You Can Please Everyone
There's nothing that quite compares to the beauty of Asian culture. You may have relatives who were born outside the U.S., or who simply wish to keep tradition alive. Honoring their wishes while keeping you and your spouse-to-be happy can be a juggling act. The answer is simple: compromise.
Grandma will love it if you slip an Asian song or two into the DJ's dance-music stash, and you might surprise yourself and love it, too! You can also plan a menu centered around your family's favorite traditional dishes. At the same time, don't be afraid to add a few contemporary touches to your Asian wedding reception. For example, go ahead and wear silkÂbut wear it in an American style. Or use rice paper accents in your reception in your own favorite colors.
Get Into the Garden
Asian culture has always honored the natural beauty of a garden, in particular peaceful zen gardens. Consider an outdoor wedding reception in a garden-like atmosphere.
Votive candles in decorated holders make pretty outdoor centerpieces. Shade your guests' tables with coated rice paper parasols in festive colors.
Rice paper lanterns add ambiance with a soft, festive glow. Buy enough of these in your wedding colors to light up your entire reception hall. For safety's sake, string them from the ceiling along strings of electric lights made for this purpose.
You can also use rice paper or fabric lanterns as table centerpieces; look for lanterns that utilize a battery rather than a candle.
Make sure you reserve one table for your wedding guest book. You can purchase one from a wedding supply store or you can make your own. A silk cover in a gorgeous red or in your wedding colors adds the finishing touch to this keepsake piece. Have guests sign the book as they enter.
Fascinating Favors
Asian culture has always made unique and beautiful use of a variety of materials, from wood to paper to metals. For fun flavor, give Âwedding chopsticks with the bride and groom's name printed on a paper ring. Or buy or decorate beautiful paper fans.
ÂLucky animals make charming additions to favors. Cats, frogs, snakes and other Âlucky Asian symbols can be painted on fans, napkins or small trinket boxes.
Some vendors cater to Asian weddings specifically. Look in the phone book or online for one-stop wedding planning, from decorations to favors to the locale itself.
Don't Forget the Food!
Gather the troops -- Mom, Grandma, cousins and male or female friends -- to create a delicious spread of your favorite festive foods. If your family is short on gourmands, have the affair catered, or see if you can find a wedding reception hall that offers an ethnic selection.
Asian-Themed Receptions
Of course, you don't have to be Chinese or Korean to dream of an Asian wedding reception. Consider this beautiful theme for your big day. Use the above tips to create a special atmosphere, and let guests know your ideas. You might even suggest that they come in traditional Asian attire; be prepared to do a little research so you can offer tips to frantic last-minute callers who haven't a thing to wear.
