Our ceremony will be held outdoors in the garden of our venue, the InterContinental Los Angeles. It’s a really beautiful blank canvas for us to work with (I wish I could find a picture of the garden undecorated– sorry about that!). I’m imagining a classic, clean look with lots of vibrant colors in shades of burgundy and dark pink.
By a stroke of good luck, I came across this picture of the InterContinental garden decorated for an Indian wedding (images courtesy of Andrena Photo).
The tented structure is called a “mandap” and it’s a traditional Indian marriage canopy (sort of the Indian version of a chuppah). There are numerous variations on the mandap, such as this or this, but I love the tented version for its clean lines and romantic florals. I also like the sweet nosegays along the aisle, but maybe in shades of deep pink.
I’m also wondering if I should add flowers to the trees. Maybe something like this (images courtesy of Marisa Holmes):
The dangling flowers remind me of the traditional garlands so often used in Indian weddings. I think the whole look is very exotic and romantic. I’m thinking of recreating it with burgundy or dark pink.
Any ideas on how I should decorate the garden? How did you decide upon your ceremony decor?
Those are gorgeous ideas. I like the idea of flowers hanging from the trees; I’ve also seen people hang glass votives with flower-adorned chains or ribbons, and those also look beautiful.
Great venue choice!
ohhhhhh gorgeous! 
i love the tented mandap! i wonder of the trees are a bit far for the garlands to hang from them but may consider hanging strings of flowers forming a backdrop to the mandap? as in have the flowers hanging from the mandap itself in the back? either way i love outdoor weddings! it’ll be amazing!
Hi Miss Jasmine,
You should check out Square Root Floral Design of Irvine, CA. They’ve done some Awesome Indian and Persian weddings.
I love those photos…especially the first one!
When I was deciding on decorations on my outdoor ceremony, I focused on defining the aisle and framing the “altar” space…basically leading the eye to place you want your guests to focus. If you use a mandap like the one pictured, and decorate the aisle with petals/nosegays/kissing balls, I think you’ll accomplish that.
I like the idea of strings of garland from the trees, but, it may draw attention away from your mandap.
it’s sooooo beautiful
Very beautiful, would be nice if you had a lotus pond, not particularly a real one. They sell the artifical floating lotus. I’m using small ones in a bowl for my centre pieces.
Mrs. Jasmine, Chicago/LA
Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Attorney
Engagement Date: March 24, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: September 20, 2007
Venue: Hotel on the westside of Los Angeles
About Me: I'm a happy-go-lucky, imaginative spirit trapped in the body of a lawyer. I love reading, shopping, dining out, and exploring my beloved adopted city of Chicago with my fiance. We're planning the wedding of our dreams in my hometown of Los Angeles and we're excited to incorporate our cherished Indian/Pakistani customs and traditions.
Those ideas are gorgeous. You are so lucky and blessed to come from a culture that celebrates marriage in such a vibrant, visual, not to mention tasty way!
Love the garland idea.