Category Archives: Wedding Planner

April122021NOCOMMENTS

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/

March312021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Destination Wedding, Wedding Planner

A beautiful wedding in the backwaters of Kerala.

Hardly any other country offers as much diversity in terms of place, culture, religion, language, and food habits as India. Therefore, the best wedding planners in the world have over the years chose India to organise a beautiful wedding ceremony for their clients. India has a large number of top destination wedding locations in the world. It ranges from places that are nestled in the Himalayas and the western ghats, the beautiful backwaters of Kerala, the shimmering desert landscape of Rajasthan, and the vast expanse of suburban mangroves. In this article, we will share with you some important places in Kerala, wherein you can organise a beautiful wedding ceremony that your clients and your guests will remember for a long time to come.

Some important places where you can organise a beautiful wedding ceremony

Kerala is also termed as the god’s own country because it is blessed with beautiful natural scenery, amazing people, and a great culture. Some of the important places where you can organise a beautiful wedding ceremony includes the following.

Houseboat wedding

If you are looking to organise a unique wedding ceremony that your guests will love and enjoy to the fullest, then we suggest that you should organise a houseboat wedding. As you know, Kerala is blessed with beautiful backwater channels, wherein you could find big houseboats that are lavishly decorated and come with all the amenities that you will find in a five-star hotel. You can hire one of these houseboats to organise your marriage ceremony. Either you can book a houseboat for the entire wedding or you can hire in just for one particular ceremony and do the rest in a five-star hotel. All these houseboats are in great demand, therefore we suggest that you should book them in advance to have an amazing experience with your guests. The average cost for renting out one room in these majestic-looking houseboats per night is ₹ 25,000.

Beach wedding

Kerala has a huge coastline that is dotted with beautiful beaches. While there are many big and small hotels that organise a beach wedding, we suggest that if your budget permits, then you should choose the LeelaKovalam five-star hotel that is located on a cliff-top with easy access to a beach. This beautiful hotel overlooks the pristine blue Arabian Sea and it offers you world-class services. The average marriage package that includes various services like providing food and accommodation to 150 to 175 guests is around ₹ 40 lakhs.

The mountains are calling

If you love lush green mountains with breath-taking views all around, then also Kerala offers you a range of choices. Many hill stations in this state organise destination-wedding ceremonies for people who come from all over the globe. One of the places that are very popular with a destination wedding planner is the Spice Tree luxury resort which is situated in Munnar. You can get accommodation in this upscale resort by paying ₹ 15,000 per night for a single room (it is the cheapest one, for bigger rooms you have to pay more).

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

March252021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Destination Wedding, Wedding Planner

Perfect places for organising destination weddings.

Last year was completely wasted due to the Covid virus crisis and people are trying to make it up by visiting beautiful places to enjoy a good holiday with their family members. If you are planning to marry shortly, then we suggest that you should organise this beautiful event in one of the many good places for destination weddings. This will allow you and your guests to enjoy both your marriage ceremony as well as a short holiday in an exotic place. In this article, we have put together a list of great places where you can organise beautiful destination weddings that you will remember for the rest of your life. If you don’t have the time or experience to organise such a huge event and you find the whole challenge quite intimidating then simply look through the list of top wedding planners in India and select one who offers you the best deal.

List of top wedding destinations to choose from

Here we have provided you a list of the top wedding destinations that are very popular with the Indian crowd.

Rajasthan

This place is perfect for someone who wants to organise a lavish royal wedding. Rajasthan is steeped in the rich culture and has a large number of hotels that were converted from erstwhile palaces. You can hire one of them and organise a beautiful wedding ceremony that would be fit for the Kings. Many of these hotels and resorts offer an all-inclusive package that includes accommodation, food, and even a small sightseeing trip for the guests.

Uttrakhand

If you love mountains and want to organise your marriage ceremony in the cool environments of green valleys surrounded by lofty mountains, then Uttrakhand is the best option you have if you live in Delhi. There are a large number of hill stations in the state that include, Nainital, Mussourie, Dehradun, and Jim Corbett, which are ideal for organising destination weddings.

Goa

If you want to go to a place that is near the sea and has a fun and exciting environment, then you cannot go wrong with Goa. This state has beautiful hills, amazing riverside gardens, and pristine beaches. It is the perfect place not only for organising its destination wedding but also for enjoying your honeymoon with your better half.

Dubai

This place has also become one of the top destination choices for Indian wedding planners. It has a great connectivity option, beautiful hotels, an amazing environment, and Indian food (there is a huge diaspora from the Indian subcontinent). Therefore, if you are looking for an international city or the facilities but at a reasonable price, then this city is the best option for you.

For more information: https://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/

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/

February112021NOCOMMENTS

SMLW

Fashion & Beauty, Wedding Planner

YOUR PERFECT WEDDING ATTIRE.

Having the wedding of your dreams starts with two things – finding your partner for life, and the perfect attire for your special day. Choosing a wedding dress is an event of a lifetime, your dress sets the tone of your wedding day and is a reflection of your personality and style but when it comes to wedding planning, there’s nothing quite as panic-inducing as being unable to find the perfect wedding dress. With endless options to choose from, the most overwhelming part of choosing a dress is narrowing down the style that best suits you. With so many dresses to choose from, it might take longer for you to find “The One.”

When shopping for your wedding dress, start early and set a budget. You can look for some of these tips before choosing the dress.

FIND STYLES YOU LIKE – browse styles you like, look in magazines, Pinterest, internet and save some of the styles you like.

MAKE APPOINTMENTS – Look for the wedding stylists around you and make timely appointments early so that you can have an ample amount of time to do the changes and fittings. Try the wedding dress and ask your friends and family for recommendations! Also, make sure you catch up with hair-stylist and makeup artist as well with the dress.

THINK YOUR SHAPE – Know your body shape and pay close attention to how the dress fits your body type and whether it’s accentuating your best features and de-emphasizing your insecurities. Some of you may have lost kgs to fit into your dream dress but then again look if it suits you well or not. Well, nobody would ever want to be in a loose dress on the big day!

KNOW YOUR BUDGET – Wedding dress is the most expensive clothing item you will ever buy. Make sure you visit each boutique telling them your budget. This way you’ll only try on dresses that you can afford to fall in love with. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of alterations, too.

ACCESSORY CHECK – If you already have decided on the accessories, make sure you look for the dresses that match with it or vice versa.

COLOUR MAKES THE DIFFERENCE – Whether its red, golden or cream, every wedding lehenga has its own speciality and uniqueness but then it’s only you who knows which colour suits you the most. Look out for the colour that makes the outfit look better when you are wearing it!

BE YOU – Remember, your dress needs to portray who you are. If you think that red lehenga and curls would suit you, go for it. Nobody has the right to stop you from being you on your big day. Just be true to yourself!

THE COUPLE MATCH – Your wedding day and dress should be about you as a couple. Make sure you both have that same colour combination with your attire.

TRUST YOUR JUDGEMENT – Once you’ve found your dream wedding dress, you’ll know. Don’t rush the decision, take your time and don’t give in to pressure from other people, however well-intentioned. If it feels right to you and makes you feel the very best version of yourself, your job is done.

Don’t be discouraged if you do not find your dream dress in the first store. While some brides say “Yes!” to the very first dress they try on, others feel the need to try on more. You’ll know it when you find it!

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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