There’s something utterly beautiful about weddings–a tale of love and union of two people and their cultures. For years, Indians and Arabs have lived side by side, exchanging traditions, experiences, and a profound cultural reverence for weddings.
“Being an Emirati, we have been living with Indians since the ’50s-’60s. I remember when I attended my first Indian wedding, the various events were full of fun, joy and colourful decorations,” reminisces Mohammed Murad, an Emirati event planner. Two cultures so deeply intertwined, it’s no surprise that Indian and Arab weddings can inspire one another in many ways.
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As an Indian, I have seen our weddings being a window into large gatherings of relatives, friends, and everyone in between. While the philosophy of ‘the more the merrier’ is beautiful, the couple—the heart of the celebration—can sometimes get lost in the haze. “When it comes to Arab weddings, mostly everything is centred around the couple,” says Siddharth Goyal, co-founder of Camlition Productions, an Indian wedding photography and filmmaking house. The Zaffa ceremony, where the couple comes together in an elaborate function, is something Indian weddings can draw inspiration from. Their idea of family is vast, yet personal touches and storytelling make it more than just about the couple—though it still is.
“Guest lists in both weddings often run into hundreds or even thousands. However, Arab weddings tend to focus more on creating an intimate atmosphere within that grandeur. Indian weddings could draw inspiration from their meticulous seating arrangements, personal greetings, and unmatched guest experiences,” adds Vishal Punjabi who has filmed the weddings of notable Bollywood personalities like Ranveer-Deepika, Anushka-Virat, Katrina-Vicky and more. Notably, modern Indian weddings are shifting towards intimate gatherings and personalisation.
