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If you were ever to ask an Indian about the most anticipated occasion in an Indian household, the chances of them saying a wedding is equal to having their morning tea. P.S. Indians love their morning tea!
The Indian wedding ceremony is a big deal in the Hindu religion. An emotional pact between the bride and groom, the families, and relatives filled with festivities, cuisine, customs, rituals, and a lot of joy. So whether you are planning a wedding or are invited to one, get accustomed to everything that happens at an Indian wedding, as it seeps with rich traditions and culture.
This guide will help you understand what to expect at a Hindu wedding, from rituals to events and ceremonies to attire and dance to food. We got you covered!
Planning an Indian Wedding
Planning an Indian wedding can be as daunting as exciting because it includes enormous ceremonies. The planning generally starts 8-9 months before the event, with tons of preparations, planning, and partying.
What is the Significance of a Hindu Wedding?
According to the Hindu scriptures, the Vivaha Samskara is the most important and sacred practice that influences a couple’s life as a partner.
In the Hindu religion, weddings are sacrosanct unions, an important social institution as they provide a means to establish a relationship between families. Marriage in Hinduism aims to regulate sexual behaviour, nurturance, socialization, protection of the family, and passing on of race.
The Hindu marriage also signifies the importance of ancestors in the family, as the couple is entitled to pay the debt to his forefathers by taking responsibility for his partner and the continuation of the family lineage.
How Far in Advance are Hindu Weddings Planned?
Planning a Hindu wedding or being part of a wedding party can be super challenging. It takes around 2-4 months to plan an Indian wedding. Therefore, we recommend having the luxury of time to plan everything, including – logistics, venue, catering, music, invitation, decoration, etc.
Location of the Wedding Rituals
Traditional Hindu weddings are held in holy sites like temples. But, nowadays, a hotel’s banquet halls can be the location for wedding rituals. Then, guests can sit around the mandap to observe the ceremony while the couple sits in the middle with a priest.
What is a Traditional Indian Wedding Decor?
The colour palette of a traditional Indian wedding usually includes bright and vibrant colours like red, orange, pink or yellow. In addition, a statute of lord Ganesh is also displayed at Hindu wedding ceremonies. The decoration is incomplete without flowers; the location is decorated with real flowers like roses, marigolds, and jasmine to give a festive exuberance to the wedding.
How Extensive is an Indian Wedding Guest List?
Indian Wedding ceremonies are a large affair; typically, about 400-500 people are invited to the wedding, both families, and the number can go up to 2000 people. The guest list includes close and extended relatives, business partners, and work friends.
What Should You Wear to a Hindu Wedding?
Indian wedding dresses include vibrant and bright colour clothes. Men wear traditional suits, sherwani and coats. Wedding guests, especially women, wear Indian dresses like lehengas, saris, and Indian suits with expensive and colourful jewellery and other accessories.
Please refrain from wearing clothes of colours like black, brown, and white,which are stigmatised in Indian culture.
What is the Average Duration of A Hindu Wedding?
A traditional Hindu wedding can last for three to five days, depending upon the number of rituals followed. Here’s an overview of the important wedding rituals
Day1: Ganesh Puja, also known as Mandap Muhurat or Pithi. Followed by Sagan and Tilak Ceremony, Mehandi, and Sangeet Night.
Day2: Gahr Shanti Puja, or Mameru ceremony or Sathak
Day3: Haldi ceremony, followed by a Wedding celebration at night
On the first day, the priest performs Ganesh Puja at home, attended by close family, for peace and harmony during the ceremonies. It marks the beginning of the wedding rituals.
Puja is followed by the Sagan and tilak ceremony, where the male members of the bride’s family visit the groom to put the auspicious kumkum on his forehead. It signifies the cementing of the bond between the two families.
The next day is the Mehendi ceremony. Both the groom and bride apply Mehendi (Henna) on their hands and feet for good luck. The darkness of Mehendi on the bride’s hand signifies the deep love between the couple.
After mehndi, a communal singing event called sangeet takes place. Both families typically sing and dance during a sangeet ceremony.It is the most exciting and most-awaited ceremony of all.
The final day includes the Haldi ceremony, a holy bath before the wedding with turmeric paste which symbolizes purity, protection, and glowing health. Everyone wears yellow during the ceremony as a symbol of positivity and protection. The main wedding ceremony occurs at night when the maximum number of guests are invited.
Hindu Wedding Rituals and Ceremonies
As mentioned above, the wedding usually takes place within three days. Here is a list of stages of rituals on the main day of the wedding
- The Baraat/ The Jaan
Baraat is the groom’s wedding procession involving live music and dance. The procession includes the groom, his family, and relatives. It is one of the life events of the wedding ceremony.
- The Welcoming of the Groom
The bride’s mother then welcomes the groom with an aarti ritual and Ganesh pooja.
- Kanya Agam/ The Arrival of the bride
- Varmala
Gathbandhan or Varmala is the exchange of garlands by the couple as an acceptance ritual for the marriage and their future.
- Kanyadan
Kanyaadaan is regarded as the most auspicious ceremony of the wedding, where the bride’s father ‘give away’ his daughter to the groom. It symbolizes the spiritual relationship between the bride’s parents and the couple.
- Havan & Mangal Fera
In this, the couple takes seven rounds or Fera around the auspicious Hawan in the name of god. Each Fera includes a wedding vow that the couple promise to abide by until the end of their marriage.
- Sindur & Mangalsutra
The groom applies the red vermillion to the bride’s head, symboling her new status as a married woman. Followed by lacing the sacred thread called Mangalsutra around her neck to protect the bride from evils.
- Ashirwad & Vidaai
After completing all the ceremonies, the couple takes the blessing from the family’s elders and follows it with the Vidaai, where the bride’s parents send their daughter to a new beginning.
What Indian Food Should Be on the Menu?
It is best to expect a big fat menu at Indian weddings, consisting of cocktails, appetizers, dinner buffets and desserts spread over all wedding ceremonies.
The food served at a Hindu wedding will depend upon the states from which the families belong. Usually, the food is served both day and evening with slight changes in the food options.
What Will The Reception Be Like?
Reception is a grand wedding celebration organized by the groom’s family. It is usually packed with extra of everything- dance, music, food, decoration, guests and happiness. We at Le Magnifique are a party-passionate team that brings us as one of the best wedding planners in Jaipur. So suit up to vibe your wedding reception with a mix of Bhangra, Bollywood music, Shervani, and Lehenga as we are about to make your reception unforgettable.
Just Married!
Indian weddings are filled with fun, excitement and happiness. Now that you have come to the end of the blog, we hope you got an idea of everything that takes place in a typical Indian wedding. Here at Le Magnifique Events, we ensure that your big day happens how you want. We embrace all faith and traditions at a wedding. Therefore, we are regarded as the best destination wedding planners in Delhi.
Join us to make your day the best- Get in touch today!
