Indian Wedding Traditions

Indian weddings are full of joy and fan-fare. All Indian wedding traditions are not just about the bride and groom, but the entire family. From the type of traditional Indian wedding dress to outfits of the guests, to invitations and wedding favors there is much grandness shown. Indian weddings bring a tradition of money, happiness and family to a wedding.

There are many Indian wedding traditions and East Indian traditions you can incorporate into your ceremony. Dohdi Mangal is a tradition done at the crack of dawn on the morning of the wedding before the bride and groom don the traditional Indian wedding dress. About 10 married ladies go down to the river and fill pitchers of water. The water is then brought back and the bride and groom are then fed and washed. This Indian wedding tradition is done to invite the Goddess Ganga to the wedding. One traditional way of inviting the family to the wedding is not by sending special Indian wedding cards, but blowing a conk shell to inform people of the nuptial day.

A wedding in India can be marked by the clothes there are for the guests and special East Indian style wedding dresses. The bride may wear a traditional two piece sari called a Mundu and be adorned with flowers and bracelets. The bride is often dressed by her mother or other female relatives after being anointed with oils. Indian wedding traditions have passed down much more colorful wedding gowns than we are used to in our European culture.

During the wedding it is an Indian wedding tradition to have a cloth between the bride and groom. At a certain point in the ceremony the priest pulls a string around the bride and groom and they proceed to throw rice at each other. It is said that whoever can throw the rice first will be dominate in the relationship.

After the ceremony there is a very festive traditional Indian wedding reception with much food, money and joy. One Indian wedding tradition that may take place is called Juta Chhupi where the children hide the groom’s unattended shoes for him to find while the bride is changing into the clothes bought for her by her new in-laws as an Indian wedding favor. There is quite a bit of dancing and drinking involved as with any wedding. Incorporating the tradition of an Indian wedding is a great way to show your heritage and culture at your wedding.