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.
Reception Decor: Backdrops
October 11th, 2007 @ 4:58 pm by Mrs. Jasmine
Indian wedding receptions traditionally feature the bride and groom sitting like royalty upon a large stage. An elaborate backdrop is behind them. At various points during the reception, wedding guests visit with the bride and groom and pose for pictures. It’s like a sweetheart table on steroids. Here are some *ahem* “typical” examples. I cringe for my culture. Check out that purple palace below! No thanks.
I want to incorporate this tradition into our wedding reception, sans the scary gold lamé curtains, bitchin’ fake fireplaces, and (plastic) ivory pillars. I’ve been trying to think about how I might update the look into something more stylish, elegant, and modern. Then my fabulous coordinator Angel Swanson pointed me to White Night Design, a Los Angeles company that specializes in event lighting and draping. They’ve created some truly stunning backdrops, as you can see below (all images courtesy of White Night):
I don’t think any of the White Night images are from Indian weddings (at least, not to my knowledge), so their design ideas are sure to be useful to more than just my three Indian Bee readers. 
What do you girls think? Are any of you thinking of utilizing a backdrop for your sweetheart table or cake?
I’ll leave you with my favorite backdrop…
20 Responses to “Reception Decor: Backdrops”
Miss Jasmine, I almost choked on my drink! Hysterical! I love the one with the three square lanterns. I remember going to a lot of Chinese weddings when I was younger where the bride and groom posed with every guest behind some sort of cheesy red and gold backdrop (usually with a dragon & phoenix). Your examples bring back so many memories…
What a great combination of fabric and lighting! I love the last one too. I imagine that you’d take out the table and put in 2 chairs. So pretty!
OMG, do NOT let my mom see this post! She keeps insisting that we have flowers EVERYWHERE, especially the stage. I keep telling her the band doesn’t want to trip over flowers, and the ballroom we’re in is so beautiful there’s no need to cover it up.
She would DIE if she saw that photo of the room dripping with hanging flowers. Must keep her away from the computer…
With a lot of these, the soft lighting is so much a part of the scene, I’d have to wonder how it would look in flash photographs. I’m not saying you need ye olde dappled blue photo backdrop, I’m just saying that might be something to take into consideration.
I wonder if I can get myself a fake fireplace for the house!!
The last one is TD4! I don’t know why I abbreviated that. But it’s to die for. I’m lame.
Wow, those are seriously sumptious. I don’t think I’ve ever used that word, but it seems appropriate!! Its amazing what lighting and fabric can do (for a price!)
The right pipe and drape and lighting is wonderful. I think it’s cool that you’re doing a nod to you heritage, but in your own way.
i love the last few with the pink lighting and the drapery.
OMG! I’ll totally vote for you for prom queen. Sorry, high school flashback from the first 3 pictures.
I’ve seen some wonderful backdrops done with simple fabric panels. Check out the Black Tie monogram canvas from wonderfulgraffitiwedding.com
That last one is gorgeous-a friend of mine went to an indian wedding recently, and the bride hated the stage she was on-when she talked to my friend she was rolling her eyes and said that her mother had designed it. Apparently, it was as promtastic as the first three.
ooh.. these are absolutely gorgeous. great finds!
oh so glad you are using angel, too! she was my coordinator as well.
your favorite is mine as well. love the simplicity of the draped fabric.
Those are gorgeous and I love the cultural traditions. What a great way to update a tradition. I would say, I would avoid having the fabric drape over to the side or front too much because it would block circulation as guests come to greet you and take pics and block the view of you two gorgeous bride and groom from guests who are seated.
ah! such an absolute shame. You have picked the most hideous stages to show YOUR Indian culture. I am an Indian and have seen the most exquisite reception halls. (its a pity u sound like yr dentist in this post)
Lemon: I sincerely apologize if I offended you with this post. Anyone who reads my Wedding Bee posts knows that I’m very proud of my culture and want to integate as much of it into the wedding as possible. I was just trying to be humorous re: the stages by showing only the most uber-traditional examples, but I know that can be taken the wrong way via the Internet sometimes. I’m so sorry to anyone I might have offended with the post!
yes i do know u love yr tradition. have been a keen reader of all yr posts. : )
Cool photos and awesome backdrops! I saw same backdrops at http://www.AuraBackdrops.com……..Where did you get your backdrops from?
[…] reception will feature a sweetheart table on steroids, which I’ve posted about previously. We’re going to have a shimmering gold canopy backdrop by White Night Designs […]
