Bahut badhaiyaan! Many congratulations on your engagement!
Hindu weddings are among the brightest and glamorous weddings. They are also deep in tradition that makes them a beautiful, memorable experience for those in the wedding and for their guests.
Both in India and in the U.S., a traditional Hindu marriage ceremony lasts between two and three hours, truly an event to experience and appreciate! There are also pre-wedding ceremonies that are celebrated beforehand.
We gathered a list of 5 common ceremonial traditions that are unique to Hindu weddings. Read on to learn more.
1. Let the Stars Decide
Instead of following conventional seasons, such as summer, to get married, Hindus turn to the stars to select a wedding date. They refer to astrology, considering the bride and groom’s zodiac signs in determining lucky dates that the two have in common.
If that happens to be a winter wedding, then so be it if the stars say that those specific dates are going to get the marriage off on the right foot!
2. Henna
A typical bridal adornment is mehndi or henna art. An artist paints the henna paste onto the bride’s hands and feet in intricate designs resembling flowers or paisley patterns.
The saying goes that the darker the henna is on the bride, the stronger her marriage will be.
3. Red Wedding Dress
Indian brides do not wear white dresses for their wedding day, rather they choose red!
It is the tradition for a bride to wear a red sari decorated with gold embroidery to symbolize her spirituality and fertility. However, colored wedding gowns have been part of the wedding scene for a few years though.
Designers have been influenced by this. In fact, one of the most sought-after wedding dress designers, Vera Wang, did not have a single white gown in her 2012 bridal fashion show.
4. Mandap
After the bride walks down the aisle to her husband, it is the tradition for the bride and groom to sit under a decorated pavilion.
The 4 pillars of the Mandap represent each of the couple’s parents and their love and support for the couple.
5. Hindu Wedding Prank
A fun alternative to the bouquet toss is the Hindu tradition of “hiding the shoes.”
Before the wedding, the bridesmaids hide the groom’s shoes somewhere at the venue. After the ceremony, the groom may search for his shoes. If the groom cannot find his shoes, the bridesmaids demand a cash ransom to give up the location of the footwear.
It’s All in the Details
Getting married is a pivotal milestone in our lives. It signifies the end of one lifestyle as a single person and the beginning of your new life as a couple. In the U.S. alone, about 2 million people get married each year. That’s a lot of wedding bells and brides!
We have just touched the surface as to the significant details of a Hindu wedding. If you have any further questions about planning a wedding, check out our wedding planning tips. We’re always here to help!
Wedding Details is your comprehensive guide to all aspects of your wedding. From traditional ceremonies to questions regarding the guests, our website offers you one place to do all your research.