Indian Wedding

Wedding or Marriage can be called as Vivaah, Nikah, Lagna, Shaadi, Magalam, Kalyanam in different regions and laguages in India.

	Shubh Vivaah
Wedding		Shaadi
	Marriage

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Indian weddings are very bright events, filled with ritual and celebration, that continue for several days. They are not small affairs, often with 400-1000 people attending (many of whom are unknown to the bride and groom). Though most marriages are arranged, some couples in urban areas have love marriages.

Indian Traditions

Wedding traditions vary across religion, caste, ethnicity, language, region, etc. This article will touch on a traditional Hindu wedding.
Traditional Indian weddings are generally structured into pre-wedding ceremonies, wedding day ceremonies (consisting of the Baraat, the Varmala and the Phere), and the Vidaai.
An example of the complexity of an Indian wedding can be seen from the various phases of a wedding in the North. The following events take place in a typical Eastern Uttar Pradesh Hindu marriage:

Before the wedding day

Bariksha (Var-iksha probably) is when the bride's parents have informally shown intentions that they want a particular groom, and the groom and his family have agreed. Retracting at the end of this stage is frowned upon but is acceptable.
Tilak is when the bride's parents travel to the groom's place to formalize the relationship. A large feast is organized by the groom's family to celebrate this occasion. Only a nominal number of members of the bride's family are present (usually only very close relatives, often in tens of numbers. Typically, female relatives from the bride's family are not present.) After this stage, the retraction of the marriage proposal is very rare.

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Wedding ceremony

Varmala/Jaimala is the next phase of the marriage ceremony. In older times, varmala was a part of the main marriage ceremony. Practical considerations have forced weddings to take this new approach. Eastern/North Indian weddings usually take place late in the night, often starting at about midnight and lasting until the early hours of morning. The main wedding event usually is accompanied by the groom arriving with his family/friends in a procession called a Baraat (baa-raat.) Owing to the fact that the wedding ceremony is usually accompanied by a reception and a feast, the main marriage ceremony has been split into two parts. Varmala+Reception and then the more ritualistic part involving a priest.

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Wedding in Bangalore, ritualistic part involving a priest.
Immediately after the groom has arrived with the Baraat, the groom and bride meet and exchange garlands in the Jaimala ceremony. Once this ceremony has finished, the well wishers congratulate the groom and the bride and present gifts to them. Food is served during this ceremony, and pretty much everyone except closest relatives leave once the ceremony has finished.

The main part of the wedding starts after the Jaimala ceremony has finished. The groom and the bride sit beside the fire and the priest chants shlokas (hymns) and the groom and the bride exchange vows in front of many gods and goddesses. Towards the end of the marriage ceremony, a ritual called Phere (pronounced: Fair-ey, meaning "revolutions") is performed. In the Phere ritual, a part of the groom's attire and the bride's attire are tied together (symbolizing that they are now united) as they go around the ceremonial fire seven times. Each round about the fire symbolizes a part of life. The bride leads in first three rounds symbolizing that the earlier part of marriage is led by the bride. The groom leads in the last four rounds symbolizing that the latter part of life will be led by him. Sometime during the ceremony, the groom puts a little sindoor (red powder) in the parting of the bride's hair and puts a mangalsutra (necklace) around her neck. These tasks symbolize that she is now a married woman, as all married Hindu women are supposed to wear sindoor in the parting of their hair for the rest of their married lives.

Vidaai / bidaai

On the morning following the Varmala/Phere, the groom has a final breakfast at the bride's place, and the bride leaves her parents' house escorted by the groom. Traditionally, this phase is accompanied by the bride's family shedding many tears and throwing raw, white rice as she parts from the home where she grew up to start a new phase of her life. This part of the marriage ceremony is called Vidaai.

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_wedding

Saat Fere or Saptapadi or saptpadi(Seven Steps)

The steps of a Vedic wedding and their significance

Step 1: vaak daanam

This step is a part of Kanya Varanam, where the groom-to-be (brahmachari) sends two elders on his behalf to the father of a girl whom he wishes to marry. The elders convey the message of the brahmachari and ask for the daughter's hand. The two mantras in the form of brahmachari's appeal to intercede on his behalf come from Rg 10.32.1 ("pra sugmantha...") and 10.85.23. The first mantra begs the elders to proceed and return quickly with success back from their mission on his behalf. The second mantram ("anruksharaa Rjava:...") asks for the gods' blessings for the elders' safe journey to the house of the father of the would-be-bride. The mantra

prays to Aryama and Bhaga

for a marriage full of harmony. The father accedes to the request of the elders and the resulting agreement for betrothal is known as vaak daanam.

Step 2: kanyaa daanam

Here, the brahmachari meets his prospective father-in-law. The latter seats him facing the eastern direction and washes the feet of the future son-in-law, considering him as Lord Vishnu Himself. All honors are given including the ceremonial washing of the feet of the groom by the father-in-law and offer of madhu parka (a mixture of yogurt, honey and ghee) to the accompaniment of selected Veda mantras.

Step 3: vara prekshanam

In this ritual, the bridegroom and the bride look at each other formally for the first time. The bridegroom worries about any dosas (defects) that the bride might have and prays to the gods Varuna, Brihaspati, Indra and Surya to remove every defect and to make her fit for harmonious and long marriage life blessed with progeny and happiness (mantra: Rg 10.85.44). The bride groom recites the mantra and wipes the eyebrows of the bride with a blade of darbha grass, as if he is chasing away all defects. The darbha grass is thrown behind the bride at the conclusion of this ceremony. -->

Step 4: mangala snaanam and the wearing of the wedding clothes by the bride

Five Veda mantras are recited to sanctify the bride in preparation for the subsequent stages of the marriage. This aspect of the marriage is known as mangala snanam. The sun god (Surya), water god (Varuna), and other gods are invoked to purify the bride in preparation for a harmonious married life. Next, the bride wears the marriage clothes to the accompaniment of additional Veda mantras. The bridegroom then ties a darbha rope around the waist of the bride and leads her to the place, where the sacred fire is located for conducting the rest of the marriage ceremony. The bride and the groom sit on a new mat in front of the fire. The groom recites three mantras which invoke Soma, Gandharva and Agni to confer strength, beauty, and youth on the bride.

Step 5: maangalya dhaaranam

There is no Veda Mantram for tying the mangala sutram (auspicious thread) around the neck of the bride by the groom. The latter takes the mangala sutram in his hands and recites the following verse:

     mAngalyam tantunAnena mama jIvanA hethunA |
     kaNThe: badhnami subhage! sanjIva Sarada: Satam ||

(meaning: This is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around your neck, O maiden having many auspicious attributes! May you live happily for a hundred years (with me).

Step 6: paani grahanam

After maangalya dhaaranam, the groom lowers his right palm and encloses it over the right hand of the bride. He covers all the five fingers of the right hand of the bride with his right palm through this act of paani grahanam. He recites mantras in praise of Bhaga, Aryama, Savita, Indra, Agni, Suryan, Vayu and Saraswati, while holding the bride's hand. He prays for long life, progeny, prosperity and harmony with the bride during their married life. The closed fingers of the right hand of the bride is said to represent her heart. The paani grahanam ritual symbolizes the bride surrendering her heart in the hands of the groom during the occasion of the marriage.

Step 7: sapta padi

During this ritual, the groom walks with the bride to the right side of the sacred fire. All along, he holds his wife's right hand in his right hand in the way in which he held her hand during the paani grahanam ceremony. He stops, bends down and holds the right toe of his wife with his right hand and helps her take seven steps around the fire. At the beginning of each step, he recites a Veda mantra to invoke the blessings of Maha Vishnu. Through these seven mantras, he asks Maha Vishnu to follow in the footsteps of his wife and bless her with food, strength, piety, progeny, wealth, comfort and health. At the conclusion of the seven steps, he addresses his wife with a moving statement from the Veds summarized below:

Dear Wife! By taking these seven steps, you have become my dearest friend. I pledge my unfailing loyalty to you. Let us stay together for the rest of our lives. Let us not separate from each other ever. Let us be of one mind in carrying out our responsibilities as householders (grihasthas). Let us love and cherish each other and enjoy nourishing food and good health. Let us discharge our prescribed Vedic duties to our elders, ancestors, rishis, creatures, and gods. Let our aspirations be united. I will be the Saaman and may you be the Rk (Saaman here refers to the music and Rk refers to the Vedic text that is being cast into music). Let me be the upper world and let you be the Bhumi or Mother Earth. I will be the Sukla or life force and may you be the bearer of that Sukla. Let me be the mind and let you be the speech. May you follow me to conceive children and gain worldly as well as spiritual wealth. May all auspiciousness come your way.

This series of Veda mantras starting with "sakhaa saptapadhaa bhava ..." and ending with "pumse putraaya ..." are rich with meaning and imagery.

Step 8: pradhaana homam

After sapta padi, the couple take their seat on the western side of the sacred fire and conduct pradhaana homam. During the conductance of this homam, the bride must place her right hand on her husband's body so that she gets the full benefit of the homam through symbolic participation. Sixteen mantras are recited to the accompaniment of pouring a spoon of clarified butter into the sacred fire at the end of recitation of each of the mantras. These mantras salute Soma, Gandharva, Agni, Indra, Vayu, the Aswini Devas, Savita, Brihaspati, Viswa Devas and Varuna for blessing the marriage and beseeches them to confer long wedded life, health, wealth, children and freedom from all kinds of worries. One prayer -- the sixth mantra -- has a sense of humor and provides deep insight into human psychology. The text of this mantra is: "daSaasyam putraan dehi, patim ekaadaSam kRti". Here, the groom asks Indra to bless the couple with ten children and requests that he be blessed to become the eleventh child of his bride in his old age.

Step 9: stepping on the grinding stone

After pradhaana homam, the husband holds the right toe of his wife and lifts her leg and places it on a flat granite grinding stone known as "ammi" in Tamil. The ammi stands at the right side of the sacred fire. The husband recites a Veda mantra when he places the right foot of his wife on the ammi:

May you stand on this firm stone. May you be rock-firm during your stay on this grinding stone. May you stand up to those who oppose you while you carry out your time-honored responsibilities as a wife sanctioned by the Vedas and tradition. May you develop tolerance to your enemies and put up a fair fight to defend your legitimate rights as the head of the household in a firm manner, equal to the steady strength of this grinding stone.

Step 10: laaja homam

After ammi stepping, a ceremony of doing homam with parched rice is conducted. Here, the wife cups her hands and the brothers of the bride fill the cupped hands with parched rice. The husband adds a drop of ghee to the parched rice and recites five Veda mantras. At the end of each of the recitation , the parched rice is thrown into the sacred fire as havis (offering) to Agni. Through these mantras, the wife prays for long life for her husband and for a marriage filled with peace and harmony. At the end of the laaja homam, the husband unties the darbha belt around the waist of his wife with another mantra. The husband states through this mantra that he unites his wife and ties her now with the bonds of Varuna and invites her to be a full partner in his life to enjoy the blessings of wedded life.

Step 11: griha pravesam

This ceremony relates to the journey of the wife to her husband's home. The husband carries the sacred fire (homa agni) in a earthern vessel during this journey home. There are many Veda mantras associated with this journey. These mantras pray to the appropriate Vedic gods to remove all obstacles that one can experience in a journey. The bride is requested to become the mistress of the house and is reminded of her important role among the relatives of her husband. After reaching her new home, she puts her right foot first in the house and recites the following Veda mantra:

I enter this house with a happy heart. May I give birth to children, who observe the path of righteousness (dharma)! May this house that I enter today be prosperous forever and never be deficient in food. May this house be populated by people of virtue and pious thoughts.

Step 12: praavisya homam

After griha pravesam, a fire ritual known as praavisya homam is performed by the couple to the accompaniment of thirteen Veda mantras from the Rg Veda. Jayaadi homam is also part of the praavisya homam. This homam offers the salutation of the newly married couple to Agni Deva and asks for strength and nourishment to discharge the duties of a grihasthas for the next one hundred years. After that, the bride shifts her position from the right side of her husband to his left side. At that time, once again, she recites a Veda mantra invoking the gods for blessings of children and wealth to perform the duties of a householder.

At the end of the above homam, a child is placed on the lap of the bride and she offers a fruit to the child, while reciting a prescribed Veda mantra. Yet another mantram asks the assembled guests to bless the bride and then retire to their own individual homes peacefully. During the first evening of the stay in her new home, the couple see the stars known as Dhruva (pole star) and Arundhati. The husband points out the pole star and prays for the strength and stability of the household thru a Veda mantra. Next, the husband points out the Arundhati star to his wife and describes to her the the story of Arundhati and her legendary chastity.

The rich and meaningful ceremony of the Hindu marriage (Kalyana Mahotsavam of the temples) is thus carried out in concert with sacred Veda Mantras. The bride and bridegroom should enunciate clearly the Veda mantras and reflect on their meanings during the different stages of the marriage ceremony. This way, they can be sure of a long, happy and prosperous married life and play their appropriate role in society to the fullest extent. Srinivasa Kalyanam is performed in the temples to remind us of these hoary Vedic traditions behind a Hindu marriage.

lokA: samastA: sukhino bhavantu sarva mangaLaani santu

Courtesy: www.ramanuja.org/sv/rituals/sacraments/marriage_mantras.html

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North Indian Communities	South Indian Communities
• Arya Samaj • Kashmiri Hindu Brahmin • Kashmiri Shia Muslim • Madhya Pradesh Rajput • North Indian Protestant Christian • Punjabi Hindu Arya Samaj • Punjabi Hindu Sanatan Dharam • Punjabi Khalsa Sikh • Punjabi Sunni Muslim • Sindhi (Hyderabadi) Arya Samaj • Sindhi (Hyderabadi) Sanatan Dharam • U.P. Kayast • U.P. Khatri • U.P. Pathan Sunni Muslim	• Andhra Vaishnav • Bunt • Karnataka Vokkaliga • Kerala Hindu Nair • Kerala Syrian Christian • Kodava or Coorg • Saraswat Hindu Brahmin • Tamil Chettiar • Tamil Iyengar Brahmin • Tamil Iyer Brahmin • Tamil Mudaliar • Telangana Andhra Reddy

West Indian Communities	East Indian Communities
• Gujarati Naagar Brahmin • Gujarati Patel Hindu • Jewish • Maharashtrian Konkanstha Brahmin • Maharashtrian Maratha • Marwari Agarwal • Marwari Jain(Oswal) • Parsee • Roman Catholic Saraswat Brahmin	• Bengali • Bihari Kayast

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Indian weddings and bride - grooms of diffrenet regions in India

	Gujarati Wedding: Gujarati Bride and groom
	Bengali Wedding: Bengali Bride and groom
	Marwari Wedding: Marwari Bride and groom
	Maharashtrian Wedding: Maharashtrian Bride and groom (Vadhu ani Var)
	Christian Wedding: cristian Bride and groom
	Tamil Wedding: Tamil Bride and groom
	Parsi (parasi) Wedding: Parsi (parasi) Bride and groom
	Punjabi Wedding: Punjabi Bride and groom

Weddings in North Indian Communities:

• Arya Samaj Marriage

Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the The Arya Samaj in the nineteenth century when the soul of Mother India was crying for freedom from foreign domination.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati propagated the teachings of the Vedas, believing that they are a perennial source of Divine Knowledge. Vedic 'gyana' or Divine Knowledge is like the sacred Ganga River whose waters purify the body and soul. Vedic Gyana is for purification, elevation and sublimation of one and all irrespective of colour, caste or creed.

Listed below are the authentic Arya Samaj rituals. Members of any Hindu community can have an Arya Samaj wedding. The other wedding ceremonies, which precede the Vedic marriage rites, can be typically of that region, caste or community. In other words, the Arya Samaj wedding can be clubbed together with a Punjabi, Sindhi, Gujarati, or any other community's wedding.

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• Kashmiri Hindu Brahmin Marriage

The Brahmins of Kashmir are a handsome and gifted people.

The Raija Pandits follow a non-vegetarian diet, while the Shaka Pandits follow a vegetarian one. In the earlier days they never married outside their community but now of course there are inter-caste marriages.

The elders of the families usually arrange the Kashmiri marriages, the preparations for which begin six months in advance. Traditionally, a cook, known as 'vaza' is hired during the marriage to make all the delicacies and special snacks for the ceremonies to mark the beginning of the celebrations.

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• Kashmiri Shia Muslim Marriage

Kashmiri Shia Muslim weddings are rich in social customs and ceremonies. For a whole week before the wedding, festivities are held in the homes of the couple.

Kashmiri men are tall and well built and their women beautiful and lively. Liberal minded, they are fond of fun and amusement and this is reflected in their weddings.

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• Madhya Pradesh Rajput Marriage

The word 'Rajput' means king's son or Prince. Rajputs claim that they are the direct descendants of the Kshatriya clan, who were the original Aryans.

Rajput marriages have to be seen to be believed for their extravagance! Rajputs are a colourful race and marriages in this community are resplendent in colour, pomp and splendour and more often than not, very traditional.

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• Punjabi Hindu Arya Samaj Marriage

The Punjabi community is known for having lavish festivals and weddings. Their wedding preparations begin well in advance and the 'sangeet' parties have become elaborate occasions lasting almost for a week sometimes!

The bridegroom generally mounts a richly caparisoned mare and his 'baraat' (procession) is replete with a live band; relatives and friends accompanying him sing and dance all the way to the wedding venue!

Punjabi families exchange lavish gifts all throughout the marriage ceremonies. Their weddings are usually held in hotels or banquet halls and in cities like New Delhi, huge 'shamianas' (decorative tents) are erected in parks to host the wedding ceremonies and quite often, the reception.

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• Punjabi Hindu Sanatan Dharam Marriage

The Punjabi community is known for having lavish festivals and weddings. Their wedding preparations begin well in advance and the 'sangeet' parties have become elaborate occasions lasting almost for a week sometimes!

The bridegroom generally mounts a richly caparisoned mare and his 'baraat' (procession) is replete with a live band and relatives and friends accompanying him sing and dance all the way to the wedding venue!

Punjabi families exchange lavish gifts all throughout the marriage ceremonies. Their weddings are usually held in hotels or banquet halls and in cities like New Delhi, huge 'shamianas' (decorative tents) are erected in parks to host the wedding ceremonies and quite often, the reception.

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• Punjabi Khalsa Sikh Marriage

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion opposed to idol worship and is against the practice of asceticism, the caste system and ritualism.

A Sikh wedding is called an Anand Karaj. The ceremony takes place in the presence of the Sikh Holy Book, the Guru Granth Sahib.

The marriage ceremony consists of the recitation of the Anand Sahib (therefore called Anand Karaj) and the Lavan (wedding songs), which are sung as the couple go around the Guru Granth Sahib.

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• Punjabi Sunni Muslim Marriage

The Punjabi Sunni Muslims are originally from Kashmir and had migrated to the Punjab centuries ago.

Owing to this the Punjabi Sunni Muslims have many similarities in dress, social customs, ceremonies and food habits to those of the Hindu community. Their weddings are colourful and celebratory and the food is legendary for its exotic taste. The celebrations begin several days before the actual wedding ceremony and consist mainly of singing and dancing to the beat of the 'dholak'(drum).

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• Sindhi (Hyderabadi) Arya Samaj Marriage

After the partition in 1947, over a million Sindhi Hindus were displaced and had to leave Sind to settle down in different parts of India.

The Sindhis are an adaptable race, not having a highly ritualistic or literary tradition. They are prone to adapting the habits and rites of those around him.

A Sindhi marriage is similar to most other Hindu communities, but very exuberant and extremely lavish. A ceremony typical to this community is the 'dattar' or salt ceremony, wherein the bride is brought to her new home and made to sit by a mound of salt. She fills her hands with as much salt as they can hold and slowly showers the same into the recipient's hands. This salt exchange is performed three times each with every member of her husband's family, to ensure harmony between the family members and her.

Religious rites for the Sindhi community are very similar to most other Hindu communities in the country.

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• Sindhi (Hyderabadi) Sanatan Dharam Marriage

After the partition in 1947, over a million Sindhi Hindus were displaced and had to leave Sind to settle down in different parts of India.

The Sindhis are an adaptable race, not having a highly ritualistic or literary tradition. They are prone to adapting the habits and rites of those around them.

A Sindhi marriage is similar to most other Hindu communities, but very exuberant and extremely lavish. A ceremony typical to this community is the 'dattar' or salt ceremony, wherein the bride is brought to her new home and made to sit by a mound of salt. She fills her hands with as much salt as they can hold and slowly showers the same into the recipient's hands. This salt exchange is performed three times each with every member of her husband's family, to ensure harmony between the family members and her.

Religious rites for the Sindhi community are very similar to most other Hindu communities in the country.

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• U.P. Kayast Marriage

The Kayast (Kayastha) community can be found in several states of North India and their marriages follow similar patterns. The nomenclatures and adaptations of the various ceremonies may differ depending upon the state in which the Kayasts are domiciled for many generations.

What is common however, is the important role of the 'pujari' at most ceremonies, giving and receiving of lavish gifts, the 'tilak' ceremony, the 'saath pheras' and the important role played my the maternal uncles in the marriage rituals.

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• U.P. Khatri Marriage

The Khatri community is a part of the Kshatriya clan which was based in the Punjab.

Khatri marriages are seeped in tradition and the wedding rites can last all night! As in several other Hindu weddings, here too, the bridegroom is mounted on an elaborately decorated mare and proceeds to the marriage venue accompanied by a live band. Family members and friends accompanying him dance all the way to the venue!

The ceremonies that follow are elaborate and something typical to the Khatri wedding is a fun filled ceremony called 'Bedi Lutna', where the young cousins and other children plunder the marriage 'mandap' after the ceremony and relieve it of all its decorations and toys!

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• U.P. Pathan Sunni Muslim Marriage

The Sunnis are orthodox Muslims and came into existence as a sect before the Shia sect.

Their marriages are steeped in tradition and the ceremonies begin several days before the signing of the marriage document or the 'nikaahnamah'. The bride and groom are always resplendently dressed in richly embroidered clothes and wear heavy traditional jewellery. The groom arrives on horseback and after the wedding rituals are completed it is customary for the bride to be carried a few yards in a richly decorated 'palki' (palanquin).

The Muslim community is famous for its lavish cuisine and grand feasts follow most of the ceremonies.

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Weddings in South Indian Communities

• Andhra Vaishnav Marriage

The most important aspect in marriages in the Andhra Vaishnava Brahmin community is the 'matching of horoscopes', although the family background and tradition are also looked into. It is essential that the 'gothrams' (ancestral lineages) of both the families are different. If originating from the same 'gothram', the bride and groom are not eligible for marriage. Their relationship instead becomes that of a brother and sister!

In Andhra weddings it is important that the 'rishis' (sages) too must have different names. The 'rishis' were the celestial beings from whom the human race is believed to have originated. There were seven 'rishis' in all.

The weddings are performed by 'purohits' or 'pujaris' (Brahmin priests) in the presence of the God of Fire or 'Agni Devta'. The 'pujari' chants Vedic mantras while conducting the marriage in all solemnity.

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• Bunt Marriage

The Bunt community of South Kanara is neither tied to any religious custom nor bound by any Vedic ritual, but their marriages are elaborate and lavish.

Bunt marriages are almost always arranged by the parents. Once the alliance is fixed the family decides what to give the bride in terms of wealth.

Once this is confirmed, the astrologer picks an auspicious date for the wedding and invitations are sent out. Close family and friends are expected to attend the wedding regardless of the distance separating them! It is not unusual for almost a hundred guests to travel all the way from the USA for a Bunt wedding in Bangalore or Mangalore!

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• Karnataka Vokkaliga Marriage

The Vokkaliga community of Karnataka consists of agriculturists and landowners. Many of their marriage rituals are therefore steeped in rural traditions.

They have, like many other communities adapted these rural traditions to urban ones and most weddings are now performed in marriage halls. The marriages, which are still conducted in ancestral homes, however are truly interesting.

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• Kerala Hindu Nair Marriage

The 'Nairs' of Kerala are the only matrilineal community in the country. Under the 'marumakkathayam' system, the property rights of the joint family are vested in the female members.

Marriage among the Nairs has a somewhat different meaning from marriages in other communities and is not so much a religious as a social ceremony.

Temple marriages, especially at the Guruvayur Temple, are popular and inexpensive. There is no chanting of 'mantras' and the ceremony is over in a matter of minutes. It is both, touching and impressive in its simplicity.

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• Kerala Syrian Christian Marriage

The Syrian Christians of Kerala were originally Namboodiri Brahmins and their conversions took place during St. Thomas' visit to India about AD 46.

Their Church is the Syrian Orthodox Church, the head of which is known as Catholicos and he resides in Kottayam, Kerala. Although they embraced Christianity, the Syrian Christians retained many of their Hindu customs and till date their marriage rituals follow many of the old Hindu traditions.

A typical Syrian Christian wedding is an elaborate affair and is usually arranged by the elders. The bride's family makes the proposal to the groom's family.

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• Kodava or Coorg Marriage

Coorg is a small, beautiful district in the Western Ghats of Karnataka.

The Coorgis are a martial race and their rituals and customs reflect this.

They are a conservative people and parents usually arrange marriages in this community. The Kodava or Coorgi culture is unique and cannot be compared with any other community in the country.

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• Saraswat Hindu Brahmin Marriage

The Saraswat Brahmin community is small, educated and very evolved. They believe that among all the 'samskaras' (sacraments), marriage is the most important. Horoscopes are a prime factor in marriage alliances, particularly if the match is 'arranged' by the parents. Marriages between families of the same 'gotra' (ancestral lineage) are prohibited.

Even though the Saraswat Brahmins are a highly evolved community with a high level of social awareness, marriage ceremonies are traditional, religious and sombre.

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• Tamil Chettiar Marriage

Marriage alliances among the Tamil Chettiars of Tamil Nadu are traditionally fixed within a group of villages. It is not surprising therefore that all Chettiars are related and marriages within first cousins are common. In fact, the first choice for an eligible groom is his first cousin!

Their weddings are elaborately rich in customs. The traditional jewellery worn by the Chettiars is renowned for its breathtaking beauty; diamonds, rubies and emeralds intricately set in gold.

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• Tamil Iyengar Brahmin Marriage

A very large community, the Tamil Iyengars (Ayyangars) are known for their superior intellect, high levels of education and good looks. This community is largely based in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Being Brahmins, their wedding rituals are long and elaborate and a typical wedding can last for four or five days. For most ceremonies two 'pujaris' officiate - one representing the bride's family and the other the groom's.

There are bound to be variations in the ceremonies and rituals depending upon the city or state the Iyengars have been living in for several generations.

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• Tamil Iyer Brahmin Marriage

An Iyer or Ayyar marriage is a mixture of Vedic ritual and Tamil customs. First, the horoscopes of the prospective bride and groom are matched. Then an understanding arrived at about assets, jewellery, household goods and other articles to be given to the bride by her parents. Finally an auspicious day is fixed by the priest for the marriage.

Among the non-Vedic rites observed is the tying of the 'taali' around the bride's neck by the bridegroom. This is the most important ceremony in a Tamil Iyer Brahmin wedding.

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• Tamil Mudaliar Marriage

The Mudaliar community of South India follows a custom whereby the prospective bridegroom's parents approach the bride-to-be's parents with a marriage proposal. On acceptance of the proposal, a memorandum is signed between both families and an auspicious day is fixed for the wedding.

A typical Tamil Mudaliar wedding can last up to three days.

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• Telangana Andhra Reddy Marriage

The Reddys or Reddis, also known as 'Kapus' belong to a Telugu speaking community, split into several subsections.

Those of them who have settled in different southern states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for several generations have adapted their rituals and ceremonies to suit the local customs, so slight variations will be apparent in the sequence of events in a marriage.

The marriage rituals begin with a promise made by both families to each other that a wedding will be solemnized. After consultations with an astrologer, an auspicious day and time are fixed for the marriage ceremony and both the concerned parties draw up written contracts. These contracts are then placed in yellow cloth bundles along with betel leaf, turmeric, nuts and fruits and blessed by an officiating 'pujari'.

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Weddings in West Indian Communities

• Gujarati Naagar Brahmin Marriage

Gujarat is the home of the Naagars but many Naagar families are settled in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab.

A progressive community, their girls are often married off with no expectations of wealth from the in-laws side. This is called 'kanku-kanya', meaning that the bride is welcome only with a vermilion mark on her forehead.

One ceremony which forms an integral part of any Naagar Brahmin wedding is the 'mosaalu', wherein the bride's 'mama' or maternal uncle brings the 'choodo' (ivory bangle - now replaced with acrylic or plastic), 'paanetar' (silk wedding sari usually white with red border) and a colourful basket containing gifts for his niece one day before the wedding.

Naagar Brahmin marriages are very colourful and the traditional Gujarati folk dance called the 'Garba' forms an integral part of the celebrations.

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• Gujarati Patel Hindu Marriage

The Patels or Patidars of Gujarat are ambitious, intelligent, hardworking, hospitable and excessive spenders on occasions like marriages. Their weddings are arranged on a grand scale and are bright and colourful.

The bride and groom receive huge amounts of clothes and jewellery and the groom is given cash gifts at almost each ceremony; in fact after each 'parikrama' (circumvention around the sacred fire) his palms are crossed with gold!

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• Jewish Marriage

Jewish Talmudic law provided for three methods of establishing a marriage. All three had to be performed in the presence of acceptable witnesses.

The first was the act of cohabitation. However, this was generally frowned upon as not being a fitting way of getting married. The second method was the delivery of a document by the man to the woman and her acceptance of it. The third was the presentation to the woman of some article of established value and her acceptance of it. The structure of the present day wedding ceremony symbolically involves all three. At the wedding ceremony the groom presents his bride with both, a wedding band and a marriage contract.

There are three types of Jewish weddings: Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Wedding ceremonies. While all the three types are recognized in Jewish communities around the world, only the Orthodox ceremonies are recognized in Israel.

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• Maharashtrian Marriage ceremony

Maharashtrian weddings are elaborate and charming affairs with light moments, like the bride`s brother twisting the groom`s ear and so on. The couple is first initiated into Grihasthashram, which is a vow taken by both to unite and be together all their life while pursuing dharma, artha, karma, moksha. The bride questions the groom to promise her that he will never violate her limits or maryada and the groom asks her to always remain dedicated and loyal to her. Thus the Maharashtrian wedding believes in the equal bondage of love and dedication between both the husband and wife. They lovingly agree to dedication and have progeny.

The elderly members of the bride`s family welcome the guests at the doorstep. They apply perfume by an attardani on the back of the right hand of the guests and rose water is sprinkled from gulabdani. Maharashtrian truly reflects the rich heritage and culture of the family. Sweets are distributed very often during the ceremony. Among all the people living in India, Maharshtrians perhaps have the simplest and least luxurious marriage ceremony.

Matchmaking in Maharastrian marriage- The process of match making is called Lagnaach Bedi. Although these days love marriages are quite widespread, many boys and girls still prefer to go in for marriages fixed by parents. Typically, Maharshtrians go in for marriage association between equal status families. However, family pundit finalizes the marriage union only after matching of the horoscopes. After this, the pundit decides the auspicious date for the wedding.

Once both the boy and girl reach the suitable age, the parents of the concerned parties start the hunt. They look out for a match from a family of equal standards. Though now days most of the times the bride and the groom choose themselves and then only the introduction of both the parties are done. The task of ensuring the compatibility of the boy and girls stars plays a very important role. The horoscope of the bride and the groom are then shown to the family pundits. All the gunas have to be matched only then can the boy and girl tie the knot. Only after it has been determined that the horoscopes have matched can both the parties start with the preparations of the wedding.

Costumes - Bridal costume and Grooms Attire
The Maharashtrian Wedding dress is as usual gorgeous and eye catching as the wedding dresses in other communities. The bride wears a conventional Maharashtrian green colored sari. Most commonly the Paithani kind of sari is used. The bride for the wedding wears the typical Maharashtrian seven pearl studs. The bride also wears green bangles, considered to be very fortunate for any function. The bride wears toe rings, pearl and bead nath or the nose ring and a bright bindhi. The groom is dressed in dhoti or salwar and kurta, or sherwani. Wedding feasts are served on banana leaves and people are seated on the floor to enjoy the feast. The bride, the groom, and their families eat on silver plates. Few special Maharashtrian wedding dishes include batata bhaji, pitlai, sheera, varan, shrikhand, vatanyachi usal.

Pre Wedding Rituals of Maharashtrian Wedding

There are several colorful and interesting pre-wedding rituals that take place in a Maharashtrian wedding. Some of the prominent and important rituals of Maharashtrian wedding are given below -

Sakhar Puda: Sakharpuda is basically an engagement ceremony that takes place a few days before the wedding. For this ceremony, the groom`s parents give the bride a saree as a token of her acceptance in their family. Her arms are adorned with green glass bangles, symbolizing her engagement. She is then given a packet of sakhar puda or sugar, which symbolizes the spreading of sweetness in their lives. Invitation cards are conventionally printed after this ceremony. The factual meaning of Sakhar Puda is a packet of sugar that is exchanged between the two families.

Kelvan: A couple of days before the wedding, a feast is arranged called the Kelvan, is organized in both the bride`s as well as the bridegroom`s home for the complete family gathered in that home. A puja of the Kuladevta or the family deity is also performed in the evening before the wedding.

Haldi: Haldi is yet another custom special to Maharashtrian. The bridegroom and the bride have their own celebrations in their individual homes. Women from each of the families get together to apply a mixture of turmeric, sandalwood and cream to the face and body of the bridegroom and the bride. The soon-to-be bride and the groom then take a ceremonial bath in their individual homes and are not permitted to go out of the home after this ceremony.

Chuda: Chuda or green bangles is a ceremony specially done for the bride and her women friends to share the fun of wearing bright and sparkling green bang Indian wedding jewellery: green bangles (hirwa chuda) les. Green glass bangles are considered propitious because green is the color of new life, creativity, everlasting relationship and rejuvenation. A bangle man is invited to the home and each woman chooses her own, amidst songs, laughter and jokes. The bride is given the green glass bangles ceremonially and with her mother`s help, she wears them mixed together with gold, pearl or diamond bangles as according to the status of the family. The bride can remove the chuda only one month after the wedding. Married women adorn themselves with such chudas on all festive or religious occasions.

Mangalsutra: Five married woman come with a copper vessel and mango leaves that are weaved together over a coconut and filled indian jewellery: Mangalsutra tie with holy water go round the place arranged with neem twigs from left to right five times. The bride is sitting in the center while this ritual is being performed. Then these ladies pour the holy water, which is a symbol of driving away evil spirits. After the bath is given to the bride her maternal uncle comes, breaks the neem twigs, and asks the bride to leave and enter the house.

Kalash and Thali Pooja: In India, marriages is not only about celebration, fun and enjoyment. The ceremonies and rituals, which are performed, have certain social significance. The rituals sig Indian wedding: Wedding kalash nifies the coming together of two individuals who promise to live together and take care of each other with all sincerity during their whole life and forever. And to make this event a memorable one the full wedding premises is beautifully decorated. Not only the wedding venue is decorated but also all the small items, which are required in performing different rituals, are also decorated like the wedding thali or the wedding kalash. You can decorate your normal kalash to give a festive look. Silver and brass kalash is considered auspicious so it is mainly used in wedding. Otherwise people also use earthen kalash but they decorate it with colorful paintings. In certain regions beautiful designs are drawn with vermilion on the earthen kalash. In Gujarati communities mirror work kalash are also used. So the decoration changes according to the regions.

Antarpat Ceremony: Antarpat is actually a silk shawl that is used to separate the bride and the groom till the actual moment of their Indian wedding: Antarpat marriage. Her mama brings the bride to the venue. The Bride is also accompanied by two of her sisters carrying an oil wick lamp and a kalash full of water, decorated with mango leaves with a coconut sitting high on the top. After the lavish meal, the boy goes centre-stage for the antarpat accompanies by all of his sisters carrying an oil wick lamp and a kalash filled with water, festooned with mango leaves with a coconut placed atop. The bride looks westwards and the groom faces towards the east.

The boy and girl hold a heavily decorated garland throughout the ceremony. This ritual is a set of eight series of mantras, with invocations to almost all Gods and Goddesses. After each series is over the priest recites: "Shubha Mangala Saavadhaan!"

The guests throw rice on the bride and the groom. This is for the first time that the bride and the groom see each other. They exchange the garlands. The sisters dip their fingers into the kalash and wipe the eyes of the bride and groom.

• Maharashtrian Konkanstha Brahmin Marriage

Weddings in Maharashtra spell joy, hope and permanence for everyone involved. For the families of the couple, this day is the fruition of months of planning, buying and collecting items for the wedding. Great care is taken to ensure that the elders are respected and proprieties adhered to.

The bride's family hosts the wedding after consulting the groom's relatives about any special preferences. Though each community in Maharashtra (as in other parts of the country) follows slightly different traditions, there is no doubt that all of them look forward to this day of feasting and merrymaking.

Know more about Maharashtrian Paithani saree and draping or wearing style by Maharashtrian nauwari (kashta) saree

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• Maharashtrian Maratha Marriage

Shivaji Bhosale, the most eminent Maratha was the one who first made the bid to set up a separate kingdom.

This is a powerful community in Maharashtra and comprises of Kuli Marathas and Kunbi Marathas. On all special occasions like marriages the 'Kuldevta' or family deity is worshipped. 'Lagnaachi Bedi' or finding a suitable match is the first step in any Maharashtrian wedding and the Maratha community is no different.

A ceremony typical to this community takes place about three of four days before the wedding when wheat is sown in the earth and allowed to grow.

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• Marwari Agarwal Marriage

The Marwari Agrawals though orthodox and tradition bound are still full of life, drive and initiative. For them marriage is an occasion for great extravagance, pomp and splendour.

Vast amounts are spent on decorations, food, jewellery, clothes and gifts. The ceremonies are bright and joyous and the lavish wedding celebrations can carry on for several days.

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• Marwari Jain(Oswal) Marriage

The Oswals, who are mainly Jains, hail from the town of Osian, near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

The Oswal Jains celebrate their festivals with great regularity, gaiety, colour and song.

The Marwari bridegroom carries a sword and is regally clad in a turban, jewellery and a coconut is tied to his side. He is mounted on a lavishly decorated mare and led in a procession to the bride's house. It is customary for him to touch a decoration fixed on the door with a 'neem' twig, or perhaps his sword before entering.

The marriage ceremonies that follow his arrival are elaborate and many of them are common to other Hindu communities. The light hearted ceremonies or 'games' that are played by the couple such as fishing for the ring in a bowl filled with milk or untying the knots on the bracelets are full of gaiety and laughter!

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• Parsee Marriage

According to ancient Zorastrian texts, Ahura Mazda favours marriage.
Marriages in the Parsee community are encouraged because it is felt that a married man is always in a better position and state of mind to withstand the pressures of life!

A Parsee wedding is full of gaiety and laughter. The 'achoo meecho' (removing the evil eye) is performed practically before every single ceremony. The auspicious days to conduct weddings are either the first day of the month ('Hormazd Roj') or the twentieth day of the month ('Behram Roj'). It is believed that on 'Behram Roj' the angel of victory or 'Behram' presides over the ceremonies.

Fire is the most sacred element in the Parsee community and practically no ritual is complete without the use of fire.

Owing to Hindu influence, ceremonies are not conducted on moonless nights ('amavas') or on Saturdays.

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• Roman Catholic Saraswat Brahmin Marriage

A Roman Catholic Saraswat Brahmin wedding is always held in a church where a Holy Mass is conducted according to the rituals followed by the Roman Catholic Church.

The couple exchanges wedding rings and vows in the presence of family and friends. The Hindu custom of tying a 'mangalsutra' called 'piduk' in Konkani is also observed and during the nuptials the bridegroom ties it around the bride's neck.

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East Indian Communities

• Bengali Marriage

As with all Indian weddings, the Bengali wedding is a happy and colourful family occasion where tradition and age old customs play an important role.

The geographical location of Bengal (coast of Bay of Bengal) and the presence of the confluence of the mighty Ganges and her tributaries, reflect in many of the ceremonies.
Fish is not only a must on the menus at various functions but holds an exalted position during the exchange of gifts between the families. The coral and the conch too have their own status.

Bengali weddings are generally held at night - Godhuli Lagna (literally translated it means 'when the cows come home!'). Weddings do not take place in the months of Bhadra, Ashwini, Paush, Chaitra and Karthik, as these are considered inauspicious.

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• Bihari Kayast Marriage

The Kayast (Kayastha) community can be found in several states of North India and their marriages follow similar patterns. The nomenclatures and adaptations of various ceremonies may differ depending upon the state in which they are domiciled for many generations.

What is common however is the important role of the 'pujari' at most ceremonies, giving and receiving of lavish gifts, the 'tilak' ceremony, the 'saath pheras' and the important role played by the maternal uncles in the marriage rituals.

Ref:http://www.shaadionline.com/wedding-rituals.asp

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Wedding dresses and accessories for bride and groom

There are a variety of traditional wedding dresses and accessories for bride and groom in different regions of India.

Bengali wedding dress

For the bridal dressing A banarasi sari (usually red in colour)

Bridal accessories for Bengali Wedding

ornanments, a red veil, a mukut (crown), gaach kouto (a blade of grass), a silver kaajal lata (container for kohl), and chandan (sandalwood).

Bengali groom dresses for marriage

For the groom's attire Dhoti, kurta, topor (a conical cap made of sola pith, chaddar and chandan.

Courtesy: www.bardhaman.com

Maharashtrian Wedding dress

The Maharashtrian Wedding dress is as usual gorgeous and eye catching as the wedding dresses in other communities. The bride wears a conventional Maharashtrian green colored sari. Most commonly the Paithani kind of sari is used. Traditional wedding saree is nauvari (nine yards) kashta saree, but now days most of the maharashtrian brides prefer saha vari(six yards) silk sari or shaalu (shalu)

Bridal accessories for Maharashtrian Wedding

The bride for the wedding wears the typical Maharashtrian seven pearl studs. The bride also wears green bangles( Hirawa chuda), considered to be very fortunate for any function. The bride wears toe rings, pearl and bead nath or the nose ring and a bright red bindhi.

Green glass bangles are considered auspicious because green is the color of new life, creativity and rejuvenation. The bride can remove the chuda only a month after the wedding. Married women wear such chudas on all festive or religious occasions.

Maharashtrian groom dresses for marriage

The groom is dressed in dhoti or salwar and kurta, or sherwani.

Courtesy: http://www.cuisinecuisine.com

Gujarati (Gujrati/Gujarathi) Wedding dress

Gujarati marriage is a classic example of ethnicity, in which people dress up in beautiful rainbow colors. Gujarati wedding attire exhibits glimpses of their rich culture. Talking about the Gujarati wedding bridal wear, most Gujarati girls choose to wear a sari that is draped in the proper Gujarati style.

For a bride, what can be a better and auspicious color than red! Thus, red sari is the ideal ethnic dress for a bride, complemented with appropriate jewelry. However, in the present times, designer bridal lehangas available in different shades are gaining momentum. Stylish and chic looking, lehangas are luring more and more girls into buying them for the special day of their lives.

Traditional Panetar sarees are especially designed in combination of white and red color for Gujrati people according to their religious aspects for Gujarati marriages.

The Panetar saree is a Gujarati saree of satin weave and Gajji silk with red borders, central medallions and a white body. Panetar [white sari with a red bandhini border] is given as a gift from bride`s Maama's (mother's brother) family as her Mausala present which is considered as Shagun (good fortune). After marriage ceremony, she wears the saree given by her in laws.

Gujarati groom dresses for marriage

In a traditional Gujarati marriage, grooms opt for dhoti kurta. However, in metropolitan cities, the traditional ethnic clothing has taken a little back stage. For the modern men, the fashion designers are coming up with designer Gujarati wedding bridegroom wear like indo western kurta pyjamas. In the western wear category, formal suits are becoming the choice of the town.

Marwari wedding dress

The traditional Rajasthani poshak or wedding dress is usually red in colour, but it could also be orange, gold yellow, or pink. In certain Marwari clans, a bright parrot green is also worn. The jewellery consists of the rakhri (a circular piece of jewellery for the forehead), danglers for the ears, the timaniyaan (a choker studded with uncut diamonds) the chooda (a set of ivory and gold bangles), the bajuband or gold and stone-studded armlets, gold anklets and the bichhiya or gold toe-rings for the feet, and the nath or the stone-studded nose-ring.

The bridegroom is usually dressed in a gold achkan, with an orange turban and a churidar or jodhpurs with jootis. On the turban he wears a serpech a piece of jewellery specially meant for the urban. Around the neck he wears a necklace and around the waist he ties a cummerband. Of course, variations in styles and colours prevail.

Costumes in Telugu wedding

Telugu Bridal Wear - The bridal dress is the saree. In majority cases, the saree is a red one or sometimes other bright colors.

Bridal accessories for Telugu Wedding

Telugu Bride would wear gold and pearl jwellery. Pearl is exceptional as it is a product signifying Hyderabadi specialty. The bride would adorn her hair with special flowers.

Telugu groom dresses for marriage - The grooms of Andhra Pradesh wear the dress of South Indian dhoti and a shirt in their traditional style only. In case the groom is Brahmin, he does not wear the shirt during marriage.

Courtesy: http://www.cuisinecuisine.com

The costumes of Malayalee wedding

The bride usually wears a light colored or pastel colored saree with gorgeous border and aanchal.

Bridal accessories for Malyalee Wedding

Malyalee bride puts on heavy gold jewelleries and white flowers in her hair.

Malyalee groom dresses for marriage

The groom wears white, silk Punjabi and dhoti.

Wedding dresses for Punjabi Marriage

The wedding dress for the bride includes a Sharara, which is a long following skirt and blouse. There is a red dupatta or chunni or chunari to cover the head.

Courtesy: http://www.cuisinecuisine.com

Bridal accessories for Punjabi Wedding

Punjabi groom dresses for marriage

The groom wears a gorgeous Sherwani or a conventional salwar and kurta. But there are no rigid rules here.

Wedding dresses for Manipuri

The Manipuri bridal dress is unique. It is essential for the bride to wear the Raslila skirt.

The Garos used to wear barks of trees, which had been pounded and softened to resemble thin cloth. Lower-class Garos still wear a tiny piece of cloth, which simply cover the genitals. Some tribes living in the deep forests of the Chittagong Hill Tracts still wear tree leaves as their only wedding dress. Santal(Santhal) dresses are called panchi, panchatat and matha. The main dress of the Chakmas is the lungi that is worn with a shirt. Their women wear a pindhan or the red and black sarong, and plus a blouse called silum. Magh women cover their body from chest to knees with a thami or sarong over a full-sleeved blouse.

Bridal accessories for Manipuri Wedding

Ornaments and cosmetics - Among the Manipuris, there is very limited variety in the ornaments that tribal women wear. In north Bengal they wear almost similar ornaments. Santal and Oraon women wear ornaments in their hands, feet, nose, ears and neck. Oraon women tie their hair in a peak style and wear a tikli on the forehead. Chakma women wear bangles and anklets, as well as coin earrings and necklaces. Garo women do up their hair in bun style, which they then adorn with flowers. Magh women use a kind of herbal powder or wood paste to lighten their faces.

Manipuri groom dresses for marriage

The bridegroom`s dress is white dhoti, kurta and turban.

Kannada wedding costumes

In traditional Kannada weddings, the bride wears a navari or a nine-yard sari and green glass bangles. Moreover, she is adorned with fine gold jwellery of varied designs.

Among the various communities in Kannada, in the Baliga community wedding the wedding dress is completely different as the bride is dressed in white silk sari with contrasting colored border.

The Kannada Coorg bride wears a customary brocade sari draped in distinctive Coorg style. A shroud covers the bride`s head. In Kannada weddings the groom`s family presents the bride five sarees. Each saree is meant for particular occasions during the wedding. During Dare Puja, the bride wears a grand Kancheevaram silk saree. A simple saree is worn during the haldi ritual. An elegant saree is selected for Puja and when the bride sits near the groom after Griha Pravesh.

Kannada groom dresses for marriage

The groom wears a silk dhoti and pitambar and a pheta that is a turban. In the right hand he holds a stick, which has been sanctified, in a holy place.He wears white silk dhoti edged with zari border and a Valli, which is an elongated cloth of the same material draped over the shoulders. He also wears a white shirt and adorns himself with ornamental turban of gold embellishment called pheta. A large tilak is marked his forehead.

Parasi (parsi) dresses for marriage

The bride dresses in her madhavate - the white, ornate wedding saree given by her parents. This white sari embroidered with silver or gold called Gara work. Her head is partially covered. White is regarded as a symbol of purity in Zoroastrianism.

Parasi (parsi) groom dresses for marriage

The groom wears the traditional Parsi dagli (dugli) and feta a white kurta like garment and a black cap. The Parsi groom wears a traditional white overcoat "dugli", white cotton pants and a stiff hat i.e. traditional pughree/pughdi(pagadi)" or "fetah" especially designed for the occasion.

Christian dresses for marriage

An Anglo Indian Christian bride traditionally wears a white wedding gown in western style. The full skirted gown is usually made of around five to seven metres of material but can vary according to pattern. In other sects of Christian community the bride's dress is usually a white or cream saree.

In traditional South Indian Kerala Orthodox Christian wedding, bride wears an off-white gold embroidered saree with rhinestones and a cathedral veil. For the reception, she may wear a bright red or any colorful and gold boder embroidered saree with rhinestones.

Christian groom dresses for marriage

The christian groom wears a suit as his marriage dress.

Bridal accessories for Christian Wedding

Cristian brides have hair accessories as crystal tiara, wedding veils, feathered hair combs, hair pins or hair clips and other crystal, swarovski and beaded accessory.

Brides head is covered with a white veil and a crown - a tiara or a bunch of white flowers and she holds a flower bouquet in her hand.

Bridal dresses for weddings:

These are the most crucial part of traditional wedding and bridal look. Bride is center of attraction of the whole marriage ceremony. Bridal makeup and her wedding costume should be carefully chosen and done. Traditioanl Indian wedding dresses varies with wedding sarees, wedding lehenga cholis, bridal chania cholis and ghagra cholis.

In hindu weddings, hindu brides choose mostly sarees as their wedding dress. Maharashtrian brides wear wedding saree as paithani sari or shalu with zari or jartari work. Gujrati or marwari bride prefer sarees or lehenga cholis, ghagara cholis or chania cholis as their marriage attire. Know more about Indian brides...

Bridal accessories

As bride is the center of attraction of wedding ceremony, with her marriage dress, bridal accessories and jewelleries are very important. Bridal accessories and jewelleries should suits with wedding dress. It should not be mismatch. If you are wearing old torn off sandles with new designer dress then it will look like weird. Though you are wearing sandles with lehenga cholis then also it will look odd. White purse will never go with red bridal saree. Red and maroon bridal dress will accolade with golden or silver purses.

Mostly golden sequinsed purses, beaded or embroidered juttis or mojris(mojari or mojadi) or chappals are prefered by Indian brides.

Cristian brides have hair accessories as crystal tiara, wedding veils, feathered hair combs, hair pins or hair clips and other crystal, swarovski and beaded accessory.

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Groom wedding dresses and accessories

Though it's the bride who is the center of attraction groom should also take care of his personality and looks. Groom can have three piece suit or sherwani, kurta payjama as his wedding dress.

Accessories should accolade with wedding dress otherwise it will look aweful. Groom should not wear much jewelleries and accessories as it will look loud. He can wear goden chain, finger rings and bracelet in jewlry.

Groom's accessory is incmplete without fetah(turban) and shoes or mojari (mojri or mojdi) if his wedding dress is sherwani. You may wear golden chain and gold racelet as groom jewellery with shewani.

But if groom prefers smart three piece suit as his marriage attire then his groom accessories include smart suitable contrast or matching tie, lather black or brown formal shoes, smart watch. It will be very graceful ifyou can attach a beautiful red rose to your corner pocket of your coat of your wedding suit.

So you are ready for your marriage... Shubh Mangal Sawadhaan!

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Indian Wedding

Shubh Vivaah

Wedding

Shaadi

Marriage

CATCH THE INFORMATION LINKS ABOUT INDIAN WEDDINGS

Indian Traditions

Before the wedding day

Wedding ceremony

Vidaai / bidaai

Saat Fere or Saptapadi or saptpadi(Seven Steps)

The steps of a Vedic wedding and their significance

Step 1: vaak daanam

Step 2: kanyaa daanam

Step 3: vara prekshanam

Step 4: mangala snaanam and the wearing of the wedding clothes by the bride

Step 5: maangalya dhaaranam

Step 6: paani grahanam

Step 7: sapta padi

Step 8: pradhaana homam

Step 9: stepping on the grinding stone

Step 10: laaja homam

Step 11: griha pravesam

Step 12: praavisya homam

Indian weddings and bride - grooms of diffrenet regions in India

Gujarati Wedding: Gujarati Bride and groom

Bengali Wedding: Bengali Bride and groom

Marwari Wedding: Marwari Bride and groom

Maharashtrian Wedding: Maharashtrian Bride and groom

(Vadhu ani Var)

Christian Wedding: cristian Bride and groom

Tamil Wedding: Tamil Bride and groom

Parsi (parasi) Wedding: Parsi (parasi) Bride and groom

Punjabi Wedding: Punjabi Bride and groom

Weddings in North Indian Communities:

• Arya Samaj Marriage

• Kashmiri Hindu Brahmin Marriage

• Kashmiri Shia Muslim Marriage

• Madhya Pradesh Rajput Marriage

• Punjabi Hindu Arya Samaj Marriage

• Punjabi Hindu Sanatan Dharam Marriage

• Punjabi Khalsa Sikh Marriage

• Punjabi Sunni Muslim Marriage

• Sindhi (Hyderabadi) Arya Samaj Marriage

• Sindhi (Hyderabadi) Sanatan Dharam Marriage

• U.P. Kayast Marriage

• U.P. Khatri Marriage

• U.P. Pathan Sunni Muslim Marriage

Weddings in South Indian Communities

• Andhra Vaishnav Marriage

• Bunt Marriage

• Karnataka Vokkaliga Marriage

• Kerala Hindu Nair Marriage

• Kerala Syrian Christian Marriage

• Kodava or Coorg Marriage

• Saraswat Hindu Brahmin Marriage

• Tamil Chettiar Marriage

• Tamil Iyengar Brahmin Marriage

• Tamil Iyer Brahmin Marriage

• Tamil Mudaliar Marriage

• Telangana Andhra Reddy Marriage

Weddings in West Indian Communities

• Gujarati Naagar Brahmin Marriage

• Gujarati Patel Hindu Marriage

• Maharashtrian Marriage ceremony

Pre Wedding Rituals of Maharashtrian Wedding

• Maharashtrian Konkanstha Brahmin Marriage

• Maharashtrian Maratha Marriage

• Marwari Agarwal Marriage

• Marwari Jain(Oswal) Marriage

• Parsee Marriage

• Roman Catholic Saraswat Brahmin Marriage

• Bengali Marriage

• Bihari Kayast Marriage

Wedding dresses and accessories for bride and groom

Bengali wedding dress

Bridal accessories for Bengali Wedding

Bengali groom dresses for marriage

Maharashtrian Wedding dress

Bridal accessories for Maharashtrian Wedding