| When deciding on a wedding theme, most | | | | |
| couples tend to lean toward the more popular | | | | Ethnic Wedding Decorations |
| ones: beach, western, butterfly, etc. | | | | |
| However, by turning your attention toward an | | | | Choose wedding flowers and arrangements that |
| ethnic theme wedding you'll find that it's a | | | | would be popular for your culture. For |
| wonderful way to incorporate your heritage | | | | example, orchids are widely used in Hawaiian |
| and personalize your wedding day. Your | | | | cultures, while lotus blossoms are popular |
| wedding guests will also appreciate | | | | for Chinese weddings. Daisies and zinnias are |
| experiencing some of your wonderful cultural | | | | suitable for a Mexican wedding. |
| traditions. | | | | |
| | | | Use decorating accents and props |
| Just as in any traditional wedding theme | | | | strategically placed through out the |
| planning, you need to look at each aspect of | | | | reception area that are appropriate to your |
| your wedding plans and decide how and what | | | | culture to help bring the "feel" of the theme |
| ethnic traditions you can include. Here are | | | | to your guests. Fringed table runners in deep |
| some ideas to help you along. | | | | colors would enhance an Arab or East-Indian |
| | | | theme, while colorfully small-beaded coasters |
| Choosing Wedding Colors | | | | would look lovely on tables for an American |
| | | | Indian wedding (these could also double as |
| In some cases, you can interject certain | | | | favors). Small African masks could be used as |
| colors into your color scheme. For example, | | | | decorating accents in a variety of areas for |
| those with a Scottish background could use | | | | an African-American wedding. |
| the colors of their tartans in their table | | | | |
| decorations, wedding flowers and bridal | | | | Additional Theme Ideas |
| attire. Couples who are planning an Asian | | | | |
| wedding would look at including reds and | | | | It goes without saying that music from your |
| yellows, perhaps. | | | | native country is a must. Hire a musician for |
| | | | the ceremony to play a traditional musical |
| Wedding Attire | | | | instrument. Play some of this type of music |
| | | | during key parts of your reception (however, |
| The bride, groom and attendants should all | | | | don't play it throughout the whole night... a |
| wear culturaly traditional bridal attire for | | | | small sampling is best in this case). |
| the ceremony. The guests will certainly love | | | | |
| this, especially those who don't know much | | | | If there are dances that are special to your |
| about your culture. | | | | culture, hire some dancers to entertain |
| | | | guests during dinner or to start off the |
| Wedding Favors | | | | reception. |
| | | | |
| Look about your home for ethnic house | | | | Plan to have a small part of the ceremony |
| decorations that you might have to provide | | | | done in your native tongue (preferably with a |
| you with some inspiration. Items such as | | | | translator for those that don't speak the |
| artwork could lead to handing out low-cost | | | | language so they don't miss anything). |
| small framed posters or art work featuring | | | | |
| your native country. | | | | For entertainment, include any interesting or |
| | | | simple games, if appropriate, during the |
| Bookmarks or music CD's from your homeland | | | | reception. |
| would also make great wedding favors. | | | | |