As a wedding writer and editor, people take it as a given that you’ve been planning your big day since you graduated from nappies. But here’s my confession: while I know exactly which suppliers to recommend to my readers, I haven’t got a clue what to pick for myself. I was never the type to think about my own wedding – after years on the singles circuit I didn’t think Mr Right even existed. Then along came Rob, and despite myself, I fell in love with him, and subsequently the idea of being together until we were old and wrinkly.
We’d always talked openly about getting married but he officially popped the question in January 2010 while we were on holiday in Malaysia. I endured weeks of ‘I’ve bought you a ring from Argos’ teases, but when he properly did it at the top of a waterfall, it was a sparkler from Hatton Gardens. Next came figuring out what type of wedding we were going to have. As Rob is from New Zealand and I’m a South Indian Hindu, our wedding is going to be a bit of both. But here’s the conundrum – when it comes to East meets West weddings, where do you draw the line? I have a deep fear of fusion weddings being décor and food disasters – by trying so hard to be in the middle, it ends up being neither here nor there. The only solution is to have a proper full-on religious ceremony and as for the reception – well, watch this space.
One thing that’s helped immensely has been talking to other brides. I can hear it in their voices – the ones that were probably hell for the family and guests, and the ones that were just really happy. I’d like to be the latter, so I’m going to get people involved, and ask them what they’d like. What’s my dad’s favourite song? My mum’s favourite flowers? I’m lucky that my mum and Rob agree on a lot of things – they are nature-lovers and both want Indian food and a venue near London. Finding the right venue is currently giving me the most stress – but it’s bearable because I know everything else will slot into place once that’s booked. I still haven’t decided on a theme but I love the idea of vintage Indian. Bring on the sari mandaps, Zeenat Aman and dancing till dawn.
Poorna Shetty is The former editor of Asiana Wedding. Poorna has also worked for The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, Cosmopolitan and The Sunday Times Style and Travel magazines. In addition, she also works as a mainstream travel and women’s features writer, and was shortlisted for a Women of The Future Award in 2007. You can follow her blog at www.theasianweddingeditorsguide.blogspot.com
Leave A Comment