I am gearing up for the wedding season.
I am booking fast and it is only February.
If you are looking for someone to help with your wedding call me at (503) 449-2057
What is being done in mandaps 2012? EVERYTHING ! ~
You will read more about traditional mandaps in a section further into this blog. My experience with the local mandap decorations is everything but traditional. In fact, if you are looking for the old style of mandap with fake flowers, I am not your gal. First, each of my mandaps are custom designed for my brides. No this does not increase the cost. Here are some trends;
- Using a lot of flowers on the front top and sides
- sheer fabric. Rather that using the glittery fabric I have seen in the past, this season its sheer all the way
- as far as colors, about 40% of my brides want the traditional "Indian Red". I say Indian red because I would call it burgundy. 60% of my brides are looking for different color pallet. I work with my brides to achieve a cohesive color design between the wedding and reception or banquet.
- crystals, statues and props
- Elephants - not real ones - elephant statues or made from flowers. And they are lucky too! whit
FLOWERS, A must at every Indian Wedding
From the beginning till the end, flowers remain an integral part of the Indian wedding ceremonies and functions. And rightfully so, as flowers are the most beautiful, colourful, sacred and fragrant filled pieces which add that needed vibrancy for a any occasion with it’s mere presence and arrangement.
The Mandap: Your Center Stage
If you have been reading my blog, you will know that I do a great deal of research on the Internet regarding Indian wedding so I can provide you with ideas. I recently came upon this article from Balamani Bride at http://www.balamanibride.com/cultural-traditions/the-mandap-your-center-stage/ .
I thought this article was great because i have had some Indian brides who do not know where the wedding tradition come from. I hope this helps.
South Asia, especially Indian subcontinent, is a region that is highly influenced by the cultural heritage. Festivities and various kinds of rituals are celebrated with utmost solemnity and earnestness. Marriage is one such ritual that is looked at as a “Unique” event.
One of the many vital aspects of Indian marriage is Mandap or a canopy (on a stage), on which the key marital ceremonies take place. Since Mandap is the center-stage that bears the holy matrimony, Mandap decorations have always held a very critical place in the marriage preparations. Recently, apart from mere religious aspects,
mandaps are also decorated with keeping beauty and fashion in mind. A well-decorated Mandap not only adds an alluring appeal, but also has become a status symbol.
Keeping in mind the age-old Hindu conventions, an Indian marriage is ideally supposed to take place on the open ground; however, with modern times few traditions are molded into new ones. Even though a marriage takes place in a hall or any closed stadium, the form of the Mandap still remains the same.
A Mandap is a square shaped stage of approximately 10-15 feet sides, with four pillars at every angle. These pillars are decorated with flowers, exotic ribbons, green leaves, etc. The Mandap decorations can change from region to region, but it is mainly decided by whether the Mandap is erected in the open ground or the closed hall, and also whether the marriage is occurring during day or the night.
Red, silver, and gold are considered the colors of prosperity. Obviously, these colors are predominantly used in the decoration of the wedding Mandap. This preference of colors can also be noticed in the way the garlands are made, using white and red flowers, adorned with silver and golden threads. The ritual of “Jaimala”, in which the groom and bride put garlands around each others’ necks, is also held at the Mandap.
Mandap Decorations
In most cases, Mandap decorations are theme based. The whole Shamiyana (tent) decoration is carried out along with the Mandap decoration. These tents too are bright in color, and are beautified in such ways that charms one’s mind.
One of the most important and prominent factor of Mandap decoration is “lighting”. Different kinds of lanterns and candles are used to illuminate the Mandap. As a matter of fact, this “illumination of the Mandap” holds much more meaning than just source of light or decoration in Hindu tradition, as the light is perceived as illumination of mind, knowledge, and happiness. This is why “Yadnya-Vedi” (or simply sacred fire) is placed right in the middle of the Mandap. The wedding couple takes seven rounds around the Vedi and takes vows to be together forever, with ‘Fire’ as their witness. The Vedi is usually kept simple and without any intricate adornments, as the fire may spoil it during the course.
Wall hangings, curtains, chandeliers, and decorative artifacts are common pieces of wedding decorations. In few weddings, especially Marathi (Maharashtra) weddings, decorative carvings and structures of vegetables and other eatables is quite a common ritual, which is somewhat similar to ice-sculptures in the Christian weddings.
Western influence has begun to change some of the design elements in mandaps. Colors other than the conventional red, silver and gold are being used that reflect the couples style and taste all over the color spectrum. In some cases where open flame is not allowed by the venue, electric candles and lanterns can be used to ensure adequate illumination. The key point of your mandap design is to incorporate beautiful things that you want surrounding you while you are married.
Definitions
Mandap – The structure South Asian weddings take place under
Jaimala – The formal introduction of the bride and groom where garlands are exchanged.
Yadnya-Vedi – The structure that contains the sacred fire during the wedding ceremony
Shamiyana – Tent
Marathi – The language spoken in the state of Maharashtra. It is the 4
th most spoken language in India.
