Indian Wedding Aisle Runners

Using an Aisle Runner

An aisle runner completes the décor for many weddings. It can help cover up any flaws in flooring at an indoor wedding or create a clean and beautiful path for the bride to come down at an outdoor wedding.

In Indian wedding ceremonies, the aisle runner leads up to what is called the “mandap.” A mandap is a canopy supported by pillars in which the ceremony takes place. It is often brightly colored and ornately decorated.

Pictures of Indian wedding aisle runners can be found at Utsav Creations. Click “Weddings,” then use the black arrow to see a number of photos of ceremony sites featuring a number of aisle runners. Prasang Decorators and Event Planners offers a slideshow of their decorating expertise, including many photos of aisle runners in use.

Decorating With Indian Wedding Aisle Runners

Bright colors and lavish decorations are hallmarks of an Indian wedding. Stunningly decorated aisles and aisle runners are no exception.

Aisle Runner Colors

Traditional Indian weddings have red and gold throughout them. Red has been said to symbolize strength, blood, and marriage. The color of gold has said to ensure ceremonial purity and symbolizes wealth and prosperity.

While red and gold are often found throughout the Indian ceremony, and even within the colors of the mandap decorations, they are not the only option. Modern Indian brides often choose a theme, just as American brides, to follow. They may want to emulate a movie star’s wedding or they may simply want to incorporate favorite flowers and colors.

Aisle runners are often in red, gold, or white hues. They can have flower petals scattered along them, or along the edges, just as in American ceremonies. Sometimes an ornately decorated carpet is used as an aisle runner.

Aisle Runner Accents

Ganesha figure

Indian wedding guests are sometimes seated on cushions on the floor or in chairs. With no pews (unlike many American church weddings), there is nothing to accent the aisle and aisle runners. For this purpose, pillars with small statues or large free-standing statues are placed at the end of each row of guests.

A common statue used is that of Lord Ganesha (Ganesh). The deity is said to remove obstacles and ensure success in human undertakings. With the head of an elephant and four arms, this statue is often present at many important Indian and Hindu religious ceremonies, including weddings.

Dancing figures, elephants, sacred animals, and other gods are often portrayed in statues that line aisles. Figures are often brass, though they do not have to be made of that material.

View a number of aisle statues at Vdi Exports that would be appropriate for an Indian wedding ceremony.

Buying Indian Aisle Runners

Finding the perfect Indian wedding aisle runner does not have to be difficult. After all, buying a plain runner in the color of your choice is an option most retailers offer. Consider the following online shops for your aisle runner:

• Aisles With Style
• Grand Carpets
• All About Rugs.com
• The Original Runner Co.

Indian brides can also ask their recently married friends for recommendations. Perhaps a specially made aisle runner has been passed down the family for generations, or even can be handmade by a favorite relative as a wedding gift for the couple. A wedding planner who specializes in Indian weddings can also help procure an appropriate aisle runner.

Using an aisle runner will help complete the look for an Indian wedding ceremony. Be sure to match the color and (possible) pattern with the style of the wedding and it will be a rich addition to the decorations.