Will my wedding breakfast sound like an Indian restaurant?

[Pliser]

(Sharing on behalf of cousin)

Im getting married in Summer. Being half Indian I am trying to find ways to bring in both cultures. I really like the idea of playing classic Bollywood songs but instrumental versions during the wedding breakfast. But my family think this will make the meal sound as if we are in an Indian restaurant.

90s 00s Bollywood songs can be spectacularly beautiful. And they remind me of watching Bollywood movies with my grandparents.

If you went to a wedding with Bollywood instrumental music playing in the background (quiet enough so people can still talk) would you get reminded of an Indian restaurant?

I think it’s pretty. People are suggesting no music but I think I that is also a bit dead

Yes, but it would be fabulous.
As long as it was not too loud and conversation was freely heard.

Later, some time after the first dance, you could also have a half hour set of Bollywood Indian exhibition dancers who get eveyone onto the dance floor. It is a lot of fun.

Sounds lovely op. Go for the nostalgic music. Surely one of your parents is Indian if you are half and they don’t want any Indian music?

Don't assume that white British people don't like Bollywood. They used to show the films on BBC2 on a Saturday afternoon. My Mum would watch them because she loved musicals and dancing. It's a good choice.

I'd rather have full Indian than a fushion. It depends on how it's done, though. I worked in an Indian restaurant, they were from the punjab. The Wife played mostly ABBA, she ruled the roost.

I'm indian and I'd love that. Just don't make people watch Mohabbatein unless you want a 4h snooze fest...😁

I think it would be lovely. Your wedding day is supposed to be full of the things that make you happy. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. They’ve either had their day, or they can make their own choices when it is their day. The only people that matter here are you and your DH. It is literally a celebration of the two of you. So don’t let anyone talk you out of something that will make you happy.

Funnily enough it’s my Indian dad and Indian uncle who said the restaurant comment.

I think it sounds lovely! Most weddings are so predictable it is always nice to have something different but also sentimental

Imagining an announcement. ‘And now, for all you Shah Rukh Khan fans, and even those who aren’t — we are now pausing the wedding for a compulsory viewing of the bride’s favourite film! Everyone go for a wee/fag now, please, as the doors will be locked once the film starts! We wouldn’t want you to miss a second of this classic!’

I'd love it. There's a violinist in the uk that plays Bollywood music.

What food will they be serving?

Veer jara reminded me,my son was a toddler and almost non verbal,one day he started pointing to youtube and saying "jhalom jhalom" .This went on for agonising half an hour while I was trying to figure out what he wanted.It was Janam dekhlo meet gayi duriyan song!...OP your guests would be delighted with the music and they actually would be expecting this. Go Old A R rehman like Roja/Bombay etc.Kehna hain keya from bombay is actually a wedding song! And you do a dance entry with Bole chudiyan!

The last Anglo Indian wedding I went to had a Sitar playing who played versions of classic pop songs from the couples clubbing days, it was awesome.
You have never lived until you haveHeard Oasis, Blur and The Happy Mondays on a Sitar.
I would also love Bollywood music played too and it wouldn't remind me of an Indian restaurant at all,and is that was supposed to be a bad thing?

I think that sounds really lovely. I love a bit of nostalgia at a wedding!

And ultimately it’s your wedding, so have what you want. I strongly doubt any of your guests will mind what music you play during the meal. It’s just to create a backdrop, so once they’re all eating and talking and laughing they won’t be listening intensely to the music anyway; it will just be part of the atmosphere. You obviously love the general feeling that that music evokes, so go for it.

Has everyone RSVPed? Any spare seats? Asking for a friend, well, no, asking for me.

It's totally the norm to do that in mixed culture weddings.

I badly want the sitar and flute to scratch to a halt and you and your new DH and the whole bridal team to suddenly jump out of your seats and do a massive Bollywood showstopper, men v women, jumping on the tables, the works. The waiters could be part of it too. Maybe your mum and dad.

PLLLEEEEEEZ OPPPP

I would love this. Your wedding breakfast sounds great, so much better than the usual chicken dinner or risotto for the veggies.

Sounds great. Go for it. It is your special day and will make you happy. Quite boring without any background music.

Sounds lovely to me.
Tbh I think your family are massively overthinking this. There will be food and low key music which is special to you to add atmosphere. It's highly likely that most people won't even notice what it is and if they did and it reminded them of an Indian restaurant, why would that matter.
I'm not Indian/have no Indian heritage if that makes a difference to the opinion.

I have been to quite a variety of weddings and I think it is a wonderful part of the ceremony and the day to have all the culture related music and customs included. You can have anything you want at your own wedding. It sounds great fun and very joyful.

I think it is your wedding your music. My favourite wedding was a family one. My son didn’t look right in the shirt the family member wanted him to wear to match his cousins. I was upset/ worried as he had put on weight and I was trying to manage that. I asked the family member if I could buy a looser fitting shirt in the same colour eg not slim fit and she said she didn’t care and she loved me and my son and wanted us to be relaxed and happy at her wedding. I got him a more flattering shirt to wear and we were all happy. I will always remember that as my favourite wedding as it was so relaxed.
My point is it doesn’t matter what music or decoration you have as long as you let people be relaxed and happy. I would either like the music or if I didn’t like it for whatever reason I would just enjoy the food and not think anything else of it.

Sounds lovely. Not so sure I'd notice some quiet instrumental background music as I'd probably be chatting to people, but why not?

Your wedding, so you choose whatever you want.

Can I come? Sounds yummy 😋

What's your ideal playlist? Any Devdas (those might be good for this context as they have a trad feel), KG3, Om Shanti Om (can't count how many times I've seen those). Bit of Maahi Ve maybe (Terrible film - great wedding song)? Came across this the other day:

Seems a shame to waste as background food music - go for a full on dance set...!

Does it matter? It might sound like an Indian restaurant, but is that going to make anyone enjoy your wedding any less? No. So you do you!