Mandap Moments

The Mandap is central to every Indian wedding ceremony, blessing that moment when two people become man and wife. With so many designs to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to some first time planners but luckily international wedding planners Collection 26 are on hand to offer some insight into the styles available and help to decide which could be the best for your wedding.

Enchanted fairy tale weddings are something most brides-to-be dreams of. Wooden mandaps are textbook fairy tale, complementing rustic-styled weddings flawlessly and giving a soft, romantic finish. Get in touch with a carpenter to create a simple wooden frame and then sprinkle the top with delicate white hanging carnations. Wrap the columns with twisted willow for a natural look or embellish them with hand embroidered silks if you are after a bit more sparkle. Or you may want to consider hiring a mandap which from some suppliers already comes pre-decorated or they can work with you and your florist to decorate the mandap to fit your wedding style.

Floral is a classic springtime trend, so why not translate this on your Big Day with a mandap formed entirely from flowers? It would make a showstoppingly beautiful and fragrant centrepiece for any ceremony. In the summer sun, a fully floral mandap would work flawlessly outdoors, however it can also lift the interior of any venue.
For those who want to follow the tradition, dazzling blood orange French marigolds along with simple white jasmine flowers can create a vibrant, time-honoured look. Or try white baby roses, calla lilies and phalenopsis orchids for a more contemporary take.

Carved mandaps are perfect for the more traditional wedding and look their best in white, gold or embellished with crystals. Carved mandaps, usually available to hire, can look similar from wedding to wedding, so ensure yours stands out by adding exquisite floristry or soft drapery to make it stand out. Make a romantic statement by entwining each column with a full garland of roses or drape fabric from the centre out towards the four corners, using your theme shade. Or for a truly modern look perhaps conceal the structure with lights, and allow the carving to glow.

For those planning an open air celebration, a wrought iron mandap compliments the natural surroundings perfectly. Soften the iron structure with swathes of sheer fabric or flowers, or, when the sun sets outdoor lights to create an atmosphere of pure romance.

The following advice and tips has been supplied by Collection 26 – www.collection26.com

Collection 26 are much more than wedding planners. They plan timeless weddings with a beauty that is centered on the experience of their couples and guests. They plan journeys - for you and your guests, combining art, style and design with exceptional technical and production expertise to produce stylish weddings like no other. Couples go to Collection 26 want something a bit different, or where the complexity of their requirements outweighs using a one-man band. They are one of the only wedding planners with a full in-house design team dedicated to conceptual wedding design, ensuring we apply a theatrical creativity to weddings. With their signature flair and style, they effortlessly ensure that the journey throughout the wedding is orchestrated in a way that new elements reveal themselves, ensuring the experience nourishes and talks to every part of your guest’s senses.

Find out more about Collection 26 at www.collection26.com