Weddings in India

Traditionally, Indian wedding extends to be a week long affair and speaks of the tradition, culture and heritage of the country. In Indian wedding, there is an event for almost everything. Generally, the wedding is divided into three parts - pre wedding, wedding and post wedding. Rituals like 'Haldi', 'Mehandi' 'Sangeet' and 'Tilak' are pre wedding rituals. Before the wedding, the to-be bride and the groom's families visit each other and exchange costly gifts to each other along with sweets, fruits and dry fruits.

The parents of the bride and the groom exchange gifts, in the form of dresses for the bride or the bridegroom, and display them to the other family, as a display of their love and honor. These wedding gifts form an important part of the entire occasion since each family wants to dote on the new couple as much as they can. The pre-wedding ceremonies are followed by the main wedding ceremony, when the nuptial knots of the bride and the bridegroom is tied. There is an elaborate wedding feast for all the family and friends that are invited. The wedding itself is a long, stretched out affair, where all the Hindu deities are called upon and asked to bless the new couple. The bride and the bridegroom then take seven steps around the fire, vowing devotion and love to each other and agreeing to take care of each other in all circumstances.

Amidst such rituals and customs, there are various events that bring about a chuckle and laughter in the wedding ceremony. One such instance is when the younger sister of the bride tries to steal the shoe of her new brother-in-law and asks money as ransom. After the wedding ceremony, there are the post wedding functions alike 'Vidaai' or 'Doli', when the bride leaves for her new home. This is the most emotional moment of any Indian wedding, when the bride take leave of all her family members to start a new life in her husband's home. However, remember India is a diverse land and the rituals practiced would vary from region to region.