceremonial headpieces, and so on. Fusion weddings are an excellent way to show the joint beauty of your union.
4. Traditional Wedding Theme 
Image: Pixelena Studio
We cannot leave the classic Indian theme out. No matter the year, traditional Indian weddings never go out of fashion. Sarees, salwar kameezes, idols, devotional prayers, Haldi, Mehendi, Havan ceremonies, Gurudwara shaadis, Nikaahs, and Church weddings in white will always be favorites.
You can opt for a Bollywood TV style Indian traditional ceremony with elaborate headpieces (turbans) and lehengas to bring out the glam factor in your wedding. Religious and traditional themes are always popular with elders in the family. Another added advantage of this theme is the riot of colors! Indulge in a traditional Indian wedding and bring in your marriage with a flurry of happiness, blessings, and love.
Featured image: Madhurang Studio
