Indian Wedding in the UK
I’m thrilled to share Cameron and Anjali’s three-day Indian wedding celebration with you. This vibrant and intimate affair took place in the West Midlands, where love and joy filled every moment. The festivities began on July 18th, 2019, with a Mendhi ceremony at Anjali’s parents’ house, followed by a Hindu wedding ceremony at Balaji Mandir the next day. The grand finale was their wedding reception on July 20th, held at West Midland Safari Park. Each day brought its own unique charm, with music and dancing filling the air. I’m absolutely captivated by Cameron and Anjali’s outfits – they perfectly captured the essence of each occasion! Cameron donned a Kurta Pyjama for the Mendhi, a Sherwani for the ceremony, and a pink Nehru jacket for the reception, while Anjali wore a stunning pink and yellow Lengha at the Mendhi, a red and gold Lengha at the ceremony, and a breathtaking pink ombre Lengha at the reception. And let’s not forget the colorful flowers, fun photo booth, and the energetic Lions Bhangra troupe – what an unforgettable experience! Huge thanks to Laura May Photography for sharing these incredible images of this truly special wedding.
The Proposal
As the 2018 World Cup’s third-place playoff match between England and Belgium came to a close, the atmosphere was far from jubilant – especially for England fans who had just suffered a disappointing loss. But amidst the disappointment, a romantic spark was igniting in another corner of the room. I (Anjali) recall the evening vividly – it was as if Cameron’s recent discovery of a ring was burning a hole in his pocket, waiting to be acted upon. In a private and intimate setting, he seized the moment and proposed to me that very night, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
The Vision
As we began planning our special day, I (Anjali) have to admit that my expectations were pretty low. I didn’t really have a clear vision of what I wanted – no grand schemes or elaborate ideas. Cameron was in the same boat; he had no idea what he wanted either! We approached planning like a puzzle, making one decision at a time based on our personal preferences and what felt right. Our top priority was ensuring that all our guests felt at ease and left with happy memories.
The Planning Process
As a couple with families rooted in the Midlands, it was only natural that we chose this region as the backdrop for our special day. To guide our planning, we began by establishing a rough budget and scouting out potential venues. Once we secured our venue, everything else fell into place around it – from catering to décor, entertainment, and more. We made all major decisions jointly, ensuring that every choice was met with both of our thumbs up before moving forward.
The first thing we booked was our reception site, which allowed us to distribute save-the-dates to loved ones. This event would be the main attraction for most guests, whereas the Mehndi and wedding ceremony were smaller, more intimate affairs.
Budget
The Venue
Our wedding celebration took place amidst stunning beauty as we chose two unique venues to mark this special day. The ceremony, a sacred union with our loved ones, took place at Balaji Mandir in Tividale, which offered an unparalleled experience in hosting weddings. This allowed us to combine the religious and legal ceremonies in one magnificent event. In contrast, our reception was held at the breathtaking West Midlands Safari Park. As animal lovers, we had always envisioned a romantic getaway on safari for our honeymoon. When we stumbled upon WMSP during our visit, we were thrilled to discover that Spring Grove House was an ideal venue for a wedding. The beautiful house and surroundings required minimal setup, allowing us to focus on the joy of sharing this special moment with our loved ones. A highlight of the evening was the delightful animal meet-and-greet session at the beginning, which added a touch of whimsy and wonder to our celebration.
Your Outfits & Accessories
For our special day, we wanted to look our absolute best. I (Anjali) discovered some fantastic boutique shops that helped me find my perfect outfits. At Anjali – Shreeganesh on 235 Soho Rd, Birmingham, B21 9RZ, the staff were incredibly helpful and enthusiastic about finding exactly what I wanted. I chose a bright pink and yellow lengha that was light enough for all the dancing I had planned! To keep costs in check, I opted for a more affordable option, knowing I could splurge on other outfits later.For our engagement party the year before the wedding, Cameron picked out a navy blue and gold Kurta Pyjama from Lal-Kurti in Tooting. Although it was technically off-limits to the groom’s party, they managed to sneak in and help finish off the food – talk about a crash course in Indian wedding etiquette!When it came time to choose my actual wedding lengha, I headed to Monga’s Southall for inspiration. I stumbled upon a sale, and despite knowing it was an upscale shop, I was able to find a stunning traditional red and gold outfit at a more reasonable price. As it turned out, all the fittings were included in the price, which was a lovely surprise! My cousin joined me and we even managed to haggle a discount on her reception outfit.Cameron chose his wedding Sherwani from Bina Arts on 273 Green Street, London, E7 8LJ. He wanted something understated, but still elegant. We tried on a few different options before settling on the perfect design and embellishments. The finished article was all very reasonably priced, and we picked it up a few weeks later.For my reception outfit, I also chose to go with Monga’s Southall and picked out a beautiful pink ombre lengha that really stood out. Cameron, meanwhile, opted for a stunning Pink Nehru Jacket from Shalini’s at Unit 10 East Shopping Centre, 232-236 Green Street, London, E7 8LE. We designed the jacket to match my reception Lengha and teamed it with comfy navy chinos and a collarless shirt.
Beauty
As I prepared for my special day, I opted for a DIY approach to my hair and makeup for the Mendhi ceremony. However, for the wedding and reception, I sought the expertise of Fozia, a talented MUA with a deep understanding of Asian aesthetics. Her familiarity with draping lenghas and positioning jewelry was particularly valuable in bringing out the best in my bold outfits. I asked her to create a neutral yet striking look that would complement my attire without getting lost in its grandeur. Thankfully, she managed to strike the perfect balance, delivering a flawless makeup job that left me feeling confident and radiant.
Groomsmen & Bridesmaids
Our wedding party was a unique and relaxed affair, with no formal designations or dress codes. We encouraged all of our friends and family to attend in attire that made them feel confident and at ease – a refreshing departure from the traditional expectations surrounding groomsmen and bridesmaids.
The Cake
A crucial contribution to the celebration was made by a trio of talented individuals – Cameron’s mother, grandmother, and an unknown number of other bakers. Their combined efforts resulted in the mouthwatering array of cakes that adorned the tables at the mendhi.
The Music
To create a unique atmosphere at our wedding, we curated three distinct Spotify playlists for different parts of the celebration. A cheesy mix of 90s, 00s, and Bollywood tunes set the tone for the mendhi, while traditional Shenai music took center stage after the ceremony concluded. As the reception got underway, we transitioned to Sitar music, perfectly complementing the meal. Meanwhile, a special highlight was the live performance by the Lions Bhangra troupe at the reception, which also featured Dhol players joining us for our aisle stroll. Following the main meal, a DJ kept the evening lively. We were also honored to have speeches from my grandfather and Cameron’s brother, adding an emotional depth to the celebration.
The Flowers
The Flower Shop, located at 15 Cross Green, Rothley, Leicester, LE7 7PF, played a significant role in making our special day even more unforgettable. They crafted stunning flower garlands for the wedding, which added a touch of elegance to the ceremony and reception. Additionally, they provided us with exquisite roses that adorned our centrepieces, filling the room with their sweet fragrance. What’s more, Cameron’s parents kindly shared some of the flowers from their own garden as confetti, making it a truly unique and meaningful experience for us.
Your Photographer
Laura May was the perfect fit for our 3-day wedding celebration. We sought someone with a laid-back approach who could tackle the challenge of capturing our special moments. Luckily, Laura exceeded our expectations! We discovered her online and were impressed by her warm demeanor during our initial Skype meetings. After just one meeting, we knew we’d found the right photographer. Her engagement shoot put us at ease, making it easy to relax in front of the camera when the big day arrived. The experience was so enjoyable that we decided to incorporate a fun photobooth into our reception, complete with a personalized album for guests to leave messages instead of signing a traditional guestbook.
The Details & Décor
As we transformed our garden into an enchanting setting for the mendhi ceremony, we drew inspiration from both Rajasthani and traditional British wedding aesthetics. Vibrant hues and patterns came together in a unique fusion that added to the festive atmosphere. The addition of beautiful umbrellas, flower garlands, and bunting created a lively ambiance that set the tone for an unforgettable celebration.The mandap, or décor, was expertly crafted by Suhaan Mandap, while we took care of creating the centrepieces for the reception ourselves. Delicate roses surrounded by candles in water vases added a touch of elegance to the setting. With the venue already boasting its own natural charm, we felt that minimal additional decorations were needed, allowing the beauty of the surroundings to take center stage.
The Honeymoon
Our serendipity led us to embark on a 14-day safari adventure in Botswana, an experience that exceeded our wildest expectations and left us with lifelong memories. The thrill of venturing into the African wilderness, coupled with the unparalleled opportunity to witness majestic wildlife in their natural habitat, made this journey truly unforgettable.
Memorable Moments
At Indian weddings, cultural traditions come alive through lively performances that set the tone for a joyous celebration. One such tradition is the delightful display of song and dance by esteemed guests at the Mendhi ceremony. The grand dholi entrances of the bride and groom are also a highlight, marking the beginning of their new life together. But what makes these moments truly unforgettable is when friends and family members get creative with their own renditions of popular tunes, like the heartfelt serenade to Cameron with the adapted lyrics ‘Hey Deansy, I think I want to marry you’ to Bruno Mars’s iconic song. These spontaneous performances not only showcase the guests’ love for the couple but also add a playful touch to the festivities.
Advice For Other Couples
As Cameron and Anjali’s big day unfolded, they didn’t let the little things get in the way of their joy. Their celebration was a beautiful reminder that sometimes it’s the small moments that make life truly special.
The picturesque backdrop of Balaji Mandir set the tone for an unforgettable ceremony, while the reception at West Midland Safari Park brought the party to new heights. The bride’s stunning outfits, courtesy of Monga’s Southall, and the groom’s dashing mendhi attire, courtesy of Lal-Kurti, added a touch of elegance to their special day.
The talented team at Gorgeous Hair and Beauty worked their magic on the happy couple’s locks, with Rineaz Beauty providing flawless makeup looks. Meanwhile, Ravita Pannu ensured that the party mendhi was a hit with guests of all ages. And when it came time to get the party started, Lions Bhangra kept everyone dancing late into the night.
The pièce de résistance, however, had to be the photo booth, courtesy of Rickshaw Photobooth, where Cameron and Anjali’s love was immortalized in hilarious and heartwarming snaps. Suhaan Mandap brought the perfect blend of traditional and modern touches to their ceremony and reception décor.
As we look back on this unforgettable celebration, one thing is clear: Cameron and Anjali’s love story will be remembered for years to come.