Category Archives: Wedding Ceremony

May182021NOCOMMENTS

Starting your own wedding planning company.

Do you dream of becoming one of the top wedding planners who get the chance to organise beautiful ceremonies in some of the top destination wedding locations in the world? However, it is not easy to start your own company that offers wedding planning services. Many a time start-ups are launched without proper planning. In such cases, the chances of your company turning into a failure become significantly high. Just taking the right name and logo and launching your page on Instagram or other social media accounts is not enough. If you want to see your name on the successful best wedding planner list in India, then you must approach this job systematically. If you are new to this job and are feeling quite overwhelmed and not sure where to start, then this article is for you.

Tips to ensure the success of your wedding planning business
The overall success of your company that deals with wedding planning rest on two important pillars that are knowledge and support. Let us understand each one of them carefully.

Get knowledge required to run the business
Running a big company, wherein you offer highly professional service requires domain knowledge. Without knowing the intricacy of running a wedding planning business, you are heading towards failure. You have to get knowledge of what kind of information you can share with your clients. You should also know all the laws that you have to follow when you are running such a company and the legal contracts you have to draw and sign with your customers. Furthermore, you should hire marketing people who will advertise your company across digital media so that your target audience knows about your company and what you are offering them.

Your support network
To run a big wedding planning company you should have a team of specialists like wedding photographers, florists, decorators, and others who will help you to execute your plan of organising a beautiful wedding ceremony. In addition to these, you will also need few other things to make your wedding planning company a big success. These include the following:
• A good business plan for your company.
• Hiring the services of a financial analyst to take care of your finances.
• Find trusted vendors who will support you in organising big and luxurious weddings by giving you high-quality services and products.
• Hire designers who will give you unique wedding concepts.

If you follow the tips that we have shared with you in this article, then you can launch and run a successful wedding planning company.

For More Information: https://www.smlwindia.com/

May72021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Fashion & Beauty, Wedding Ceremony

Think you’re missing something?

When it comes to your matrimony, picking out the perfect clothes often takes top preference; several boutique visits, dozens of clothes to try on, and clashing opinions from your mom and bridesmaids. Just do not disremember to view the other all-important details you will dress on the big day – the jewelry!

Engagement Ring

Getting the attire right is superiority, but your engagement ring lasts as an everyday reminder of your marriage day, aside from the recollections, so get it right. It should always be a contemplated acquisition; after all, when you consider cost per wear, it has got to be the best value item from the whole day. The conventional options are ‘court’ which has a slight curve, ‘flat’ that is a more modern finish, or ‘d-shape’ if your ring is more rounded. Growing demand is the use of forever ring styles as a wedding band, especially if your engagement ring has extra diamonds set in the band.

If your engagement ring is a novel shape or quite specific, you will often find that a regular shape wedding ring will not sit flush adjacent to it. If this is the case, a chevron wishbone wedding ring will work best; made with a small band to the band, this will enable your two rings to fit together. It is used for luck and love. Engagement rings are tokens of affection, commitment, and loyalty a couple of shares. The ring’s shape and design have an added symbolism that many couples add when they sketch a ring or select the perfect ring to symbolize their relationship.

General Engagement Ring Symbolism

Originally, engagement rings may have signified a portion of a bride’s dowry or bride price. Not only did the ring display the woman’s committed state, but the quality of the jewelry symbolized the social status and success of her bridegroom. Wedding bands are placed first on the left ring finger to be most intimate to the heart.

The Circle

Engagement rings are finally circles of metal, and the circle is a part of highly pious, figurative geometry. Circles have no origin and no end and thus symbolize immortality, rebirth, wholeness, and completeness. They also represent the sun, moon, and planets, drawing close to all lives just as an engagement ring brings together the lives of two people.

The Double Ring Ceremony

In a double-ring tradition, both the bride and bridegroom receive wedding rings; earlier traditions only gave a ring to the bride. Today, most couples have double wedding ring ceremonies, and the popularity of men’s engagement rings is growing to stretch that analogy.

Personal Engagement Ring Symbolism

Most couples prefer engagement rings imbued with personal symbolism. Celtic engagement rings are profoundly symbolic of family knots and ethnic cultures, while antique rings may be family heirlooms that carry on intimate traditions. The designer birthstone rings may use selective birthstones that often have novel elements such as frail filigree patterns to represent the bride and groom or the vital dates of their relationship, such as their first encounter, first date, or first kiss.

Three stone engagement rings are themselves instilled with personal symbolism. Each of the stones depicts a distinct stage in the couple’s relationship: their past, present, and future. Three stone rings are obtainable in several shapes; although round, emerald, and princess cuts are the most popular.

Engraving engagement rings are another way to add an analogy to the jewels. While some religions believe that carving the ring’s circle will bring trouble because it symbolically thins the metal (there is no difference in original strength), others feel that it adds closeness and uniqueness to the ring and builds a stronger bond in the bond.

Whatever the personalization, there is no refuting that engagement ring analogy factors profoundly into a couple’s choice of the ring. Whether you prefer a classic diamond solitaire to honor cultures, a legacy ring to include family, or an entirely new ring with personal illustrative elements; the most crucial thing is that the ring truly expresses the love, faith, and promise you are going to share for many ages to come.

For More Information: https://www.smlwindia.com/

April122021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planner

Wedding décors that are popular in 2021.

Are you planning to get married soon and want to organise a beautiful wedding ceremony, then you should first look for some good places for destination weddings that are within your budget. Once you have identified the location then you have to book the hotel rooms, buy plane or train tickets, and hire the services of the vendors. If you find the entire exercise too complicated and overwhelming then just go through the list of top wedding planners in India and select one whose style you like and who is also offering the best package deal. They will take care of everything and you can enjoy the ceremony with your friends and family members. When you are organising a lavish wedding ceremony, then you have to decide on the right decor that would wow your guests. However, choosing the right decor can be a big challenge as there are so many options available. To help you out in this, we have put together a list of the most popular wedding décor of 2021 that you would love.

Top wedding décor that will inspire you

Wedding decor plays an important role in taking the ceremony to a new level. Here we have listed some of the latest trends in this field so that you can choose one and make your wedding ceremony one of the most talked-about topics amongst your guests for years to come.

Minimal is the way to go

If you talk to some of the top wedding planners in India about the most popular décor, then most of them will say that people are choosing the theme “minimal is more”. People who are looking for the best destination-wedding planner in India want to include some elements of the place where they want to organise their wedding ceremony reflected in their wedding decor. As the world is still struggling against the Covid virus, people are shying away from the lavish and glitzy decor. They are more focusing on using small things around them creatively to make it a part of their own space.

Contemporary design

People who want to have minimalist wedding decor are focusing on contemporary settings to make their ceremony more intimate and personalised. To achieve this, they are using green foliage along with fresh and sober color palettes that are complemented by unique elements to create a warm environment where people can sit down and enjoy the ceremony and each other’s company.

A combination of modern and traditional

People are trying to mix and match elements that are both modern and traditional through paintings, and various artifacts. In addition, to give it a modern touch they are also using elements like modern lighting, beautiful floral patterns, and small and comfortable seating arrangements to give their guests more privacy and a cozy environment.

For More Information: https://www.smlwindia.com/

March152021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planner

WEDDING RITUALS FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS OF INDIA.

Mehndi, Haldi, Sangeet, Baarat, Vidaai. These are some very important rituals or festivals that we practice during our weddings. And also we know that these rituals happen in all weddings across India.

But India, as we all know is a diverse nation. Different states have different cultures and practices. So apart from these main functions which are common across the country, different states have many different practices, which, again varies from region to region.

So to make your wedding more unique and fun, to let the guests inspired and bring back some old and different cultures, you can add some of these practices to your wedding.

Here are some practices from different regions that you can easily add to your wedding.

1. Mangala Snanam (Purifying Bath) from Tamil Naadu:

As the name suggests, this is a ritual where the bride and the groom are bathed and then get ready for the wedding. Before the bath, Haldi, Kumkum, and oil are applied to them. Such a great way to start that auspicious day, isn’t it?

2. Subho Drishti (Bengal)

This is a beautiful practice in Bengali marriage where the bride removes Betel leaves in front of her face and looks at the groom in front of the guests and relatives. This exchange of glance is considered to be the beginning of their togetherness. This is Lovely right?

3. Talambralu (Tamil naadu and Kerala)

This is an important ritual in Tamil Naadu and Kerala, where the relatives and guests come and put sacred rice on the bride’s and groom’s heads. This is considered as blessing the couple using sacred rice.

4. Bouquet Toss

This is one of the most famous and common fun practices in a Christian wedding, which now people started doing in every wedding. Here, the bride tosses her bouquet backward at the crowd and it is said that whoever catches that bouquet will be the one to get married next!! Who doesn’t get happy to hear about their marriage, isn’t it?

5. The ring game

This is a fun game performed mostly in Telugu weddings, where the priest drops two rings, in which one is gold and the other is silver, in a pot filled with water or milk. The bride and groom put their right hand into the pot to find the rings three times. Whoever finds the gold ring twice is considered the winner and is said to have an upper hand in the marriage.

6. Sirguthi (Rajasthan)

Sirguthi is an old practice in Maarwari weddings that has less relevance today. In this, the mother or some elderly woman would comb the bride’s hair and apply fresh makeup so that she could get some relief from the day’s stress. Even though this is not required now because of professional stylists and heavy makeup, a little touch of care from a mother can definitely help you to get through the day.

So now that you are aware of different games and rituals, what are you waiting for! Decide which one you want to add to your wedding. Also, you can ask your grandparents or other elders about their wedding day. They may have some great ideas which we, who consider ourselves as ‘new gen’, may have forgotten.

For more information: https://www.smlwindia.com/

March92021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planner

Exotic Bollywood Celeb Marriage Trivia.

Here are some amusing facts about Bollywood celeb marriages!

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh’s marriage was a generous and huge affair in authentic Kapoor style with the celebrations lasting for nearly 20 days. It’s also said that both Rishi and Neetu experienced fainting spells on the marriage day owing to the huge crowd turned up for the festivities and the heavy outfits they wore.

No one can forget the much-hyped marriage of Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai the most expensive and much-awaited marriage was rumored to have hired few choppers just to drop petals over the gathering that had an extensive guest list of over 5000 people.

Shilpa Shetty-Raj Kundra’s marriage was the most famous big fat Bollywood marriage in 2009. While Shilpa’s Swarovski crystal-embellished marriage outfit is said to have cost Rs 50 lakh, her marriage jewels are assessed to be worth Rs 3crore. That’s 35 million worth of bride! Another dose of trivia is that the Shetty–Kundra marriage cake was 9 rows and measured 80kgs.

The marriage invite of Vivek Oberoi and Priyanka Alva was lavish in itself. The invitation consisted of a jewel box which held a Mughal Ganjifaart, chocolates, a car pass, exclusive invitations to the different celebrations, routes to the venue from all five-star inns in Bangalore, essential data for outstation guests on whom to reach alighting in Bangalore, phone numbers, car details, accommodation details, etc. The invites were completely handcrafted and eco-friendly costing about 7000 Indian Rupees each.

Everyone seeks to give or receive the most novel gifts on the marriage day. One such novel gift was given by famous filmmaker Satyajit Ray to Sharmila Tagore when she wedded the famous cricketer and Nawab of Pataudi, Mansur AliKhan.

According to his biography, written by his wife, Sharmila got a 16 mm print of the feature film Apur Sansar starring her as her marriage present. His son, Sandip Ray had quite a backache after bringing so many cans of films.

Sunil Shetty’s marriage gift to his wife Mana was a BMW car with the words “’BMW ‘. BE MY WIFE.” inscribed on the back.

Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap and his actor date Kalki Koechlin tied the knot in April 2011 in Ooty where the marriage ritual took place under a 100-year old mango tree, the one that Kalki used to climb on, as a kid.

The guests attending the marriage of acclaimed Bollywood filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar and Renu Namboodri in 2003 had never received any printed marriage invite from the couple. Interestingly, Madhur beckoned everyone through phone calls and text messages and a few cases, with private invites.

For more information: https://www.smlwindia.com/

March22021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Fashion & Beauty, Wedding Ceremony

THE AUSPICIOUS DAY OF MEHNDI AND ITS SIGNIFIANCE.

Mehndi laga ke rakhna, Doli saja ke rakhna,

Lene tuje o gori, Aayenge tere sajnaa….

Who doesn’t love Mehndi isn’t it? That dark red colour with lovely designs will certainly add more beauty to your hands.

The Mehndi ceremony that is conducted one or two days before the wedding day, is considered one of the most important and auspicious ceremonies in the pre-wedding celebration. Just imagine that day when the air is filled with the aura of green Mehndi, kids running, girls groups with all of your close relatives applying mehndi and dancing to your favourite old Bollywood songs. Everyone finding their favourite designs many days prior, then there will be professional henna artists who come to apply mehndi to the guests. Everyone sits together in rounds, singing and joking.

Have you ever asked someone why do we practice this ceremony?

Well, as per the tradition, mehndi or henna is considered as a paste that attracts positivity. So deeper the colour of the bride’s mehndi, the happier the bride and groom’s marriage will be. And the different designs symbolize blessings, joy, love and prosperity. It is also a way of wishing the bride good health and prosperity as she begins her journey to a new life. You can also apply the first letter of the groom and ask him to find and this is considered as an indication of love.

Scientifically, mehndi is made from a herb, so when it is applied on the hands and feet, it helps to cool the body, keeps the nerves from being tense and also prevents headaches and fever. It is also used to prevent stress in the bride before the wedding.

Now let’s look at the dress during the ceremony. Since mehndi is done in the day, you can go for more bright colours. Bright green, which matches the idea of mehndi can be a great choice. You can also go for orange, sky blue, peach, pink etc. People often wear salwar or lehenga during this function, but always remember to keep the sleeves short and more exposing so that you can apply henna on all your hands and legs. What about everyone wearing goggles? Sure that will make you look cool!!

The next important aspect to look for is the venue. Since this is mostly done outdoors, you can keep sofas, beds, cushions and all outside. You can decorate with flowers, colour papers and balloons. DIY is something that is trending nowadays. You can hang origami birds, flowers, lamps etc up there. If you have a large tree, then what are you looking at! Decorate that with all those things and you will get the best place to enjoy the henna at perfect comfort and beauty!! Don’t forget to have a small place for the guests to take photos because any function is incomplete without photo sessions.

For more information: https://www.smlwindia.com/

February182021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planner

SMALL TOUCHES TO ENSURE GUEST COMFORT.

You may probably think that it is your big day and why do you need to focus on other people, but aren’t they the ones for whom you are doing all the arrangements in the first place, so why don’t do it flawlessly! Especially in Indian culture it is said ‘Atithi Devo Bhava!’ means ‘guests are equivalent to God’ so making sure that they are relived and enjoying your wedding may be blissful for you also.

All the guests are important:

You may have invited a lot of people from both sides, some family, some friends, some long lost cousins and extended family, and no matter if you are personally close to them or not they have come to your big day and so they are as important as any other guest. Don’t let them feel that they don’t belong there.

Here are some ideas that can help you provide your guests with a lovely experience throughout your wedding.

HAMPERS AND PERSONALISED GIFTS-

Show them how grateful you are to have them even before and also after the wedding, you can send sweets or chocolates along with an invitation and can give a personal touch by writing a note to the special ones. Also for them to have something to remember the great time they had, hand them a goodie package while they leave the venue. Provide them with snacks and daily essentials like moisturizer, sunscreen, or sanitizers to greet them when they arrive!

MAKE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA GAME STRONG –

Keep posting pictures and don’t forget to mention your squad. Make a hashtag and update all the guests with the day-to-day preps and let them get excited about your big day coming. You can also send them an email about the ceremonial schedules, share GPS locations of your venue, and don’t let them miss anything.

ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORTATION –

Try and accommodate all the guests at the same place, this way guests will get to mingle with each other and if the venue itself has an accommodation facility then it’s perfect. This way you don’t have to worry about the time to time transportation. Pick up and drop from stations or airports will be the cherry on the cake and your guests would appreciate your thoughtful gesture!

AMBIENCE AND SITTING – make sure there are adequate seating arrangements made. There should be a proportionate number of tables and chairs, plenty of leg space for them to move around and get comfortable. Now décor may seem to you as one of the aspects that just have to look good but it should also feel good, the bright colors and tacky stuff may also bring solace if used appropriately.

MANAGE THE TIMELINE – The smart planning will be not to line up ceremony after ceremony without having breaks in between. Give yourself and your guests some time. Also, try not to start any of the ceremonies very late, be punctual about it. It will save time and you and your guest will enjoy everything without any hurry.

FOOD AND DRINKS– Keep on checking that your guests are fed and well hydrated. To accommodate everyone it is best to create a menu with various options. And if any of your guests have any special requirements because of their dietary restrictions, try to fulfill that. Serve drinks and sodas in between.

KEEP THE THING GOING – If you have a little longer gap between two ceremonies, don’t let your guests get bored, tell your photographer to click their pictures during the extra time, play songs, engage them with something, a selfie booth or a picture-perfect spot will also do!

GAMES AND ENTERTAINMENT –Setting a play area for kids will help the mommies unwind, loosen up and have some fun of their own. If possible, you can place a big projector screen in a garden or somewhere for guests to chill and have fun. A planned surprise flash mob for all the shy uncles and aunties will bring the best out of them. Play fun games and keep them busy.

DRESSCODE – setting a dress code for a function, for example, wear orange or green for mehndi or pastel outfits for Sangeet, will set up a whole mood in the ceremony and your guests won’t feel left out. These little things would make them feel special.

THEIR ROLE IN THE WEDDING – don’t let them forget that they are welcome, give your guests some kind of responsibility or a chance to help you. This way they would know that they also play a part in all the niceties going and that they are important. Insist them in dancing, singing and take part in the activities.

SALON AT HOME FOR THE LADIES –Who doesn’t like getting ready! Provide your female guests with makeup and hairstyling experts, who may help them look gorgeous. You can also arrange a spa and facial routine for your girl gang!

After making every possible attempt to give them comfort, don’t forget to ask them if they still need anything or if something is bothering them. And just remember, it’s the little things that matter the most!

For more information:- https://smlwindia.com/

February152021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planner

FOOD TRENDS AMONG THE WEDDINGS.

What do people attend weddings for? FOOD. People might forget the wedding decor or your wedding invitation, but what they will not forget is the food at your wedding. Yummy, mouth-watering delicacies, so rich and so decadent that they can only be served at a wedding, with aplomb. But on the other hand, you are seriously bored of the same old Butter Chicken and the boring old Dahi puri in plastic cups. No siree, you want your wedding to be a spectacle and that means, awesome food and guests going yummmm.

What if we say we have discovered the most innovative and upcoming food trends in 2021 which will definitely spice up your wedding catering services. After all, it’s another dazzling year ahead with lots of surprises and fun!

VEGAN MENU – The plant-based menu trend continues to be a hit so look for a caterer who offers creative vegan and vegetarian menus along with an ability to accommodate any special diet needs. Many people are not necessarily living a vegan lifestyle, but they are just excited to try something new.

MASALA CHAI /KULHAD CHAI STALL – Who doesn’t like tea? Isn’t it such a cute idea! You can get a chaiwala and serve it in kullads!

EDIBLE FLOWERS – If you are a floral lover, you may love to include flowers in your food along with your flowery decor and dress. Frozen in ice cubes, topped over salads, and for cake decorations, edible florals would make a lot of sense. Not only will they look colorful but will also infuse those perfect romantic vibes in your wedding menu!

SELF SERVE DRINK REMIX – The personalization of cocktails gives guests the opportunity to create their own concoction. For example, at a Gin & Tonic bar, the bartender gives the guest a glass with ice and gin in it. Guests then go to a self-service station to build their own cocktail with an assortment of flavored tonic waters and accouterments. Gin & Tonics are the DIY bar cocktail of choice because they are almost impossible to screw up!

COCONUT WATER STALLS – Coconut water may sound a little ethnic but isn’t it too cool for a beach wedding?

FOOD TRUCK- it’s that late afternoon at the wedding and everyone’s looking for some yummy eats and some friendly banter. The only thing you want will be a food truck. Some trendy food trucks are Ice Cream Food Truck, dosa truck, chat, and pav bhaji truck, rolls and wraps, sweets, pakoras, masala soda, kebabs, coffee, and tea

CANDY AND POPCORN STALLS – You can definitely add a stall for fancy candies and flavored popcorns if you are somebody who is planning to have a lot of kids for the wedding, plus even adults are fascinated by these things. Nostalgia!

LIVE FOOD STATIONS – Live food is always a great idea for your wedding because it stimulates many senses. It smells good, looks good, and tastes good. The bonus of having a live food station is that you pay for your menu prize, but it includes in your decor and also adds to your entertainment value. Food and a show!

These might be just a few trendy ideas for your wedding, but you can surely look out for more by contacting caterers and food specialists around you. Add on the exotic flavor with artistic desserts and boom!

For more information:- https://smlwindia.com/

January192021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Destination Wedding, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planner

HOW TO CHOOSE TRENDY SEASONAL COLOR AND SCHEME FOR YOUR INDIAN WEDDING?

BY SRESTHA DUTTA.

Don’t all couples want their wedding to have the soothing touch of the seasonal hues and the trendy styles to turn the gazes? What’s a wedding without popping and warm colors around the venue? When one enters the setting, they should remain mesmerized with the color scheme used around them. Colors verbalize the happiness, warmth, and affection felt by the people in a wedding through them. Therefore, it becomes of utter importance to use the right colors in your wedding. Here are a few tips on how to choose the correct colors and decorations for your wedding: –

SAFFRONI DAYS – Choose saffron to flatter the eyes of your guests while you deck up on the Haldi. Instead of going all out on yellow, throw a few saffron decorations here and there to spice things up on your haldi. Decorate the venue with hues of lemon yellow and ask your relatives and close ones to explore the saffron palette for your haldi. The placid lemon yellow is sure to find its perfect companion in the fiery saffron.

MINTY DELIGHT – Ditch the basic blues for your Mehendi and introduce a soothing touch to the color palette using some unique shades. Use mint, Olympic blue, and a creamy French rose to churn up the color scheme at your Mehendi. Set a bouquet of pink roses on each station and wear a pink attire to complement the decorations. Cover the place in adornments of mint and Olympic blue to astonish everyone!

INKY PINKY – Take your wedding to a new level with this vibrant color palette. Use pinks like – Fuchsia, hot pink, or magenta and cold blues like – Arctic, Cerulean, and the admiral to compliment your unique wedding. Let the bride slip into a peachy lehenga while the groom flaunts an electric blue Sherwani. To admire the embellishments, light up a grand chandelier emitting a bright yellow aura around the venue.

SILVER WAYS –Red is used as the prime color at every Indian wedding, if you’re looking for a break from the known choose this idea as a trendsetter. Steer your path from the stereotypical red theme on your wedding day and take to Silver and Blue ways. Decorate the venue with glamorous silver trinkets here and there while you and your partner show off the beautiful Blue dresses bought for the event.

PEACHY PURPLE – Receptions are all about food, party, and awestruck garments worn by the countless heads. Use purple and pink shades for decorating the setting with rich and colorful flower bouquets around the venue. Feel free to put on a peachy and flowy gown that will not only complement the room but make you feel like a peach princess amidst a colorful orchard!

ROYALS AT RESCUE – If you long for a royal wedding but are short on the budget this color palette is sure to do your job. Go back to colors like red, maroon, and scarlet matched with some gold and goldenrod hues. This bright and lively palette will perfectly praise your royal wedding all the while keeping a warm undertone!

January182021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Planner

WEDDING CEREMONIES.

Indian weddings aren’t just about the pheras and getting engaged to the love of your life, to get married one must perform six other ceremonies packed with culture and rituals! Indian weddings typically last between three to four days ending with an extraordinary Roka ceremony. The various ceremonies keep us close to our roots. Throughout these days, both the families involved celebrate traditional ceremonies along with their relatives and friends. Food, decoration, glamorous dresses, and relationships are seen to flourish during times of gratification and enjoyment. Let’s peek into the different Indian wedding ceremonies!

PRE-WEDDING CEREMONIES: –

ROKA – Roka is considered to be the official meeting attended by the family of the bride and groom to start the wedding preparations. A priest accompanies the families and decides on the date of marriage and other rituals. The bride and the groom give consent to marry each other and a healthy exchange of fruits, sweets, and gifts is seen.

ENGAGEMENT – A few months before the final knot, the family of the future bride and groom meet, and an exchange of rings is followed. Typically, close relatives and friends of both families take part in this ceremony. The father of the to-be bride and groom seeks the happiness of their wards and officially announces the wedding to the world after the exchange of wedding rings between the love birds.

MEHENDI – A day before the wedding traditional henna dye is applied on the hands and feet of the bride in beautiful designs. In some parts of India, the groom also follows the henna ceremony. While the bride gets her Mehendi done by a professional henna artist along with other females at the party, other relatives tune into some party music and dance their hearts away. The darkness of the dried Mehendi is connected to the love between the would-be couple in some places.

SANGEET – Music has been a way of finding peace and happiness during stressful times. The sangeet ceremony which is celebrated a few days prior to the wedding adds to the fun of the union between the two families. Friends and relatives from both the families of the bride and the groom prepare dance numbers and choirs. A jolly battle of thumkas is observed over the evening which brings the families closer to each other.

HALDI – Indians are always a step further when it comes to enhancing their beauty and inviting positivity in their lives. The Haldi ceremony does just this. A watery paste of turmeric or Haldi is applied to the bride and the groom in their respective homes on the morning of the wedding ceremony by their family members. Both the individuals are blessed by the Haldi appliers with prosperity and happiness forever.

POST WEDDING CEREMONIES: –

VIDAAI – The saddest ritual in the whole wedding is probably the Vidaai ceremony where the bride finally leaves for her new life with her husband. In this ceremony, the bride throws a hand full of rice over her shoulder which is caught by her mother. This ceremony symbolizes that the bride returns whatever she has consumed from her parents. Though we can truly never return the favor of our parents, this ceremony is widely honored across India in teary eyes.

GRIHA PRAVESH – After the Vidaai ceremony the bride and the groom arrive at the home of the groom where there are warmly welcomed by the family of the groom. The bride follows a ritual where she pushes a Kalash filled with rice with her right foot and steps on a dish containing a mixture of malta and walks into the house. This symbolizes that the new bride brings joy and prosperity with her.

GAMES- Many games are played after the bride enters her new home to break the ice between her and her new family members. The bride and groom are placed in different teams and asked to play games against each other. This is a fun ritual that celebrates the union and welcomes the bride into the groom’s family.

RECEPTION – The reception is the formal welcome of the bride into the groom’s family. The groom’s family throws a fest which is attended by the family and relatives of both the families and is celebrated with dancing, music, feasting on food, etcetera. Though this ceremony does not have specific rituals, it is a fun way of welcoming the bride into the new family.

ASHIRWAD- The Ashirwad ceremony is celebrated all across the country after the reception where the family of the bride visits the couple after their marriage with sweets to bless them for their future. The bride and the groom touch the feet of the elderly and seek their love and support. The day is spent feasting on food offered by the groom’s family and getting to know each other.

PAG PHERA- The pag phera ceremony is celebrated by the Indians as an auspicious event. The bride is accompanied by her brothers and cousins back to her own house after the wedding where she stays for three days. After the completion of the third day, the groom comes to get her back to the in-laws which marks the end of the vast Indian wedding rituals.

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