The Thematic Wedding Affair

By Ayaan Khan

Not too long ago, Indian weddings were mostly about ostentation and lavish display, often bright, bold and beautiful in a glitzy sort of way. An event most looked forward to from time immemorial, a wedding today is not just an occasion where family elders get go together and bring about the amalgam of two destinies and families.

It’s no longer just about vows and diamond rings or a treasure trove of expensive, cherished things…it’s the making of memories woven with moments of love and celebration, meticulously orchestrated with everything that is designed to create a castle of pure fantasy. And central to all of this is a theme that runs right through often from the rituals to the reception. Yes, the era of ‘themed’ weddings has made its advent into the Indian wedding landscape in a big way and is evidently here to stay.

While the diva of all fairy tales, Cinderella, remains a great favourite of NRIs and other culturally aware people, there are the odd takers for more adventurous themes like beach and underwater themes. Today you can have your pick of wedding themes ranging from fairy tale romances, religious themes, Arabian fantasies, culture centric festivities and even astrologically determined combinations.

For instance, the marriage of a well known industrialist in the North is said to be have been centered around the number 7 which was elegantly woven into all the elements, right from the choice of the cards, the wordings on the invitation, the décor to the food.

Another wedding held in the South, also that of an industrialist was held on the 25th, a number that adds up to 7 synchronizing with the birth date of the bride and had 7 as its theme. At the entrance stood seven beautiful young ladies welcoming each one of the guests. The décor used the seven colours of the rainbow, reflected by a majestic fountain. There were 7 stalls representing 7 cuisines from various states of the country and the give away packets contained seven items.

The various ceremonies that were held prior to the reception numbered 7 in all, giving the bride an opportunity to dress herself up in 7 different ways, from a beautifully brocaded salwar kurta, to lehengas and sarees worn in different ways. Said the blushing bride, “Number 7 has always been an auspicious one for me and I want its benefits to spill right into the heart of my marriage.”

A number of weddings opt for themes that incorporate the Bollywood elements of song and dance. From the invitation cards, the dress and ensemble of the bride and groom along with close friends and family, the décor, the floral arrangements, the festivities and entertainment everything bears the stamp of clever co-ordination.

The success of a thematically conceived wedding celebration is based on two factors – the choice of the event management company and the budget, both of which are in a sense interdependent. You can’t be choosing a high profile event management company if your budget does not permit it and in case such a firm would hardly be willing to operate on a shoestring budget considering the spectrum of activities it involves itself in, from the moment the choice of the venue has been made.

Theme weddings can start anywhere from Rs. 3 lacs to 1 crore and above. The sky is virtually the limit here. Once the concept has been decided, everything else simply falls into place in the hands of an experienced and competent wedding planner. It is just a matter of how much one is willing to pay for the unfolding of a fantasy that is designed to take one’s breath away while keeping the memory of the event of a lifetime alive in the minds of every invitee, your own included of course!