South Asian weddings known for their opulence and over-the-top decor have now paved the way for an intimate affair. And that’s definitely one of the big changes the pandemic has brought on. Trends have gone simple yet creative, ideas are now created for smaller guest lists, and the decor has taken on a new avatar.
We got in touch with Seema, Creative Director of Bohemian Glam to share the novel decor trends for South Asian weddings in the post-pandemic era.
Established in 2010, with a great desire to share the magnificent craftsmanship from India to a wider audience, Bohemian Glam™ was founded. Born in America yet celebrating Indian heritage, the company takes care of all the sourcing needs of wedding and events decor in USA and worldwide. “We are suppliers with 30 years of wedding & event experience, for industry professionals – the trusted resource for international wedding & event planners, designers, florists, set-decorators, caterers, and all creatives who plan ahead,” shares Seema.
Curious about what design elements will be trending? Check out Bohemian Glam where you will see classic design features combined with a contemporary edge to have a culturally-vibrant event.
1. Traditional Cultural Elements
Our Favorite! Now more than ever, “it’s all in the details” when it comes to Indian wedding rituals, traditions and authenticity. Submerge your guests with all the senses of India by way of traditional wedding flowers, containers, trays, bowls and decor that bring true meaning and memories of the good ol’ days for the elders to the auspicious day.
2. Tree Glam
Picture Courtesy: @aroosi.events
Increasing outdoor events call for more than just lights. Adding festive ornaments creates a unique visual dimension & natural “photo booth” opportunities. With more outdoor weddings in 2021, we will witness creative and colorful ornaments that will be visually appealing.
3. Elevated Gift Packaging & Table Top Suites
It’s all in the (written) details! Menus, keepsakes, framed quotes, poems, signage, donations help tie your personal story together. From custom collections to masterfully assembled ready-to-ship collection, there is a little something for everyone, all beautifully packaged and on-demand.
4. Kids Entertainment
Pictures Courtesy: @matildadelvesphotos & @lifebyleanna
More details are being added to the kids’ area. Not just a sideshow with caretakers anymore! Canopy tents attract children a lot and one of the best-sitting arrangements for a party at the wedding. Eating, singing and enjoying can go all hand-in-hand with it.
5. Plated Dinner
With buffets gone in 2021 wedding, a plated dinner is perfect for Indian food palettes. Couples are opting for sustainability with food & beverage, offering a farm-to-table menu selection with this beautiful dinnerware option. Thalis offer a more personalized, white-glove experience, especially in South Asian weddings.
6. Vibrant Tassels & Ornaments
Adding pops of these festive designs around your event creates additional experiences and ice breakers for your guests. From monochromatic to pastels to jewel tones, we‘ll see a vibrant color palette adding to the mood. Whether it is your Haldi ceremony or Mehendi, beautiful colorful tassels hanging look photogenic, and when matched with twinkling lights, they will look stunning!
7. Bolsters & Cushions
Floor wedding seating arrangements are much in trend for their comfy and boho chic at the same time. A variety of bolsters & cushions in different shapes, textures & sizes strategically placed in comfy & cozy corners are essential for any gathering. Play around with the fabrics and colors as you follow a specific theme or keep them all colorful to jazz up your wedding decor.
8. Custom Carts & Tenting
Pictures Courtesy: @pinterest
No Indian wedding menu is complete without some lip-smacking appetizers. And with the growing love for customized food affairs, it’s a must to include a few of those popular food carts in your snacks section.
Wedding tents serve as a blank canvas where you can paint your imagination. Tents have enough room to decorate and add your theme and style without any extra elements that can restrict your creativity.
9. Artifacts & Handicrafts
Indian weddings are rich in culture and history. Each ritual has a significant meaning behind it. Highlighting and adding personal touches such as family heirlooms, or sculptures of cultural significance, along with historical family photos welcomes memorable conversations.
10. Dhaba Lounge Vignettes
Eating at a road-side cafe (dhaba) while traveling in India is a nostalgia we all are craving. Bring that much-needed desi tadka to your ceremony with these guest seating ideas. With COVID-19, we feel this is going to be an awesome way to implement social distancing at a wedding. A modern twist to recreating a favorite past-time, Dhaba style seating can be arranged in a socially distant way giving a room for one or two people per seating. The color and pattern variations can be customized to your needs.
Decoding The South Asian Wedding Dynamics
Those of you who come from non-South Asian backgrounds may be wondering what to expect at an Indian wedding. Even if you’ve attended a ceremony in the past, consider that with upwards of 50 distinct cultures within the continent, no two South Asian weddings will be exactly the same.
This calls for deeper insights into the nitty-gritty of South Asian weddings which will help wedding professionals to plan a perfect South Asian wedding. Be sure to look out for a beautiful coffee table book on south Asian wedding traditions & rituals, written by Seema Syed Zuberi with fantastic imagery by esteemed photographers, and published by Rizzoli this year! A perfect reference guide to all-things Indian & Pakistani weddings!
A Year Of Intimacy
Picture Courtesy: @romaganeshphotography
Based on real-time inquiries from couples, Seema shared insights on how 2021 weddings are going to look like.
“Before March 2020, we had sensed a trend towards smaller, but more thoughtful, sustainable and meaningful Indian weddings. 2021 will see the shift with this trend. Weddings have become more intimate. People might have only a handful of guests who are very close to them even when the bans are lifted and focus more on authentic experiences and personal touches, rather than the extravagance and grandeur. The general view is we should be in for a good Fall /Winter season in 2021, and an even better 2022 with larger guest counts. We just all need to take care of each other by complying with Covid restrictions and we will get to work quicker!”
Bohemian Glam has consistently worked to curate a unique marketplace to provide you with the widest selection of wedding & catering supplies, party decorations, gifts, tents, furniture, and accessories. For over a decade, they have been working with hundreds of skilled artisans & factories across India who have been evaluated for their operational, ethical & financial capabilities. Their products can be tailor-made to your color scheme, theme & overall design needs. They will ship your orders from India, directly to your doorstep! Believing in practicing & building processes that are sustainable, innovative & environmentally conscious – for their crafts, people & the planet, they make sure all their products are ethically made.
The events and wedding industry is ultimately driven by good product sourcing. Contemporary South Asian weddings are simply chic and to get the most authentic decor products from India, Bohemian Glam is your one-stop place! Book them for your next event right here!
Website: www.bohemianglam.com
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Email: seema@bohemianglam.com
Images Credit: @shopbohemianglam
