Glamorous Sikh Castle Wedding

PLANNING: The wedding planning pretty much started straight after Shaminder proposed in September 2012. We organized an engagement party for everyone in February 2013 the following year AT (Breakfast Point Community Hall) and since then it was all hands on deck for both families organizing the wedding in August 2014. The best part of the wedding planning process was when we both traveled to India together with our mums – I think that brought us a lot closer together.

VISION: Fun. We wanted to make sure that everyone was always having a good time. Other themes included colorful, family orientated, emotional (definitely an emotional roller-coaster!).

WEDDING SHOPPING: As soon as Shaminder proposed, I started reading blogs after blogs and saved about 15 pictures a day. However, it’s a completely different story when you go to India and have a tight time-frame to get all your outfits.  We did our shopping in Delhi, India. You can’t be too rushed when doing wedding shopping in India as it requires a lot of patience and going through a lot of options before finding the right thing.

PHOTOGRAPHY: We decided to go with Southern Light Photography for a combination of reasons:

• His photos were natural – a lot of photographers these days edit photos too much, making it look fake
• Experienced in Indian weddings
• Recommended to us by our videographer and friends who have had him in the past

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Perfect Media did an amazing job – they were able to adapt to our tastes with the style and music of the video.

Our wedding celebrations were held over a week in August 2014 in various locations around Sydney. We had our wedding in August which was coming towards the end of Winter – perfect for an Indian wedding as our clothing and jewellery is SO heavy. Also timed the wedding so we would have a European summer honeymoon.

1. Shaminder’s Sangeet – PM, Harold Corr Community Hall, 200 guests.
2. Revina’s Sangeet – PM, Sandy Point Community Centre, 200 guests
3. Shaminder’s Haldi – PM, Family Home, 100 guests.
4. Revina’s Haldi & Mehendi – PM, Famly Home, 100 guests.
5. Wedding Ceremony – AM, Gurdwara Sahib Glenwood, 500 guests.
6. Reception – PM, Curzon Hall, 320 guests.

We had two Sangeet events, one for Shamnder’s family and friends and one for mine. These were held at local community centers and were evenings filled with song and dance performances by family and friends. We danced the night away to DJ Vinny‘s mixes. Catering at Shaminder’s was provided by Shandar Tandoori Indian and Kumars Taj provided food and drinks at mine.

DECOR: Nidhi Khatter from Dreampalace Decoration.

REVINA’S OUTFIT: My Sangeet outfits were from Anantam in South Ex II, Delhi. At my Sangeet, I changed into a lighter lehenga skirt so I could dance the night away.

HAIR & MAKEUP: I worked with Chanel makeup artists and the team at Tribe Lifestyle Hair Salon both located in David Jones to create my hair look.

SHAMINDER’S OUTFIT: Small store in Greater Kailash in Delhi.

We had a traditional Sikh wedding at the Gurdwara Sahib Glenwood. Shaminder arrived at the Gurdwara on a horse, which was pretty special.

My most memorable moment was when Shaminder and I completed the fourth round at the ceremony, symbolizing we are married. It was emotional because it meant I would be leaving my family, however at the same time so exciting that this moment meant the start of Shaminder and my future together as a married couple.

After the ceremony, we headed to Oatley Park for a photo shoot with the bridal party.

REVINA’S OUTFIT: For the wedding day, I opted out of the lehenga as I had planned a similar look for the Reception. Because the wedding was going to be in the Gurdwara and I would be in the same outfit all day, I really wanted something comfortable and elegant. I also wanted something different that would stand out from the crowd.

I saw the bright pink Anarkali outfit Frontier Bazar in Karol Bagh, on the first day of my shopping trip and fell in love with straight away. Of all the weddings I had attended in Sydney, I had never seen a bride wear Anarkali or any other outfit clour other than red – so this really was perfect. I went to India with an open mind, didn’t have a specific style or color in mind and said I would be open to trying on different outfits. Too many brides have this image of their perfect outfit and end up being disappointed as us international brides are limited due to time constraints.

JEWELLERY: From the Gold Souk in Dubai.

HAIR & MAKEUP: For my wedding day, I worked with Fareha Bridal Studio for hair and makeup as she is comfortable with setting an Indian bride on the morning of the wedding.

SHAMINDER’S OUTFIT: Purchased from Manyavar in Delhi.

BRIDESMAIDS: Custom made in Delhi. I wanted something fun and bubbly and the royal blue also matched nicely with my pink Anarkali.

The Reception was held at Curzon Hall. We wanted something that had a ‘garden and magical’ theme but capable of holding a large group of people. Curzon Hall was perfect with its castle look.

Shaminder and I entered to Tera Hone Laga Hoon from the movie Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani. We chose this song since it was a mix of western and Indian influence which sums us up pretty well. We also wanted something that was emotional but still fun. The rest of the evening was filled with memorable speeches and lots of dancing.

Catering was arranged by Surjit’s Indian Restaurant and cake by Curzon Hall. Guests were given small DIY chili sambal pots (an Indian alternative to mini jam bottles) as favors.

DECOR: ElKhair Florist provided the florals for the event.

REVINA’S OUTFIT: Outfit from Anarkali in Karol Bagh, Delhi.

HAIR & MAKEUP: Chanel makeup artists and the team at Tribe Lifestyle Hair Salon at David Jones.

SHAMINDER’S OUTFIT: Black indo-western suit from Manyavar.

1. Enjoy every single moment of the wedding, it’s so easy to get stuck in the detail and start noticing things that don’t go right, but your guests rarely notice these small things.

2. Decide on the silhouette and color of the outfit you would like to wear for your wedding day and then start shopping based on these decisions. But keep an open mind and try on things you wouldn’t normally.

3. Take some time off before the wedding to spend time with your family and overseas guests. The random nights before the wedding make it feel like an Indian wedding.