Blooming brilliant! (All about Achal’s Indian wedding!)
A tell-all interview with the lovely Achal – founder of Bloom!
So, are you married, and who is the lucky man?
I am (with a big smile). He is kind, funny and grounded. He makes me laugh every day, and whenever I’m faced with a problem, his response is almost always “we will figure it out.’’ (I especially love the ‘we’ of being married).
Spill - what was your Indian wedding like? (And who did the styling?)
Well, it’s probably no surprise that I planned my own Indian wedding! Our vendors put it into action.
We brainstormed many potential locations for our wedding, but we were united in our decision to get married in our hometowns. Together, we chose the beautiful First Landing Resort in Fiji as our venue.
We kicked off our wedding celebrations at sunset with the mehndi (henna) ceremony on the waterfront. With the A.R Rahman track ‘Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali’ serenading our family and friends, my mum walked me down the aisle against a whimsical backdrop of fairy lights hanging from the trees, turquoise sheer fabric curtains bordered with gold sequins, and suspended crystal chandeliers alongside soft white and pink floral ground plinths.
Since it was outdoors, we opted for white lounge sofas with matching coffee tables instead of chairs to help our guests relax and enjoy the sunset. My henna design featured a range of beautiful designs, including paisleys, lotuses, and lace detailing. Naturally, the night ended with a lot of food, singing and dancing.
The Haldi ceremony was held the following day, and we included several religious and spiritual aspects in this part of the Indian wedding. As the other days featured a more contemporary approach to the décor, we opted for a traditional palette of golden-yellow and white with marigold, garlands, potlis and brass. We finished the evening with our guests shaking their hips to the dhol, along with live vocal folk singers and a DJ.
OK - tell us about the styling of your Indian wedding!
Held at the beginning of July 2019, our nuptials captured the essence of a big Indian wedding. I partnered with a total of thirteen different vendors and worked with them remotely from New Zealand. In total, I had three days of celebration to plan.
We held our wedding on a separate island from the mainland, against a backdrop of the gorgeous clear blue ocean. Our white tent was custom built to fit 240 guests and held 20 large round tables, each seating 12 people. The four-pillar, rustic-inspired mandap by Dreamz Wedding Planners comprised of a canopy of blooms and was suspended with three crystal chandeliers which set the scene for the main wedding ceremony.
More than 20,000 fairy lights spanned the ceiling of our tent, creating a warm and magical feeling. Outside of the tent, festoon lighting bordered the dance floor (yes, we danced in the moonlight, under the stars). To guide our guests while walking to and from the venue after sunset, we had 18 coconut trees wrapped in fairy lights. Our table arrangements featured compote glass vases with lush greens and white and soft pink blooms on a wooden pedestal including three tealight candles. The floral arrangements were designed to have a low profile so our guests could see each other across the table.
We ordered 240 gold Chiavari chairs to match the gold embellished placemats for each guest. The white napkins securely enveloped our menu cards and welcome notes. Each place setting was finished off with a gold sequined box of sweets.
One year of planning had finally come to fruition, and my heart was happy. It was the most beautiful day of my life.
What did you learn from it? And in retrospect, would you do anything differently?
Well, I learned that there is no such thing as a perfect day. Despite the most meticulous arrangements, there are always things outside of your control. Like the weather! The only thing that can go wrong is letting anything unexpected spoil your day. Take what happens in your stride and good grace. The day should be remembered for your smiles, not your disappointments.
As for my day? In retrospect, I would have packed extra-large safety pins for our sarees! I also suggest that if you are a bride-to-be, you should meet up with the people involved in your wedding prep in person to discuss your expectations clearly.
“More than 20,000 fairy lights spanned the ceiling of our tent, creating a warm and magical feeling. Outside of the tent, festoon lighting bordered the dance floor (yes, we danced in the moonlight, under the stars). ”
What do you love the most about Indian weddings?
There is just something special about seeing a bride walk down the aisle to marry the love of her life. She has her hands and feet adorned with intricate henna designs. Her hair updo is wrapped in flora, and she’s wearing a stunning silk outfit with matching net veil. And her perfectly parted hair is accessorised with matha patti, layered gold necklaces, earrings, and bangles. She is glowing, and everything that she has dreamed of is coming true. There is never a dry eye when the bride walks the aisle, the groom included. This is what I love most about Indian weddings.
Are you a traditional or contemporary wedding kind of girl when it comes to styling?
My approach reflects the foundations of classic wedding design but incorporates modern twists. Applying a soft colour palette, choosing a ceremony backdrop that is simple but elegant, and having an overflow of fresh, lush greenery and florals are just a few décor ideas that add a contemporary touch to a traditional event.
Do you remember the first wedding you ever went to? And what made it a magical memory?
I have been attending weddings since I was very young, so I am not able to remember that far back! But I do recall going to a Indian wedding while in high school. What made it so special was the ambience – the mood, décor, and colour, and seeing a couple who were so obviously happy, excited, and totally in love. Their joy was infectious and heartwarming!
How many Indian weddings do you go to a year anyway? (And as a wedding stylist, can you resist a mental critique of each one?)
On average, I attend two Indian weddings a year as a guest. Instead of looking at what I would do differently, I try to help on the day by lighting candles and doing any other last-minute tasks. Every wedding is beautiful in its way, and I am always grateful to be included as a guest.
“Applying a soft colour palette, choosing a ceremony backdrop that is simple but elegant, and having an overflow of fresh, lush greenery and florals are just a few décor ideas…“
We assume you love what you do – so tell us why?
Without some help, arranging the perfect wedding can be stressful. There will be times throughout the wedding process when one of you wants to spend more than the other, or you can’t agree on the wedding invitation list or seating plans.
I help couples stay focused on the big picture. Your wedding day is just the start to your forever together. It’s my job to stop you from feeling overwhelmed or anxious by dealing with detailed planning. It’s something that comes naturally to me, and that’s why I love doing what I do.
What makes a wedding perfect in your eyes? And what makes you go aww?
In my eyes, it’s the first exchange between the bride and groom that makes it perfect. Seeing a groom with tears of joy in his eyes when seeing his bride tugs at my heart. That’s my aww moment.
“I help couples stay focused on the big picture. Your wedding day is just the start to your forever together. It’s something that comes naturally to me, and that’s why I love doing what I do. ”
Credit:
Planning and Creative Direction: Achal Prakash
Floral Mandap & Styling: Dreamz Wedding Planner Fiji
Photography: Nas Photography Fiji
Dance: Vou Dance Group Fiji
Venue: First Landing Resort Fiji
Lighting: Vision Marketing Fiji
Catering: Nana’s Catering Fiji
Tiffany Chairs and Dance Floor: Splendid Weddings Fiji
Tent: Scaff & Scaff Fiji
Dessert: Taste Fiji
Sound: DJ Works
MC: Shaneel Mishra
Dhol: Sabeto Dhol
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Bloom Weddings offers a consultative approach to wedding décor with comprehensive offerings from florals to Indian mandaps/chuppahs to floral arches for the modern style bride. Based in Auckland, New Zealand and available by appointment only.