Major chunk of the advice friends and relatives give for your wedding would always include what to wear, where to host the party or go for your honeymoon. But, what is often missed out is enhancing the traditions and heritage that we have adopted. When proposals and courtship can be made interesting with witty lines and sparkling rings, why not carry the charm forward and see how some ideas can make the baraat procession a real game-changer.
Sound of music
While you would usually call the traditional band-walas, we suggest that you arrange for a music band that promises to make it a fun music-dance fest complete with Punjabi, Bollywood and your traditional favourites. There are these favourite Baraat dance moves that the aunts and uncles of the groom will perform. The cousins will improvise their own steps and the real show is put on by the groomsmen who are really excited by their “yaar ki shaadi”. Be sure to nit-pick over the basics. Ask the band leader or manager to check the instruments, clothes and the performance of staff and band walas to ensure a perfect setting.
Bling it on!
If yours is a royal theme destination wedding, then apart from the ghodi (horse), you can also have some beautifully decorated elephants walking alongside the baraatis. They would not only add the much-needed grandeur but your guests from other parts of the world would get a chance to experience the Indian culture so closely! Give all the men some colourful safas and women pretty dupattas. Add to the bling by distributing souvenirs like umbrella, bangles etc. If going all-out with bling is not your style, then you could maybe tone down the colours and textures.
Vanity Fair
There is no ignoring the guests; they are people the close to you and have put in effort to assemble here. Get together some bite-sized snacks and drinks like chai, coffee, thandhai, coconut water, iced tea etc depending on the weather. Ice cream and gola can really chill them if it is too hot to dance while walking to the venue. A rose petal shower on arrival, a vanity van with makeup artists to help guests touch up their makeup, cold towels and wet tissues to freshen up will surely add to their comfort. Also have an emergency kit ready, especially for the over enthusiastic dancers who often end up damaging their sandal heels.
The Big Baraat Theory
What’s really new is having a battery-operated car serving cocktails and mocktails along with bite-sized snacks for everyone. Make sure the staff is trained to not get in the way of people. But, just be around so guests can comfortably reach out for snacks and drinks. This is also comforting for the kids since their hunger pangs are quite uncontrollable. Epitomising the essence of customized luxury, this one is really ostentatious. If you do not have a strict budget, then adding this service would force your guests to remember your baraat for a long time to come.
All the ceremonies and traditions related to a wedding are practiced everywhere but the differentiating factor is what you love, how you create it and live it. Let your baraat be a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements.
