We are constantly coming up with new innovations to help our Indian brides plan their fantasy Indian weddings, and today, we are unveiling our latest tool – The Maharani Jukebox by AVL Films.  It’s the most common question we get from readers… usually it’s crunch time, 6 weeks until they take their walk down the aisle, and we get a semi panicked email asking for help.  And, rather than simply put together a pedestrian list of songs to email back, we wanted to help them with a little Maharani style!

Now all Maharanis can peruse through our catalog of songs, hand selected for different parts of your wedding day, AND listen to them online.  Yep, I think that is the coolest part, you can actually listen to the songs!  Don’t waste your precious planning time trying to download the songs, the player is built to keep us out of trouble!  Plus, you can find most of the songs on iTunes, or you can always ask your DJ!

So, head to the Jukebox by AVL Films here, and have fun!

Big thanks to our team at Maharani, our expert consultant, Parul, and of course AVL Films!  Since it is Film-y Friday, here is one of our favorite Same Day Edits by AVL Films.

What I especially love about AVL Films is not only do they put together amazingly creative videos, but they are professional and FUN to work with.  Have a musical weekend and see you Monday Maharanis!

1. Dulhe Ka Sehra – Dhadkhan
2. Aaj Mera Jee Kards – Monsoon Wedding
3. Chal Pyar Karegi – Jab Pyar Kisi se hota hai
4. Sona Sona – Major Saab
5. Aaj Mera Yaar Ki Shaadi – Aaj Mera Yaar Ki Shaadi
6. Mehndi Laga Ki Rakhna – Diwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
7. Tenu Leke – Saalam – E – Ishq

When you listen to these songs on You Tube, just picture your ceremony site, and your besties elegantly walking with matching, flowing saris.  These songs definitely make me a little teary, and don’t forget that if you are using a DJ for your ceremony, they will be able to cut and play exactly the part of the song that you want.

Any of these choices will create a magical mood for your ceremony.  Thank you Ajay for your suggestions!

I get a lot of questions asking for ceremony music ideas, so I thought that I would dedicate this afternoon’s post to your very special Prince Charming. Choosing ceremony music can be such a challenge, so I called upon my friend, and Platinum Guide member, Ajay Manaktala from Special Occasions DJ & Lighting, to give us his top song choices for groom’s entrance.  Here is what Ajay suggests:

1. Dulhe Ka Sehra – Dhadkhan
2. Aaj Mera Jee Kards – Monsoon Wedding
3.Chal Pyar Karegi – Jab Pyar Kisi se hota hai
4. Sona Sona – Major Saab
5. Aaj Mera Yaar Ki Shaadi – Aaj Mera Yaar Ki Shaadi
6. Mehndi Laga Ki Rakhna – Diwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
7. Tenu Leke – Saalam – E – Ishq

Don’t forget that if you are using a DJ for your ceremony, they will be able to cut and play exactly the part of the song that you want. Keep that in mind when you listen to each of these songs.  And, to make it easy for all our readers, all of these songs can be found on You Tube.

Music has the ability to stir up emotions that are tucked deep inside. Any of these choices will create a heart warming ambiance and set a magical mood for your entire ceremony.

This might be kinda strange to say, but for some reason, I love the Vidaai ceremony. 

The Vidaai makes the official end of the wedding ceremony, and the begining of your life as husband and wife.  The formal departure of the daughter from her parents' home is an emotional custom.

There are a few times when the vidaai can fit into a wedding weekend.  Traditionally it is done at the end of the reception, but I have seen some modern South Asian brides have their Vidaai after a Sunday farewell brunch. I think that the mimosas are a key ingredient to tough negotiations by the bride's side for the return of the groom's shoes!

Here are two songs that work well and set the somber tone for your vidaai…

I get a lot of questions about ceremony music.  Picking something that is modern, yet traditional is really hard, so when I got this question came from one of my favorite brides to be, so I thought that I would share with everyone…

Hi Shawna,

I am looking for music for my bridesmaids to enter to for our outdoor, afternoon, summer affair.  Do you have any suggestions?  Love the blog!

Thanks!
Anar
San Francisco, CA

Hi Anar,

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Picking ceremony music is hard because you really have to think about the atmosphere you are trying to create.  For an outdoor summer wedding like yours, I have a hands down favorite…the instrumental version of Jashn-e-Baharaa from Jodhaa Akbar will create an elegant mood that makes everyone relax and reflect.  It is just perfect!!!  Take a listen below.

Best,

Shawna

This first idea came to us by one of our Indian brides who married a Swiss groom…adorable!

Jai Ho is always a crowd pleaser and creates an atmosphere to get the party going!

Nagada Nagada is a FABULOUS song – the loud drum beats are enthusiastic and the words translate into "the drums are ringing on this occasion" how perfect is that?!

1. "At Last" (Etta James)
2. "As Time Goes By" (from Casablanca)
3. "Come Away with Me" (Norah Jones)
4. "Chances Are" (Johnny Mathis)
5. "Close To You" (The Carpenters)
6. "Could I Have This Dance?" (Anne Murray)
7. "Embraceable You" (Nat King Cole)
8. "Endless Love" (Diana Ross & Lionel Richie)
9. "Fascination" (Jane Morgan)
10. "Fever" (Peggy Lee)
11. "It Had To Be You" (Harry Connick, Jr.)
12. "Love Theme To Romeo & Juliet" (from Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet)
13. "Marry Me" (Neil Diamond & Buffy Lawson)
14. "One Moment In Time" (Whitney Houston)
15. "Our Love Is Here To Stay" (Billie Holiday)
16. "So This Is Love" (James Ingram)
17. "Some Enchanted Evening" (from South Pacific)
18. "The Best Is Yet To Come" (Frank Sinatra)
19. "The Rose" (Bette Midler)
20. "Unforgettable" (Nat King Cole)
21. "Up Where We Belong" (Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warrens)
22. "When I Fall In Love" (Nat King Cole)
23. "Will You Marry Me?" (Vonda Shepard)
24. "Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong)
25. "Your Song" (Elton John)

Whether you decide to cut your cake at the beginning, middle or end of your reception, take a moment to create a special mood by choosing a meaningful song.  One bride, who met her hubby in San Francisco, used the song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” and another bride who is an 80’s fan used “I Like Candy.”  This is your time to have a little fun and choose something that is a reflection of you as a couple.

Here are some of my favorite songs ideas for cake cutting:

Cut the Cake (Average White Band)
How Sweet It Is (Michael Buble)
Ice Cream (Sarah McLachlan)
I Got You Babe (Sonny& Cher)
Recipe for Making Love (Harry Connick, Jr.)
Sugar, Sugar (The Archies)
That’s Amore (Dean Martin)
The Color of My Love (Celine Dion)
The Day I Fall in Love (James Ingram and Dolly Parton)

1. A Song for My Daughter. (Mikki Viereck)
2. Because You Loved Me. (Celine Dion)
3. Butterfly Kisses. (Bob Carlisle)
4. Daddy's Hands. (Holly Dunn)
5. Daddy's Little Girl. (Al Martino)
6. Daughter of Mine. (John McDermott)
7. Have I Told You Lately. (Van Morrison)
8. Hero. (Mariah Carey)
9. Isn't She Lovely. (Stevie Wonder)
10. Lullabye. (Billy Joel)
11. My Girl. (Temptations)
12. My Special Angel. (Bobby Helms)
13. The Way You Look Tonight. (Frank Sinatra)
14. Through the Years. (Kenny Rogers)
15. Times of Your Life. (Paul Anka)
16. What a Wonderful World. (Louie Armstrong)
17. Wind Beneath My Wings. (Bette Midler)
18. Wonderful Tonight. (Eric Clapton)
19. You're the Inspiration. (Chicago)
20. You Decorated My Life. (Kenny Rogers)

1. "All I Want Is You" (U2)
2. "As" (Stevie Wonder)
3. "Crash" (Dave Matthews Band)
4. "Everything I Do" (Brandy)
5. "Forever in My Life" (Prince)
6. "Heroes" (David Bowie)
7. "Ice Cream" (Sarah MacLachlan)
8. "If I Was Your Girlfriend" (Prince)
9. "In Your Eyes" (Peter Gabriel)
10. "Iris" (Goo Goo Dolls)
11. "It Must Be Love" (Madness)
12. "Kiss Me" (Sixpence None The Richer)
13. "Love Song" (The Cure)
14. "Luna" (Smashing Pumpkins)
15. "Night & Day" (U2)
16. "Nothing Compares To You" (Sinead O'Connor)
17. "She" (Elvis Costello)
18. "Stay By Me" (Annie Lennox)
19. "Tonight, Tonight" (Smashing Pumpkins)
20. "Waste" (Phish)
21. "Wild Horses" (The Sundays)
22. "Wild Is The Wind" (David Bowie)
23. "You Are The Everything" (R.E.M.)
24. "You're Just Too Good To Be True" (Lauryn Hill)
25. "You're The Best Thing" (Style Council)