An understanding of cultural richness and nuance is woven throughout Aman’s global tapestry – the traditions, stories, symbols and beliefs that give meaning to celebration. Across the world, Aman’s resort teams create intimate occasions and personalised events that unlock the spirit of the setting, bringing alive ancient customs, quirks of local folklore, and much-loved cultural traditions.
Feel the magic and mystery distinct to each destination with imaginative and authentic celebrations tailored to the occasion. Whether hosting a landmark celebration that ignites a love for life and a deep appreciation of culture, or marking a milestone with a private ceremony, Aman’s dedicated event teams craft extraordinary shared experiences and nights to remember – bespoke to the wishes of the guest.
Amanbagh, India
The playful custom of Joota Chupai (or Joota Chori) is one of the most joyful rituals associated with Hindu weddings in Rajasthan, intended to bring both families together. The groom typically removes his shoes – embroidered Indian joota – before entering the mandap where the ceremony takes place. The bride’s female relatives steal and hide the shoes, while the groom’s family attempt to thwart their efforts, generally unsuccessfully. The scenario usually results in the shoes being held hostage and the groom obliged to pay off his mischievous new relatives.
The practice of Mehndi (henna) art is another widely cherished Hindu wedding tradition, believed to encourage positive spirits and bring good luck.
The night before the wedding as a way of wishing the bride good health and prosperity as she makes her journey to marriage, the Mehndi ceremony is organised by the bride’s family. Applied to the hands and the feet, henna has medicinal herbal properties believed to cool the body, and relieve the bride of any stresses before the big day.
Amanyangyun, China
In China, to honour and recognise the value of the bride, a groom and his friends are expected to demonstrate his worthiness for her hand in marriage by performing a series of challenges devised by the bridesmaids. These might be physically demanding, silly, often hilarious, and will inevitably involve the grooms’ party handing over red envelopes containing cash. Assuming the groom makes the grade, the newlyweds will show their respect to their respective in-laws by serving them tea – a ceremony which also gives the parents an opportunity to show their acceptance of the marriage ahead.
A Chinese bride is a hard-won prize, and a groom and his friends are expected to demonstrate his worthiness for her hand in marriage by performing a series of challenges devised the bridesmaids. These might be silly, sometimes painful, often hilarious, and will inevitably involve the grooms’ party handing over plenty of red envelopes of cash. Assuming the groom makes the grade, the newlyweds will show their respect to their respective in-laws by serving them tea – a ceremony which also gives the parents an opportunity to show their acceptance of the marriage ahead.
Aman Venice, Italy
Although enchanting at any time, the magic of Venice is intensified with celebration, and the sight of a dozens of elegantly attired straw-hatted gondoliers as they swoop along the Grand Canal is enough to elevate any occasion to the extraordinary.
Venetian brides typically plan to have two dresses, one for the church and one for the meal and dance that follows. For the journey to the church, she will often wear a black veil, exchanging it for a crown of dried flowers after the ceremony. Before lunch, refreshments might include lemonade made with mistrà aniseed liqueur, coffee served with baicoli biscuits, or herbal rosolio liqueur with almonds – whetting the appetite for the feasting and celebration to come.
Amanjiwo, Indonesia
In Javanese, ‘midodareni’ means ‘angel’, and in Central Java, it is believed that on the occasion of a wedding, angels descend to Earth to bless the bride-to-be. Before the ceremony, the bride traditionally ‘hides’ in her bedroom, where her girlfriends will come to soothe her into the preparations of the event. Adorned with fresh flowers, her sanctuary becomes a retreat for the newlyweds once the nuptials are complete.
In the communities around Amanjiwo, celebrations are alive with spiritual ritual. In Indonesia’s traditional Nusantara communities, the tolak balak is an uplifting ancient ceremony that incorporates mantras, meditation and jamu tonics to ward off misfortune and encourage protection and purification.
Aman’s dedicated team designs and delivers bespoke events of every scale, seamlessly managing every aspect of organisation and execution. Nothing is ever too ambitious. No detail is ever too small. Contact the Aman events team and make the extraordinary a reality.