Oliveaire Design Studio Showcase: Raghavan & Desai Event: University Club

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

The Modern Day Mandap: Make it Your Own

What do you imagine standing under while taking your vows to your future Husband/Pati?  Do you see crystals?  Or maybe flowing drapes with floral elements?  When it comes to the modern day Mandap, there is not a set of rules Indian brides are following anymore.  Sure you want to follow some of the traditions of the Mandap, like what it symbolizes for instance, but you also want to make sure it symbolizes who you are as a couple.  Maybe you want your wedding to be clean cut and extremely modern and go towards a crystallized Mandap.  Or you want a romantic and whimsical feel and want to go with a fabric Mandap.  The Mandap is one of the most important ingredients of every Indian wedding ceremony, so make sure the Mandap you choose fits who you are and the style you want to accomplish during your big day.

Decorating Your Mandap:

Cultural traditions are very important when it comes to decorating the Mandap.  Traditional Mandaps are usually made of wood, have four pillars, and are decorated using kalashes, garlands of mango leaves, coconuts and banana leaves.  Also, traditional colors in the past have been more in the red and yellow families.  But with today’s modern Indian bride, she tends to go a more modern route while incorporating traditional elements as well.  From past events we have worked on, Mandaps have come in every shape, size, color and material you can imagine.  The below photos show some examples of different types of Mandaps we have done in the past.  The photo on the left incorporates the traditional colors and shape of a Mandap but also has the floral and fabric elements that give it a modern twist.  The middle photo really shows how to turn a traditional Mandap into a classy and whimsical one that truly showed the bride’s personality.  The blue fabric is something we are seeing more and more of lately, and the addition of the flowers and chandelier truly make this Mandap one of a kind.  And last but not least, one of the most unique Mandaps we have had, is the last photo on the right.  From the use of just crystals, the up lighting, the three pillars and the shape, all make this Mandap different from the rest.  Today’s Indian brides are not afraid to make a bold and modern statement when it comes to the centerpiece of the ceremony, and all examples definitely look sensational.        

The Mandap is a sacred place where all the rituals take place and is where the couple takes a vow to be together as one.  When it comes to choosing the style of Mandap you would like, make sure to choose carefully and make sure it is exactly what you would like.  The Mandap is in the center of all the activities on your special day, so remember to have it represent who you are as a couple and the love you have for one another.  Just most importantly remember there are no limits when it comes to decorating your Mandap, be as modern and out there or be as traditional and conservative as you would like, after all it’s your big day.  

Bridal Bliss for Now (BBFN),

Olivia   

Finding the One

You already found the perfect guy, and you have the perfect ring on your finger, so now it's time to find the perfect venue to host your wedding celebration.

You'll find the same theme throughout our blog, but we'll say it again...

No piece of a wedding is one size fits all. Each element should be a reflection of who you are as a couple, including your venue.

Here are our top tips to keep in mind when choosing your venue:

• Have an idea of what type of venue you would like to consider for your event such as hotel, country club, banquet hall or specialty venue.
• Set a budget, inclusive of the space, and likely the food & beverage.
• Know the size of your guest list. Don’t forget that every person you will invite will not necessarily attend.
• Always visit the property, and take a site tour,before making your final decision. Pictures and websites can be deceiving.
• Read reviews of the venues you are considering and check with your friends and family to see if they have attended an event at the facility.
• Plan what time of day your event will be taking place. Pricing is considerably different between lunch events and dinner events
• Food service style: pricing is different between plated, buffet and family style service. Some venues do not offer all three types of service.
• Special features: Have you always dreamed your wedding would have natural light shining through floor to ceiling windows, sky high ceilings, outdoor gardens to stroll through, etc. Identifying, and finding these features can assist in narrowing your selection.

Have further questions? Contact a member of our team who can help make your venue selection easier.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

Wedding Ceremony Music

Today, Adel Domingo, Event Architect will be sharing some tips on how to make selections on music for your wedding ceremony.

I’ve never attended a wedding ceremony without music, except for mine, because my husband and I got married in a civil ceremony in a typical judge’s bureaucratic office. Not cool, or should I say, there was no warmth or romance at all. It wasn’t us. We love music. We did get married in a church a year later and we were surrounded by our loved ones and, of course, music. My brother’s band played at our reception.


Photo courtesy of theknot.com

No matter what kind of ceremony you’re having, you need a song for the intro, possibly a reflection or dedication song somewhere in the middle, and a recessional song. That determination is easy but choosing the songs is not that easy. Why? Because you have one chance to show the world which songs reflect the love you have for each other. However, when you choose the right songs, you’ll know it, because it will make you and your loved ones weep, or at least, make them sigh.

What’s your style? Classical, folk, religious, alternative, and in what language? It is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Pick your top three favorite for each category and you narrow it down. This may take a week or months.


Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Who will sing? The church’s music director, your friends or family, or hired musicians are all available. Sometimes a DJ is used, a cd can be played on a boom box, or an iPod can be a big part despite almost being invisible. It needs to be a clear and moving, so if your Dad is an awesome guitar player, ask him to play because that is one memory that will never go away.

What is your favorite song? What songs inspire you or speak to you and remind you of the great love you are about to embark? What prayer song will seal your vows? The choice is endless from the ever classical Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” to the quirky Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “Linus and Lucy.” Sometimes an appropriate song to choose for the entrance song is a song of the family letting their daughter go and escorting her into her new life like “The Water is Wide” an English folk song. A reflective song “Only You Can Love Me This Way” by Keith Urban is great for those who like country music.

Whatever style of song you choose, I believe in my heart that it should never be offensive or dark or basically humorous leaning towards bad taste. But, why should you listen to me? This is your wedding ceremony, which is one of the most sacred, peaceful, and serious time of your lives. You’ll never hear the end of it from your mothers and grandmothers on why you chose “that awful song” if you pick a “unique” song. Yes, it’s their wedding too, so pick a song in honor of them or for any anybody near and dear to your hearts that have inspired you and taught you to love.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia