A Night of Romance

Win a Romantic Date Night package

2010-09-29T22:18:00.005-04:00

Are you looking to spend a romantic date night with your fiancé? Complete our 5 min survey for a chance to win a Romantic Date Night package courtesy of A Night of Romance. The package will include 2 movie passes, Bath and Body Works bubble bath and massage oil. It is open to persons engaged to be married (please pass along to friends/family that are engaged).

Please visit the following link to complete the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G9T36DJ

A Night of Romance

www.anightofromance.ca

Blue Six Creative Photography

2010-08-02T15:19:00.013-04:00

We recently came across a Toronto wedding and engagement photography company, Blue Six Creative, whose work we were impressed by. Blue Six Creative is a collective of talented photographers that came together to create www.bluesixcreative.com. From their work you can tell that they are passionate about photography and shooting people (photos, of course) who are in love with each other. Their style is to have the couple focus on each other through loving moments or having fun rather than posing. They believe that the best pics are those when two people connect with each other (I have to agree!). We've posted some of their photos with this blog so you can see the great work that they do.

To view more of their work please visit their website and their blog (www.bluesixcreative.com/blog). If you like their work you can follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Blue.Six.Creative.Photographers) by becoming a fan of their FB page. If you have any questions about their service please contact Jason Miles at info@bluesixcreative.com.

Monika

A Night of Romance

www.anightofromance.ca

The Globe and Mail Recognizes A Night of Romance as a Top Wedding Trend!

2010-06-18T14:09:00.004-04:00

A Night of Romance is thrilled that one of Canada's leading newspapers, The Globe and Mail, has recognized our company's unique service as a top wedding trend! I must have bought every Saturday, June 5th Globe and Mail newspaper in my neighbourhood :). Our company has been in the wedding market for less than 2 years and to receive this level of exposure is quite the accomplishment for us. I was quite surprised when I received a call from the Globe and Mail reporter, Deirdre Kelly, on a Tuesday afternoon to be interviewed about our company and our service of Wedding Night Staging (Decorating). Since the publishing of the article we've been receiving emails from brides and grooms expressing their excitement that this service exists to make their wedding night special. The article can be found on the following link:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/top-wedding-trends-2010/article1592337/

Monika
A Night of Romance

A Night of Romance on Wedding SOS

2010-05-24T18:20:00.007-04:00

Now that the Wedding SOS episode featuring A Night of romance aired on Tuesday, May 18, we thought we’d share the story of Kristy and Jordan. The young couple were originally planning a destination wedding in Mexico in November, but due to Jordan being in the military and being deployed to Afghanistan in the coming weeks, the plan for a destination wedding was no longer feasible. The couple understandably decided that there was no better time to get married than the present. They called in the services of the infamous and incredibly charming wedding planner, Jane Dayus-Hinch of Wedding SOS to make it happen. Jane’s team explained to us that the couple didn’t have a place to stay on their wedding night other than their parents’ basement, but Jane had other ideas. As one of the couples’ three wishes, Fairy Godmother Jane not only booked them a luxurious hotel suite, but she also contacted A Night of Romance to step in to create a romantic oasis to surprise the couple. We decided to bring a little bit of Mexico to Kristy and Jordan. Kristy and Jordan loved the room. Here’s how the room turned out.

If you haven’t seen the episode, make sure you catch a rerun (Episode 5056).

Nirmala

www.anightofromance.ca

Watch A Night of Romance on Wedding SOS on Tuesday, May 18th!

2010-05-18T06:50:00.007-04:00

The wait is finally over! A Night of Romance filmed the episode of Wedding SOS last summer and, after much anticipation, it is finally airing. We are excited as we have not seen the episode ourselves yet! Watch A Night of Romance transform a room at the Royal York hotel into a romantic tropical oasis for the couple to enjoy their wedding night.

Details are as follows:

Date: Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Time: 11am, 5pm and 10pm EST

Network: Slice

Channels: Rogers: 41/37 and Bell: 601

Episode Synopsis:

Combat engineer Jordan is being deployed overseas, and now his wedding to Kristy is on the fast track. Their families are pitching in to help... But with too many generals and not enough foot soldiers, can Jane take charge, rally the troops, and deal with an AWOL bride? Watch A Night of Romance help Jane execute Operation Romance!

Monika

Gotstyle and A Night of Romance

2010-04-21T19:14:00.007-04:00

Gotstyle, a leading menswear store offering the latest in designer clothing and suits, and A Night of Romance have partnered together to help grooms from the inside and out: Gotstyle will have the groom looking great with the perfect wedding suit and A Night of Romance will have the groom feeling great when his bride gushes over the wedding gift he surprised her with.

Why rent your suit for your wedding when you can buy it and wear it again for other events? Gotstyle carries classic, designer and made to measure suits for the groom so he can look almost as good as the bride. A Night of Romance clients will receive a complimentary tie or cuff links when they purchase their wedding suit from Gotstyle. Please visit Gotstyle's website at www.gsmen.com for more information on their wedding suits.

Monika

A Night of Romance

http://www.anightofromance.ca/

Calling all grooms: What have you done for the wedding lately?

2010-04-17T15:09:00.003-04:00

So, grooms, the big day is coming up and let’s be honest, like most grooms, you probably haven’t had much involvement in the planning of your wedding. It’s not that you didn’t want to be more involved but, let’s face it, the bride is the CEO of this operation and you’re like the assistant. And, as an assistant, she asks your opinion. And the conversation probably sounds something like this – “which colour of the font do you like for the invitations? Black? Oh, I like the burgundy, why do you like the black? The burgundy looks better with the colour of the paper. Let’s go with the burgundy” - but, at the end of the day, she is calling the shots. And, being the wonderful groom that you are, you’re probably okay with it b/c, really, who wants all that wedding stress of planning if you can avoid it! So your bride is planning the wedding she’s always dreamt of as a little girl and you’re on the sidelines cheering and supporting her on. And, you should definitely get credit for that because she needs a shoulder to cry on when her parents don’t understand why she won’t let them invite the long lost relative she’s never met, when her Maid of Honour has gone MIA, or when the tailor screws up the alterations of her wedding dress. But wouldn’t it be nice to show her on the day of the wedding that you appreciate all that she’s done to make the most important day of your lives perfect and all the stress has not gone unnoticed. That you have also put thought and effort into making this day special. And, to top it off, she doesn’t even expect it because it is a surprise – how memorable would that be? Imagine as you carry her over the threshold of the honeymoon suite or bedroom she enters a room that is like a romantic fantasy and different than any other night the both of you have experienced. The best part about it, all you have to do is email or call us. It’s that easy so you don’t have to take on any stress. You are her Prince Charming so why not do a romantic gesture that fits the part? You look great, she feels great and there was no stress involved – now how perfect is that :).

Monika
A Night of Romance

http://www.anightofromance.ca/

Top Hotel Picks 2010

2010-04-10T10:08:00.004-04:00

As the wedding season begins, I feel it’s the perfect time to talk about hotels. Working with different hotels across the GTA has given us the opportunity to get the inside scoop on hotels, from room decor and service to the restaurants and staff. We can tell you which hotels are the most romantic and chic, and which might be your perfect pick for A Night of Romance. And since there’s a plethora of amazing hotels in the GTA, from traditional elegance to modern chic, we thought the best way to bring this information to you is in a hotel series for our Top Hotel Picks for 2010. Enjoy!

Top Hotel Pick: The Hazelton

The Hazelton Hotel, Yorkville, Toronto

Gorgeous! Even that doesn’t sum up the luxurious look of this hotel. One of the top picks of celebrities for the Toronto Film Festival, and boasting celebrity guests such as George Clooney and John Mayer, this hotel lives up to the hype of being the only five star hotel in Toronto. From the moment you walk onto the red carpet as you enter the hotel’s entrance on Yorkville Avenue, in one of the most popular shopping areas of Toronto, you’re welcomed with a very courteous and well-dressed (and not to mention good-looking) staff. The black marble lobby, complimentary services, and front desk all work to make you feel special. Rare is the moment that you have to wait, whether checking in, or ordering room service; the hotel management, staff and concierge do their utmost to serve you.

The suites are modern and contemporary, but comfortable, giving you the feel of an upscale lounge. The rooms are adorned with tasteful wall to wall carpeting, sliding doors, flat screen TVs, and a huge black marble bathroom equipped with all the modern amenities, including a heated floor. The rooms are all about privacy, and if locking your door is not enough, each room is equipped with a sensor to alert you when someone is approaching your door. Recess lighting and night control can set the mood for romance, or a little sleepy eye.

The chic look of the hotel continues into the restaurant, One, run by celebrity chef Mark McEwen. Adorned in much of the same black marble and ambient lighting, the restaurant showcases a fabulous menu. My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary at this restaurant, and let me say, even their Ultimate Street Burger is nothing like what you would find on the street. The food was delicious, and along with the great service, this restaurant will remain one of my top pick romantic restaurants for Toronto.

One Restaurant inside the Hazelton

If you’re looking for modern and contemporary elegance, and you don’t mind being pampered like an A-lister, this is the perfect hotel for you.

Nirmala

www.anightofromance.ca

Valentine's Day Advice for the Romantically Challenged Man

2010-02-08T20:35:00.006-05:00

This is our first official Press Release we wrote so we decided to share it on our blog as well

A Night of Romance knows a lot about romance. In business since 2008, and focusing on creating the ultimate romantic experience for the couple for Valentine’s Day, proposals, anniversaries, or the wedding night, Monika and Nirmala have a lot to share when it comes to what makes a perfect romantic evening.

“We have the unique experience of working with couples, and particularly men, who are looking for advice on creating the perfect romantic oasis. Men are often uncomfortable when it comes to planning and carrying out romantic plans. That’s where we come in to help him make their romantic fantasy a reality. However, there are a few things that a guy must do to make the perfect Valentine’s Day.”

Here are their tips for Valentine’s Day 2010:

1) Words Will Conquer All – A simple “I love you” and a romantic kiss can set the tone for the rest of the evening. Keep the conversation flowing; listening intently will make her feel that you’re focusing on her.

2) Be In Tune With Her – Reflect on what she enjoys and incorporate that into your plans. Make your plans personalized and original.

3) Go Beyond the Cliché – A Bouquet of roses and box of chocolates are nice, but predictable year after year. Add an element of surprise to your plans.

4) Plan, Plan, Plan – A woman wants to feel like she’s being taken care of, and the best way to do that is to plan your evening. Whether you’re planning it on your own or working with romance experts such as A Night of Romance she will appreciate the effort and pre-thought to plan, because it says, “I care for you”.

5) Make it an Experience – Focus on creating a memory, something she will remember forever.

For more information on A Night of Romance visit www.anightofromance.ca.

###

About A Night of Romance

A Night of Romance specializes in creating a romantic ambiance for the couple for their special night. Based in Toronto, the company transforms an ordinary bedroom or hotel suite into a personalized romantic oasis for the couple, catering to all five senses from desserts and champagne, to romantic music and decor. Please visit www.anightofromance.ca for more information.

Three Days of Crème de la Crème at The Wedding Show at the Carlu

2010-01-19T19:59:00.008-05:00

Monika and I wrapped up The Wedding Show at the Carlu this past weekend. After three days of mingling with clients and vendors at the show, I had to take some time yesterday to recover before I could get myself to reflect on the show and write this entry! Despite our aching feet, Monika and I had a fantastic time, everything from talking with clients about our unique and personalized service and booth design, to hanging out with other vendors at the show, and not to mention tasting all the delicioustreats! The boutique style wedding show featuring 115 of the crème de la crème of wedding vendors was a pleasant change from the much larger shows. We were extremely impressed with the friendly and helpful staff organizing the show. And the displays were nothing less than spectacular. Here are some photos of our booth and some other displays:

Photo courtesy of The Wedding Co.

Eventdecorator.com

Can't wait for the next show!

Nirmala

A Night of Romance

www.anightofromance.ca

Christine's wedding surprise to James

2009-11-26T22:46:00.001-05:00

Christine contacted A Night of Romance because she wanted to surprise her finace, James, with a memorable and romantic wedding night. Christine and James lived together before their wedding and she wanted to experience a special night that would be as special as the wedding.

We asked Christine what she desired for the perfect night so that we could make it a reality for her and James. After our consultation via email, Christine selected the "Room for Romance" package along with the "Romantic Serenity" package as she envisioned her entire honeymoon suite elegantly decorated. We asked Christine her preference for rose petal colour (she chose red) that would adorn the bed and create a romantic walkway from door to bed and bathroom. We inquired on the genre of music she and her groom would like to listen to in their honeymoon suite and she chose soft, classical music. There wasn't a detail to be missed.

The next step after understanding the couple's needs for a romantic night is sorting out the logistics with the hotel. I visited the hotel (the beautiful Park Hyatt hotel in Yorkville (Toronto)) to speak to them to ensure everything was in place for A Night of Romance to gain access to Christine and James's honeymoon suite on their wedding. During my visit to the hotel I requested to see the exact honeymoon suite Christine booked so that I could see the layout and, therefore, plan the romantic staging in advance of the event.

The days leading up to Christine's event Nirmala and I ordered the rose petals and flowers from our supplier, picked up the bottle of drink, purchased soft, classical music CDs from Indigo Bookstore, and picked up the desserts. In addition, we brought our candles and sweet room fragrance. We were now ready to give Christine and James a memorable night.

Nirmala and I are detail-oriented and and dedicated to providing a professional service for our clients. For this reason we usually need a few hours to romantically stage a honeymoon suite. The couple were planning to arrive at the hotel by midnight so we arrived earlier in the evening to give us sufficient time to make the room perfect. As an extra for the couple, Nirmala (after seeing pics of the suite I had taken) thought a decorative bowl (that was a complementary colour to the red rose petals and colour decor of the hotel room) of floating candles and flower heads on a table would really add to the romantic feel of the room and she was right (Nirmala has a great eye for design). We created the petal pathway one rose petal at a time so it is perfectly shaped. We brought in our own music system as the quality of sound is very good. Romantic staging involves selectively placing decorations and other items to enhance the romantic ambiance of the room. For example, we decided to place the flower bouquet directly across from the bed so that the couple could admire it. Another example is we hung Christine's wedding night lingerie from the closet door, that was not visible as you entered the bed area so it would be a nice surprise for James when she slipped it on. Every small detail is appreciated by the couple.

After the wedding Christine expressed to A Night of Romance how much she loved how we romantically staged the honeymoon suite and how happy James was with the surprise she gave him. Every wedding involves some level of wedding stress and this surprise gave Christine the opportunity to show James, even through all the stress they endured, she never forgot that the wedding was a celebration of their love and he was the most important person in her life, now and forever.

Christine was so pleased with our service that a year later she contacted A Night of Romance and asked us to make her first year wedding anniversary a special occasion and, once again, to surprise James! James is one lucky man :).

Monika

A Night of Romance

www.anightofromance.ca

Still Looking for That Perfect Gift for Your Bride?

2009-11-15T21:03:00.004-05:00

To all grooms who are still looking for the perfect wedding night gift for their brides, please read the wedding story of John and Michelle.

John came to us with a thought to do something unique and special for his bride Michelle. After a very stressful wedding planning process, John was ready to do everything and anything in his power to make their wedding day a special and memorable experience for Michelle. He promised Michelle two surprise wedding gifts – a romantic guitar serenade, and a memorable wedding night experience. It meant everything to John to know that there was a memory that he could share with Michelle that would be exclusively for them. Michelle loves Bollywood, he explained, and he appropriately decided to surprise Michelle with our Bollywood Night to Remember package. The couple stayed at the charming lakefront Waterside Inn in Port Credit (Mississauga). Well, this photo can explain a little about how the room turned out...

And where photos are limiting, I can describe a beautiful rose incense scent filling the room, and romantic Hindi songs, including the bride’s favourite song, Khuda Jaane, playing softly in the background. We wanted to make Michelle feel like a Bollywood star, and Bollywood extravagance is exactly what she got.

Though we never had the chance to speak with Michelle, from John’s description, she was very touched by the romantic gesture from John. She cried out of happiness after entering the hotel suite. Monika and I are very grateful to have been part of that experience for them, and part of a memory they will cherish for years to come. The fact that we helped to make John’s second surprise for his bride a reality touched us a great deal.

Congratulations John and Michelle. We wish you both the best for the future!

Read John's testimonial on our website www.anightofromance.ca.

Nirmala

A Night of Romance

www.anightofromance.ca

Wedding Show at The Carlu

2009-11-11T21:14:00.004-05:00

A Night of Romance is excited to be chosen as one of the exhibitors at the prestigious Wedding Show at The Carlu. It will take place on January 15-17, 2010. The Wedding Show at The Carlu is dedicated to showcasing Toronto's finest in the wedding industry and we are thrilled to be part of this select group of vendors. This is the first year we are participating in this show and we are excited to introduce our company and unique concept of romantic room staging to the participants of the show. Nirmala and I have already begun planning the design of our booth to best showcase our work to engaged couples. We offer a highly personalized and luxurious service so want to ensure our booth reflects this to potential clients. Our concept for our booth has never been done at this wedding show so we are looking forward to seeing the reaction of the participants, other vendors and the show's organizers. We will have pictures from the show posted on our blog so stay tuned.

The show's organizers, The Wedding Co., interviewed our company for their blog:

http://www.theweddingco.com/thedailynews/2009/10/coming-up-roses-wedding-night-decor/

Monika
A Night of Romance
www.anightofromance.ca

A Lavish Bollywood Wedding Night Surprise

2009-08-25T17:39:00.014-04:00

Every so often, you get the chance to be part of something very special and beautiful. That's how Monika and I felt being part of Salima Syerah Virani, CEO of MyBindi, and Steve’s wedding day. Salima and Steve planned out a beautiful intimate ceremony at their picturesque lakefront home in Burlington. The wedding ceremony took place on the terrace, with Salima walking out in her elegant white saree to Steve to the tune of “Desi Girl”, and Steve even broke out in some Bollywood moves! The wedding day represented a perfect combination of cultures, but Salima didn’t stop there; she wanted to surprise Steve with some Bollywood extravagance. She appointed Monika and me to a secret mission to transform their bedroom into a Bollywood oasis.

Much like the rest of the home, their bedroom was spacious and tastefully decorated. We decided to go with magenta and blue for the room, and focused on making the bedroom look elegant and lavish, including satin sheets, extravagant flower arrangements, crystal candle holders and other accessories, and rose petals. The bedroom was fit for royalty.

It was a challenge trying to keep the room closed off to most of the guests, and especially Steve! But we managed. Salima and Steve loved it, so much that they opened the doors for their closest friends and family to see for the rest of the evening.

Here's how the bedroom turned out.

I have to mention the adorable hand-carved elephants we used in the room to add to the Bollywood flavour.

The bed and beautiful decorative items we used to create a Bollywood inspired room.

For more photos from the wedding, check out the photos taken by the very talented Amelia of Flirt Photography at www.flirtphotography.ca/blog/.

We wish Salima and Steve the best for the future, and thank them for allowing us to be part of their intimate wedding day.

Nirmala

A Night of Romance

www.anightofromance.ca

"Operation Romance" on Wedding SOS

2009-07-14T18:17:00.008-04:00

Lights, camera, action! It’s been quite the week after just completing shooting for the Wedding SOS television show! Wedding SOS contacted us about decorating the hotel suite for a very special couple who desperately needed the services of Fairy Godmother wedding planner extraordinaire, Jane Dayus-Hinch of Wedding SOS to make their wedding dreams come true. Along with planning out their dream wedding, Jane, as usual, had a few surprises for the couple. She contacted A Night of Romance to step in to create a romantic oasis to surprise the couple. You’ll have to wait until the episode airs in the fall to see the room!

Monika, Jane, and Nirmala

We had so much fun with Jane and her team shooting the “operation romance” scene and decorating the hotel suite. It was definitely a new experience for us TV-virgins getting sound wired, being directed on the scene, and trying to sound as natural as possible once the cameras were on. Jane helped us out quite a bit by coaching us and keeping the dialogue flowing. Though Monika and I had only a few minutes of camera time, it brings a whole new respect to what Jane does for each episode. Jane’s charismatic and witty, and she’s a pro on camera and off.

At the end of a very long and tiring day, Monika and I decided to celebrate our Wedding SOS experience with some dinner and drinks. We reflected on the preparations, the TV shooting, the wonderful people we met in the process, and how beautiful the room turned out. It was well worth all the work and, especially if it meant making a memory for this special couple a little more special and memorable. After all, if we can make even one of the couple’s memories a little sweeter for them, then our job is done.

We have to thank Jane, Tracey, Dora and Gary for involving us on this episode. We had so much fun and we look forward to working with them in the future. Can’t wait until the season starts!

Nirmala

www.anightofromance.ca

A Night of Romance Spotlight in Asian Woman Canada Magazine

2009-07-07T11:42:00.006-04:00

Though this is long overdue, it's well worth the mention. The first edition of Asian Woman Canada Magazine was finally launched, and with Lisa Ray gracing the cover, and 256 pages of fashion, lifestyle, and featuring Asian Women With Power, the magazine lives up to everything it was hyped to be. We had the opportunity to attend the official launch party where the stage sparkled with models and dancers during the runway show. Suhana Meharchand was honoured and said a few inspirational words. It was a dazzling night, and the ladies behind the magazine were definitely dazzling – Tarn, Ishani and Seema – they all looked fabulous. And of course, the spotlight on A Night of Romance is featured on page 114. Make sure you all check it out! Follow this link to read the article: https://anightofromance.sslpowered.com/anightofromance.ca/html/asian_woman.html
To subscribe for Asian Woman Canada, follow this link:
http://www.asianwomanmag.ca/subscribe/registration.php

Nirmala

A Night of Romance
http://www.anightofromance.ca/

Romance in the Modern Wedding

2009-04-30T15:49:00.009-04:00

I recently went to a wedding, and like many other weddings, I watched the bride and groom float across the dance floor, gliding to the sound of “Kabhi kabhie mere dil mein, khayal aata hai...ghunghat utaraha hu main...” - the ultimate Hindi love song. I wondered to myself why so many couples choose this song for their first dance anyway? Don’t get me wrong – I love the song. I even vividly remember the movie scene – gorgeous Rakhi Gulzar adorned in a beautiful wedding dress, awaiting her husband in a bedroom extravagantly decorated with hanging flowers and petals on the bed. It’s an image that has stayed with me since I was a child. But I still wonder what it is about this song, in a film music industry that pumps out hundreds of romantic songs year after year, that has made it so prominent in our hearts and memories, all the way here in Canada. It’s always mystified me, as part of a South Asian background which is usually so closed about romance and sex, to see elaborate suhaag raat scenes showcased openly in Bollywood films like Kabhi Kabhie. How could such a taboo topic for South Asians be at the same time so openly displayed, appreciated, and celebrated as the culmination of romance? After all, the tradition of suhaag raat has existed for hundreds, or maybe thousands, of years and apparently all across South Asia. Is there some underlying value to the tradition of the suhaag raat that has assisted in its survival for all these years, and across borders? Is there some value we can take from that tradition in today’s fast-paced and career-oriented lifestyle that often leaves little if any room or time for romance?

As I sat there at the wedding reception, among 300 other guests, I thought to myself, “It’s very romantic”. I’ve been to so many weddings over the years, and of course, had the experience of my own wedding. The typical South Asian wedding consists of days of pre-wedding parties, a long wedding ceremony, lots of family and friends, lots of alcohol and food, music and of course, a great party. How can the couple possibly think about romance amidst all this?

It’s ironic. While young South Asian Canadians are struggling to balance South Asian heritage and values with the Western traditions and lifestyle by choosing to date over an arranged marriage, shedding traditional views of what an appropriate life partner is, and increasingly living their married lives separately from parents rather than as a traditional extended family, weddings continue to focus on the communal aspect of South Asian weddings. If South Asian Canadians have begun to focus on themselves, then why haven’t they adopted the one wedding tradition that focuses completely on the couple?

Suhaag raat is the one tradition that focuses on romance. Yet in a society where young couples are trying to work out their hectic schedules to make time for one another, where the concept of “working on a relationship” has become a norm, the suhaag raat ritual hasn’t become part of the wedding process like other wedding traditions. I’m not really sure how or why the tradition of suhaag raat has been imbedded in our culture, Bollywood movies and songs for so long, but I do think that suhaag raat has an important role to play in modern weddings – it’s a romance revival after a long day of festivities with family and friends.

My husband and I were married almost three years ago. Our wedding, much like the one I attended, was filled with days of pre-parties, family and friends, emotions, and was of course hectic. At the end of it all, we had a fantastic time. But honestly, the only time I think either of stopped to think about ourselves was the wedding night. Maybe that’s the attraction to the song Kabhi Kabhie – it reminds us of the point of all the festivities of the day – love and romance. It reminds us of those first few moments, alone, with each other...

Nirmala

A Night of Romance

http://www.anightofromance.ca/

Inspiration from Bollywood

2009-04-08T09:43:00.007-04:00

Like many children of Indian immigrant parents in Toronto, I grew up watching Bollywood movies. Since the dawn of Indian cinema, movie watching has been an intrinsic part of Indian culture so it is of no surprise that Indians who immigrated to Canada would continue that tradition. However, I think movie watching became more than just a form of entertainment for South Asian immigrants in their new country; it became a way to stay connected to their homeland. As a first generation Canadian, Bollywood movies were unlike any North American movies I had seen: they were filled with larger-than-life heroes, melodrama, action-packed fight scenes, great music with chereographed dance sequences, fantasy, and, of course, the love story. With a lack of South Asian faces on mainstream TV and movies in the 70s and 80s I was drawn to Bollywood movies to see women who looked like me and wanted to grow up to be as beautiful and glamorous as Parveen Babi, Zenat Aman and Rekha. As over the top Bollywood movies were I was also drawn to them as they provided a glimpse of of Indian culture and traditions of a country my parents missed and longed for.

My first introduction to the tradition of Suhaag Raat (elaborate wedding night decorations) came from Bollywood movies. I can still remember the first time I saw the popular movie, "Kabhi Kabhie", and the beautful wedding night scene where the actress, Rakhee, is sitting in a bed adorned with flowers. I had never seen anything like this before and was mesmorized by the elaborate decorations of the bedroom to celebrate this special night for the bride and groom.

Rakhee from the movie, "Kabhi Kabhie"

Romantic love is most often the central theme of Bollywood movies so the image of the suhaag raat added a very romantic scene to the movies. The beautiful flowers and flower petals, the rich colours, diyas (Indian oil lamps) softly lighting the room, and stunning decor were all part of what made the suhaag raat scene so romantic in the movies.

Actress, Mumtaz

Actress Poonam Dhillon from the movie, "Noorie"

As I became a little older my parents explained to me that the suhaag raat scenes I saw in Bollywood movies were actually based on a long-held South Asian tradition that has been in existence for hundred of years. I held those beautiful images in my memory over the years and desired the same romantic wedding night for myself. As someone born and raised in North America, I experienced the prevalence of romance in the mainstream culture (i.e. Valentine's Day) so the romantic tradition of the Suhaag Raat was a tradition I could relate to in my life in Canada.

A few years ago, as I began planning for my wedding I remembered those wedding night scenes from the Bollywood movies and hoped I could have the same for my wedding night. I didn't necessarily want the traditional decorations as shown in the images above but I did want to create a romantic ambience as I desired our wedding night to be as special and memorable as the wedding day. The first night together as husband and wife is the mark of a new life together so I wanted it to be special. How romantic would it be for the love of my life and I, as a newly married couple, to walk into our honeymoon suite elaborately decorated; it would be a memory we would remember forever! Unfortunately, unlike in South Asia, I could not find a company that specialized in this tradition and, needless to say, I was disappointed. After my wedding I thought if I wanted my wedding night to be special as it is part of the overall wedding celebrations, there must certainly be others like myself who would want the same. And that is how the concept of our business, A Night of Romance, began.

Most South Asian-Canadians were raised in two cultures: the mainstream Canadian culture and the culture that our parents brought over from their homeland. In addition to language, food, and religion, Bollywood has also played a role in helping us maintain ties with a part of the world that sometimes feels both familiar and foreign at the same time. For those of South Asian backgrounds growing up in Canada, Bollywood has inspired the type of music we listen and dance to, the fashion we wear to weddings and other functions, travels to India and, in my case, a start of a new business venture. Given the popularity of Bollywood for those from the South Asian diaspora it has undoubtedly played a part in our cultural identity as South Asians living abroad. With "Slumdog Millionaire" winning the best film at the Oscars in 2009 it will be interesting to see how Bollywood impacts those from North America who have never heard of Bollywood before.

Monika

A Night of Romance

http://www.anightofromance.ca/