Prerana Agarwal Saxena suggests hanging on to your Diwali decor, as these can be implemented as some stunning wedding design elements

Diwali is the festival of light — it celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is an auspicious occasion for Hindus all over the world, and in India, it is the festival of the year. Against the backdrop of the the festival, many couples tie the knot, so why not combine them both?

Everyone wants a Karan Johar inspired wedding, and such dreamy Bollywood weddings have a lot of traditional elements that overlap with the festival of Diwali. This beautiful celebration has all the right components for a stunning wedding, so why not hit two birds with one stone?

 Here are some handy tips and tricks to add a bright Diwali touch to your wedding.

Marigold flowers

The warm colours of yellow and oranges are synonymous with Diwali. While almost every house is decked with lights and garlands, don’t underestimate the importance and the impact the humble marigold garland can have. These garlands are a mainstay in every Indian home during the Diwali season, and they can easily be incorporated into your wedding as well. One can never go wrong using such classic elements.

The warm colours of the simple marigold pair stunningly well with the colour scheme of a quintessential Indian wedding. All the hues of yellows and oranges marry perfectly with the bright reds, pinks, and even blues. Long trails of marigolds can be used to decorate a wooden frame, and coupled with fairy lights, they make for beautiful photo ops as well. Another way to utilise the flower is by making a canopy for low seating options like the diwan. For functions like the mehndi or haldi, they add a great pop of colour by making flower floats in a brass patila or as simple jhalars.

Eco-friendly firecrackers

One of the best parts of celebrating Diwali is by watching the lively firecrackers colour the night sky with sparkles and other fun shades. It is a beloved childhood memory for many of us. Nothing beats the anticipation you had for the night to fall so you could play with crackers with your building friends or with your family! Firecrackers are available throughout the year, but there is a greater variety of firecrackers available during Diwali. So why not take advantage of this fact? There has been a lot of controversies surrounding the use of firecrackers, as they are usually neither ethically sourced nor sustainable in nature. Many companies have come forward with sustainable and ethically sourced firecrackers, like Phool. These crackers are a wonderful accessory to be used in any wedding, as they are equally as beautiful as “regular” crackers but without all the questions surrounding them. Buy extra fireworks so you can end your wedding ceremony with a literal bang. If you are aversive about choosing the big cracker, worry not! A simple phooljadi can also work wonders. Ask your wedding photographer to take some pre-wedding pictures in a low-exposure setting while you and your partner make hearts with them. This results in a great photo opportunity while making a memory last a lifetime.

Use those diyas

Don’t throw away those diyas just yet! This simple yet essential Diwali accessory can make for some great decor options for your wedding. Paint and decorate diyas with your family and friends before your wedding, as a bonding activity. While you are busy painting those clay diyas, request your wedding photographers to click away! This activity makes for some beautiful candid photos, without having to strain to pose discreetly.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to using diyas as decor. Adorn the entrance to your wedding by lining the hallways with simple clay diyas by placing them in intricate copper holders. Another great way to utilise this Diwali staple is by placing them in a flower float or in the middle of an elaborate rangoli during the sangeet or mehndi. With such a small decorative piece, it is easy to add it into various configurations, making for soft and subtle illumination.

  The importance of light cannot be underestimated — it signifies new beginnings. By getting married, you are starting a new chapter of your life with your significant other. While blessings are very important, it is also equally crucial to embark on such a gorgeous journey with a lot of brightness, happiness, and illumination by your side.

(The author is the founder and CEO of Theme Weavers Designs, a leading destination wedding planner.)