Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding Photographer and Videographer
Indian weddings are grand and lavish affair that involves several pre-wedding, wedding day, and post-wedding rituals. Indian weddings are known for their colorful celebrations, intricate decorations, and traditional customs that vary according to the region and religion of the couple.
Planning for an Indian Wedding!
Planning for an Indian wedding can be daunting, given the elaborate rituals, numerous ceremonies, and grand celebrations involved. Some aspects to consider are selecting the perfect venue, finalizing the guest list, deciding on the menu and décor, and coordinating with vendors. However, with careful planning, attention to detail, and a bit of creativity, you can ensure that your Indian wedding is a truly memorable affair. In this guide, we will explore some tips and ideas for planning a successful Indian wedding.
Step 1: Budget
The first step in planning an Indian wedding is to determine the budget for the event. Indian weddings can be expensive, so it's important to identify the expenses involved, such as the venue, catering, decorations, and entertainment. Allocating the budget accordingly helps couples avoid overspending.
Family Involvement?
Try not to get the family over-involved, for hosting a wedding is very stressful. Adding a layer of comments and suggestions every step of the way is excessive. However, if you cannot avoid this situation, please continue Step 2.
Step 2: Venue
The venue is a crucial consideration for an Indian wedding. Ensure that it can accommodate the size of the wedding party and the various ceremonies that will take place. Popular venue options for Indian weddings include banquet halls, hotels, outdoor spaces, and temples.
Step 3: Vendors
Indian weddings involve several vendors, including caterers, florists, DJs, and photographers. To make the wedding memorable, research and select vendors that specialize in Indian weddings and have experience with the specific rituals and traditions involved. For cinematic, breathtaking images, check out Lulan Studio!
Step 4: Ceremonies
Indian weddings involve several pre-wedding, wedding day, and post-wedding ceremonies. Each event has its own set of rituals and traditions. Hence, coordinate each ceremony, including selecting appropriate attire, arranging transportation, and ensuring all necessary items and accessories are available.
Step 5: Wedding Menu
Plan a menu that reflects the couple's preferences and caters to any dietary restrictions. Indian weddings are known for their delicious food, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The appetizers include samosas, pakoras, and kebabs. Among the common main course are biryanis, curries, tandoori chicken, and naan or roti. Desserts include gulab jamun, rasgulla, and jalebi. Beverages like lassi, mango juice, and masala chai are also served.
Step 6: Photographer and Videographer
Hire us! Lulan Studio is devoted to providing photographs that showcase exceptional realism and vivid, true-to-life colors. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event filled with memories you'll want to hold onto forever. Invest in a professional photographer and videographer who specialize in Indian weddings to ensure every precious moment is captured perfectly.
Step 7: Logistics
Coordinating logistics is essential to ensure a seamless wedding. Arrange for transportation, manage the guest list, ensure that vendors arrive on time, and take care of any last-minute details. Having a dedicated wedding planner can make this process much easier.
Step 8: Enjoy your Wedding!
An Indian wedding is a joyous occasion. Amidst the chaos of wedding planning and the flurry of activities, it's easy to get caught up in the stress and lose sight of the true purpose of the celebration. Take a moment to appreciate the significance of the rituals and traditions involved and the love and commitment that brought you and your partner together. Connect with family and friends, and savor the food, music, and dance performances. Remember that this is your special day, and it's important to bask in every moment and create lasting memories that you will cherish for years to come.
Traditions of Indian Weddings
Indian weddings are steeped in tradition and involve several rituals and customs that vary based on the couple’s region, religion, and community. Here are some common traditions that are typically included in an Indian wedding:
Pre-Wedding Ceremonies
Indian Engagement Ceremony
An engagement ceremony, also known as Sagai, is a pre-wedding ritual where the bride and groom exchange rings and formalize their engagement. This intimate event happens at the bride's home or a banquet hall with close family members and friends as attendees. The exchange of rings symbolizes the couple's commitment to each other and marks the beginning of their journey together.
Mehendi Ceremony
The Mehendi ceremony is a pre-wedding ritual held a day or two before the wedding day. During this ceremony, a professional henna artist or a close relative applies intricate henna designs on the bride's hands and feet. The henna designs symbolize love, prosperity, and good luck for the bride. It usually takes a few hours to dry, and the bride is advised to keep it on for as long as possible to deepen the color.
Sangeet Ceremony
Another pre-wedding ritual in Indian weddings is the Sangeet ceremony —an integral part of an Indian wedding and a fun and exciting way to kick off the celebrations. It is a musical evening where the family and friends of the bride and groom come together to sing, dance, and celebrate. The ceremony is usually held separately for the bride and the groom's families, but they may also come together for a joint celebration.
Haldi Ceremony
The Haldi ceremony involves applying turmeric paste, known as Haldi, on the bride and groom's face, hands, and feet. The ceremony is considered auspicious and is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck to the couple. Family members and friends of the bride and groom participate in the festivities of this ceremony.
Wedding Day Traditions
Baraat Procession
The Baraat procession is a traditional Indian wedding ritual where the groom and his family arrive at the wedding venue in a grand parade accompanied by music, dance, and fanfare. In this ceremony, the groom usually rides on a decorated horse or elephant while his family and friends dance around him. Marking a joyful celebration, a band or a dhol player creates festive music as the groom marches.
Kanya Aagaman
During the Kanya Aagaman (arrival of the bride) in an Indian wedding, the bride is traditionally carried in a dolhi, which can range from a canopy to a highly ornate carriage, by her brothers and male cousins. They also hold a large mesh of fresh flowers over her head, known as a phoolon ki chadar. The chaadar signifies the bride's purity and protects her from negative energy or evil spirits.
Kanyadaan Ceremony
A significant ritual in Hindu weddings, the Kanyadaan ceremony is where the bride's father gives away his daughter's hand in marriage to the groom. The father hands the bride's right hand to the groom's right hand while reciting mantras and seeks the groom's blessings. The Kanyadaan ceremony symbolizes the father's trust and faith in the groom and his acceptance of him as his daughter's life partner. It is a poignant moment in the wedding ceremony and signifies the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one for the bride and her family.
Jai Mala Ceremony
Jai Mala is a significant ritual in Indian weddings where the bride and groom exchange garlands made of fresh flowers. It symbolizes the acceptance of each other as life partners and the beginning of their journey together. During the Jai Mala ceremony, the bride and groom stand on a stage, facing each other, and interchange garlands amidst cheers and applause from their families and friends.
Saat Phere Ceremony
The Saat Phere ceremony is the most significant ritual in Hindu weddings, where the bride and groom take seven vows and circle the holy fire seven times, each time making a promise to each other. The vows signify their commitment to each other, and the ritual is considered the most sacred and binding in Hindu weddings. It marks the culmination of the wedding and signifies the beginning of the couple's journey together as husband and wife.
Post-Wedding Traditions
Aashirwad Ceremony
The Aashirwad ceremony is a significant post-wedding ritual in Indian weddings where the newlyweds seek blessings from their elders. During the Aashirwad ceremony, the parents, grandparents, or other close relatives bless the couple and give them their best wishes for a happy and prosperous life together. This ritual shows a sign of respect and gratitude in Indian culture. After the ceremony, it is time for the newlyweds to leave for their new home, but before they do, the bride's mother breaks a coconut at the doorstep, symbolizing good luck for the couple. The Aashirwad ceremony is an emotional and heartfelt moment in an Indian wedding and signifies the beginning of the couple's new journey together as husband and wife.
Vidaai Ceremony
Finally, the Vidaai ceremony is a poignant moment in an Indian wedding where the bride bids farewell to her family and leaves with her husband to start a new life. It happens after the wedding rituals are completed and is marked by tears, laughter, and hugs. The bride throws rice or flowers behind her as a way to bless her family and thank them for their years of love and support.
Sample Timeline of an Indian wedding
A typical Indian wedding ceremony timeline varies across regions and communities, but here's a general outline of the events that can be expected during a traditional Indian wedding. Keep in mind that the exact order and duration of events may vary based on personal preferences, customs, and traditions followed by the families involved.
Day 1: Pre-Wedding Rituals
Ganesh Puja Time: Morning, 1 hour A ceremony to invoke Lord Ganesha's blessings for a prosperous and obstacle-free wedding.
Mehendi Ceremony Time: Afternoon, 2-3 hours The bride and female relatives get henna designs applied on their hands and feet.
Sangeet Ceremony Time: Evening, 3-4 hours A musical evening where both families perform dances and sing songs, celebrating the union of the couple and their families.
Day 2: Wedding Day
Haldi Ceremony Time: Morning, 1-2 hours A turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom's skin by their families for good luck and glowing skin.
Baraat Arrival Time: Late afternoon/early evening, 1-2 hours The groom's procession arrives at the wedding venue with music, dancing, and celebration.
Jaimala (Exchange of Garlands) Time: Evening, 20-30 minutes The bride and groom exchange garlands, signifying their acceptance of one another.
Madhuparka Time: Evening, 10-20 minutes The bride's family offers the groom a mixture of honey, yogurt, and milk, symbolizing the sweetness and purity of their union.
Kanyadaan Time: Evening, 20-30 minutes The bride's father gives his daughter's hand to the groom, entrusting her to his care.
Phere (Circling the Sacred Fire) Time: Evening, 30-45 minutes The couple takes seven rounds around the sacred fire, making vows and seeking blessings for a prosperous and happy married life.
Mangalsutra and Sindoor Time: Evening, 10-20 minutes The groom ties the mangalsutra (a sacred necklace) around the bride's neck and applies sindoor (vermilion powder) on her forehead, symbolizing their marital bond.
Saptapadi (Seven Steps) Time: Evening, 10-20 minutes The couple takes seven steps together, making promises to support and care for each other throughout their lives.
Blessings and Aashirwad Time: Evening, 20-30 minutes Elders from both families bless the newlyweds, showering them with love and good wishes.
Day 3: Post-Wedding Rituals
Vidaai (Farewell) Time: Morning, 30-45 minutes The bride bids an emotional farewell to her family as she leaves for her new home with her husband.
Grihapravesh Time: Morning, 30-45 minutes The groom's family welcomes the bride into their home with rituals, signifying her entry into her new family.
Reception Time: Evening, 3-4 hours A grand party hosted by the groom's family to celebrate the couple's union and introduce the bride to their friends and relatives.
FAQs for Indian Weddings
What are the traditions of a wedding in India?
Some of the common traditions include the Mehendi ceremony, where the bride's hands and feet are adorned with henna designs. Another tradition is the Baraat procession, where the groom arrives on a horse or elephant. The Kanyadaan ceremony shows the bride's father giving her hand in marriage to the groom, and the Saat Phere is where the couple takes seven vows and circles the sacred fire. The wedding concludes with the Vidaai ceremony where the bride says goodbye to her family and starts a new life with her husband. Each tradition is significant and represents the unique cultural heritage of India.
What is traditional Indian wedding attire?
For men, the common attire includes Sherwani, Kurta Pajama, and Dhoti-Kurta, while women often wear Saree, Lehenga Choli, or Anarkali Suit. The wedding attire is heavily embellished with intricate embroidery, sequins, and beadwork, and is available in a variety of colors and fabrics like silk, chiffon, and velvet. Traditional jewelry, like necklaces, earrings, and bangles, are often worn to complete the look.
What color do Indian brides wear?
In Indian weddings, the color of the bride's attire varies based on the region and culture. While some brides prefer wearing auspicious red attire, others opt for colors like pink, gold, green, or blue. In some regions, brides also wear white or off-white attire. In recent years, there has been a trend of brides experimenting with different colors and styles, and even choosing fusion outfits that blend traditional and modern elements. Regardless of the color, the bride's attire is heavily embellished with intricate embroidery, beadwork, and sequins, making her look stunning on her special day.
How long is an Indian wedding ceremony?
The duration of an Indian wedding ceremony can vary from a few hours to several days, depending on the region, religion, and customs of the couple. In some parts of India, weddings can be a week-long affair with multiple pre-wedding and post-wedding rituals, while in other regions, the wedding ceremony may only last for up to three days.
What do Indian brides wear on their hands?
Indian brides wear henna designs, also known as Mehendi, on their hands as part of the pre-wedding rituals. The Mehendi ceremony is a fun-filled event where the bride's hands and feet are painted with intricate henna designs, believed to bring good luck and symbolize love and affection. The henna paste is applied in delicate patterns using a cone-shaped tube, and the designs can range from traditional motifs like paisleys and flowers to modern designs with initials and dates. The henna paste is left to dry for a few hours and is scraped to reveal the reddish-brown stain underneath.
What do Indian grooms wear on their heads?
Indian grooms wear a turban, also known as Pagdi, on their heads as part of the traditional wedding attire. The turban is a long piece of cloth, usually made of silk, cotton, or other fabrics, wrapped around the head in a particular style.