Traditional Indian Wedding in New York in New York

We love all weddings that are different from your “typical american” wedding. We love when couples include their cultures in their ceremonies and receptions. Which is what makes this Indian Wedding so special.

In Indian Culture, weddings are extremely important and have several different amazing ceremonies and rituals during the wedding weekend that bring out the joy and symbolism of the wedding. I want to use this wedding as an example to show you some wonderful cultural inclusions and symbols that Indian weddings have.

Wedding Date is Set by the Stars

To determine when your wedding is supposed to happen, they use an auspicious date (called the muhurta) that is calculated by astrologists based on the couples birthdates.

They Party before the wedding

This is called the Sangeet. The families of the bride and groom come together prior to the actual wedding and celebrate the joy of the upcoming union. Typically the bride’s family sings and dances to a traditional folk song welcoming the groom’s family.

The Bride wears Henna

On the same day as the Sangeet, the bride and her closest female friends and family get together and apply intricate henna designs on the bride’s hands and feet. This ceremony is called the Mendhi and is held the day prior to the wedding.

The Bride wears red!

Instead of white, in Indian culture the bride wears red to symbolize prosperity, the rising sun and fertility.

The couple gets married under a Mandap

A mandap is a temporary arch structure where the couple is joined by their parents and officiant underneath.

The couple exchanges floral garlands

During the Jai Mala, the couple exchanges floral garlands to express their desire to marry each other. For couples in the U.S. this is typically followed by the exchanging of rings.

The groom places a necklace on the bride

This ritual is called the Mangala Sutra where when the necklace of gold and black beads is placed on the bride the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity, Lakshmi, is invoked and the bride is said to receive her blessing.

There are many different symbols and traditions in Indian Weddings that we absolutely adore. While this is only a short list of some different rituals and ceremonies included in the Three day long traditional wedding ceremony, there are many more important and unique traditions in their culture. Incorporating your traditions in your wedding is one of the most special and unique ways to make your wedding special to you.

From the Planner:

Deep and Avi’s beach-side wedding was as elegant as it was colorful. The couple settled for nothing less than perfection. The bride looked impeccable in her custom wedding dress, where every detail was hand selected to match her artistic style. From the wood carved mandap, the high ceilings of the ballroom, their first dance on a rickshaw, dancing on the clouds to the grand viennese display, every detail was the perfect reflection of their playful, fun personalities.