🥁 How to Celebrate an Indian Wedding in Sydney – Big Fat Traditions, Sweet Returns & Aussie Vibes 🇮🇳💍🦘
So you're planning an Indian wedding in Sydney. First of all, congrats! 💐 Now… take a deep breath, call your mum, and let the chaos begin.
From sangeet dance rehearsals to the buffet that must feed 300 guests and still have leftovers, Indian weddings are less "event" and more "full-scale operation."
But here’s the good news: you can absolutely bring the grandeur, colour and flavour of a desi wedding Down Under, and we’re here to help with everything from mithai that wows to party favours that don't get left behind.
So get comfy, bridechilla (or groomzilla 👀), and let’s dive into how to pull off an Indian wedding in Sydney with sass, sweetness, and soul.
🕺 Start With the Vibe: Desi Soul, Aussie Spirit
Indian weddings in Sydney are the best kind of fusion — like a samosa with avo smash. You can mix:
- Mehendi under the Jacarandas
- Haldi at the beachside Airbnb
- Reception with a view of the Harbour Bridge
It’s not about copying weddings back home — it’s about creating a new tradition that blends generations and geographies.
🎉 The Must-Do Traditions (With a Twist)
Here’s how to keep things rooted in culture but perfectly tailored for Aussie life:
💛 Haldi Ceremony: Sunshine + Turmeric + Snacks
Do it in the backyard, on a deck, or at a sunny picnic spot. Add a dessert grazing table with our mini mithai boxes and bite-sized teacakes — perfect for aunties who want “just a nibble.”
🎁 Return gift idea: Turmeric-themed mithai box with golden hues + wellness tea satchets. 🍵✨
💃🏽 Mehndi & Sangeet Night: Dhol, Disco & Dessert Cups
Book a community hall, throw up some fairy lights, hire a DJ who knows both Sidhu Moosewala and Bruno Mars, and you’re sorted.
🍰 Snack station idea: Customised dessert cups from EatwithSimer with the couple's initials and flavours to match your wedding colours.
🎁 Return gift idea: Sweet jars + mini cookies + “Thank You for Dancing with Us” tags 💃
👰🏽 The Big Day: Shaadi Scenes in Sydney
Whether it’s a mandap by the beach or a gurudwara ceremony followed by lunch, Sydney gives you options galore.
🪔 Mix in florals, lehengas, a baraat that makes the neighbours stare (in the best way), and finish it off with a sweet buffet from yours truly.
🎁 Return gift idea: Classic mithai boxes featuring ladoos, barfis, and fusion sweets from EatwithSimer (Eggless too!) 🎁
🥂 Reception: Sparkling Wine Meets Shahi Paneer
Receptions in Sydney can be glam and chill — think terrace venues, wineries, or even backyard marquees. Add fairy lights, a playlist that’s equal parts Bollywood and Ed Sheeran, and you’ve nailed it.
💡 Pro tip: Set up a dessert bar with our teacakes, mithai, and party favours. Guests will forget the catering and remember the dessert.
💝 Let’s Talk About Return Gifts (Because Aunties Will Ask)
Let’s be honest. Indian guests are evaluating your return gifts like they’re on MasterChef.
So don’t disappoint with a keychain or fridge magnet that screams "wedding budget ran out."
Here are top-notch, thoughtful return gift ideas that’ll leave a sweet impression:
🌟 1. Indian Sweet Boxes – Traditional Never Tasted This Good
From Besan Laddoo to Gulkand & Nuts Coconut laddoos, our mithai is handmade, beautiful, and Instagrammable. Add a personalised label, and boom — heirloom vibes.
✅ Eggless options
✅ Custom packaging
✅ Ships across Australia
Check our Instagram handle for ideas.
🎀 2. Mini Dessert Hampers
These are great for close family and VIPs. Our hampers include:
- Dessert cups
- Cookies
- Teacakes
- A handwritten note (if you want to get all mushy 💌)
🧁 3. Custom Dessert Cups as Favours
Perfect for receptions or bridal showers. Choose from:
🎯 They're cute, they're portion-controlled (ha!), and they’re a sweet ending to any party.
🍪 4. Cookie & Chai Sets
Pair our desi fusion cookies (like Tutti Fruiti Cookies!) with a sachet of masala chai or herbal tea. Wrap them in sustainable packaging and you’ve got a gift that says “I love you but please go home now.” 😂
🎁 5. Sweets + Candle Combo Boxes
Who says sweets can’t be self-care? Pair mithai with handmade soy candles for a luxurious vibe.
✨ Pro tip: Add labels like “Sweet Beginnings” or “Thanks for Sharing Our Day” for extra charm.
🛍️ Where to Get All These Gifts (Without Losing Your Mind)
At EatwithSimer, we make it ridiculously easy to tick off the “sweet stuff” on your wedding to-do list.
✔️ Customisable sweets
✔️ Gift hampers
✔️ Eggless desserts
✔️ Party favours
✔️ Dessert cups
✔️ Australia-wide shipping 🚚
💡 Final Tips to Keep You Sane During Wedding Season:
- Delegate. Give the mithai list to your brother and dessert favours to your bestie.
- Book early. Especially during wedding season (and mango season).
- Keep it personal. Your guests will remember the flavour, not the budget.
- Ask for help. Message us on Instagram @eatwithsimer and we’ll help you match your desserts to your lehenga (yes, really 💁♀️).
🎊 In a Nutshell (Or a Besan Laddoo)
Indian weddings in Sydney don’t have to sacrifice sweetness or soul. With the right mix of tradition, fusion flair, and delicious treats — you can celebrate in style and send guests home with sugar, not stress.
💃🏽 Real Talk: I Did It All – So Can You!
Now, before you go thinking, “This all sounds amazing but how on Earth do I pull this off in Sydney?” — let me tell you something straight from the heart (and my shaadi spreadsheet).
Hi, I’m Simer — founder of EatwithSimer and proud planner of my own Big Fat Indian Wedding in Sydney 💍🇦🇺.
Yep, I did everything. From juggling guest lists longer than a Woolies receipt to choosing between 500 shades of pink for my lehenga — I lived the madness.
I:
✨ Organised the caterers
🍰 Handpicked the desserts (of course – what else would you expect?)
👗 Found my dream dress designer
💄 Booked a makeup artist
🏛️ Locked in a gorgeous event hall
🎧 Found the perfect DJ who could mix Bollywood and Punjabi bangers without a hiccup
📸 Hired a photographer who captured all the candid chaos
🎆 Timed the sparkler send-off like a fairytale
📜 Worked with a celebrant who got all the rituals right
💰 Managed the budget without selling a kidney
📋 Curated the guest list with minimal family drama
💌 Designed and sent out my invitations
📝 AND played the role of the wedding day planner because... why not?
It was a wild ride — with a lot of chai, a few tears, and a mountain of sweets — but it was 100% worth it.
So when I say I get it, I really do. That’s why everything we do at EatwithSimer is designed to make your celebration stress-free, flavour-packed, and unforgettable.