Do You Want To Have The Perfect Indian Wedding? Here’s What You Should Know

Planning a wedding is difficult enough, so how much more for a traditional Indian wedding? Even if you are in another country, such as the UK, you can still have the beautiful Indian wedding of your dreams with the proper knowledge and planning. Do you want to have the perfect Indian wedding? Here’s what you should know.

What makes an Indian wedding so special?

Many of us have the impression of Indian weddings as bright and colourful events, and rightly so. An Indian wedding is a celebration of colours and textures, but the ideal Indian wedding isn’t just comprised of that. One factor which makes Indian weddings special is the different customs – there are rituals for different regions, so these have to be taken into consideration to give the wedding its unique flair. Some modern couples choose to forego certain practices, but if you want your Indian wedding to be extra special, it’s a good idea to stick to the traditional – and the beautiful and memorable. Luckily, there are many Indian wedding venues which can cater to your express requirements, so have a look around and see what your options are.

When to begin preparations

For many Indian couples, preparing for the wedding starts quite soon after the formal betrothal or engagement ceremony. This is often held a few months prior to the wedding itself. Traditionally, the betrothal is also when the families decide on the wedding date. Bear in mind that according to scripture, weddings should not be held on Saturdays, and the time of the event is also significant. A priest is often called to participate in the planning of the date and time of the wedding.

The bride’s attire

To have that perfect Indian wedding, the bride needs to have the right clothing and accessories. This means using gold as well as a ‘kanjipuram saree’. The gold is important because it symbolises prosperity and wealth, and the saree, according to tradition, is a favourite of the god Vishnu, and brides wear it to ask for a blessing.

The rituals before the wedding

There are ceremonies which are often held about 2 to 3 days before the wedding, leading up to the wedding itself. One such ritual is the nallunge, which is a cleansing ceremony where the bride and groom are rubbed with a paste made of sandalwood and oil (haldi) prior to taking a cleansing bath.

The wedding day

A ceremony, referred to as parasam, allows the mother-in-law to present the bride. Afterwards, the groom and bride go to the wedding venue for a last ritual of cleansing. They then exchange garlands, and the groom ties a garland or thali around the neck of the bride. A classic Indian wedding feast to celebrate the union is called a ‘banana leaf’ feast, where the dishes are often vegetarian.

So, now that you know what you need to consider to have the perfect Indian wedding you are all set to prepare. Next stop, is the honeymoon. Remember to stay safe when you travel and to have fun!