Is it ok to be caucasion and have Moroccan or Asian themed wedding?
I want to have a Moroccan or Asian themed wedding. I have always been inspired by these cultures and this is something I want to do. Is this going to be offensive to the people in those cultures? My fiance's grandfather speaks fluent chinese and has done business with chinese business men for over 40 years. He has many chinese friends that have become close to everyone in the family. They are kind and sweet people, we always look forward to seeing them at Christmas and other times of the year. As far as the Moraccan theme, I'm leaning more towards that because of the fabrics, colors, music, food, etc. However, I do know how happy grandpa will be if we did a chinese theme.
The reason I'm asking in the first place is because I went to a moroccan and asain website for weddings and I didn't see one caucasion couple. It kind of felt like they don't want others to celebrate the way their culture does because that is their tradition and I completely understand! I only want to decorate and use color palettes etc. I wouldn't be doing the ceremonies that they do.
So if someone can give me some good advice because I'm under A MAJOR TIME CRUNCH & on a ridiculous budget...we're basicaly eloping and only bringing our very closest family and friends. Any advice on anything will help!
As far as eloping...we're thinking Tahoe, at this point...that's where I've found the BEST deals on elopement pkgs. and DIY whatever...I need help with an inexpensive but GORGEOUS reception. I'M a lost soul...like I said thank goodness I'm creative! Please help and let me know what you think about the theme! I like to be different!
Re: Is it ok to be caucasion and have Moroccan or Asian themed wedding?
[QUOTE]I want to have a Moroccan or Asian themed wedding. I have always been inspired by these cultures and this is something I want to do. Is this going to be offensive to the people in those cultures? My fiance's grandfather speaks fluent chinese and has done business with chinese business men for over 40 years. He has many chinese friends that have become close to everyone in the family. They are kind and sweet people, we always look forward to seeing them at Christmas and other times of the year. As far as the Moraccan theme, I'm leaning more towards that because of the fabrics, colors, music, food, etc. However, I do know how happy grandpa will be if we did a chinese theme. The reason I'm asking in the first place is because I went to a moroccan and asain website for weddings and I didn't see one caucasion couple. It kind of felt like they don't want others to celebrate the way their culture does because that is their tradition and I completely understand! <strong>I only want to decorate and use color palettes etc. I wouldn't be doing the ceremonies that they do.</strong> So if someone can give me some good advice because I'm under A MAJOR TIME CRUNCH & on a ridiculous budget...we're basicaly eloping and only bringing our very closest family and friends. Any advice on anything will help! As far as eloping...we're thinking Tahoe, at this point...that's where I've found the BEST deals on elopement pkgs. and DIY whatever...I need help with an inexpensive but GORGEOUS reception. I'M a lost soul...like I said thank goodness I'm creative! Please help and let me know what you think about the theme! I like to be different!
Posted by BayAreaGurl[/QUOTE]
You'll be using red and gold, then, if you go with the Chinese theme?
The funny thing about Chinese weddings is that, as the nation continues to rebuild from the years of the cultural revolution (1966-76), there seem to be few 'traditions' preserved for Chinese weddings. H and I live in China and have attended a good number of weddings here (we were at one last Saturday, in fact, in Suzhou), but we also know no small number of locals who just went down to an office somewhere, signed paperwork and left with two separate marriage certificates. Then their families hosted huge receptions for them back in their hometown. But there is, as far as I can tell, no traditional 'ceremony.'
Unless you yourselves have spent time in China, speak some Chinese, and have attended a few Chinese weddings, I would be hesitant to incorporate more than colors, and maybe a 'shuang xi' (喜喜) into your ceremony. Your efforts, while sincere, could easily be misunderstood. I feel the same about the possibility of a Moroccan theme; I just know much, much less about the culture.
One subtle nod you could give to the Chinese culture is providing your food in the family or communal style. We eat all of our meals from shared bowls or plates in the middle of the table when we are with locals.
I mean, I have Indian friends and I think their weddings have been gorgeous, but I would never have an indian themed wedding.
If you are just planning on using colors and a few other elements, like maybe lanterns for Morocco, then I don't think that would be too bad. But I wouldn't go overboard. Although in the interests of full disclosure, I am not much for themed weddings in general.
[QUOTE]I wouldn't be offended per se, but I would think it was super weird. If I were from one of those cultures I might be offended however. I mean, I have Indian friends and I think their weddings have been gorgeous, but I would never have an indian themed wedding. If you are just planning on using colors and a few other elements, like maybe lanterns for Morocco, then I don't think that would be too bad. But I wouldn't go overboard. Although in the interests of full disclosure, I am not much for themed weddings in general.
Posted by FutureJilliannD[/QUOTE]
Totally unrelated, but Jilliann, your cake is going to be GORGEOUS!
[QUOTE]I wouldn't be offended per se, but I would think it was super weird. If I were from one of those cultures I might be offended however. I mean, I have Indian friends and I think their weddings have been gorgeous, but I would never have an indian themed wedding. If you are just planning on using colors and a few other elements, like maybe lanterns for Morocco, then I don't think that would be too bad. But<strong> I wouldn't go overboard.</strong> Although in the interests of full disclosure, I am not much for themed weddings in general.
Posted by FutureJilliannD[/QUOTE]
Colors and/or accents here or there wouldn't come across as offensive, to me. I would be confused if you had an asian theme and weren't asian.. but if you just had colors, I wouldn't really relate it with a culture.
Ultimately, the wedding is yours and should reflect you. If you feel a tie to these cultures but just don't happen to be Moroccan or Chinese, it is still a part of who you are.
It's like if you incorporate your favorite colors, food, songs, etc. It is what you like.