Beena and Raj’s Hindu ceremony in Florence, Tuscany, was a vibrant, colorful and emotional event.
The bride and groom are Indian but live in London. They dreamt of marrying in Tuscany but they also wished to bring a little bit of India with them for their Hindu wedding in Italy.
When the couple contacted Brilliant Wedding Tuscany about seven months prior to their wedding day they knew exactly what they wanted: a big fat multi-day Indian wedding with hundreds of guests, featuring a fairytale venue, intricate garments, ornate decorations and crazy dance performances. We were definitely on board!
The result was an unforgettable three-day weekend in the enchanting countryside outside Florence, in a luxury relais close to the city but surrounded by hills, vineyards and olive groves, perfect for a romantic Tuscan experience, where the couple and their 300 guests had the time of their life.
Hindu wedding traditions
Indian weddings are perhaps the most exciting weddings to plan and attend: they are big, bright, intricately planned, full of fascinating celebrations and traditions.
When arranging an Indian wedding there are many factors to consider: Indian celebrations are spreaded on many days, they include several rituals and traditions and hundreds of guests often arriving from different parts of the world. It’s not just friends and family: it’s often the entire community from the couple’s hometown.
A Hindu wedding celebrates the physical and spiritual union of two people but it’s also about the coming together of two families through worship and celebration. The wedding is made of several rituals and small ceremonies leading to the main ceremony and reception. They take place over the span of three days. They usually begin with the Ganesh Pooja ceremony, an intimate event with only close family in attendance. Ganesh is the god of beginnings and good fortune and the remover of obstacles.
During the Sangeet relatives and friends of both families get together: they play instruments, dance, sing, and get to know each other. The Mehndi ceremony brings together the bride and her female family members and friends: during this ceremony artists create intricate Henna designs on their hands or feet. The henna is associated with positive spirits, fertility, and good luck. The groom’s arrival on the wedding day is called the Vara Yatra or Barat.
Followed by his friends and family, the groom makes quite an entrance! Often on a horseback, he’s greeted by the bride’s parents, family and friends amidst live music and dancing. During the Barat, guests throw rice known as akshat, like in western wedding tradition. The groom is also handed a plate holding a lighted lamp or arati.
Finally, it’s time for the main wedding ceremony. The ceremony takes place in a Mandap, a sort of wedding altar. The Mandap consists of four pillars and is decorated with all sorts of flowers, crystals and fabrics. In the center, there’s a sacred fire so that the priest and couple can provide religious offerings.
The wedding venue
Beena and Raj were looking for a refined location in Florence that could hold a large Hindu wedding.Â
They ended up choosing a stunning relais located on the top of a hill embraced by gentle slopes planted with olive groves and vineyards in the Tuscan countryside. An estate of over 50 hectares with charming halls and apartments, furnished in traditional Tuscan style, with wooden roofs and cotto floors. Its beautiful garden is the ideal spot for a welcome aperitif or a refined and elegant outdoor reception, creating a perfect fairytale setting.
A corner of paradise where Beena and Raj could truly feel like a queen and a king for a day. The venue is in a strategic position a few kilometers from the beautiful Renaissance City of Florence. This means that visits to the world’s top art museums and galleries can be easily arranged.
A fairytale wedding
The morning of the first day the bride and groom took part in an intimate and emotional Ganesh Pooja ceremony, worshipping Lord Ganesh and praying for a smooth and obstacle-free wedding.
In the afternoon, we had planned something very special for the couple: a private horseback riding at sunset. An hour of adventure in the Florence countryside, amidst olive groves, vineyards, cypresses, and stunning panoramic views. The tour ended with a romantic candle-light dinner served on an exclusive panoramic terrace, with breathtaking views of the sun setting over the Florence countryside.
The second day was all about the Sangeet: both families sang and danced to some of the greatest Indian Bollywood songs. Everybody had so much fun! The wedding function happened at 10 on the third day. The groom arrived in a loud and joyful Baarat procession. The Mandap was absolutely stunning, and all the setup was colorful and elegant, planned in every detail. The bride’s outfit was astonishing: Beena wore a cream wedding dress embellished with crystals, paired with jewellery and makeup. She wore many different bangles made of glass and gold, and a nath, commonly known as a nose ring, traditionally worn by newlywed brides.
After a very touching ceremony, it was time to commemorate the momentous occasion with a romantic photoshoot. We accompanied the couple to a wedding photo session with a professional photographer who was able to capture the best poses for the newlyweds.
Since Hindu ceremonies are not actually legally binding, Beena and Raj decided to have a civil ceremony as well. After quickly changing to a western outfit, they got married for the second time with the help of an Italian officiant. An Italian civil marriage is legally recognized in every country and the marriage document is valid internationally.
The evening kicked off with a perfect cocktail to welcome all guests, followed by an exquisite dinner. The couple opted for a mix of Indian and Italian catering to give a special touch to their wedding and make everyone happy.
A famous Indian dj and music producer delighted the crowd with the best Indian hits and kept the party going all night! And so it was time for us to say goodbye to Beena and Raj, wishing them the best of luck in their new life as a husband and wife.Â
Indian weddings are all about spirituality and traditions, fun and excitement. If you want to plan the perfect Indian ceremony in Florence, Tuscany, contact Brilliant Wedding Tuscany.
