How To Host An Asian Wedding

We spoke to LaToya Patel from The Asian Wedding Club about how Asian weddings are changing to work within COVID regulations and why this is now relevant to so many wedding venues.

Until the wording was amended by the government to include faith ceremonies this month, couples planning an Asian wedding have been unable to celebrate marriage in a meaningful way since March. After such a long delay, many couples are now moving forward with plans for a small 15 person wedding to enable them move in together, plan a family and move forward in their lives. Unlike a traditional Asian wedding with hundreds of guests, an elaborate banquet and loud music, these are weddings that can be hosted in almost any venue.

 

Using a Hindu wedding as an example, the wedding day would consist of the Hindu faith ceremony, including the fire ceremony, immediately followed by a civil ceremony and then the reception, with 15 people present throughout. Some couples are opting for the legal ceremony in an approved venue or register office on a different day, however to avoid unnecessary mixing of households it is wise for this to involve the same guests.

 

 

Why is this relevant to your venue?

50-150 person Asian weddings in 2021

 

We are expecting to see a large number of Asian weddings for between 100-150 guests, with many families prepared to reduce the guest lists to fit with whatever regulations are in place to ensure that their wedding can go ahead on the date planned.

 

Those wedding venues who typically host Asian weddings, and have ample space for social distancing, will be well suited for these events.

 

 

There are three main ceremonies that we see most of in the UK. They are:

1. Hindu Weddings - These are predominantly held in hotel and event venues licensed for civil ceremonies, rather than Hindu temples. They involve a small ceremonial fire, which is the main consideration for a venue. See below for more information on how venues accommodate that within their HSE regulations.
2. Sikh Weddings - these are predominantly held in Gurdwaras, the Sikh place of worship with the receptions being held in hotel and event venues.
3. Muslim Weddings - the religious ceremony, the Nikkah, is carried out by the Imam, usually in an event venue or hotel.  The ceremony takes around 20 minutes and is followed by a reception. The legal wedding takes place in the register office or an approved venue at another time.  

The key considerations for venues hosting Asian weddings

Although most venues are suitable for the small weddings under current guidelines, as weddings start to return to normal next year there are a few particular questions that couples are likely to ask.

• For Hindu wedding ceremonies  - there is a ceremonial fire that forms an essential part of the proceedings. It's safe indoors, typically risk assessed by the supplier of the vessel the fire would be in and is monitored from the moment it is lit through to it being removed from the room. Your risk assessment will need to reflect the need to isolate your smoke alarms during the ceremony and have someone on standby with a fire extinguisher, however you can be assured that even the most prestigious venues such as Claridge's and The Savoy allow these types of ceremonies. 

Is your venue "Dry Hire" and do you permit external catering?

• Dry hire - Asian weddings typically include large numbers of guests and flexible guest lists. They have access to a network of suppliers that cater specifically for this market to hire everything from the ceremonial elements to the tables and chairs. Some venues offer dry hire conditional on using suppliers from an approved list, others allow couples to choose who they bring in.  Prices are usually based on hire of the venue, rather than a per-person cost.    
• External caterers - the meal typically served after the wedding ceremony is a really important element of the day and the preference is for authentic Asian cuisine (e.g. Indian, Sri Lankan, Pakistani). Even if your chef can cook Asian dishes, the couple will almost certainly prefer to use their own caterers. However, some catering companies can pre-prepare dishes for your venue to serve. If you have valuable rugs and carpets in your venue it is worth bearing in mind that some of the spices used in authentic cuisine, particularly turmeric, can stain. 

Does your venue have noise limitations?

• Asian wedding receptions often involve loud music - this can be an issue if you have a noise limiter that will cut out from loud music or clapping. It may also be a consideration if there are other guests staying in the hotel or nearby.  

Do you have multiple rooms?

• For Hindu weddings - ideally the religious ceremony and civil ceremony will be in different rooms with one following immediately after the other, so two rooms of similar size are ideal, with the first one then being quickly changed around for the reception. 

For 2022 and beyond - what is your capacity?

• Asian weddings usually involve large guests lists- during COVID guest numbers will be significantly reduced, but from 2022 we expect numbers to return to usual, typically over 250 guests although some couples limit their guest lists to around 150.

And finally ... is that your best price?

• Negotiation is normal - negotiating on price is a normal part of any Asian wedding bookings so be ready to negotiate a little if you can, but regardless, don't be offended by the question!

LaToya Patel is a wedding planner who specialises in finding unusual venues for her couples so is familiar with helping venues understand all that's required to host these diverse and colourful events. She joined us for a one-off Zoom session, watch the video.

LaToya can be contacted for individual assistance and consultation by email or through her website.