Since the wedding program entails several moods, you need to clearly pre-select your favorite music and label the play lists clearly. Sangeet will need peppy, dance songs. You’ll need instrumental music like shehnai, sitar and other classical pieces as the guests arrive for the wedding.

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Shehnai is a north Indian oboe that originated in the Kashmir valley. ‘Shah’ stands for the king and ‘nai’ is the flute. Its soulful strains bring good luck to weddings and many an eye goes moist with emotion. If you can’t locate a shehnai musician, you can always pick up Ustaad Bismillah Khan’s CDs to make your wedding celebration alive.

Sooner or later, (let’s face it!), everyone’s going to end up dancing to Bollywood hits. But do make the effort to compile music specially composed for this occasion. The music should be lively and lilting and not drown out the conversation.

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The sangeet ceremony, held a day before the wedding, is traditionally a North Indian one but its popularity has caught on with other Indian communities as well. When the guests leave, it’s the norm to give them a small favor. Colorful glass or lacquer bangles are the simplest (just make sure you have a variety of sizes).

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Sangeet ceremonies are fun-filled, sometimes daylong ceremonies, depending on how many people are invited for mehndi. While recorded music is all very well, how about a little live entertainment? A game of antakshari livens up the atmosphere (especially after a lavish lunch!).

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When we think about Indian dads, we think about their struggles, their commitment to family, their successes due to hardwork and perseverance. The bonds between a daughter and father is a very special one - you will always be his "princess". So, at your wedding you want to show how much you value his love and support - and you want to do it in an American way. You want to dance with your father at the reception. But, you're afraid - first to ask him, and then to get him excited and involved. Some dads are good sports and fun loving - and perhaps they are good at dancing. You're a lucky girl - this dance is easy for you. But, it’s the protypical indian dad - the workaholic and the serious types that are the problem.

Selecting music for your wedding is always a chore. You have so many choices - but you want music that reflects your tastes and your style. Further, you want music that fits different events.

We remember the traditional music that accompanies the wedding rituals, the ethereal music that ushers the bride in the wedding hall, and the selection of Bollywood and American music for the reception and wedding party.Music is everywhere. For many of us who have grown up in the US, an Indian wedding event is an amalgamation of Eastern and Western cultures.