The South West’s Most Magical Wedding Venue

A Lavish Sikh Wedding at Clevedon Hall - a blog written by Isha Lakhani from Guides for Brides.

Arjun and Amariese tied the knot in a breathtaking celebration of their love at the magnificent Clevedon Hall in Somerset. This grand event spanned over two vibrant, ritual-filled days, with an elegant blend of tradition, family, and festivities that honoured their cultural heritage. The ceremonies, infused with deep symbolism and heartfelt moments, were followed by joyous celebrations that included music, dance, and feasting.
‍

The Venue

Clevedon Hall was chosen as the setting for Arjun and Amariese's multi-day wedding. This exclusive use venue  offered a stunning backdrop for the couple's vibrant celebrations as well as complete privacy for them to celebrate with their friends and family. The venue provided the perfect setting for a multi-day wedding celebration, with 25 beautifully appointed luxurious rooms, that ensured that every wedding guest could relax throughout the festivities. The heart of the celebration unfolded in the Great Hall, an expansive, elegant space that effortlessly accommodated the gala gathering. For the wedding ceremony itself, the enchanting Gazebo nestled in the lush gardens offered a truly magical, picturesque backdrop, perfect for creating unforgettable memories amidst nature's beauty.

‍

The Fashion

Amariese's bridal looks for each ceremony were nothing short of stunning. For the Maiyan, Choora, and Chunni ceremonies, she wore a beautiful blue salwar-kameez that was simple yet elegant, perfectly capturing the traditional spirit of the events. As the evening festivities of the Jaggo approached, she transformed into a vibrant and colorful lehenga, ideal for twirling across the dance floor. On the wedding day, she took everyone's breath away in a dazzling red bridal lehenga, radiating timeless beauty. For the grand finale at the wedding reception, Amariese opted for a gorgeous white lehenga, setting the tone for her fairytale ending.

Arjun's style choices were equally impressive, with each outfit thoughtfully selected for the occasion. For the Jaggo ceremony, he kept it simple with a subtle shirt and pants, allowing him to dance freely and enjoy the celebration. On the wedding day, he perfectly complemented Amariese in a striking golden sherwani, exuding regal charm. As the celebrations came to a close, he chose a sharp black suit, giving a sophisticated finish to their unforgettable wedding journey. The wedding guests embraced the vibrant spirit of the celebrations, donning a beautiful mix of traditional Indian attire, from elegant sarees to colorful kurtas and cholis, adding to the festive atmosphere.

‍

Let's take a closer look at the key rituals that made their wedding so memorable.

Day One: A Beautiful Journey of Pre-Wedding Rituals

Maiyan Ceremony: A Cleansing Start

The festivities began with the Maiyan ceremony, a traditional cleansing ritual. Family and friends gathered around the bride and groom as they lovingly applied yellow turmeric paste to their skin. This symbolic paste not only represents purification but also marks the start of their wedding journey.

Overhead, a red chunni (scarf) was held at each corner by four guests, creating a beautiful canopy for the couple. The laughter and warmth of everyone rubbing the turmeric paste on Arjun and Amariese symbolised the family and friends' support and blessings for their new life together. The ceremony concluded with a red thread tied around the couple's wrists, symbolising protection and the blessings of all present. If you can, it is tradition to keep this on until it falls off.

‍

Choora Ceremony: Blessings of Red Bangles

The second ceremony was the Choora, a touching moment shared between Amariese and her maternal uncle (Mama). He gently placed the traditional red bangles on her wrists, which are traditionally to be worn for five weeks.

‍

Chunni Ceremony: Welcoming the Bride

The Chunni ceremony followed, where Arjun's family "officially" welcomed Amariese into their lives. The groom's family placed a vibrant red chunni on her shoulders, along with gifts, symbolising their acceptance of her as their daughter-in-law. It was a tender moment that united the two families with love and tradition.
‍

Jaggo: The Party Begins!

Once the ceremonial rituals concluded, the party truly began with the Jaggo - a vibrant and energetic celebration! The maternal side of both families danced in with drums, bright colours, and pots with lit candles balanced on their heads. The Jaggo, meaning "stay awake," symbolises the beginning of the wedding celebrations, inviting everyone to join in the music and dancing, and that's exactly what happened! Family and friends took turns passing the Jaggo between them, dancing with pure joy and anticipation for the big day ahead.

‍

Day Two: The Wedding Day

Baraat: The Groom's Grand Arrival

The wedding day started in grand style with Arjun's Baraat; he arrived on a white horse, accompanied by his family and friends. There was also an Ardas (a short prayer) in which all guests bowed to the ground at the end. The Baraat is not just a visual spectacle, but a lively event with drums, music, and dancing, showcasing how well the groom's side can celebrate! Upon arrival, Arjun and his family were warmly received by Amariese's family, marking the start of the union.

‍

Milni Ceremony: Uniting the Families

The Milni ceremony followed, where key members from both families officially met. This symbolic gesture represents the coming together of two families and the joining of their lives through the marriage of their children.

‍

Anand Karaj: The Sikh Wedding Ceremony

The heart of the celebration was the Anand Karaj, the traditional Sikh wedding ceremony. Under a beautifully adorned gazebo, the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book) was placed, and guests were invited to remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering. Guests then proceeded down the aisle and bowed down to the floor, placing money in the box at the front. Traditionally this goes towards the development of the temple. However, the wedding 'priests' were volunteers and every penny donated was to develop the Bebe Nanaki Charitable Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in India.

Ladies then sat on the floor to the left, and men on the floor to the right, as you look towards the front. The religious ladies on the stage sang prayers throughout, and the first ceremony was the Karmai on the groom.

‍

BLOG CREDIT: Isha Lakhani from Guides for Brides

Read the full blog here: A Lavish Sikh Wedding at Clevedon Hall

A Dream Wedding at Clevedon Hall: A Three-Day Celebration of Love

When it came to choosing the perfect venue for their wedding, Clevedon Hall immediately stole the hearts of this couple. They knew that this stunning estate, with its pristine grounds, magnificent architecture, and luxurious rooms, would be the ultimate backdrop for their three-day celebration of love. With endless spaces to explore, both indoors and out, Clevedon Hall provided the versatility they needed for their unique and unforgettable event.

The couple felt reassured by the exceptional expertise of Lauren, their wedding planner, who understood their vision and promised to bring their wedding dreams to life.

‍

A Three-Day Extravaganza

With many of their guests travelling from abroad, the couple wanted to make the most of their time together by hosting a three-day wedding celebration. The festivities began with a relaxed welcome dinner the night before the wedding, allowing everyone to settle in and catch up. This intimate gathering set the tone for the rest of the weekend.

The wedding day itself was filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments, but the celebrations didn’t end there. The couple hosted a farewell brunch the day after the wedding, giving them the opportunity to spend even more quality time with their family and friends. This extended celebration made their wedding weekend feel like a dream come true.

‍

‍

‍

A Blend of Cultures and Traditions

The couple's wedding was a true reflection of their personalities and heritage. With the groom being English and the bride being French, they seamlessly blended both cultures into their big day. Their ceremony was bilingual, with two officiants—one speaking French and  the other English—and they made their vows even more meaningful by reading them in each other’s native languages.

To further emphasise the blend of cultures, their guests paired up, with French guests translating for English guests during the speeches. This sense of unity and inclusivity made the day even more special. The French influence didn’t stop there—the reception featured exquisite French wines, cuisine, and an impressive gold-covered chocolate Eiffel Tower as part of the dessert buffet.

‍

‍

‍

Music was another harmonious blend, with a mix of French and English songs playing throughout the festivities. Instead of a traditional first dance, the couple opted for a last dance to a song sung in both languages, a perfect ending to their extraordinary celebration.

‍

Elegant Styling and Personal Touches

The couple’s June wedding was a celebration of timeless elegance and romance. Their favourite flower, the peony, was in full bloom, and the bride's bouquet featured a stunning all-white arrangement of this classic flower. The colour palette for the day included soft shades of white, peachy orange, dark pink, and light pink, accented with touches of gold. Minimal greenery allowed the vibrant floral arrangements to pop, bringing the venue to life with beauty and charm.

Every detail of the day was carefully considered to make the event both unique and personal. From custom-made biscuits with the couple's initials to handwritten welcome notes in each guest's room, the thoughtful touches didn’t go unnoticed.

They also added playful elements, such as chocolates with their picture printed on them and custom drink toppers featuring their wedding date. A painting of the wedding scene was displayed for guests to admire, further enhancing the personalised atmosphere.

The floral arrangements were a true highlight of the day. The couple devoted a significant portion of their budget to ensuring that each space was filled with breathtaking blooms, creating a "wow" moment for their guests. These flowers, combined with Clevedon Hall’s natural beauty, made for an absolutely stunning setting.

‍

The Perfect Outfits for a Perfect Day

When it came to their outfits, the couple chose timeless, elegant looks that complemented the luxurious feel of the day. The groom looked dashing in a classic Hugo Boss tuxedo paired with sleek leather shoes, creating a simple yet sophisticated ensemble. The bride, on the other hand, wore a stunning pleated satin A-line gown that embodied grace and elegance. She completed her look with gold and pearl jewellery, adding a touch of glamour to her timeless appearance. Pearls delicately woven into her hairstyle added the perfect finishing touch.

‍

Unforgettable Moments

Every wedding day is filled with precious moments, but this couple's day was particularly magical. One of the most memorable parts was exchanging vows in front of their family and

friends, with emotions running high during their heartfelt promises. Speeches from loved ones added even more sentiment to the day, creating memories that will be cherished forever.

The couple also delighted in surprising their guests with elegant touches that made the day even more memorable. From a stunning Champagne tower to an indulgent dessert buffet, fireworks, and even a live illustrator, every detail was meticulously planned. The night ended with a spectacular last dance, complete with confetti, leaving guests dazzled and filled with joy.

‍

Words of Wisdom for Future Couples

For future couples planning their big day, this bride and groom have some valuable advice: stay close to each other throughout the day so you can enjoy every moment together. Take a minute to pause and truly soak in the experience—it all goes by so quickly! Don’t stress over the little things, and most importantly, have fun and make the day your own.

‍

‍

Ruchel & Dan's three day summer wedding was a show stopper, with no expense spared, the entire wedding was meticulously planned by 'Katrina Otter Weddings'.
This well travelled couple wanted to bring culture and excitement to their celebrations, from a quiz night, champagne tower, photobooth, 7 piece band and disco, cocktail bar, singing bridesmaids, to multiple elegant outfit changes.
Their family and friends were treated to an opulent sit down banquet in our Grand Library on their wedding day, surrounded by flowers, candles and bespoke table styling.
Sunday saw the grounds be transformed into a Moroccan paradise with a breath-taking marquee so elegantly staged with lanterns, flowers, sofas in soft linens.

We were absolutely blown away by not only the detail and elegance of this wedding, but by how much love and laughter filled the entire weekend.

Photo credits: https://www.emma-janephotography.co.uk/

Marquee photo credits: https://www.elenahaydonphotography.co.uk/

‍

‍

‍