Wedding Blog
I love Bollywood movies. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Bollywood, it’s India’s version of Hollywood. Bollywood movies are all about epic love stories complete with challenges, obstacles, and family drama. They’re also known for the amazing, highly choreographed song and dance numbers. My mom and I have spent many Saturday afternoons catching up with the newest Bollywood flick. Another plus is that Bollywood movies almost always feature a wedding or two, so they provide great bridal wear/jewelry eye candy. If anyone of you want to watch one (all the movies feature English subtitles), I highly recommend: (1) Devdas (which features some of the most breathtaking Indian bridal wear and jewelry ever), (2) 1942: A Love Story, (3) Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and (3) Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
Here is a You Tube clip of my favorite Bollywood song and dance number: Salaam-e-ishq from the Bollywood movie of the same name (it is a little cheesy, but I love it!!!):
So then I got an idea: maybe we could feature a Bollywood-inspired dance performance at our wedding? I wondered if it would be too much of a spectacle so I asked Mr. Jasmine for his opinion. He pointed out that it would be a great way to feature the vibrant music and dance of our culture and that many Indian weddings traditionally feature dance performances of some kind. Plus, it could be a great way to introduce Bollywood to friends that may not be familiar with it.
I’ve contacted a few Bollywood dance troupes in Los Angeles, but the rates have been a little too high for our budget. So I thought of another idea: bhangra/Bollywood dance teams from local universities. So I have my fingers crossed that I can convince a team from nearby UCLA, UC Irvine, or USC to feature their best moves for us 
Are you featuring any traditional/cultural dances at your wedding?
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Share this post: Hurray For Bollywood!
bhangra dances are so fun! I had several good friends in high school who are Indian and often would choreograph dances for various family functions. I loved watching them dance, and think it would be great to have some at your wedding
At my wedding, we had traditional Irish dancing. I took step dancing lessons when I was young, and have continued doing some ceili dancing - Irish group dancing kind of like square dancing. I really really wanted to have some at my wedding, because my mom’s side is Irish and often talked about how my grandfather would bust out his accordion for impromptu dancing at family events, including weddings. We hired a fiddler that I knew through dancing friends, and I had one of my friends lead the first dance, while I led the second one. I was a bit worried at how it would go over, but to my surprise, a huge crowd participated! Even though they didn’t know what they were doing, we explained the steps ahead of time, and the dances are repetitive so people could get the hang of it. Everyone had so much fun with this! And we got some hilarious pictures out of it. I think it’s cool to have some unusual events at weddings… keeps the guests interested, and showcases a bit of the family culture.
LOVE it Miss Jasmine! I’m going to check out your movies… (yay for Netflix). I love a good sappy love story, especially with singing and dancing.
I think it’s a great idea to hire a dance troupe for your wedding, especially one from a local university!
Oh I think that’s an amazing idea, Miss Jasmine. You have to video the number and share it with us afterwards!
that video is cool…it’s like a real life disney song and dance number. let us know how your plans go…i’d love to see pictures/video of it!
Thanks for these recommendations! I’ve become more and more interested in all things Indian since I started practicing yoga 4+ years ago but I had no idea where to start with Bollywood. I say go for the dancing at your wedding! A friend of a friend is part of a bhangra troupe here in Chicago but that won’t help you I’m afraid. But I went to a coworker’s wedding a few years ago that included some kind of cool interpretive dance - it wasn’t the kind of thing where guests participated, but everyone seemed to love watching it anyway!
And no, we’re not. Mennonites don’t dance, lol. But I guess we ARE, in a way, because we also are not having a dance . . . we’re playing board games at the reception with the Mennonite crew. So, i suppose, we are carrying on a Mennonite tradition (especially if we include Rummikub!!!).
Hey Miss Jasmine,
Too bad you aren’t in Toronto b/c I would perform at your wedding! I’ve been dancing for years!!! unless you wanna fly me down …hehe j/k
I’m planning on getting my videographer to tape a huge bollywood dance performance that I put together with my bridal party and friends/family. We are renting a stage and doing a big show. Once he edits it etc. we’ll show it at the reception.
I’ve also seen, couples walk into an indian/bollywood song and then dance to it together. Maybe it’ll be nice for you and Mr. Jasmine to take some classes together!!!
Good Luck!
Miss Jasmine - first of all I love all your posts. And with regard to this one.. being Indian myself…we’re having a Sangeeth nite.. where all our friends and family will be performing their favorite bollywood song and dance numbers..(not my FI and me, coz we have abt 6 left feet between us!)
But I am really excited because it’s sort of being pitted as a “boys side vs. girls side. so it should be very entertaining.
And Miss Jasmine - if you love Bollywood movies - I don’t know if you’ve watched the movie Om Shanti Om which is one of my new favorite movies… There’s a song in it featuring almost all the Bollywood stars… we’re thinking of doing something similar except it’ll feature our close family and friends.
I totally think you should incorporate Bollywood into your wedding.. maybe get your friends/family to dance even….what’s a good south asian wedding without some bhangra and dancing
NH: I’ve heard so much about this movie Om Shanti Om– I’m dying to see it. My mom and dad just got back from India and even brought me back an outfit that is supposedly from that movie. I need to go to the Indian store tonight and rent it.
How fun that you’re having a sangeet! I’m South Indian, so we don’t typically do sangeets, but they always look like such a blast.
i think thats a great way to incorporate more of your culture into your day.
i watched the majority of the clip above and must admit i love it. never seen a Bollywood production before. thanks!
i’ll confess that i’m not indian but i have spent many a saturday watching all the indian music videos on local access. lol. they just look like so much fun.
i’d LOVE to have a group of korean fan dancers perform at the reception. i’ve been obsessed with it since i was little that carries over to this day. it’s just so pretty.
wow..Miss Jasmine- an outfit from the movie.. you’re like a Bollywood heroine!:-)
I am actually South Indian too but my FI is Bengali with a bit of Punjab/Lucknow and even Afghan mixed in him.. so we’re doing the Sangeeth anyway! And it’s going to be the “fun” part of the wedding.. as the rest is going to be a super traditional south indian wedding..
Since your FI is Pakistani - I am sure music and dance is a big part of their weddings.. so you could still incorporate it!
Miss Jasmine! What a great idea! How much fun would that be to be a guest at your wedding? Can you invite me? I promise I’ll only be there for the Bollywood part. 
And I agree with mediagirl, please show us a video of it afterwards!
I actually belong to the only all Asian women lion dance troupe in North America and they’re performing at my ceremony!
hi! i actually know most of the people on UCLA’s dance teams currently. do you want me to give you their emails?
J: I would really appreciate that– thank you! You can either PM me or email me at jasmine@weddingbee. com.
i think that this is a great idea!!! my best friend is indian and she always learns elaborate dance routines for all her relatives’ and friends’ weddings… 
those shin digs last for days!
and having some good friends who were on bhangra dance teams, i have to say THOSE KIDS CAN DANCE you’re going to have so much fun!!!
I think you should SO do it. That would be wonderful.
I was born in the Philippines and I have lived in the states since I was a baby.
I had traditional Filipino dance presentations at my wedding reception. And the great thing about it … it was a surprise. Six performances! I have a cousin in a Filipino dance troupe and she was able to pull some strings.
It was nice because since I was marrying a Caucasian - it would be a nice way to introduce my Filipino culture. What brought tears to my eyes was that my aunts and uncles from both sides of my family (about 12 couples) did a traditional Filipino dance that they have been practicing (secretly) just for my wedding. What made it so special is that some of my uncles I could never picture participating in something like this. It would just so sweet knowing they would do something like this for me.
The last performace was a modern take on a traditional Filipino dance and it was just wonderful to watch.
My husband and I have been married for seven years now and people are still talking about it. And it is such a compliment to hear.
I am happy to hear you are also sharing your culture.
Love all your post Ms. Jasmine…I can relate in so many ways.
I am actually getting married in 2009 - Were having two wedding ceremonies (Hindu & Muslim) and a reception. All occurring in a 3-day span…Crazy I know. I would love to have an Indian Classical Dancer (Kathak) - at the Hindu Wedding. It is a different twist to dancing - but it always puts a smile on my face.
Does anyone know of any in NYC?
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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.
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