Make Your Indian Wedding Unique With These Creative Ideas

Planning an Indian wedding and want to make it unique and memorable? From creative entrances and wacky catering ideas to unique performances and decor, here are some ways to make your big day stand out:

Creative Entrances:

- Make a grand entrance with a flower shower, colourful smoke bombs, or fireworks.

- Arrive in a palanquin or palki, carried by your brothers or cousins, for a royal touch.

- If you're having a destination wedding, incorporate local elements into your entry.

- Make your entrance over a song, giving it a movie-like feel.

Wacky Catering Ideas:

- Surprise guests with unique appetizers like Fish 'n' Chips, tortilla wraps, or exotic tikkas.

- For winter weddings, offer hot chocolate with ice cream topping, hot cocktails, doughnuts, and flavoured soups.

- Set up a DIY counter where guests can make their own veggie or meat wraps.

- For summer weddings, offer exotic flavoured juices and customised cakes.

Unique Performances:

- Include unique performances during the sangeet or pre-wedding events, such as singing, instrumental pieces, or creative dance routines.

- Organise a cricket match between the bride's side and the groom's side, or host a pop quiz on Indian wedding rituals.

Decor and Details:

- Choose a unique theme like a village wedding with rustic elements, a Goan wedding with beach vibes, or a Bollywood-themed celebration.

- Use DIY decorations like paper lanterns, origami flowers, or photo collages.

- Add personal touches like pre-wedding photos, a wish tree or blessing station, and quirky signage.

- Opt for unique centrepieces like intricate vases, candelabras, coloured candlesticks, or even fruit arrangements.

- Hang potted plants or bird cages from the ceiling, or create a paper chandelier for a rustic look.

- Set up a fun photo booth with creative props and backdrops.

- Incorporate your parents' wedding photos into the decor for a touch of nostalgia.

With a bit of creativity and personal flair, your Indian wedding is sure to be a one-of-a-kind celebration that you and your guests will always remember!

Cricket match before the wedding

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but it's also an opportunity to get creative and make it a memorable event for everyone involved. If you're looking for unique ways to make your Indian wedding stand out, why not consider incorporating a cricket match into the festivities? Here are some ideas and suggestions to make it a spectacular event:

Building the Buzz

Create a fun and exciting atmosphere leading up to the cricket match by promoting it as a highlight of the wedding celebrations. Include creative teasers or trailers on your wedding website or social media pages. You could even have a friendly rivalry going between the bride's team and the groom's team, with playful challenges and competitions in the days or weeks before the match. This will get your guests engaged and eager to participate.

Forming the Teams

Depending on the size of your wedding and the number of guests, you can form multiple teams or have a mixed team with both the bride's and groom's friends and family members. Encourage guests to sign up for the cricket match by including a fun registration form in the wedding invitation or on your wedding website. This way, you can also get an idea of the number of players and plan the logistics accordingly.

Venue and Decor

When choosing a venue for the cricket match, consider a location that is easily accessible for your guests and offers a picturesque backdrop for the event. You can decorate the venue with creative signages, colourful banners, and perhaps a unique hashtag for the match. If you want to go the extra mile, you can even have a mini "stadium" set up with designated seating areas for guests to cheer on their favourite team.

The Match Itself

To make the cricket match even more enjoyable, you can incorporate some fun twists and variations to the traditional rules. For example, you could have a "bowling only" over, where each player from the batting side must bowl one over, or introduce challenges like a "six-hitting contest" or a "catch of the day" award. These additions will keep the game light-hearted and entertaining for everyone, regardless of their cricket skills.

Refreshments and Entertainment

No cricket match is complete without delicious refreshments and lively entertainment. Set up food stalls offering a variety of snacks and drinks to keep your guests energised and engaged. You can even have a DJ or live band performing during the match, adding to the festive atmosphere. Don't forget to include some interactive activities for the guests who are not playing, such as a bhangra or Bollywood dance session, or fun games like antakshari.

Prizes and Memories

Lastly, don't forget to award the winning team with a special prize or trophy as a token of appreciation for their efforts. You can also have personalised medals or certificates for all the participants, making it a memorable keepsake of your unique Indian wedding. Encourage guests to capture photos and videos of the match, and perhaps create a special highlight reel to cherish the memories for years to come.

Unique food and drink ideas

Food and drink are an important part of any wedding, and there are plenty of ways to make this aspect unique and memorable. Here are some ideas to make your Indian wedding stand out:

• Offer a variety of food options beyond the typical kebabs and curry. Consider serving Fish 'n' Chips, tortilla wraps, exotic tikkas, sausages, and more.
• For drinks, provide a range of options such as hot chocolate with ice cream topping, hot cocktails, and exotic flavoured and coloured juices.
• Set up interactive food stations such as a chaat counter, live dosa stall, or candy bar where guests can customise their snacks and desserts.
• Add a DIY counter where guests can make their own veggie or meat wraps with tasty fillings.
• Serve unique fusion dishes such as Cocktail Pani Puri Shots and Alcoholic Chuskis (but keep them away from the kids!).
• For a summer wedding, offer exotic flavoured and coloured juices, and for a winter wedding, provide hot chocolate and doughnuts.
• Instead of the usual wedding cake, why not have a customised cake with your monograms or figurines on top?
• If you're having a midnight fera, a popcorn cart is a great way to keep your guests happy and well-fed.
• Add a personal touch by serving some of your favourite foods and drinks, or include a card with each menu item explaining which ones are the bride and groom's top picks.
• If you want to stick to traditional Indian food, present it in a unique way, such as serving Papri Chaat in martini glasses.
• For a quirky touch, have a truck at your mehendi serving up cocktails, or set up a 'make your own golgappa' station with taps dispensing sweet and spicy water.
• If you're having a cocktail hour, offer a variety of food and drink options such as Indian food, cheeses, fruits, and cocktails.
• Keep your guests well-fed throughout the celebrations, providing extra snacks in between events and in welcome boxes.

Creative decor

• Centrepieces: Flowers inside an intricate vase, candelabras, coloured candlesticks, or even fruit can be used as centrepieces.
• Ceiling decorations: Hang satin drapes, fairy lights, potted plants, bird cages, or paper chandeliers.
• Photo booths: Set up a funky photo booth with different vehicles and props, or large, framed photo booths.
• Personalised additions: Add personal touches by including pre-wedding photos or favourites to a custom-built stacked corner.
• Bunting: Get creative with bunting—use umbrellas, lace, or paper.
• Wedding lighting letters: Light up letters to decorate the dance floor or wedding stage.
• Table runners: Customise table runners with silk, sequins, or hessian, and add crystals or borders.
• Chalkboard signs: Include quirky chalkboard signs with fun directions or statements.
• Wish tree or blessing station: Set up a wish tree or blessing station with post and pen for guests to write blessings for the couple.
• Umbrellas: Decorate with lacy or paper umbrellas.
• Tabletops: Place candelabras, coloured candlesticks, or figurines on tabletops.
• Paper lanterns: Add paper lanterns to the decor.
• Chandeliers: Include chandeliers inside the mandap.
• Mandap: Decorate the mandap with flowers, drapes, fairy lights, or figurines.
• Wedding stage: Create a flowery wall or use drapes behind the seating arrangement.
• Grass carpeting: Use grass carpeting to cover the walls of an indoor venue for an outdoor garden feel.
• Nostalgia: Display your parents' wedding photos somewhere at the wedding.

Fun activities

Pre-wedding

• Have a cricket match between the boys' and girls' sides.
• Host a pop quiz related to a specific theme, like Indian wedding rituals.
• Organise a dance-off between the bride's and groom's sides.
• Play Antakshari among the family.
• Have a karaoke night.
• Set up a bangle-making station.
• Put on a puppet show.
• Play a game of tug of war.
• Have a dance competition.
• Play musical chairs.

During the wedding

• Set up a photo booth with fun props and backdrops.
• Have a live band or singer perform.
• Put on a flash mob.
• Play a game of limbo.
• Set up a bowling alley.
• Play beer pong.
• Have a cocktail-making class.
• Play a game of catch the baton.
• Play hide-and-seek.

Alternative dress styles

While traditional Indian weddings have a distinct dress code, alternative styles are usually welcomed by the bride and groom. Here are some ideas for the couple and their guests to stand out and make a statement:

Bride and Groom:

• Anarkali Sherwani: A magnificent fusion of tradition and contemporary style, this outfit features a long, flowing silhouette with a fitted bodice and flared skirt. It is available in rich jewel tones like royal blue, emerald green, and deep maroon, as well as classic neutrals.
• Straight Sherwani: A timeless Indian groom dress with a sleek silhouette and elegant design, crafted from luxurious fabrics like silk or velvet and adorned with intricate embroidery.
• Silk Dhoti and Shirt: The classical South Indian groom's outfit exudes sophistication and reflects the rich traditions of South Indian weddings. It is available in different shades and colours, often with traditional motifs.
• Ethnic Reception Suits: These suits blend Western tailoring with traditional Indian craftsmanship, resulting in distinctive Indian wedding wear.
• Kurta Pajama with Jacket: Channel your inner Bollywood star with this iconic wedding look. The kurta paired with tailored trousers or churidar pants offers comfort and creates a memorable wedding outfit.
• Long Kurta Sets: An impeccable choice for tall grooms, this traditional Indian outfit features a long kurta paired with either churidar pants or pyjamas, woven from luxurious fabrics such as silk, brocade, or cotton.

Guests:

• Lehengas: A two-piece outfit consisting of a cropped top and a full, high-waisted skirt.
• Sarees: A long piece of fabric, often made of silk, draped around the body and tucked into an underskirt. Sarees can be worn in various styles, such as the white and red saree for Bengali weddings or the traditional gold sarees for South Indian weddings.
• Sherwanis: A long coat-like top, often paired with churidar or dhoti pants.
• Bright-Coloured Pantsuit or Jumpsuit: A fun and comfortable alternative to traditional Indian attire.
• Cocktail Dress or Suit: A safe alternative if you are not comfortable wearing Indian clothes.
• Ethnic Men's Suit: For male guests who want to blend Western and Indian styles, these suits offer a stylish and distinguished look.

Remember, while alternative styles are usually welcomed, it is important to respect the cultural traditions and any specific dress code requirements provided by the couple.

Frequently asked questions