How to plan a multicultural wedding

Muslim weddings

Islam is one of the world’s most popular religions, with Muslim wedding culture seamlessly blending style and sophistication. The Nikah ceremony is at the heart of any Muslim wedding ceremony, which involves officiating a sacred Islamic contract between the couple. Other ceremony traditions include the presentation of a Mahr (a gift from the groom to the bride), the Fatiha (reading the first chapter of the Koran) and the Savaqah (showering the bride with coins).

The team at Solton Manor are highly experienced in hosting traditional Islamic Nikan ceremonies (these can be set up outside in Godric’s Garden or inside the Dutch Barn), as well as the Walima/Valima (wedding reception). Let the festivities continue with lots of traditional music, food, and entertainment!

Indian weddings

Indian weddings are vibrant, lively occasions, allowing family and friends to celebrate the joyous union of Hindu couples. Wedding celebrations typically last for three days. Celebrations begin with the Mehendi (henna) bridal party, with a Sangeet (music) performance the following evening. The actual wedding takes place on day three, which includes the traditional agni (sacred fire) ritual.

We have hosted many Hindu weddings at our Indian wedding venue in Kent. We offer overnight accommodation for 28 guests, with exclusive use of the entire estate for the duration of your Indian wedding weekend. There’s plenty of space for all the family to celebrate!

Asian weddings

Asian weddings are a traditional family affair, offering the perfect opportunity for celebrations between communities. Guests can come together and enjoy the week-long Asian wedding celebrations. Typical Asian wedding rituals include hair combing customs on the night before the wedding, picking up the bride, the door games (testing the groom’s dedication to the bride) and the tea ceremony.

Luxury meets legacy at our Asian wedding venue in Kent. We have welcomed many Asian families and friends, allowing them to relax and unwind across our large exclusive reception space, 9 acres of idyllic gardens and, of course, the Manor House’s 10 boutique-style bedrooms (with a beautiful honeymoon suite, too!). 

Jewish weddings

Both reform and orthodox Jewish weddings are popular cultural celebrations within the UK. With so many different strands to Judaism, rituals can vary depending on the couple’s individual beliefs. However, most Jewish weddings include signing of the kebutah (an ancient Jewish marriage document), the badeken (bride veiling), giving of the ring, sheva brachot (the seven blessings), breaking of the glass and yichud (a moment of private reflection).

The Solton Manor team are proud to have played a key part in many Jewish weddings over the years. We have the knowledge and expertise to incorporate any Jewish wedding rituals or traditions in a flexible and respectful manner.

Communicate with both families

It’s important to communicate openly with both sides of the family throughout the process. This will allow family members to feel valued and included within the wedding planning process. It can also help to avoid any conflicting expectations. We recommended having an honest conversation about cultural traditions and customs early on in the process. You can work through any relevant questions or concerns. 

Find the perfect cultural wedding venue

Determine whether you would like all celebrations to take place in a single venue, or if you’d prefer separate locations for the marriage ceremony and reception. It’s vitally important to choose a venue that offers versatility and flexibility (just like Solton Manor does!). Be honest about all the traditions you wish to incorporate within the venue. They may have various restrictions and be unable to accommodate certain cultural customs i.e. Indian fire rituals.

Create a multicultural itinerary

Once you’ve booked the venue, you can begin to map out an itinerary that integrates various festivities. For example, you could consider hosting a welcome dinner exploring the African cultural wedding ritual of “Tasting the Spices”. Or, you could hire a henna artist to decorate guests’ hands at an Asian wedding venue. Your multicultural itinerary will then feed into all other aspects of your special day, from fashion and food to decor and dancing.

Personalise the celebrations

There are plenty of ways to get creative and personalise the celebrations when planning your multicultural wedding. For example, you could write your own vows, including meaningful quotes from both cultures. Or, you could opt for traditional songs that have sentimental value to you as a couple. These little details will help make your celebration feel truly unique and special.

Educate your guests

When planning the big day, it’s important to educate your guests on any cultural wedding rituals that will be incorporated within the celebrations. You could create a wedding website or provide ceremony cards with information about various traditions, such as the baraat at an Indian wedding venue. This will help create a more immersive experience for your guests and foster a truly memorable occasion.

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