You may want to go take the traditional route when it comes to the main mandap and the décor for the big day, but pre-wedding celebrations are your playground to experiment, express and instil your personality. Each event, from a multi-hued mehndi to a vibrant haldi, invites creativity. You can design a thematic engagement setup, go for glittering sangeet stages and consider cocktail soirées that shimmer with mood lighting. The options are truly endless. Whether you play with textures, florals, drapes or lighting, the festivities before the wedding allow you to create moments that feel personal and photo-worthy. Use your pre-wedding celebrations as your chance to blend tradition with trends to craft settings that unique as your love story.
Haldi Décor Ideas
Thematic Haldi
Have you heard of the ‘internet breaking’ tropical-themed haldi yet? If your traditional haldi theme and décor is starting to sound a bit too basic for your style, don’t worry as we have figured out a few simple ways you can jazz up your haldi event. Whether you are a couple about to sit down with your decorator or an industry expert looking for inspiration to do something fresh, remember to keep it elegant. This event is filled with a playful spirit so you can add prints with table cover and backdrops and textures with flowers and foliage.
Not All Yellow
Who said your haldi has to be an all-yellow affair? Elevate the setting with sunset shades, from burnt orange and coral, to blush pink and soft peach. Be it textiles or textures, these colours combine to form a radiant palette that balances contemporary style with tradition, transforming the ritual into a beautiful celebration.
Beyond Classics
Likewise, don’t confine to conventional marigolds. While they bring a classic charm, accentuate the setting with modern blooms like lilies, roses, carnations, tulips, and daisies. These flowers add softness and modernity, making everything from backdrops and table settings to floral installations feel more vibrant and visually striking.
Pro-Tip
Use real flowers and natural foliage over artificial arrangements to elevate the organic and sustainable feel of your haldi. Don’t stop at installations. Deck up the ceiling and flooring too.
Engagement & Sangeet Décor Ideas
Outdoor Tale
You can incorporate a mix of real and artificial flowers as per your preference. There is no set rule that all your décor must be done in bright and pop colours. You can choose to go with a pastel and neutral tones too. If your engagement ceremony is an outdoor event, make the best of the colours surrounding your to create a blended space. This setting by Boss Lady Events is worthy of bookmarking. Make sure to consider how natural light and the wind will affect your décor pieces too.
Moody Bits
The addition of fairy lights or candlelight gives your décor the rustic look, perfect for an event after dusk. Dimmed lighting creates a cosy and classy vibe. Optimise your event space by created dedicated corners such as a portrait backdrop for all guests to get the perfect picture.
Party People
Don’t shy away from turning your sangeet into a DJ night. After a session of choreographed dance performances, let the lights change it up as you and your guests breakout into a night of dancing and singing on a custom floor, as crafted by Niche Weddings & Events. Or break away from traditional sit-down dinners. If you are bringing out the big guns with an open bar, do not miss out on making the bar a special spot. You can surely get some out-of-the-world shot-downing, head-banging photographs here with the wedding party.
Pro-Tip
It doesn’t always have to be about floral arrangements. Combine your engagement and sangeet and use the opportunity to throw a bash with a theme like none other. Imagine a galactic night with LED light mapping all around. Remember to add dedicated resting spaces for guests to take a breather from the dancing and singing.
Mehndi Décor Ideas
Elevated Essentials
When planning for your mehndi décor, list down the essentials like a dedicated backdrop and seating for the bride. Create an eclectic setting for a mehndi sundowner with elements of macramé, bulb strings, metallic palm leaves, rattan furniture were used to bring to life a tropical paradise for the couple. Cosy corners can be styled with dry flowers like amaranthus, banksia and pampas grass were used to represent all things Bali.
Colour Theory
Mix up the colour palette by going above and beyond the traditional green to bring in a rush of bright colours from nature. Play around with arches to give your mehndi event space a larger feel. Most importantly, adding peculiar details such as centrepieces to the tables, colour-coordinated cushions or nostalgia inspired touches like bunting to the seating will add to the finesse of your mehndi décor.
Let It Flow
For mehndi, drapes in vibrant hues can instantly set a playful, joyous mood. If you want to take baby steps, opt for subtle pops of colour through table linens or cushions. For those who love drama, go all out with marquee-style canopies that bathe the space in vibrant tones, as seen here by 1SW Events. From bold stripes to cascading layers, these rainbow accents bring a celebratory charm, making the mehndi feel like a carnival of colour.
Pro-Tip
Ditch table and chairs in favour of low seating for a relaxed, intimate vibe. Floor cushions, poufs and low diwans invite guests to lounge comfortably, while adding a boho-chic touch. Dressed up with bright fabrics and cushions, this setup is perfect for enjoying mehndi and music.
Cocktail Décor Ideas
Glam On
Cocktail parties are the perfect opportunity to bring out the glitz and glam. Pick a theme based on your adventures as a couple to make it personal. Use the evening mood to your advantage and play with lighting.
Make It You
Design a completely personalised themed cocktail décor dedicated to your relationship. Every corner of the space can have its own quirky detailing, whether it was a revolving baggage claim shots bar or an entry paparazzi tunnel. Watching this come to life, piece by piece was so special and unique. And your guests’ reaction at the end of it will be just the cherry on top.
Colour Riot
Your cocktail night’s décor should reflect that indulgent mood. Think deep, moody colours, spanning the range of crimson reds, rich maroons, shimmering golds, and luxe blacks, woven into drapes, florals, and tablescapes. Add touches of metallic, crystal chandeliers, and statement floral arrangements for a dramatic effect. If you wish to keep it classy, get inspired by Royal Affairs’ dreamy floral setup that will leave everyone mesmerised.
Pro-Tip
Personalised neon light-up signage will add a fun, modern edge to the ornate setting. Whether it’s a cheeky quote, the couple’s hashtag or their initials in glowing script, neon instantly becomes a photo-worthy backdrop. Play with highlighter hues like pinks, purples, green or white for maximum impact. Hung above the bar, stage backdrop or dance floor, these luminous accents set the tone for a lively evening and double as keepsakes after the celebration.
