Make Your Indian Wedding Reception Fun And Memorable

Indian weddings are a celebration of love, culture, and tradition. They are a time when families come together to rejoice and create memories. While the ceremonies are steeped in rich customs, the reception is when the couple can finally let loose and have fun with their friends and family.

There are many ways to make an Indian wedding reception enjoyable and memorable. From unique performances and games to tasty treats and fun decorations, the options are endless.

So, whether you're the couple, a guest, or part of the wedding party, get ready to dive into a world of excitement and celebration!

Keep guests full and comfortable

Food is a priority at Indian weddings. Feeding your guests on time is key. If there's a big gap between events, offer self-serve snacks or munchies. For example, a popcorn cart for midnight during the feras or a dessert bar or dessert station.

If you have an outdoor wedding and it's hot, give out paper fans or umbrellas to block the sun. If it's too cold, consider providing shawls or blankets.

If you're having a buffet, let everyone go all at once (only for smaller weddings) or call people by table numbers. The number of tables you release is based on how many buffet stations you have and if they are single or double-sided. For larger weddings, set up 2-3 stations with double-sided buffets and release 5-10 tables at a time. Think about who you want to eat first, usually immediate family members, bridesmaids and groomsmen, followed by close friends, and then the rest of the guests.

Don't start the dancing until most people have eaten. If you start dancing early, you will likely get complaints about the music being too loud.

Do something unique

Guests tend to remember the unique aspects of a wedding. Here are some ideas to make your wedding stand out:

• Interactive photo booth: Set up a photo booth with props and backdrops to encourage guests to take fun photos. You could even have a giant polaroid photo booth or a green screen photo booth where guests can choose their own background.
• Video guestbook: Set up a video camera and encourage guests to leave video messages.
• Professional performers: Hire professional dancers or singers to perform for your guests.
• Fireworks: If you want to go all out, put on a fireworks display.
• Unique food: Serve unusual food or drinks, such as Indian eggplant sliders, cocktail pani puri shots, or alcoholic chuskis.
• Welcome box: Greet your guests with a welcome box or bag at their hotel, containing water bottles, snacks, and a recovery kit.
• Unique performances: Instead of the usual Bollywood and Bhangra dancing, have a young couple sing a duet, or perform a karaoke set.
• Spotlight on the walls: During the ceremony, project a modern Ganesh design onto two walls to create an intimate vibe.
• Hashtag: Create a wedding hashtag for guests to use on social media, so you can see all the photos from the event.
• Multiple food stations: To avoid queues, set up multiple food and drink stations at the cocktail hour, with separate tables for Indian food and Western food.

Consider your likes and your guests' likes

Indian weddings are a colourful, vibrant, and joyous occasion. They are steeped in rich tradition and culture, and the experience should be memorable for all who attend.

When it comes to making your wedding reception fun, it's important to consider your likes and your guests' likes. After all, it's your special day, but your guests are the ones who will be attending your party.

Music and Entertainment

Think about the music you and your guests will enjoy. A fun idea is to have a DJ request box where guests can write down songs they want to hear and give them to the DJ. This will ensure a variety of music tastes are catered to and keep the dance floor lively. You could also have a live band or singer perform, adding a unique touch to the evening. If you want to go the extra mile, consider hiring professional dancers to perform and get the party started.

Food and Drinks

Food is a priority at Indian weddings, and it's important to keep your guests full and happy. Offer a variety of food options that cater to different dietary restrictions and preferences. Consider having a mix of traditional Indian cuisine and unique dishes like Indian eggplant sliders. You can also set up interactive food stations like a "make your own golgappa" station with flavoured water taps. For drinks, you could serve unique cocktails and mocktails, and even alcoholic chuskis for the adults.

Photobooths and Games

Interactive photobooths are a fun way to entertain your guests and provide them with memorable keepsakes. You can have a giant polaroid photobooth or a green screen photobooth where guests can choose their desired background. For added fun, incorporate props, backdrops, and special effects. Organise games like a scavenger hunt or a shoe game with the couple to keep guests engaged and entertained.

Personalised Touches

Add personalised touches that reflect your likes and interests. For example, if you love cricket, organise a friendly match between the boys and girls' sides before the wedding. You could also display your love story on a board for everyone to see and get to know you better. These personalised touches will make your wedding reception unique and memorable.

Comfort and Convenience

While planning the reception, consider your guests' comfort and convenience. Provide paper fans or umbrellas if it's an outdoor wedding to protect them from the sun. Ensure that the music is not too loud, especially during dinner, so guests can enjoy their meal and conversation. Offer self-serve snacks or munchies during long gaps between events to keep everyone energised.

By incorporating these ideas and considering your likes and your guests' enjoyment, your Indian wedding reception is sure to be a fun and memorable celebration for all.

Tell guests what to expect

Indian weddings are a colourful, vibrant, and joyous affair, steeped in rich tradition and culture. They are also a multi-day affair, with the wedding ceremony being just one of the many events. So, if you're invited to an Indian wedding, here's what to expect.

First, there will likely be multiple pre-wedding events, such as the Mehndi ceremony, Sangeet, and Haldi. These events are full of fun activities and rituals like dance performances, singing, and games. The Mehndi ceremony, for example, involves the application of henna, and the Sangeet is a musical evening with dance-offs and performances by the bride, groom, and their families.

On the wedding day, expect a vibrant and colourful celebration with prismatic shades of red, orange, and pink in the decor. The ceremony itself can be quite long and is steeped in meaningful rituals and traditions, such as the Saptapadi (seven steps), Kanya Daan, and the Baraat. Most Indian weddings will provide a program guide to explain each step of the ceremony and its significance.

In terms of attire, as a guest, it is appropriate to wear Indian formal wear, such as a lehenga or a sari for women, and a kurta or sherwani for men. However, if you are unable to procure traditional Indian attire, formal Western wear, like a suit or cocktail dress, is also acceptable.

Food is a priority at Indian weddings, and you can expect a variety of dishes, including rice, naan, chicken, and lentil dishes, often served buffet-style due to the large number of guests. It is also common to have unique food stations, like a 'make your own golgappa' station, where guests can customise their own snacks.

Finally, Indian weddings are known for their lively receptions, where the couple and their families let loose and party with friends. The reception usually includes energetic entrances, the couple's first dance, speeches, and performances. It's a time for everyone to celebrate and create lasting memories.

Give guests a break

Indian weddings are often multi-day affairs, with multiple pre-wedding events, ceremonies, and receptions. This can be exhausting for guests, especially those who have travelled for the wedding and are staying in a hotel. To ensure your guests are full of energy for the celebrations, it's important to give them a break.

Firstly, ensure there is a break between the wedding ceremony and the reception. This is a common time for guests to take a breather and freshen up before the evening's festivities. If the wedding is outdoors and it's hot, provide paper fans or umbrellas to ensure your guests are comfortable.

Secondly, offer self-serve snacks or munchies between events to keep energy levels up. It's also a good idea to provide a welcome box or bag at the hotel, with water, snacks, and a recovery kit. This will ensure your guests are well-fed and comfortable throughout the celebrations.

Thirdly, if you have a large number of guests, consider letting them eat in batches. You can release five to ten tables at a time to the buffet, for example, to avoid a rush. This will also give you time to speak to your guests and take photos without keeping people waiting for their food.

Finally, if you are planning a long reception program with multiple speeches and performances, try to keep it under an hour. Anything over an hour will feel more like a meeting than a wedding!

Frequently asked questions