Pre-Wedding Ceremony Decor Ideas for Banquet Halls – Mehendi, Haldi, Sangeet & Cocktail Trends 2026

Pre-wedding ceremony decor in 2026 has moved far beyond the era of standard draping and generic flower arrangements. Today's couples approach their mehendi, haldi, sangeet, and cocktail events as individually curated experiences, each with a distinct visual identity, colour palette, and spatial design that reflects their personality. And the canvas for these transformations is often not a destination resort or open farmland but the banquet halls and event spaces of professional wedding venues in Delhi NCR.

The challenge with banquet hall decor is perception. Many families assume that four walls and a ceiling limit creativity. In reality, banquet halls offer something outdoor venues cannot: total environmental control. You control the lighting from complete blackout to theatrical spotlighting. You control the temperature. You control sound. You eliminate weather risk entirely. And with the right decorator, a banquet hall becomes a blank canvas where every surface, sightline, and corner becomes part of the design narrative.

This guide covers the most impactful decor ideas for each pre-wedding function type, specifically tailored for the banquet hall and event spaces at Tivoli Hospitality Group properties across Delhi NCR. Whether you are decorating a 5,000 sqft intimate hall at Tivoli Royal Court or the 40,000 sqft Oakwood Hall at The Tivoli New Delhi, these ideas scale to fit your space, guest count, and budget.

Mehendi Decor Ideas for Banquet Halls

The mehendi ceremony is a daytime celebration of colour, art, and feminine energy. When hosted in a banquet hall, the decor needs to compensate for the absence of natural sunlight and garden ambiance by creating warmth, vibrancy, and intimacy through intentional design choices.

1. The Rajasthani Bazaar Theme

Transform your banquet hall into a vibrant Rajasthani marketplace. This theme works exceptionally well in larger halls like those at Omnia Convention Gurugram where you have the space to create multiple themed zones. The design elements include:

• Market stall-style food counters with colourful fabric awnings, brass serving ware, and hand-painted signage in traditional lettering
• Floor seating zones with printed durries, embroidered cushions, and low brass tables arranged in intimate clusters throughout the hall
• Bandhani and leheriya fabric canopies draped from ceiling to create a tent-like atmosphere that reduces the visual height of tall banquet ceilings
• Puppet installations and folk art panels as photo backdrops, using authentic Rajasthani craftsmanship from Jaipur artisan markets
• Warm amber uplighting to simulate sunlight and create the golden glow associated with Rajasthani desert evenings
• Bridal jhoola (swing) decorated with marigold garlands, mirror work, and colourful dupattas as the centrepiece

Budget for this theme: Rs 2,50,000 to Rs 6,00,000 depending on the authenticity of materials and size of the space.

2. The Pastel Garden Party

This theme brings the outdoors in, creating a garden atmosphere within the controlled environment of a banquet hall. It is particularly effective at properties like Upper HSE Sultanpur where the contemporary interiors pair beautifully with soft, organic decor elements.

• Floral arches and garden gates at the entrance, creating a transition from the building corridor into a garden-like space
• Potted plants and topiaries positioned throughout the hall to create green boundaries between zones, using real plants that add freshness and fragrance
• Pastel fabric draping in blush pink, sage green, lavender, and cream, layered to create depth against the hall walls
• Wicker and rattan furniture including peacock chairs, bistro tables, and hanging egg chairs for lounge zones
• Fairy light canopies with interspersed artificial greenery creating a garden pergola effect on the ceiling
• Vintage cart and bicycle props styled with flower baskets as photo corners and dessert display stations

Budget for this theme: Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000. The heavy use of rentable props and reusable plants keeps material costs manageable.

3. The Moroccan Riad

Moroccan-inspired decor has become one of the most requested themes for mehendi functions in 2026. The geometric patterns, rich jewel tones, and metallic accents create a luxurious, exotic atmosphere that photographs beautifully in artificial lighting conditions inside banquet halls.

• Moroccan lanterns in brass and coloured glass suspended at varying heights from the ceiling, creating pools of warm, patterned light across the floor
• Zellige tile-pattern floor covers and table runners in teal, cobalt blue, emerald, and gold
• Low seating on layered Persian-style rugs with embroidered floor cushions and brass side tables holding mint tea service
• Archway installations with pointed Moroccan arches in white or gold as stage frames and photo backdrops
• Mosaic-patterned centrepieces with pillar candles, brass urlis, and scattered rose petals

Budget for this theme: Rs 3,00,000 to Rs 7,00,000. The investment in quality metalwork and authentic-looking lanterns drives the premium, but the visual impact is exceptional.

4. The Minimalist White Mehendi

The counter-trend to maximalist colour is the all-white or white-and-green mehendi. This contemporary approach works beautifully in modern banquet halls with clean architectural lines, such as the spaces at Omnia by Tivoli Dwarka.

• All-white floral installations using orchids, roses, hydrangeas, and baby's breath in cascading arrangements
• White linen draping with sheer layers creating depth and movement when backlit
• Acrylic and Lucite furniture including transparent chairs, tables, and display stands that maintain the airy aesthetic
• Greenery accents with eucalyptus, monstera, and fern arrangements providing the only colour contrast
• Candlelight and warm white LEDs replacing coloured lighting for a sophisticated, editorial look

Budget for this theme: Rs 3,50,000 to Rs 8,00,000. The premium comes from the volume of fresh white flowers required and the rental cost of acrylic furniture.

Haldi Ceremony Decor Ideas for Banquet Halls

Haldi ceremonies in banquet halls present a unique challenge: the turmeric paste and water play that define the ritual can damage flooring, walls, and furnishings. Smart decor planning protects the venue while creating a visually cohesive yellow-themed space.

Waterproof and Stain-Proof Base Setup

Before any decorative elements go up, the functional layer must be in place. This includes waterproof tarps covered by decorative ground cloth in the ceremony zone, protective sheeting on walls within splash range, waterproof seating covers in yellow or complementary colours, and drainage channels or absorbent material around the ceremony platform. At Tivoli Bijwasan and Tivoli Lotus Court, the event team provides protective ground covers as standard for haldi bookings in banquet spaces.

The Marigold Explosion

Thousands of marigold strings create walls, canopies, curtains, and backdrops that are both stunning and naturally turmeric-coloured, meaning any splashes blend in rather than stain. A full marigold installation for a 150-guest haldi includes marigold ceiling draping across the ceremony area, marigold wall panels behind the couple's seat, a marigold swing or platform for the couple, marigold-draped entrance archway, and loose petals for the floor and water features. Cost: Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 3,00,000 for marigold procurement and installation, depending on the volume of fresh flowers.

The Sunflower and Yellow Garden

For a more contemporary twist on the yellow theme, sunflowers combined with yellow roses, chrysanthemums, and green foliage create a garden-party aesthetic. This theme pairs well with rustic wooden props, wicker baskets, and vintage brass urlis. The sunflower theme is visually distinct from the traditional marigold look and photographs with a more modern, magazine-editorial quality. Cost: Rs 1,50,000 to Rs 3,50,000.

The White-and-Yellow Minimal Haldi

A contemporary approach uses white as the base colour with strategic yellow accents. White draping and furniture provide a clean canvas, while yellow flowers, fabric accents, and turmeric-themed props add colour in controlled doses. This minimalist approach reduces the visual chaos that can overwhelm haldi photography and creates cleaner, more Instagram-worthy images. It works particularly well in smaller, contemporary banquet spaces. Cost: Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 2,50,000.

Sangeet Stage Design and Hall Decor

Sangeet decor is fundamentally different from mehendi and haldi because the space is designed around a stage performance and audience dynamic. The stage is the hero element, and every other decor choice supports the viewing experience, the energy of the performance space, and the transition between watching, eating, and dancing.

1. The Bollywood Awards Night

The most popular sangeet theme in Delhi NCR transforms the banquet hall into a glamorous awards show setting. At The Tivoli New Delhi's Oakwood Hall, this theme reaches its full potential in the massive pillarless space.

• Red carpet entrance with paparazzi-style photo points, step-and-repeat branding walls with the couple's names or wedding monogram, and velvet stanchions
• Large-format LED wall behind the stage displaying custom video content, performer names, and live camera feeds. A 16x10 ft LED wall costs Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 2,50,000 for a single-night rental
• Moving head spotlights and intelligent lighting that follow performers across the stage, with colour-changing wash lights that shift the hall's ambiance between performances
• Elevated stage with runway extending into the audience area, allowing performers to engage directly with guests. A T-shaped or L-shaped stage costs Rs 60,000 to Rs 1,50,000
• VIP lounge seating in the front rows with plush sofas and cocktail tables for the immediate family, transitioning to round-table dining further back
• Gold, black, and crystal colour scheme with sequin tablecloths, gold chiavari chairs, and crystal centrepieces

Total decor budget for a Bollywood Awards sangeet: Rs 5,00,000 to Rs 15,00,000 depending on the LED and lighting investment.

2. The Enchanted Forest

For couples who want a dramatic, theatrical atmosphere, the enchanted forest theme transforms a banquet hall into a magical woodland. Tree trunk installations, hanging greenery, moss-covered surfaces, and theatrical fog machines create an immersive environment that makes every photograph look like a fantasy film still. This theme works best in halls with higher ceilings, such as the spaces at Omnia Convention Gurugram.

• Artificial tree installations throughout the hall, with fairy lights woven into branches creating a canopy of light
• Hanging floral chandeliers mixing greenery, white flowers, and warm Edison bulbs
• Moss-covered stage fascia and tree-bark-textured backdrop panels behind the performance area
• Ground-level fog machines creating a mystical atmosphere during dance performances
• Scattered floor candles in glass hurricanes lining pathways between the seating zones and the dance floor
• Natural colour palette of deep greens, warm browns, ivory, and gold metallics

Total decor budget for an Enchanted Forest sangeet: Rs 6,00,000 to Rs 12,00,000. The tree installations and premium greenery are the major cost drivers.

3. The Neon Party

A contemporary, Gen-Z-friendly sangeet theme that uses neon signage, UV lighting, and bold graphic design to create an urban nightclub atmosphere. This theme is cost-effective because it relies on lighting rather than extensive physical decor.

• Custom neon signs with the couple's names, wedding date, or fun phrases positioned throughout the venue
• UV-reactive decor elements including fluorescent flower arrangements, glow-in-the-dark table centrepieces, and UV-painted props
• Blacklight zones in the dance floor area creating an immersive party atmosphere
• LED furniture including light-up cocktail tables, illuminated bars, and colour-changing seating
• Projection mapping on walls displaying animated patterns, couple photographs, and event graphics

Total decor budget for a Neon Party sangeet: Rs 3,00,000 to Rs 8,00,000. The reliance on technology over physical decor makes this one of the more budget-friendly options for a high-impact visual result.

Cocktail Lounge Styling for Banquet Halls

Cocktail event decor prioritises sophistication, conversation flow, and an elevated drinking-and-dining experience. The design principles differ from all other pre-wedding functions because the cocktail is not centred on a performance or ritual but on social interaction.

1. The Speakeasy Lounge

Transform a banquet hall into a 1920s-inspired speakeasy with vintage glamour and refined masculinity. This theme pairs perfectly with whiskey bars and craft cocktail stations.

• Dark leather sofas and wingback chairs arranged in intimate conversation clusters of 4 to 6 guests
• Brass bar setup with a full back-bar display, copper cocktail tools, and vintage-style glassware
• Warm, low lighting with Edison filament bulbs, brass sconces, and amber-toned uplighting
• Velvet draping in deep burgundy, navy, and forest green creating intimate alcoves around the hall perimeter
• Cigar lounge corner (outdoor-adjacent or well-ventilated) with leather seating and cognac service
• Live jazz trio or saxophonist performing on a small, softly lit platform

This theme works excellently at Upper HSE Sultanpur, where the European-inspired interiors already provide a base aesthetic that complements the speakeasy vibe. Total decor budget: Rs 2,50,000 to Rs 6,00,000.

2. The Rooftop Terrace (Indoor Recreation)

For families who want the open-air cocktail party feel without weather risk, recreating a rooftop terrace inside a banquet hall is a trending 2026 approach. Artificial sky projections on the ceiling, terrace-style planters and railings, string lights, and city skyline backdrops create the illusion of an elevated outdoor space. Tivoli Royal Court in Okhla has hosted several of these indoor-outdoor fusion cocktail events with excellent results.

3. The Contemporary Art Gallery

A minimalist, design-forward theme that uses the clean lines of a modern banquet hall as an advantage. White walls become gallery surfaces for oversized couple portraits or commissioned art pieces. Sculptural floral arrangements serve as the decor centrepieces. A monochromatic colour scheme with one bold accent colour (often the wedding colour) creates a cohesive, editorial look. Floating shelves with curated objects, museum-style lighting, and sparse but impactful furniture complete the gallery experience. Budget: Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000.

Universal Decor Principles for Banquet Hall Pre-Wedding Events

Regardless of the specific theme, several principles apply to all banquet hall decor projects:

• Ceiling treatment is essential. Banquet hall ceilings are often industrial-looking or plain. Fabric draping, hanging installations, fairy light canopies, or suspended floral arrangements transform the overhead plane from a liability into a design feature
• Lighting defines the mood more than any physical element. Invest in professional lighting before adding more physical decor. A well-lit simple setup looks better than an expensive setup in flat lighting
• Zone the space. Create distinct areas for different activities: the ceremony or performance zone, the dining zone, the lounge or social zone, and the photo zone. Each zone should have its own lighting character and seating arrangement
• Use the entrance corridor. The walk from the building entrance to the banquet hall is prime decor real estate. Create a dramatic transition that builds anticipation: from a branded welcome wall through a themed corridor into the main space reveal
• Plan for photography. Every decor decision should consider how it photographs. Place the most photogenic installation at the entrance where every guest will stop for photos. Position the bridal stage with clean backgrounds and good lighting angles. Create at least two dedicated photo corners with different aesthetics for variety in the album