I know we gush tremendeously about inter-ethnic couples, but we can’t help it. We love it when two people find each other despite race, ethnicity, and religion! Today’s inter-ethnic couple, Saira and Kevin, combined both their backgrounds to plan an amazing wedding that contained both Bangladeshi wedding rituals as well as American rituals that they both grow up with.

Our first stop on their wedding train is the oh-so-Bengali tradition of the Gayer Holud. Saira and Kevin chose a red, yellow, and orange theme to create a very traditional Gayer Holud ceremony at the Euclid Community Center in Euclid, Ohio. With red roses in her hair, Saira looks like a true Bengali bride!

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When we first laid eyes on Sapna Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Natasha Khan Kazi’s, wedding-day photos, we positively squealed in delight! This ultra-glamorous bride incorporated all the fun traditions that make Bangladeshi Muslim weddings unique.

The Traditional Red Banarasi Sari and Classic Gold Bling

Natasha’s red banarasi sari, gauze-like oorna (veil) and heavy gold jewlery was right on the money with Bengali tradition. Natasha chose a  beautiful modern day red banarasi silk sari with delicate pearl embroidery and paisley designs. Red is considered a lucky color for weddings which is why tradition dictates that Bengali brides wear this auspicious color. While many modern-day Bengali brides choose lehengas, a classic Benarasi sari is the ultimate look for any Bengali bride. Benarasi saris originated in Varanasi, India during the Mughal period. Benarasis are known for their intricatee Persian designs combined with  Indian patterns on beautiful hand-woven delicate silks. Upper-class Bengali society took on this trend and it eventually became a traditional part of a Bengali bride’s trousseau. Read more