My desi friends always make fun of me—the white, Jewish girl from New Jersey who just can’t get over her fascination with the Far East. There’s no denying the wonderful abundance of vivid color and majestic ambience found in that part of the world, especially for summer weddings. Consider borrowing some traditional inspirations from India and Thailand while maintaining the contemporary convention of a Western celebration.

One of our favorite One World Weddings marries the serenity of Thailand with the vibrancy of India—with a conventional twist. The majestic wedding emphasizes beautiful, rich colors such as reds, oranges and pinks from India and serene blues from Thailand. Use a masala of flowers such as traditional Thai orchids, lotus and Indian marigolds. Decorate your tabletops with gold leaf embellishments and silk textiles. This rich, exquisite aesthetic is communicated in the accents. Punctuate your decor with miniature mirrors and tiny elephants.

Infuse the Far East into your cocktail hour as well by serving signature cocktails such as Kaffir Lime Leaf Gin Martinis and the non-alcoholic Thai Iced Tea. For a seated formal dinner consider an all-vegetarian menu featuring Indian and Thai herbs and spices, coconut milk, tropical fruits and curry. Your guests won’t be missing the meat. If you’d like an alternative to the traditional wedding cake, serve Coconut Pancakes with Mango-Ginger Kulfi.

A great way to entertain guests is by hosting a bindi bar. Bindi is a decorative item placed on the forehead. Traditionally worn by married women, today bindi is a popular accessory for all women and children. Bhangra music and traditional dance is a staple at any Eastern-inspired wedding. Hire dance instructors to teach your guests traditional moves after they’ve had a couple martinis! An after-dinner Scotch bar is a great way to cap off a Far Eastern celebration in the Western Hemisphere.

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