With globalisation, borders blur and cultures mingle, mixed ethnicity marriages are becoming commonplace – particularly in the vibrant melting pot that is Singapore. Now that you have popped the question (or said “Yes!”), you’re then embarking on the exhilarating journey of wedding planning. How do you weave the rich tapestries of two distinct cultures into one unforgettable celebration? It’s all about creating a day that not only honours but joyfully intertwines your diverse heritages, making it a deeply meaningful experience for loved ones from every corner of your lives. Stylemart steps in with a trove of insights, drawing on the wisdom of couples who have danced down this path before. From heartfelt ceremonies that blend traditions to elegant fusion of designs and styles from each of your cultures into your wedding outfits, discover how to celebrate and craft your vibrant union into a beautifully blended cultural extravaganza.
Planning Your Multicultural Wedding
Deciding on the ceremonies that resonate with both families is the first step. The scope and significance of these traditions will guide the length and structure of your celebrations. For instance, a temple ceremony might be arranged on a day separate from the main reception to honour specific cultural protocols.
Hindu Traditions Enriching Singapore’s Weddings
Modern Hindu weddings in Singapore balance tradition with contemporary flair, incorporating rituals that add depth and meaning to the celebration.
Mehndi Ceremony: This pre-wedding ritual adorns the hands and feet of the bride and close female relatives with intricate henna designs. Mehndi is more than just an aesthetic tradition; it is believed to be auspicious and brings good fortune and prosperity to the bride. It also wards off evil spirits and offers both protection and blessings. It is a ritual symbolising beauty, joy, and spiritual awakening. From majestic peacocks and blooming lotus flowers to paisleys and geometric shapes, each motif tells a story and has deep symbolic value, making Mehndi a beautifully intricate expression of cultural art and heritage.
Haldi Ceremony: In this ceremony, a golden blend of oil, water, and turmeric is applied to both the bride and groom by family members, blessing the couple and prepping their skin with its soothing properties. It is believed to shower blessings on the couple, ensuring their life together starts on a bright note. Plus, there’s a bonus spa-like benefit – this turmeric blend is Mother Nature’s own skincare, promising to leave the skin of the bride and groom glowing, moisturised, and soothed. This tradition with a twist of wellness makes the Haldi ceremony a beloved ritual that is as fun as it is meaningful.
Baraat: The groom’s vibrant procession to the wedding venue, bursting with song and dance, is a significant part of Indian wedding customs. This marked spectacle sees the groom’s family and friends creating a lively and energetic atmosphere to symbolise the welcoming of the bride into their lives and the joyful union of the two families. It is a beautiful celebration of love and unity, showcasing the rich heritage and grandeur of Indian weddings.
Sangeet: An integral part of Indian weddings is the Sangeet, an exuberant evening of music and dance. This festive and vibrant gathering celebrates the unity of families, bringing everyone closer through the joy of song and dance. Featuring elaborate dance performances, the exchange of gifts, and a feast of delicious food, the Sangeet creates lasting memories, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the couple’s lives.
Embracing Diversity in Ceremonies
Planning your special day might also mean getting a little guidance from those who know best about which parts of tradition to embrace – our elders. Depending on your or your future spouse’s specific ethnic group, some ceremonies may take precedence. For instance, Sindhi families may want to feature their unique salt ceremony, which mirrors the spirit of the Chinese tea ceremony. Both are beautiful symbols of family unity and the sweet exchange of blessings.
In another example, our clients, a Malayee-Chinese couple, Divian and Rachel, found that “it was important for [their] union to be celebrated and blessed with a Malayalee temple wedding” on top of a wedding reception, emphasising that each couple’s focus may be different. By incorporating such diverse rituals, you’re not just planning a wedding; you’re crafting a celebration that’s as rich and multifaceted as your combined heritages.
Chinese Ceremonies: A Glimpse into Tradition
Guo Da Li: This pre-wedding ritual which happens weeks before the actual wedding, involves an exchange of gifts between the families, emphasising the groom’s commitment, sincerity, and the welcome of the bride into her new family. A Guo Da Li set typically includes a betrothal basket, traditional wedding cakes, oranges, a red packet, and many other items that can differ between the different dialect groups.
Tea Ceremony: The tea ceremony plays an important role in formally introducing the couple to each other’s families. The couple serves tea to the families’ elders to express respect and gratitude. The families’ younger generations also serve tea to the couple to represent mutual respect and support for their union. This exchange not only honours tradition but also weaves a thread of unity and appreciation through the fabric of both families.
Malay Wedding Customs
Similar to Chinese and Indian traditions, Malay weddings feature unique ceremonies:
Duit Hantaran and Mas Kahwin: These customary gifts, from the groom to the bride’s family and the bride herself, symbolise the groom’s assurance and responsibility to provide for his wife.
Henna Night: A gathering for the bride and her bridesmaids to decorate their hands and feet with henna, echoing the Hindu Mendhi customs.
Kompang Procession: Accompanied by a drum procession, the groom approaches the bride’s home, together with family and friends carrying the bunga manggar which are palm blossoms made from colourful tinsel on bamboo poles to symbolise fertility and prosperity. Traditionally, this will also be followed by a traditional Malay martial art performance called the silat as a sign of respect for the couple.
Tepung Tawar Ceremony: Another ceremony embraced from Hindu culture, is a ritual in which rice flour, white rice, yellow rice, and rose water are sprinkled on the couple’s hands. The ritual offers blessings, prayers, and protection against evil to the newlyweds
Fusing Cultures through Wedding Attire
One of the fun aspects of blending traditions is the fusion of diverse heritage symbols and essences into the wedding outfits. By weaving these symbols, fabrics, and designs from each culture into the attire, the outfits not only pay homage to their backgrounds but also create a unique visual representation of the couple’s union. Stylemart has had the privilege of crafting these outfits, not just for the bride and groom but also for their family members, exhibiting cultural embrace and acceptance from both sides of the family.
Here are some examples of how elements from various ethnic backgrounds can be incorporated:
Indian Influence: Traditional symbols like peacocks or lotus flowers might be woven into the fabric or embroidery, representing beauty, purity, and a connection to nature.
Chinese Elements: The inclusion of dragons, phoenixes, and peonies on a qipao can signify prosperity, renewal, and romance, embodying the rich cultural heritage.
Malay Motifs: Using Songket, a luxurious fabric woven with gold or silver threads, or including the bunga tanjung, a type of flower associated with charm and warm welcome can add a touch of elegance and cultural pride.
Take, for example, a Chinese-Malay couple who approached Stylemart wishing to blend elements of their cultures into their wedding attire. The creation of a qipao adorned with Malay motifs not only respected their individual heritages but also created a beautiful symbol of their union.
Here, Stylemart helped Divian and Rachel include a twist into their outfits. The Malayee-Chinese couple desired a simple yet significant alteration to their outfits that could be easily transitioned after their morning temple wedding. Rachel here wore a cheongsam-saree to reflect both of their cultures- “ [Stylemart] expertly crafted our traditional outfits and extended to create the cheongsam element of the saree and recommended the perfect blend of colours as well as decoration. Overall Stylemart gave us what every couple needs most when preparing for a wedding- peace of mind”.
Navigating the planning of a mixed-ethnicity wedding can be a journey filled with discovery, respect, and celebration of two cultures coming together. Through the thoughtful integration of traditions, ceremonies, and attire, your wedding can be a testament to the beauty of diversity, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Rest assured when working with Stylemart that we will discuss the themes and concepts you want incorporated, and bring your vision to life. But don’t just take our word for it, hear from these satisfied clients:
Divian and Rachel shared that, “Stylemart was patient in understanding our requests and what was important to us.. Overall Stylemart gave us what every couple needs most when preparing for a wedding- peace of mind.”
Vik and Jas has this to say, “I chose to work with Stylemart for all my 3 ceremonies. I had a moodboard in mind and shared it with the Stylemart team when we were selecting our outfits! .. Stylemart helped to bring my vision to my life when I discussed with them the themes of the ceremonies and they could immediately grasp the idea behind the whole concept.”
These testimonials highlight the personalized and attentive service you can expect from Stylemart, making us a trusted partner in your wedding planning journey.
