Once you have saved the dates, planning your Bengali Wedding is the next big task in the checklist. You are a modern day Bride/Groom but you don’t want to go Wakanda Forever (Mix of Traditional and Tech, iykyk) for the big day right? Here are some amazing Themes that can give your traditional Bengali Wedding rituals a pop twist.
1.Themed Gaye Holud
So, quickly going over the “What”, Why” ,”When” nitty-gritty . Gaye Holud, the ritual of applying a ubtan or body polish made with Holud (Turmeric) mixed with Mustard oil (that’s how traditionalists do it) on the day of wedding has many spiritual and scientific implication.
This ritual marks the beginning of a new life for the “To-Be-Married” couples and while the traditions dictate the rituals are done separately for bride and groom (well, it’s not a holy thing to see each-other before the weeding), over time, for the sake of aesthetics and having booked the same venue for all rituals, these days bride and groom’s family end up up having a gala time together while celebrating Gaye Holud.
So, coming to the themes for Gaye Holud, if you are a traditional person then you are all set to have a yellow theme Gaye Holud, but what if you are the non-conformist?
Here are a few ideas to bring the blend:
Not So Yellow:
Have you ever thought that golden can give you the same effect as yellow?
Yeah, it can, go for golden backdrops and add pop colours for a boho theme.
Alpona and Haath Pakha:
Alpona, a traditional wall-art never goes out of fashion when it depicts your story right. Yes, you can have your story painted on the floor or backdrops using Alpona art and give it a quirky yet traditional look.
Use the traditional Bengali hand fans to add extra oomph to your Gaye Holud decor.
Mora or Muda seating chairs:
Give the traditional Muda or mora(as we Bengalis call it) a quirky twist for the sitting arrangements at your Gaye Holud ceremony.
Sky Turns Pink:
“Pink is for girls” and with the uprise of bashing patriarchy, we may have forgotten to love the colour, lets all admit we all love the different hues of that lovely colour and let’s all, together, give it back the glory it deserves. Adding the right amount of pink in your wedding decor.
Pc: Pinterest
- Live Bengali bands
No, not the rock concert one, a traditional live music performance will add the right amount of entertainment during the ceremony. Independent music creators love these gig and they might just end up writing a wedding song for you (ask them, they just might)
- Folk music
The sound of Dotara has our hearts (forever) and Baul gaan can never be out of place for any celebrations. Just imagine Kartic Das Baul giving you the vive as you walk towards the Halud alter. Surreal, right!
- Return of the traditional Shenai
Nahobat, a ancient wedding tradition of playing Sehnai during the wedding never goes out of fashion. Why don’t you try it for the regal effect. Sehnai and percussion have been the magic music for all Indian celebrations and in the days of royalties, without having a Nahobat, no celebration was complete. Let ragas of India take over your Gaye Holud ceremony and you too can busk in the glory of regality.
- Create wedding photo stations
If you want a social media friendly wedding a photo-booth is a must. Let your friends create memories of a lifetime at this booth while they make your wedding trend using the hashtag you have set.
Author: Piya
