CitySaheli wants your groom to look just as good as you on your big day. We found a varietyof stylish wedding wear to suit every type of groom, even yours!

For the Traditional Groom

 Traditional Sherwani from Kurta Palace

Raj Kundra Sports a Black Sherwani

For the Modern and Hip Groom

Top designers have modified the traditional sherwani for the modern man. You will likely see western patterns or a slightly different cut. This year keep your eye out for unique drapes and velour accents that take the traditional sherwani to the next level! 

John Abraham Wearing Rohit Bal

 Unique Draping in Rohit Bal’s Newest Collection

For the Fusion Groom

If your groom isn’t into the traditional sherwani, but still wants to sport some ethnic accents, there are a variety of fusion options to choose from. Most designers start with either the base of the traditional sherwani or the base of the western suit. Each designer then branches off with his or her own creative patterns, textures, and cuts, from which your groom can choose what fits him best.

A Long Jacket by Manav Gangwani

Narendra Kumar’s Suite Collection

For the Western Groom

If you’re groom doesn’t want an ornate look, the classic suit or tuxedo is likely the best option for him. Many grooms in India choose to get married in a suit and embrace the Western culture.

Tuxedo by Giorgio Armani

Invitations

Your invitation is a great way to introduce your guests to your special day.  If you are using a traditionally western invitation, consider adding South Asian prints to the invite.  For example, using paisleys is a good way to blend both cultures.  If you’re having two religious ceremonies, you can include symbols from both religions on your card.  If you plan to incorporate a ceremony that many of your guests are unfamiliar with (a Baraat for example) consider including a description in the invitation so your guests know what to expect.

 Events

If a Rehearsal Dinner, Mehndi party or Sangeet are important to you, keep them.  Not every part of your wedding needs to be combined.  Your guests will enjoy attending an event that may be different or unique.  If keeping every event becomes too costly, consider combining some, but not all. 

Ceremony

Depending on the two religions, you can either have one ceremony or two.  Ask your priests what they will allow, what you and your fiancé want and your families what they prefer.  Once you determine how many ceremonies you will have, you can move forward with attire and decorations.

Ceremonies are also a great time to incorporate music from your homeland.  Today there are many South Asian musicians that can play live music during a ceremony or cocktail hour.  (Check out CitySaheli’s Article, Fusion Beats For Your Big Day.)  This can also be the ideal time to incorporate music from the other heritage.  For example, if he or she is Scottish, consider adding bagpipes at the end of your ceremony. 

Décor

There are endless numbers of ways to add hints of culture into your decor.  For example, include traditional prints on your cake, menus or programs. 

Cuisine

Offer guests cuisine from both your backgrounds.  If you are offering primarily western cuisine, include some South Asian appetizers.  If you are having different events, you can offer South Asian food at some events and food from your spouse’s background at the others.  Incorporating both cuisines will strengthen the importance of meshing two cultures.

This one of a kind dhol ‘n’ brass band melds bhangra with brass for a unique sound.  Based in New York, this group can perform traditional Punjabi, Bollywood, as well as their own distinct sounds.  The group has delivered memorable performances at the Chicago World Music Festival, Madison World Music Festival, Lincoln Center, DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra and more!  Check out their website to hear their album and view performances.

Deep Soundz 

This vibrant and energetic team play great tabla and sitar music which will be sure to hypnotize your audience.  CitySaheli listed Deep during a cocktail hour and was dumbfounded by the eclectic sounds played.  Deep Soundz is an excellent addition for those hat like the classic sounds of South Asia but also want a Western vibe.

This dynamic husband and wife duo have performed at venues around the country and are perfect for any pre-wedding party.  Reena has studied the Indian classical dance form, Bharat Natyam.  She performs this traditional dance and provides percussion using her traditional Indian ghungroo anklet bells, as her husband, guitarist and vocalist, Todd Michaelsen, sings popular western tunes.  Their performance is a beautiful combination of two distinct cultures, and sure to have a beautiful impact on any event. 

To help your invitation making, CitySaheli broke down the difference between the various styles of printing. 

Engraving

This is the oldest form of printing.  A design is etched into a copper plate and this plate is used with another plate to place the design onto the paper (think of a waffle iron).  Lettering is raised on the front and you can see the indents of the paper on the back.  Engraving is very expensive and can be cost effective if you have a large number of guests since you get the most use out of the copper plate.  Printing times take up to 4 weeks. 

Thermography

This is a less costly alternative to engraved printing.  The process involves printing the invitation and heating the wet ink to produce a look similar to engraving. The letters look raised but the back of the paper is not indented.  You will save over 70% of the cost of engraving your invitations.  This is one of the most popular printing methods in the US.  Keep in mind that the process  does not work with all inks and papers, so check with your stationer about the selections you have made.  The printing process is very fast. 

Lithography

Lithography is a process where a reverse image is created on a plastic of aluminum plate.  Chemicals cover the plate and are exposed to light which transfers the ink onto the paper.  The printing itself does not have texture and this is commonly known as flat ink.  It is one of the least expensive methods of printing.  Many different textured papers will work well with this process.

Embossing

Metal plates are etched with letters that are stamped onto paper. The effect of embossing is a 3-D effect.  Remember that if you order anything with embossing it can take up to 4 weeks.  Embossing is usually used for monograms, borders and the return address. 

Letterpress

Letterpress involves using a movable type machine.  Ink is stamp into the paper almost making an indentation onto the paper.  The characters are pre-set since a machine is used to stamp the paper.  Letterpress looks best with handmade paper. Letterpress has been revived by Martha Stewart and is one of the more expensive types of printing.

Hollywood Meet Bollywood

Why: If your bride is a movie buff, throw her a shower that highlights her love for film.  Chances are she loves both Bollywood and Hollywood flicks, so incorporate both into her day.  Friends of the brides could be the Hollywood experts and the aunties could get down and dirty with their Bollywood film history.  

How:

• Invites could look like movie tickets and decorations would include posters (and maybe even life size cut outs) of your bride’s favorites Hollywood and Bollywood stars. 
• Serve the spicy popcorn you find in the east and the buttery kind you find in the west. 
• For the bride’s wishing well, skip the kitchen ware and ask each guest to bring their favorite film to add to the bride’s collection.
• A fun game that matches with the theme can be dressing up as the Bollywood Bride versus Hollywood Bride.  Divide guests into 2 or 4 teams depending on the number of guests.  Assign one group the task of designing a Hollywood bride and the other a Bollywood bride.  One volunteer will be needed to model the apparel designed by the team.  Accessories for the Bollywood bride include the use of long red dupattas, bangles, and jewelry. Use toilet paper, pearl necklaces and other jewelry  for the Hollywood bride to see what creations guests craft up.  Best dressed bride wins!
• Another game idea can be classic movie charades that have to do with the bride and the groom. 
• Prizes for games won could include the brides favorite Hollywood and Bollywood movies as well as movie certificates to local theaters.

Spice Kitchen

Why:  The bride-to-be is a culinary queen and loves great food.  Also, aunties usually get into cooking and become very hands on in this type of shower.  Incorporate her love to cook into her special day with these suggestions. 

How:

• Invites can be ironed on to an apron or a chef’s hat.  The guests can even bring their “invitation aprons”  to wear during the event. 
• Get the iron chef out of all the guests! Split them all up and have a cook-off using the bride’s favorite recipes.  It will be a great ice breaker for the guests and get some competitive camaraderie going.   
• Another fun game involves smelling and guessing different spices.  There are so many to choose from. so it can get quite tricky. 
• Be creative with the favors.  For example, cookbooks for South Asian dishes are great gifts for the guests!
• Ask all the guests to bring their favorite South Asian and non-South Asian recipe.  That way the bride-to-be will be stocked up with  many great cooking ideas.
• A traditional wishing well can work well.  Each person brings their favorite kitchen gadgets.

Tea Party

Why: Everyone loves tea, especially aunties.  It’s classy, traditional and can look out right pretty.  Throwing a tea party will surely please a classic bride-to-be and all the guests. 

How: 

• To give a real tea time feel, choose Victorian or mehndi printed invitations and mix and match china for the days event.  Use the colors of the china as inspiration for the flowers and the rest of the décor.    
• Serve typical tea time treats such as scones and sandwiches. 
• Include chutney and cucumber sandwiches and a variety of teas, including Darjeeling and a spicy chai. 
• If the weather permits, ask the guests to get dressed in tea-time dresses and possibly even hats.
• For the bride’s wishing well, ask guests to bring their favorite teas or tea related utensils for the bride. 
• A great favor is a chai kit which will teach guests how to prepare real spiced chai