Everyone wants a big fat Bollywood wedding

Some want a beach wedding like in Salaam NAMASTE, some prefer a farmhouse gala a la Hum Tum, while others prefer a decor similar to the one in Band Baaja Baaraat. The glitzy and jazzy wedding set-ups in Bollywood movies are becoming a fad in real life, giving a filmy twist to the country's approximately $30 billion wedding market.

"Hindi films have been a major influence on the common man," Nandita Sharma of BollywoodShaadis.com said.

"Bollywood always has an influence on people's mind in terms of weddings. People see a movie with a wedding sequence and they immediately decide the wedding trousseau, decoration and invites accordingly," Nandita Sharma said.

The trend started with movies like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hum Saath Saath Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kal Ho Naa Ho. Recent flicks like Tanu Weds Manu and Band Baaja Baraat took it forward.

If people love taking inspiration from films, they also add a personal touch to it.

"Nowadays, people are more pro towards adding that 'personal touch' to their wedding decor. That's the reason why their creativity overflows in terms of wedding sets. People want exotic fruits, flowers, show pieces, lights, candles, props, cloth being used for their wedding stage," said Nandita Sharma.

The most preferred Bollywood style has been Arshad Warsi's beach wedding in Salaam NAMASTE or the depiction of Las Vegas in Kites.

The personal touch comes when people choose to do up the wedding space in subtle colours. Even though Bollywood uses bright colours, people off the screen prefer a minimalist, simpler look.

"People today prefer simple colour schemes over any traditional theme. They look for subtle colours over BOLD and solid ones. They also opt for different colour themes in all their different functions. For instance, a whole marigold-coloured theme for a mehendi function partnered with a village-like personification of the venue or a complete blue or aqua theme on the cocktail night," said Mukta Kapoor, director, Yuna Weddings.

Plan to go ahead with such ostentatious ideas, expect to burn a hole anywhere between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 5 crore in your pocket. But fret not, even if you have a smaller budget. it's not too tough to get a customised wedding set-up.