A couple weekends ago, Bridal Hot List got a chance to explore the exciting culture of India at the Indian Fusion Wedding Seminar at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. The event was hosted by Wedding Store 24 who transformed the patio space into a beautiful and exotic garden with multitudes of flowers interspersed with iconic Indian statues and symbols. We were surrounded in the richness of Indian culture, enjoying delicious food, pulse-pounding dances and gorgeous gowns as we learned how to incorporate ancient traditions with new American modernism.

To kick the night off, we enjoyed a cocktail hour on the patio where there was an abundance of mouth watering appetizers, and my own particular favorite being the spicy fish turnonver. Not far off was a cute bar boasting three tempting specialty cocktails. I chose a pink drink of berry vodka, raspberry liqueur, fresh lemon juice with a sugar rim. It was simply divine! After our cocktail, my guest and I had some fun at the rickshaw photo booth by L. A. Rickshaw and Souzerazzi Photo Booth. We donned oversize glasses and made numerous goofy faces at the camera which made for some memorable photo moments. The cocktail hour was intimately lit with candles, while soft live Indian music was played by Scott Cummings Music.

After the cocktail hour fun, we were ushered into the main ballroom for the seminar. The room was decorated in soft lighting with ornate light projections on the ceiling and walls. In the center, the stage was shrouded in white flower arrangements and pastel color draping. The seminar featured numerous vendor presentations about fusion invitations, beautiful wedding attire by Frontier Heritage, reception lighting and spectacular dancing by Karmagraphy. The host, comedian Rajiv Satyal, kept us laughing the entire time.

After the seminar it was time for dinner and the vendor garden. Chef Sathi Jayawardena of the Four Seasons, a Sri Lanka native, created the Indian inspired menu that was absolutely delicious. There was so much food I could not even fit it all on one plate! I’ll admit I even went back for another serving of the Coconut and Ceylon Cinnamon Saffron rice, it was that good. The vendor garden was set up in a half circle on the lawn with tables and a linen canopy in the middle. The walk through allowed us to meet with vendors for bridal jewelry, beautiful centerpiece design by Square Root, garment design, wedding registry ideas and delightful dessert options. My favorite station, however, was the Henna station. I learned it is the traditional first gift from the husband to his new bride and I even got a Henna of my own! Until it wears off, the wife does not have to lift a finger. But once it’s gone she must then begin her wifely duties.

The Fusion Indian Wedding Seminar taught us so much about Indian culture and fusion weddings. We enjoyed experiencing the traditions and culture in ways we have never seen. The richness and strength of Indian tradition is something really special and we were lucky enough to explore and learn how to cohesively fuse valued tradition with emerging modern taste.