Wedding Ritual

Hindu Vedic Wedding Traditions Guide – What you must know

In a land so rich culturally, marriage is considered to be a union of mind, body and soul amongst individuals. The customs and rituals of the ceremony may vary with diverse traditions, language and regional differences. But the tenets of a Hindu Vedic wedding remain the same with each ritual or custom having its own significance. Typical traditions followed in a Vedic wedding ceremony: Vara Satkaraah - The day begins with the welcome of the groom by the bride’s family.  In some cultures, the mother of the bride welcomes him, while in others, it will be her brother. The groom then moves towards the Mandap. Dakshina - The bride and groom seek the blessings of their parents and their to-be pa...

cross-cultural wedding

Cross-cultural Wedding: How To Plan A Fusion Wedding

A cross-cultural wedding is unique to the core for event managers. These days, a large number of couples are opting for cross-cultural weddings, and its popularity is constantly on the rise. The advantages of organizing a fusion wedding are many. You may require some serious planning to get it done perfectly. Also, the event manager in charge of the event needs a lot of courage and a bit of creativity to pull off a good show. Are you planning a fusion wedding? Our wedding expert shares 6 tips on organizing the wedding from the scratch! Talk to the participants of the cross-cultural wedding For an event manager, you must firstly talk to the bride and groom to get a clear cut picture of the c...

customs

5 Unique Indian Wedding Customs

Indian customs are unique in every way. The essence of wedding customs is that they spell auspiciousness and goodwill throughout the ceremony. While specific communities follow certain particular customs, there are many that transcend the boundaries of religion, geography, and even culture. Don’t miss a chance to enjoy these 5 unique Indian wedding customs! Mehendi and Sangeet Mehendi is the earliest known form of body painting. The mehendi ceremony is a ritual that marks the beginning of the wedding season. The bride’s friends, cousins and elderly women apply mehendi paste on the palms, ankles and back of the bride to represent the “blessings of the Sun God.” Sikhs, Muslims and the Sindhi ...

betel

Significance of Betel Leaves and Areca Nuts in Indian Weddings

Indian weddings are filled with numerous ceremonies and rituals that have been followed since time immemorial. Although you find many different customs pervading across the country, some ceremonies and rituals are the same everywhere. One such ritual is the use of betel leaf. The use of betel leaves and areca nuts is a prominent ritual, especially in South India. The use of these two items in weddings dates back to 400BC. Because of its medicinal value, the leaves and nuts have been mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic books. Due to these properties, elders in India and other South Asian countries chew them as a mouth freshener and as an aphrodisiac. The Tradition of Betel Leaves Apart from using...

ring

Wedding Ring Tales – Latest Trends & Designs

Whether you are looking for a vintage European engagement ring or a regale contemporary culture-inspired stone setting, there are plenty of options for bridal rings out there. Here are 7 top-end engagement ring designs that will dazzle on any finger, no matter which part of the world you live in. Symmetrical Floral accents With stones set in a series-like petal designs, the floral accent engagement rings are always popular. The blooming design gets their inspiration from the shapes of rose petals and lotus flaps. They are mostly round and curved to complement the metal band. They maybe either single loop or double loop with an engraved name and design. These truly feminine rings get a whims...

indian bride

The 16 Adornments of an Indian Bride

An Indian bride is the personification of beauty – an ethereal representation of all that’s good and pure. Every bride wants to look perfect for their special day. So, it is natural that she starts planning and visualising every single aspect of her look in immense detail from the very first day. According to tradition, the Indian bride has to carry 16 adornments, known as the Solah Shringar. This is an ancient beauty ritual, and a part of bridal preparation. Weddings celebrate the divinity of a bride as she steps into womanhood. Therefore, the 16 adornments are symbolic representations of the divine. And also, Shringar alludes to Goddess Laxmi, the patron deity of wealth and beauty. This ...

mangalsutra

Different Types of Mangalsutra Across India

The Mangalsutra, or the sacred thread, signifies the union of marriage. Hindu culture revers it with great importance. The Mangalsutra has widespread use across the country, in different names and forms. Many Indian states have their own version of the Mangalsutra. As a matter of fact, we believe that the tradition originated in South India and later travelled to the Northern states. ‘Mangal’ means holy and ‘Sutra’ alludes to thread. In its bare form, the Mangalsutra is essentially a yellow thread with black beads strung. The groom ties the thread around his bride’s neck at the moment when they solemnise their marriage. Let’s take a look at the different types of Mangalsutras, their name an...

haldi

Why Haldi Is Applied To Bride And Groom Before Wedding

Haldi or turmeric is an essential commodity of Indian cuisine. The spice also holds a special place in Indian weddings. This is celebrated in a ritual known as the Haldi or Pithi Ceremony. It takes place in both the bride's and the groom’s homes a few days before the actual wedding. The Haldi Ritual Haldi has a host of health benefits which marks it as an important ingredient in food items, as well as in beauty and skin care. While it adds taste and colour to food, the turmeric paste also enhances glow and fairness and promotes healthy skin. This glow is essentially what the Haldi ceremony is all about. The paste is a mixture of turmeric, sandalwood powder and rose water, which forms a frag...

mehndi

Ever Wondered Why Indian Brides Apply Mehndi?

Have you ever been to a bride-to-be’s home on the eve of the wedding? If you have, then chances are that you would have had a fun-filled night with mehndi and laughter. Indian weddings have a horde of customs and rituals which are both fascinating and fun. And one such custom is the Mehndi Ceremony at the bride’s family. This custom has roots dating back to Vedic times and is among the oldest culturally-significant Indian customs. Simply put, on the wedding eve, the bride’s family members and close friends gather around and apply mehndi on her hands and feet. Nowadays, families hire professionals to apply mehndi on the bride and on the relatives as well. As easy as it sounds, this is a rit...

wedding vows

5 Funny Wedding Vows To Include In Your Wedding Ceremony

Writing down funny wedding vows is not just tricky, but they also face a certain level of resistance from grumpy relatives. Always find new ways to entertain wedding guests without actually giving up on the commitment in life. Here are some inspiring and creative wedding vows which tickled our funny bone! The Celebrity Vow Weddings are set in heaven. And when you involve some good celebrity wedding vows, it makes it all the more magical! Taking a cue from one of the most loved couples in the world, here's a vow we made practical for you. “Hey Victoria... You are a spice girl of my life, and I promise to add more flavours into your life. Well, my achievements only include good looks that wi...