For any couple, getting married is one of the most important days of your lives. Grand, intimate, spirited or serene; your asian wedding should be a celebration of your union and a reflection of who you are.
When you think of planning your wedding day it probably conjures up images of celebration, family and friends. All weddings have these traditions in common. But if you’re planning an Asian wedding there may be more specific details that you want to incorporate into your day.
‘Less is more’ is not necessarily a phrase one would associate with the spectacular celebrations we expect from Asian weddings. Asian weddings are a time to set your creative side free. And don’t worry, we are on hand with a few pointers to make sure it’s a day that lingers in the memory for years to come.
As individual as each wedding is, there are a few common elements that bring the day together, however you choose to mark the occasion. Our helpful guide will take a look at some of those universal themes, with a view to turning what might seem like a mammoth task into something much less daunting.
To Hire or Not to Hire…An Asian Wedding Planner
Very much a personal decision, Asian wedding planners are on hand for those who choose, or can stretch the budget to, such assistance. You may prefer to be more in control of your day by being your own coordinator, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
On the other hand, passing over the organisation and admin to someone else might be your idea of the perfect way to organise your day. In this case, you’ll be pleased to know we have our very own wedding planner on hand to help you manage every detail of your day!
If you’re undecided about the advantages of hiring an Asian wedding planner, here are some of the many advantages they bring to the table, before and during the day in question.
- Experience, knowledge and an unflappable sense of order and efficiency.
- If they haven’t dealt with a problem before, you can rest assured they’ve already foreseen it and come up with a solution.
- Their attention to detail is finely tuned
- Fresh ideas and a personalised event are guaranteed
- They’ll manage your budget, and make sure you get the best possible deals
- You can be assured that your day will run seamlessly and your guests will be taken care of in the way you would expect
- You get to enjoy your special day and be totally fabulous at all times
- You can tailor their involvement to suit what’s most important to you. If a clipboard wielding, list making fanatic is what you want, no problem, they’re out there! Should you favour a more subtle approach, there’s someone out there who is perfect for you
Choosing Asian Halls or Asian Venues For The Ceremony and Celebration
Once you’ve established the ‘when’, you’ll want to consider where to host your wedding.
You’ll need to be armed with a few bits of key information before you begin:
- Dates, times and length of the wedding
- Guest numbers – this may change throughout the day, and from day to day, if the event is being held over a few days.
- Geographical location – is it easy to find and park? Can you stay overnight? (It’s worth noting that we have over 1000 free onsite parking spaces and are centrally located for easy access. Plus, our group hotels are mere minutes away with plenty of space for your guests)
- Are there enough rooms and spaces within the venue to accommodate different groups, should the ceremony dictate?
- Would you like to be able to make use of indoor and outdoor facilities? Will this cost more?
- Are there sufficient catering facilities on site, or will you need to arrange this separately?
- Can the venue adapt from a design point of view? Will your decor dreams be realised?
- Will they be able to support any entertainment services you require?
Our versatile venue is able to successfully host both intimate and extravagant weddings. Many event facilities can be transformed into the most spectacular Asian halls, and you can tailor the decor to suit your exacting requirements.
Tasty Asian Wedding Treats
As any Asian wedding goer will agree, the food at the ceremony is of utmost importance! So when you’re looking for Asian caterers, where should you start?
Guests invited to an Asian wedding often have their minds set on one thing, following the ceremony itself, of course. Food, glorious food, is one of the biggest attractions at any Asian wedding; and if you’ve ever been to one, you’ll know why!
Firstly, find out if your venue can offer authentic Asian catering (just a heads up, we can!). Before you speak with your caterers, you’ll need some key information.
You’ll need numbers of guests, timings and budget available to get an accurate quote.
Do you want formal or informal dining? Perhaps you’d like a mix of both.
Are there any foods that are out of bounds? Are there any allergies to be aware of?
Any reputable catering expert (such as our chefs at the NCC) will insist you sample their produce prior to making a decision about the menu you settle upon. They should be able to adapt the choices to your needs or produce a completely bespoke menu, if that’s your preference.
And it’s not just how the food tastes that’s important. Presentation of food at an Asian wedding is a sight to behold. The colours, tastes and textures of the food all work together to create a feast for the eyes, as well as the taste buds.
For a lasting reminder of the special day, Asian wedding favours are a simple, but thoughtful way to show appreciation to your guests. Whether it’s personalised chocolates, sweets or a beautifully crafted note, your guests will be delighted with the extra special touch.
Decisions, Decisions – What To Wear to an Asian Wedding
Let’s assume that the bride and groom have their outfits sorted! As a guest, where do you start? Maybe you’re a seasoned Asian wedding guest, in which case you’ll have plenty of ideas already. But if it’s something you need a bit of help with, what are the things to consider?
First and foremost you need to remain respectful of the people and culture. What might be appropriate for a beach wedding may not fit the bill here.
Avoid wearing red, in some instances, unless you are the bride, of course!
Feel free to dress in warm, colourful tones as they really do add to the celebratory feel of the event. Black and white is best kept to a minimum.
Finally, don’t let your outfit restrict your dance moves! You want to be able to maintain the party mood for as long as you can; whilst looking fabulous, obviously!
Asian Wedding FAQs
How Long in Advance Should I Plan my Asian Wedding?
Most traditional Asian weddings take place over a number of days. They can involve a vast number of guests coming and going.
On average, most industry professionals would advise at least 12 months of planning. The dates and venue are usually the first things to be secured.
What Information do I Need, Prior to Booking my Asian Wedding Venue?
The Asian wedding planner at your chosen venue will need the full names of the bridal party; dates and times that the venue is required; the facilities at the venue that you require; and a general idea of budget.
Can I Have a More Intimate Celebration, if I Prefer?
Yes, of course. If you have decided to buck the trend of a 3 day, opulent event, your chosen venue should have no issue meeting your needs.
Many Asian wedding halls have a selection of suitably sized rooms, that can be separated or joined together, to create the perfect space. For example, at the National Conference Centre, we have 13 flexible spaces of different sizes so there’s something for an Asian wedding of any size.
And if you choose to host a larger ceremony, followed by a more simple celebration, our venue is well equipped to accommodate your requirements.
How Much Does an Asian Wedding Cost?
On average, couples spend £30k on an Asian wedding. However, due to the length of the ceremony, and the number of guests, the event often costs upwards of £50k.
Can I Blend Cultures at My Wedding?
Absolutely! Any forward-thinking venue will happily assist in making your wedding a beautiful blend of cultures and religions. They should spend time discussing and understanding the sensitivities of each culture, to ensure they are fully represented.
And Finally…….CONGRATULATIONS!!
Planning a wedding, in any culture, can be both an exciting and daunting task. The more research you do, and the more time you give yourself to prepare, the easier the process will be.
If you are comfortable delegating tasks to family and close friends, this can take the pressure off. If you prefer to be at the sharp end, get organised and don’t lose sight of the end goal.
There is plenty of information out there, and hopefully this has given you food for thought. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and do try to enjoy the process!
At the National Conference Centre, we’re here to help you plan your asian wedding for an unforgettable experience. With a dedicated team of banquet chefs, planners and AV specialists, we’ve got everything you need to host one of the most momentous occasions of your life.
Contact the team today to speak to our dedicated wedding planner about the bespoke services available to all brides and grooms to be.
