The Wedding

Indian weddings are very festive and usually last several days. I've gathered some information about the main events that take place during the wedding below.

Sangeet and Mehndi

The word sangeet means song, and during a wedding refers to a song and dance party. Mehndi is Hindi for henna. During the wedding all the girls in the wedding party will have the opportunity to be tattooed by a henna artist.

Tilak

In this ceremony the groom is anointed by the bride's father, representing a formal invitation to the family.

Haldi

In this ceremony, skin purifying haldi is applied to the bride and groom.

Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony lasts for several hours as several traditions and rituals are observed. The giving of a mangalsutra wedding necklace to the bride by the groom, and circling the sacred fire seven times as a couple are a few of these rituals.

Wedding Reception

The wedding reception will take place the night of the wedding, and will be more modern, involving yet more eating and dancing!