Exotic Indian Weddings --» The Traditional Indian Wedding

The Traditional Indian Wedding

If you wish to get married like a king, come to the land of kings- India. Through its rich culture and tradition India offers the majestic touch to your much awaited wedding. Preferred by the likes of Hollywood star Elizabeth Hurley who chose India to get married in India, it is the most sought after locations for destination weddings. Right from the welcome drink to partying gifts every aspect of the wedding is carefully and meticulously planned here. Fleets of elephant, horses, and vintage cars in the background of a 14th century regal palaces as the venue for the wedding adds special aura to the wedding. The fireworks and the music played by bands dressed to the occasion in the traditional colourful clothes make the wedding a dream affair. Rituals like Mehndi, Haldi, and Sangeet which precede the wedding are important parts of a traditional Indian wedding and generate great enthusiasm among the guests In Indian weddings, guests occupy a place of pride and are given the best treatment by the hosts. For the bride and the groom an Indian wedding is no less than a fairy tale  affair, as both of them are given a royal treatment and are dressed to the occasion in the most exclusive and colourful dresses.

A traditional Indian wedding is an elaborate affair with grand rituals proceeding the actual day of wedding. An Indian wedding involves three days of celebration starting with Mehndi party, a Sangeet night, and the wedding.Care is taken to prepare both the bride and the groom in the best possible way for the wedding. For this, few days before the wedding daily, both the bride and the groom are applied with Haldi or Uptan made of special herbs and turmeric powder over their bodies. The paste has the special purpose of making the skin radiant and fairer. On the day of the Mehndi party, the Mehndi or henna a natural dye is applied on the hands and feet of the bride in beautiful intricate patters of designs. The bride invites her friends, relatives and guests for the Mehndi party where henna is also applied on their palms, feet.

The designs are very beautiful and may have many themes like floral patterns, leaves, motifs etc. But the most exclusive of the designs are reserved for the bride. Henna is also applied on the arms and back of the bride like tattoo. After drying the henna leaves a maroonish brown colour which looks extremely beautiful. In India it is believed that the darker the colour of the henna on the palms of the bride the more she will be loved by the groom. So henna is not only a decorative item but is associated with the feeling of love among the future couple. It is this belief which makes henna special for any bride. The day is completed with music and formal dinner served for the guests.

The Mehndi party is followed by the night of Sangeet. Sangeet means music. This night is a musical night when relatives, friends and guests gather with the bride and the groom to sing, dance and dine together. Conducted by live orchestra, folk, traditional, and even trendy music is played which prepares the mood for the evening. Guests are first served a welcome drink and then invited on the dance floor to dance with the couple. The occasion becomes exciting as small fun filled games are played between the teams of the bride and the groom. At the end a formal dinner is served for all.

The day of the wedding is the most eagerly waited affair. On the day of the, both the bride and the groom are specially dressed for the occasion in the most exclusive jewellery and costume. In the morning, the bride and groom are separately anointed with aromatic pastes and oils, and then bathed to the chanting of Vedic mantras. In the evening the groom gets ready to take the Baraat (marriage) procession to the bride’s place. The groom rides a magnificently decorated horse or a vintage car from the royal collection, depending upon the choice, accompanied by his friends and guests. Liveried men with lances line up the entire length of the procession route with mashaals in their hands. Young girls dressed in Rajasthani attire accompany the procession sprinkling rose petals and attar (rose water) in the front, followed by Dhol / Nagada, traditional drums used for the auspicious occasions. The marriage procession is also accompanied by live band which plays beautiful tunes of wedding songs. The whole ambience gets transformed into a wonderful canvass with the brilliant display of colourful fireworks.

A 13th or 14th century majestic fort in the middle of a lake makes a perfect wedding venue for a fairy tale wedding. Decorated splendidly, lanterns, mashaals and fairy lights the island palace presents a bewitching aura of festivity. As soon as the groom reaches the wedding venue he is given a grand and traditional welcome with Aarti, showering of rose petals and folk performance. A welcome drink is served for all. After this the bride herself comes to be with the groom to cut the wedding cake. Dance begins.

In the night the wedding ceremony is conducted under a flower decorated canopy called Mandap, especially made for the wedding. Garlands of flowers are exchanged between the couple, and promises are recited. Amidst chanting of Vedic mantras and showering of rose petals by guests the bride and the groom is declared man and wife.

Dinner occupies great importance in the Indian hospitality. It is but obvious that on the occasion of a wedding the best of food and drinks would be served. Right from continental and Mughlai to Chinese you can find every delicacy on the menu. The drinks consist of both traditional drinks, juices, as well as the best of wine and champagnes. People enjoy their evening with the wonderful food and music served on the auspicious day.

As the guests get ready to leave, they are presented with special gifts as token of thanks by the couple. These gifts are carefully chosen by the couple for the guests according to their taste. A wedding in India is bound to leave you mesmerised for the life time, so come and be a part of the rich tradition!!!!!