Whether your marriage is to be a true union of cultures, or you've simply got a passion for the fantastic cuisine, beautiful flower arrangements, and general Zen sensibility of the Far East, an Asian wedding theme is a lovely choice that can easily add class and style to your ceremony and reception. The following ideas may help to spark your romantic imagination!
Asian Wedding Dress
When it comes to Asian gowns, you probably immediately think of a brilliant, slinky piece of red silk with elegant dragons and flowers stitched in gold thread, which might be perfect for your wedding, in and of itself. If you'd like to borrow Asian styling, but stick with a more classically-colored dress, consider a hip hugging white silk gown with silver embroidery. In colder weather, brocade also lends itself well to Asian dress designs.
Remember to accessorize your outfit with Asian touches - pull your hair back and secure it with rosewood chopsticks or a comb of green jade, wear simple but elegant jewelry (a pearl necklace looks particularly stunning), and find sandalwood shoes that much the colors and pattern of your dress.
Asian Wedding Invitations
Wedding invitations are the first part of your wedding your friends and family see, so it's a good idea to put some thought into how you'll be putting them together. Many professional companies sell beautifully crafted Asian-themed invitations, complete with kanji script and even small origami. The Chinese character for "love" is a popular choice for a front flap emboss. In terms of paper, chiyogami, a beautifully patterned textile print can work wonders in turning an ordinary invitation into an exotic sensation! Chinese frog closures may add the perfect finishing touch for your notices.
Asian Wedding Cuisine and Food
There are all sorts of ways to incorporate Asian cuisine into your wedding. Mostly, your choices will depend upon what sort of Asian food is your favorite - are you and your honey fans of succulent Chinese teriyaki flavors, the simple lightness of Japanese sushi, or the delicious curries of Thai cuisine? If you're enamored with Pan-Asian cooking, consider finding your inspiration for each course from a different country. For those looking for an American twist on Asian food, think about dishes like teriyaki chicken, pot stickers, wonton soup, and California rolls.
And, don'Â’t forget about beverages! Kirin Lager and Sapporo are excellent Japanese beers, and of course sake (Japanese rice wine) is a potent potable that can be served hot or cold. Rather than coffee, consider serving green or white tea, the light flavors of which will better complement an Asian menu.
Asian Wedding Flowers
Orchids, lilies, bamboo, bear grass...there are plenty of lovely flower choices that pair well with an Asian-themed ceremony and reception. Think about simple elegance and aesthetic harmony when choosing your blooms - let your senses of minimalism and rhythm guide your decision making.
For tabletop flower displays and your bouquet, consider looking into ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. These subtle geometric arrangements are all about linear harmony and flow, and incorporate branches, stems, leafs, and vases into the arrangement of the blossoms, creating an integrated and powerfully elegant presentation.
Asian Table Decorations
Looking to stay away from flowers for your table decorations? An Asian-themed wedding offers lots of attractively simple options to grace your table. Think about bonsai trees, shoji-style lanterns, bamboo arrangements, Buddhas, and tiny rock gardens, all of which have a contemplative Zen quality that works nicely with an Asian theme. A lotus blossom candle floating in a crystal bowl also makes for a beautiful centerpiece.
Asian Wedding Favors
Small shoots of bamboo, classy chopsticks, and ebony hand fans are all lovely choices in terms of favors for a wedding of this kind. You might also consider pouches of Japanese candies as a parting gift. Though the flavors and textures are a bit strange to the American palette, your guests will get a kick out of trying these tasty little treats!
Regardless of how you choose to incorporate Asian themes into your wedding, keep in mind that these are parts of a rich, vibrant culture, deserving of respect and proper presentation. Doing a bit of research into wedding traditions in various Asian nations may lend further depth and beauty to your marriage and reception.
