A Culture-Inspired Wedding at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Both working in the event industry, Sacha Bouchard and Sohan Jammu used their insider know-how to pull off an unforgettable bash that celebrated their Franco-Canadian and Punjabi roots. To show off both cultures, the pair centered the festivities around a "Paris to Punjab” theme, which they dressed up with bold and bright colors for added punch. After tying the knot in a traditional Punjabi ceremony, Sacha and Sohan kicked off the reception with a Paris-inspired cocktail hour complete with classic French sips and appetizers. A black-and-white color palette dominated the pre-dinner festivities, and clips of old French movies played on a large screen in the background. An hour into the reception, a visual announcement was made by a “flight attendant,” who invited guests to board their flight to Punjab. The attendant guided guests through a tunnel into a modern space illuminated by dramatic purple uplighting, where a 28-foot screen displayed colorful images of Punjab and a troupe of 40 dancers performed a choreographed dance with hip-hop and Bhangra elements. Dozens of taper candles were scattered throughout the room, giving off a warm, romantic glow. “We really wanted to focus on AV and lighting to treat our guests to something they weren’t used to seeing at a wedding,” Sacha says. Traditional Indian cuisine was served during dinner, followed by a showstopping Moroccan-style cake and an indulgent French pastry bar that went over big with guests. The rest of the night was filled with confetti canons, beach balls and Bhangra dancing that went on until 4 a.m. “I think branding your wedding really helps you stay on track with your ideas and vision for the day,” Sacha says. “We started with the theme ‘From Paris to Punjab’ for our engagement and carried it straight through to the end.”