Portland Indian Wedding

BIG Announcement!

2013-06-19T22:59:00.002-07:00

We are very excited to announce that Floral Sunshine has stepped in and is now the new owner of this Portland Indian Wedding blog! Along with this little place in cyberspace, we also now own the 12x12 ft white wooden mandap and coordinating accessories! (Pictured below) Gorgeous fabrics in an array of colors, the pair of white throne chairs, elephant decor, and much too much to list here!

Annie Chen, owner of Floral Sunshine has been creating floral arrangements for weddings since 2004. Her first Indian wedding was back in August of 2005, a unique and beautiful fusion of Indian/Chinese traditions. Although Floral Sunshine creates weddings of varying themes/backgrounds - we love Indian and other ethnic weddings - this is one of our areas of specialty.

Congratulations on your engagement! We look forward to speaking with you soon about your visions and ideas for your BIG day!!

I have forgotten to tell you about us.....

2012-04-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

I have forgotten to tell us about us. I am hearing this just about every time the phone rings. Our phone number is 503 449-2057

We can assist you in every aspect of you wedding planning or just provide the mandap. We cater to brides who do not live in the Portland areas as well as brides that are doing most of the wedding planning and set up them self. Here is a listing of what we can do;

Wedding Planning

Wedding Design

Wedding Coordination

Day of Coordination

Vendor Recommendation and Selection

Mandap

Backdrops

Sangreet

Decorations

Horse or Horse and Carriage

Lighting

Centerpieces

Floral

Props

We only create Indian Weddings !!

Isn't this a adorable Candy Bar

In July we will be working up at Camas Meadows Golf Club. I was looking on their web page and found this photo. This is one of the best candy bar's I have seen. The Bride who created this bar did it correctly with color, texture and dimension.

My hat is off to you!!

Call them "Seating Cards" or call them "Escort Cards"
here are some fun ideas

This is wonderful way to display your cards for a Garden Wedding

This is a creative idea to display nature

Who doesn't love crystal

This could be a favor as well as a seating card

What a playful display

The only thing that could have made this better.....

they should have been in buckets of ice

Tip of the Day.....creativity and ingenuity can add a delight to your wedding. An idea, does not have to be expensive.

ALL ABOUT MANDAPS ~ WHAT'S BEING DONE IN 2012

2012-02-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

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.

What's In...Wedding.Mandaps in the Portland Area

2012-02-08T21:02:00.000-08:00

What's in...in Mandaps

Its easier to answer this question by saying what is not cool in Mandaps. Old Fashion looking Mandaps, Mom and Dads Mandap. Our brides want a custom mandap, A mandap designed for their wedding. The do not want a out-of-box mandap decorated with old fake flowers......YUK. I found this photo above while surfing the net tonight, its fun, its fresh and it does not look like your parents mandap. Lets be unique and creative!

I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE.....

ELEPHANTS ARE ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA

I HAVE BEEN TOLD, ELEPHANTS ARE LUCKY. I HAVE NOT MET A ELEPHANT I DID NOT LIKE. WHY NOT CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING WITH A ELEPHANT...OR A FEW. IN PORTLAND, 'PACKY' AT THE PORTLAND ZOO IS THE ONLY ELEPHANT I AM AWARE OF ?? THE PORTLAND ZOO DOES NOT SHARE THEIR "PACKY" FOR INDIAN GROOMS TO RIDE TO THEIR WEDDING. IN PORTLAND MUST GROOMS LOOK FOR A WHITE HORSE OR A HORSE CARRIAGE. I HAVE GOOD NEWS....I HAVE FOUND A WHITE HORSE FOR INDIAN WEDDING. YES, THE OWNER WILL ALSO COME ALONG TO LEAD THE HORSE IF YOU LIKE. SO, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A HORSE TO RIDE, CALL ME AT 503 449-2057 AND I WILL PUT YOU IN CONTACT WITH THE HORSE.

A World of
Tasty Options

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE, CATERING BEYOND BORDERS http://www.ethniccateringbeyondborders.com/

Catering Beyond Borders will be supply the food for my featured couple this season Susmita and James at their June 2nd wedding. I was asked to attend the tasting...yum yum. Call Rich he is very very very nice to work with and the food is great too.

TIP; if you are planning a wedding, good vendors get booked up quickly. Get your vendors booked and a deposit down. You do not want the good ones to get away...........or is that just for fishing?

Wedding Cost in the Portland Area

2012-02-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

I am asked, time after time - Why are Indian Weddings the only weddings I will coordinate or decorate?
Its because of the costs. - I understand how to control cost.
Its because I love the Indian people and culture.
Its because of the pressure on the family to put on impressive wedding and reception.
It is because the portland wedding industry believes that since the indian community have such large wedding, they have tons of money and the vendor will make a ton of money doing their wedding.

I throughly understand the Indian culture, expectations and pressure on the family when it comes to a wedding.

Portland wedding cost...Hummm - I realize the following information will be educational for most, but for most indian brides, it could ruin your day. The average cost of a wedding in the Portland area is just below $25,000.00. As a indian bride you should expect your cost to be significantly higher. A few factor go into this, number of days, number of events and number of guests.

That average Portland wedding cost is based on 130 to 150 guests. The $25,00.00 gets you a average wedding. A average wedding is not what the Indian culture and community expects. If you are looking for a more custom, unique or designer event the the cost go up fast!!
This is where I ruin Indian brides day. With twice to three times the amount of guests than the average PDX wedding, your cost is sky rocketing. I would estimate 3 to 4 times this amount. Now lets add the additional housing and food expenses for out of town guest. Now I have ruined your month. There is a lot of additional cost to a Indian Wedding, but there is not extra fluff money. I do not make a lot of money, decoration Indian Wedding. I do it because I love the culture. Sorry to ruin other wedding vendors day.

My most favorite bride and groom ever...

This will bne a new addition to Portland Indian Wedding blog, I am going to feature a bride and groom.

On June 2, 2012 Susmita Pendurthi and James Murphy will be married with a view of Mt Hood at the Gorge Crest Winery. James is local from Gresham and The lovely Susmita is from Missouri. (yes James, you are adorable too!)

Susmita and James met while in the Peace Corp in Africa. They are truely wonderful people, they both served two years helping others. The couple make their home in Washington DC. Over the next several months we will follow their wedding planning and wedding. Gosh, I wish they would invite us on the honeymoon, they are going to the Greek Islands.

2012-02-08T20:06:00.000-08:00

New Indian Wedding Trend – The Floral Chandelier

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Posted by Shawna

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Featured Indian Weddings

The latest, hottest, trend in Indian wedding décor is a floral chandelier mounted inside your mandap, and I must admit I have LEAPED onto this bandwagon. Utterly romantic, and if you like that dramatic, flower and crystal thing, you are probably just as in love with this design as I am.

Images by Events Capture

2012-02-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

LETS TALK ABOUT PHOTO'S

I was surfing the net, looking for some inspiration for the next item in this blog....table scape's. I came across a photographer - (Benfield Phoyography) who has to be one of the best I have ever seen. I invite you to look at his web page. As a starting point the web address takes you to a Indian Wedding Welcome Party. But please do not stop there, his web page will blow you away. His photography is truly the best. The only down side, he is located in Arkansas
http://benfieldphotography.blogspot.com/2010/08/indian-wedding-week-meeta-and-aatishs_24.html

Table scapes are lovely to look at...if they are done correctly
Table setting are called tables scapes in the industry. By the mere name Table Scape you should invision your table setting as a indivual event. The table scape will be one of the closest items to your guest and they are judging you based on what they see. No Matter what your budget you can create a lovely Table Scape correctly. I will give you a few tips and photo's

A good deal of thought should go into your centerpiece. Scale is extremely important for visual impact. A typical round banquet table is 60". A bud vase with one flower is not going to work. As a rule, the center portion of a 60" table after all the china, stemware, silver, salt and pepprt and butter is on the table is from 1' to 2" feet.

All the correct silverware, plates and stem ware for what you are serving, If you are unsure discuss the appropriate options with your venue

July 2011

2011-07-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

THIS ISSUE IS DEDICATED TO DECOR

WEDDING AND RECEPTION

ALL ABOUT COLOR

As a rule I do not suggest using more than three color shades at a time. That's not to say, you can not use three colors for the wedding and three completely different colors for the reception. In fact I love mixing the colors between the wedding and reception,
your guest will feel like they attended two events.

Fun and Vibrant

Let's take a look at how many colors were used in this photo; fusha, gold, orange, purple, white, blue, turqoise, green, lime green, pink, yellow, red.

I count 12 colors!

The first priority of 99% of my brides is having a elegant wedding.

It is important to have fun with color, but lets not over do it.

Trade tip

Go to your local paint store, pull paint chip samples in the colors you have choosen.
Place them in a well lite area. Step back several feet and really look at the colors.

GOOD IDEAS AND BAD IDEAS

Yes and more Yes - use lighting and

do it correctly. If you have dreamed of the lighting you have seen in photo's, ask a professional to design and create it for you. We are one of the few event decorators who will install lighting, which saves you alot of money.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LIGHTING
THIS LIGHTING HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND IT IS DONE CORRECTLY.
ENJOY

Here is some delightful decor below. First take a look at the isle (photo on the left) Keri (mango, paisley) in rose petals. We love the detail - the use of color, lighting and flowers are so sweet. The isle treatment is not inexpensive with the amount of petals and manpower needed to create this decor. Notice how the use of lighting creates a soft lavandar glow under t mandap and chairs. The photo on the right, is the side of the mandap with fabric, crystals, flowers and uplighting. The crystals sparkle lke diamonds.

DELIGHTFUL MANDAP

The flowers on this mandap make this one of the most delightful mandaps we have seen

June 2011

2011-06-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

We provide inspiring ideas to Indian Brides

Why aren't Oregon Brides having their wedding outdoors?

Could it because no one has offered a location or shown how a location will work for a large guest group? We are. Oregon has lovely sunshine in the summer months that should be considered for your wedding. Follow our blog to see what we will be including in our wedding packages.

Beautiful Garlands Especially for your Indian Wedding!

The Jai Mala is one of the most significant items in the Hindu wedding ceremony. Here are some beautiful ones that I love. If you are a bride looking for ideas for her jai mala you are going to love this feature! There are some ideas from traditional to modern malas. The only thing I am going to say is that you must love your jai mala because it will adorn the both of you in your first pictures as man and wife.

Just reminder that a Jai Mala should be waist length or longer, and is definitely not short like a Hawaiian lei!

PRETTY AS A PICTURE IS THE FACE OF THE NEW MANDAPS

Wow, I love the new tailored look of mandaps or are they tents? Why couldn't they be used as a mandap? Enchanting and unique! Take a look at a few of my favorites

Take a look at the inside of this design, this is detail

This design could also be created using wide ribbon.    The ribbon would blow in the wind like a old fashion may day pole. This is a good idea.

SCALE IS THE BEST WORD IN WEDDINGS AND EVENTS

In certerpieces. Just like you would not want a huge cenertpiece in the middle of your reception table, the obisit is also true. Centerpieces must be to scale!!.   Most round tables are 60" in diamiter. That's 5 feet. If you put a 6" centerpiece in the middle of the table, it looks like to did not finish your table setting.    The correct size is 12 inches. It is important when planning your decor to think "scale" in every aspect of the design.

A GLORIOUS WEDDING AISLE

We love the dramatic and textural aspect of this aisle,   The smooth color transistion of the flowers and fabric gives it a elegant yet playful look. We love the additional texture provided in the gold tassel. This aisel is eye candy at its best.

I SAY THIS EVERY BLOG, ELEPHANTS ARE ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA

Incorporating elephants in Indian weddings has very symbolic meaning; elephants are a gift of power and strength, long life, patience and wisdom, energy and good fortune.

Say your wedding elephant...in flowers

Indian love is in the air in Portland, Oregon

2011-05-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

THE FIRST MULTI-CULTURAL WEDDING SHOW

The Indian community is getting some love in Portland with the first multi-cultural wedding show. We were the to create the Indian show case.

We created a fresh approach to a old theme, Peacock. The non traditional Mandap was dressed in turquoise, white, tangerine and silver sparkle. We crowned the mandap with a 10 ft floral arrangement of white dendrobium orchids and peacock feathers.

Guest were seated in crisp white chair covers with turquoise satin sashes adorned with rhinestone belt buckles and peacock feathers. We draped the most fabulous peacock boa's along the isle to finish the look. If you are going to India to pick up some wonderful clothing for your wedding think about decorations too. They are less expensive. If you are working with me, lets chat before you leave.

We mixed it up for the reception using tangerine, orange and lime green. The menu cards were orange pok-a-dots with lime green ribbon. We carried the orange (and Oranges) Tangerine (and Tangerines) and pok-a-dot through out the entire reception for a cohesive design. Orange slices in the water glasses, whole tangerines in the floral vases and tulips spilling out from the top of the vase. This was a fun and youthful design. Not traditional, but alot of fun for the showcase.

here are some additional photo's by Custom Image http://weddingsoftheworld.blogspot.com/2011/05/indian-wedding-inspiration-teal.html

FRESH IDEA: Customize the mandap color scheme to your personaility

BAD IDEA: Pipe and drape mandap

FRESH IDEA: Change the color scheme from the wedding to reception

BAD IDEA: Small centerpieces, the scale is wrong

FRESH IDEA: Lighting, lighting and more lighting

BAD IDEA: No lighting

INTERNET SURFING, MY FAVORITE MANDAP

Do I need to say more? I love the Keri Mango on the columns and the lighting falling from the ceiling. If you want to create something similar for you wedding, please give me a call at 503 449-2057. Otherwise I plan to hold on to this idea until my friend Nick gets married.

BIG NEWS FOR INDIAN WEDDING IN THE NORTHWEST

We are in the process of developing new wedding packages. Because Indian wedding are costly and stressful for the Bride and her family, we have developed "one stop wedding shopping". We have searched for the best wedding vendor's and the highest quality at the lowest cost. We have negotiated with venues and providers of all aspects needed for a wonderful wedding. We can help you create a wedding for 10 to 1000 guests. Yes, we even have horses in costume.

SUMMER EYE CANDY

We are revealing some of our all time favorite summer wedding themes. With the gorgeous weather and summertime as inspiration, it is impossible to not come up with a totally fresh idea that is familiar at the same time. Colorful flip flops, bridesmaids in chiffon saris, and some samba music round out this vibrant theme. Throw in a flavored mojito station and your guests will be dancing all night!

They can be made of metal, ceramic or flowers - elephants are always a good idea!

SNEAK PREVIEW - I am very please to announce the July 3, 2011 wedding of Divya Patel in Dallas, Oregon. I first met Divya when she was planning her sisters wedding several years ago. Divya will take your breath away when she walks down the isle. Congratulations to Divya and her family

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR WEDDING TO BE FEATURED on our blog, send highlights and photo's to farnsworth55@msn.com.

Until next month wishing you a fabulous wedding.