Having an Oriental wedding can be tricky, especially if you have absolutely no idea where to begin with it

Having an Oriental wedding can be tricky, especially if you have absolutely no idea where to begin with it. For starters, the Orient is a vibrant hub of mixed and distinct cultures, and for many Westerners, using the wrong elements for a specific Asian theme is as easy as getting a Chinese-character tattoo without an acute understanding of its meaning. If you’re having an Asian-inspired wedding, chances are you’ll have a few red-blooded Asians in your guest list, and you don’t want to offend them by combining elements across cultures which just won’t mix, such as a kimono for a Vietnamese wedding, or a sarong for a Philippine wedding.

While there are a variety of themes which you can adapt for your ceremony

While there are a variety of themes which you can adapt for your ceremony, the one recurring element which is present in all Asian weddings is a degree of solemnity with regards to the exchange of vows. Make sure that the theme is focused on one specific culture so as not to give the impression that the wedding is ill-arranged. Whether you choose to go with a Malaysian, Indian, or Vietnamese wedding, be sure that you do your research, and use the elements in a culture-sensitive way. To ensure that your theme is on the right page, you might want to employ the services of a wedding coordinator who specializes in such arrangements.

The first thing you’ll have to decide on, after the specific culture theme, is the color scheme. There are three basic combinations which go well with most Asian themes: red, white, and black; silver, red, and black; and pink, red, and white. Although your choice of colors is inexhaustible, you will find that these three will offer you the best complements in your wedding décor, invitations, and favors. Your wedding dress should also veer away from Western styles – Asian bridal dresses spare on the ruffles and the lace, and are often made with simple, flowing cuts of fabric. From sarongs to kimonos, traditional bridal dresses vary in colors, and it is not unusual for you to don a rich red dress, as some cultures (Chinese, Indian, or Vietnamese) view this color as the main element for marital bliss.

If you find that having a truly Asian wedding

If you find that having a truly Asian wedding can be too much of a deviation, you can always go for a traditional Western wedding ceremony, and then have an Asian-inspired reception. This can work to your advantage, since your guests won’t be that much obliged to look for and wear Asian attire; the theme is considered as predominantly Western. The burden of arranging for the reception is also lifted off of your shoulders, since you can always have it at a Japanese or Chinese restaurant (or any Asian-themed venue, for that matter), and the decorations, ambiance, and menu entrees are pretty much laid out for you. From fortune cookies to chopsticks and sake cups, you’re ensured that all the elements fit well with your theme, and all you have to do is sit back, dine, and dance the night away to the tune of true-blue Asian music.