10 Tips And Tricks To Plan A Multicultural Wedding Ceremony​​​​​​​

Planning a wedding is no easy task, but it can become even more so when cultures meet. There are a handful of decisions that makes it more difficult to plan the wedding of your dreams. There are many things to take care of while planning a wedding like - flowers, venue, stationery, music, food, and outfits, but incorporating multiple cultures and religions could be the most overwhelming. 

What is a Multicultural Wedding?

Source: KS. Creative Photography

Multicultural weddings, also known as fusion weddings are one in which each partner brings a unique cultural background to the table. When planning a multicultural wedding, you have to take into consideration each aspect of planning - from deciding your wedding venue to invitations, rituals, food, etc, celebrating and honoring each partner's background. 

Planning for a fusion wedding takes time to do well since you want to honor both the families and their beliefs. A multicultural wedding doesn't only unite two people but also two communities. 

To help you out, we’ve come up with our top 10 tips for planning a multi-cultural wedding.

1. Do your Homework & Communicate openly with both sides of the family

Source: Darshan Photography

When planning a multicultural wedding, make sure you are educated about the cultures and wedding traditions of both sides beforehand. Wedding traditions vary across regions, religions, and cultures. Doing your research early will avoid any confusion later during the ceremonies. 

Communicating openly with your partner and their families, and showing an interest in learning about their customs and traditions is a great way to start planning your wedding. We encourage you to make a list of cultures and wedding traditions important for both sides and incorporate the ones that are meaningful to you and your partner.  

It's not always necessary to honor all the customs and wedding traditions from each side but talk to your fiance and both of your families about the important aspects that you'd all appreciate being incorporated.

2. Hire an Experienced Wedding Planner

Source: Katrina Kaif

Whether you are planning an Indian wedding, Pakistani wedding, Nepali wedding or you are celebrating another culture altogether, it's important to hire a wedding planner with experience planning multicultural affairs. He/She will guide you through difficult conversations and decision-making, and make the whole process less stressful. 

Also Read: The Ultimate Bridesmaid Duties Checklist Every BFF & Sister Needs

3. Food

Source: Anneli Marinovich Photography

One of the favorite and most delicious ways to incorporate different cultures is through food! Food connects people throughout the world. You don't have to serve the traditional food honoring anyone's culture, instead surprise your guests with a fusion, just like your wedding. Try having food stations with different cultural themes, everyone will love to try a variety of food. 

Also Read: 15 Delicious Alternatives To Serve At Your Wedding Besides Cake

4. Do Consider Having Two Ceremonies

Source: Priyam Parikh Pictures

Planning a wedding is hard, but blending two different cultures and their traditions is the hardest. But if you find yourself in a difficult situation trying to fit all the important customs into one event, then we recommend you to have two ceremonies. This way you both can get married as per your traditions, without having to compromise on anything. 

Also Read: 30 Latest South Indian Bridal Hairstyles We Love

5. Be Up Front About Budget

Source: Weddings By Allan Zepeda

A multicultural wedding may cost more if you decide to have two ceremonies to honor each side of the wedding traditions. In this case, it's important to set a realistic budget in the early stage as it allows you to know what you can and can't do. Two ceremonies also mean - different decor, different outfits, different venues (in some cases), or even different kinds of food. 

It is also important to figure out who is contributing to which event to avoid conflicts at a later stage. Be upfront about it. 

Also Read: Wedding Décor Process & Things To Know Beforehand

6. Incorporate Both Cultures Through Attire

Source: Two Fish Weddings

The best way to embrace each other's cultures is through fashion/wedding attire. You can either wear your cultural attire honoring your culture or swap traditional attire. For example, your partner can wear attire in the style of your culture and you can honor your partner by wearing something of their culture. 

Some couples also opt for fusing different cultures into one look, like wearing a lehenga with south Indian jewelry. You can always be creative and try different looks. 

Also Read: Top 33 Wedding Planning Tips and Tricks You Must Know About

7. Do Inform The Guests

Photographer: Strokes Photography

A fusion wedding is a great way to introduce your guests to new cultures and traditions. Educate them about every ceremony through a wedding website or a wedding invitation so they can enjoy and be more involved in the event.  

You can include an itinerary of the events and information about ceremonies, food and drinks, dances, and entertainment.

8. Do what feels right, and celebrate love 

Groom: Vikrant Massey

Honoring your families' cultures is great, but don't forget to celebrate the day you both want to. Don't feel pressured to incorporate all the elements, or just how the families wanted. It's your day, and if something doesn't resonate with you or your partner, feel free to skip it.

9. Entertainment

Source: Sam & Ekta

Regardless of the culture and traditions, music and dancing are the life of a wedding. Just like food, even music connects people. Each culture has different traditional songs and dances, and including both would be a highlight of your fusion wedding. 

Also Read: 25 Best First Dance Songs For Your Wedding

​​10. Choose the right Officiant

Source: The Wedding Story

Do you want to have one officiant or two, honoring each tradition? Or maybe you don't want to have any one of them, and instead hire someone who can officiant the multicultural wedding. You need to figure out and finalize who will officiate the wedding. 

Conclusion

Source: KS. Creative Photography

We hope these tips and tricks will help you plan your multicultural wedding most efficiently. Regardless of how you incorporate or embrace each other's traditions into your wedding, make sure love is the most centered highlight of the most important day of your life.