It’s all about the attire, jewellery and food in an Indian wedding. And, of course, the decorations! They occupy as much importance as everything else in an Indian wedding. Wedding decor sets up the mood for celebrations. With weddings in India comprising of an array of rituals and ceremonies, decorations set apart one from another.

Irrespective of whether it is a theme based weddings or not, decor is an integral part of all weddings. They get the maximum attention from people and create eternal impressions. For decors, the eye of detail is the key in creating splendid wedding environments. Stunning decors also add a dash of class to the photographs and serve as alluring backdrops.

Traditional decors were limited in designs and style. However, with more and more brides and grooms opting for modern style weddings, the choices for decors have become limitless. Today, sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing decors for Indian weddings! Use your vivid imaginations and inspirations to create decors that will set your wedding apart from the rest. Let us explore some of latest decor trends that is doing rounds in Indian weddings.

Mandap or the centre stage

The centre stage is the most important aspect of any decor. It garners maximum attention from the guests as this is the place the bride and groom are confined to for most part of the wedding ceremony. For any centre stage, you must choose the colours wisely. When you have a wedding theme, stick to the colours pertaining to the theme. Alternatively, you can choose colours that will enhance the photos. Generally, shades of gold, copper and red look great on any centre stage. Having simple minimalistic decorations can work. Add eye-grabbing props and match the backdrop with the carpet, seating or any other additional decor pieces you add.

Flowers

Can you imagine an Indian wedding without flowers? Of course, not! Flowers are considered to be auspicious and hence are a must-have decor in any wedding. They add a flair to the contemporary decor. They help bring the artistic side in you. There are innumerable ways in which you can use flowers to brighten the hall. Traditional garlands, flower vases, centerpieces, flowers can be included in any way you want. White, red, pink and yellow shades are most preferred for a wedding. However, you can use lavender, purple or related shades to stand out in the crowd.

Lighting

Say hello to coloured lighting this wedding season. Lightings are an integral part of Indian weddings. They brighten and highlight the centre stage. They are a must-have decor for any wedding. Fairy lights, thorans, coloured lights, lanterns, lamps – the possibility of decorating your hall with lights are limitless. To add a contemporary touch, use paper lanterns, add table lamps to the guest seating area or glow-in-the-dark lights for the reception.

Fabrics

Fabrics add the much needed texture to your wedding decor. Traditionally, the center stage is decorated with fabrics. For a modern look, you can add a dash of colour to spice up an otherwise sober decor. Further, using bright colour fabrics will minimize the cost of other decorations, which is great for budget weddings.

It is amazing how a little inspiration and imagination can transform your wedding decor from good to amazing. Have fun with your decors and never hesitate to tell your story in your own unique way.

Have you always dreamed of a wedding on the beaches in Maui, the Caribbean, or in the country of your heritage? It is possible to turn your dream wedding into reality with less expense and difficulty than you may think. According to a recent study conducted by a bridal group, 16 percent of couples are now planning destination weddings in exotic places due to the desire to save money. Yes, a destination wedding can be less expensive and much more luxurious than the traditional wedding ceremony, and it can do dual duty as your honeymoon, too.

A traditional wedding ceremony requires you to gather family and friends who are most likely scattered across the country for a wedding ceremony that will last an average of four hours. If you plan a destination wedding, your celebration can turn into several days of relaxing memories created with those nearest and dearest to you, as opposed to a few hours with a hundred or more people in a formal setting.

As an added perk, destination wedding can actually cost less than traditional weddings for the bride and groom. One reason for this is that many hotels will offer a basic wedding ceremony for free if you plan to honeymoon at that hotel for a specific amount of time. The destination wedding can, however, be a bit more costly for guests in terms of price and vacation days, but so can it do dual duty as vacation for them, too. So get those “save-the-date” cards out in a timely manner, along with all the details about the fun and accommodations that await them should they choose to join you.

Arranging a destination wedding can also be easier than planning a traditional wedding. Most hotels and resorts offer wedding planning packages and services, and you are welcome to add your own wedding favors, wedding cake assessories and the like for a personal touch. After the location and hotel have been chosen, it is vital to send out the invitations at least 5 months in advance in order to provide your guests ample time to plan the necessary travel arrangements, and, if necessary, organize for passports. Keep in mind that not everyone you invite will be able to afford to attend your destination wedding, so do not be disappointed. Just remember that a smaller wedding in a romantic locale can be more intimate and romantic.

Hint: You can assist your guests with their travel arrangements by reserving a block of rooms at the hotel. Inquire about a package discount; normally hotels will reduce the rate of the rooms if you reserve a certain amount of rooms for a specific amount of time.

You should arrive a day earlier than your guests to ensure that the preparations are complete, and to arrange guest rooms, wedding favors, bridal party gifts, table decorations and group activities. Welcome guests and your bridal party to their rooms with small gifts left to thank them for making the trek, perhaps a collection of sunglasses, sunscreen, and a personalized beach towel for a tropical destination, or a themed wine stopper, corkscrew and personalized wine glasses in the wine country. Of course throwing some chocolate into the mix is always a good move, too!

When you are finished with the preparation of the rooms for your guests, sit back and relax for a while in your wedding paradise. This is one of the advantages of a destination wedding: The hotel or resort will take care of all of the tedious details for you. Your ceremony area will be decorated for the wedding, as will the area for your reception. This provides you time to unwind, relax and enjoy your fiancé, your family and your closest friends in your dream destination, before, during and after the wedding, together creating the first special memories of your married life together. It doesn’t get any better than that.