Reimagining The Big Fat Desi Wedding!
Nothing can match up to the enthusiasm and grandeur of a South Asian wedding in all its glory. The exquisite décor, week-long festivities and a never-ending guest list, we love it all. However, as the COVID 19 reality unfolds, we are chartering into the New Normal. Understandably, there are several questions and uncertainties that come with this new reality. Particularly, for the bridal industry. And even though, sooner or later we will overcome this pandemic and everything will go back to the Old Normal as we knew it, the pertinent question is, when?
Couples who have currently put their wedding plans on hold or planning an early 2021 wedding will still need to re-evaluate their plans, or wait until there is more clarity on the current regulations. The wedding industry is weighing in on several new trends and alternate ideas to keep up with the unknown. Safety protocols that adhere to the new rules of physical distancing are now a part of the package.
One of the newest bridal trends that has gained popularity in the last few weeks is the minimony. Originally introduced by The Knot in 2019, the trend became more popular during COVID 19. Now, what exactly is a minimony and does it really make sense for South Asian weddings? A minimony simply means having a small commitment ceremony to commemorate the union between the couple and a sequel event for friends and family on a later date. It may seem like a legit solution for couples who want to solidify their union for legal purposes or to honor their first proposed wedding date. However, planning a sequel wedding function is as good as postponing your wedding celebrations. Plus, let’s face it, for South Asian families planning a minimony is not really a practical option. You will still need to have your immediate family and a priest. And you are going to have to honor the basic South Asian wedding rituals, which would mean everything wrapped up in one evening. Or perhaps, skip the rituals altogether. But hey, these beautiful customs are what really define a desi wedding. So, unless you must get married in the next few weeks, we recommend you look at some more creative and intimate wedding ideas to celebrate your big day once the regulations are eased.
Another bridal trend that has been around for a while now is the micro wedding or as we love to call it; An intimate wedding. Not to be confused with an elopement. Believe it or not, minimalist weddings are gaining a lot of popularity among the millennial couples, and it is not entirely because of COVID 19. It’s more of a cultural shift from the traditional big fat desi weddings to a more personal, minimalist wedding defined by the personal style and values of the couple. A micro wedding would essentially mean a short guest list of fifty or lesser, mostly your family and close friends. But it does not mean you are compromising on any of the good stuff or any of the elements of a desi wedding, in fact it allows you to focus on the finer details.
Going forward, we definitely think a micro wedding is a more practical answer for South Asian couples to incorporate all the elements of a desi wedding and yet be able to plan their dream wedding in the post COVID 19 reality. Here are some micro wedding ideas for couples looking to tie the knot in late 2020 or early 2021.
An alternative venue: Choosing your venue is going to be the key. Ditch the banquet halls and anything that is within the city limits. You want to segregate your venue from the outside crowd as much as possible and minimize the risks. The idea is to opt for a venue where you can plan a small ceremony in a fully controlled environment and not have to worry about exposing your guests to unnecessary risks. Apart from the low risk factor, an out-of-the-way venue will also bring in an element of fairy-tale. Imagine an unreal wedding away from the city lights in a whimsical land, not bad eh? Also keep in mind the venue is versatile, meaning you can work around it to personalize it for a desi wedding.
Avoid multiple locations: Trust us, you do not want multiple locations for the wedding ceremony, the reception and the photo shoot. Or for that matter your guests staying at a faraway hotel from the wedding venue. Like we said, the key to a micro wedding in the post COVID 19 reality is to reduce as much contact as possible and stay in your dreamy bubble. Look for venues with multiple locations that can accommodate all the functions. Haldi and mehendi ceremonies by the indoor pool, cocktail party at the bistro, wedding in the woods with a breathtakingly stunning view, golden hour photo-shoots at the beach, beautiful boutique accommodation for the guests and wait there is more, an in house spa for the bride and bridesmaids. You think that is impossible? Visit us for deets.
A post COVID 19 destination wedding: Jumping on a plane right after the travel guidelines are eased or lifted may not be the best idea. But you can still have the destination wedding of your dreams. Opt for a country venue where you can drive with your nearest and dearest ones, maybe even book a small van once the regulations are lifted. Not only it will add an additional element of celebration, but this will also allow you to minimize the risks of exposure, remember the bubble?
Into the woods: Open spaces will marginally reduce the unnecessary stress that comes with a banquet hall or a closed space where you will need to take additional safety measures, this will also allow your guest to follow physical distancing. The Ashwood Inn boasts 19 acres of stunning & unspoiled forest lands perfect for your dream wedding. Also, perfect for a whimsical wedding photo-shoot.
Best of the both worlds: Speaking of wedding photo-shoots, the beach is just across the road, so you can have the best of both the worlds. You practically do not need to plan a separate pre wedding photo shoot, set aside an additional day for photos, take a short ride to the various picturesque locations in Bayfield, from beaches to wineries to trails. And, when you post your weddings photo on social media keep everyone guessing.
Now that you know what a micro wedding is, along with plenty of ideas to help you plan it without compromising on any of the elements of a big fat desi wedding, let’s start planning your big day. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation.