Information on Planning an Indian Wedding
Planning an Indian wedding can be an overwhelming task, considering that they are often lavish affairs spanning multiple days. Modern brides and grooms must navigate between older customs, newer trends, family wishes and more, which is a challenge. Plan for each specific aspect of the wedding in order to keep everything manageable, while still maintaining the essential traditions.
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Style and Scope
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The first step in planning an Indian wedding is to decide what you really want. Will events spread out over multiple days in the traditional way, or will the ceremonies be condensed into a single day? Will each Hindu tradition be included or will you pick and choose the ones you prefer? Will all relatives be invited, even distant ones, or will the guest list be more selective? Making these decisions early on with the help of both families will set the tone for the planning and can prevent problems from arising later on.
Date and Venue
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Every couple must decide on a date and venue months before their wedding day, but doing so for an Indian wedding includes a few extra considerations. In a traditional Indian family, for example, the bride and groom might choose to consult with an astrologer to find an auspicious date or "muhurt."
Consider what traditional Indian decorations you will have and keep this in mind while looking at potential venues. Most Indian ceremonies take place beneath a "mandap" (canopy) and involve a ceremonial flame. Ask questions and make sure that the venue you choose will accommodate everything you need.
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Menu
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Plan your menu based on your guests' dietary needs, and your regional preferences. Practicing Hindus do not eat beef, and many are vegetarian altogether. Determine what percentage of your guest list has special dietary requirements and take it into consideration when planning your menu. Most Indian restaurants and caterers are prepared to handle such requirements. It is also useful to consider that Indian cuisine is as varied as the groups who live throughout India. North Indian food, for example, is quite different from South Indian food. Decide whether you prefer to serve food specifically from your region, or to offer a variety of selections.
Officiant
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Indian weddings consist of a series of vedic ceremonies, often performed by a "pandit" (priest). The pandit offers prayers to the gods, reads scriptures in Sanskrit, and gives blessings to the new couple. Find a pandit through local ethnic organizations or Hindu temples. Meet with him before the wedding day to discuss what you want included in your ceremony, and to be sure that he is someone you both feel comfortable with.
Indian Attire
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Man wearing a turban and a safa. As with food and other customs, Indian wedding attire differs depending on the region and culture of the couple. Generally speaking, the bride wears a red "sari" or a "lehnga" (skirt) and blouse. She is adorned with jewelry, including multiple bangles on her wrists. Many brides also opt to have a traditional "mehndi" ceremony before the wedding day, during which their arms, legs, hands and feet are decorated with henna.
Indian grooms wear a "dhoti," which is a cloth wrapped around the waist and knotted. The groom might also choose to wear a long shirt-like garment called a "sherwani." He might also wear a turban with a long tail of cloth running down behind it (a "safa").
Once you decide on your attire, evaluate options about how to get it. Are relatives in India coming to the wedding and willing and able to bring garments with them? Do you live in an area with Indian clothing shops where you can go purchase them in person? If neither option is viable, you can order traditional Indian wedding garments through online stores.
Music
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Music is an important part of any wedding, and Indian weddings often incorporate popular wedding songs in Hindi. If you are using a DJ, make sure that she is familiar with the type of music you want. If possible, select a DJ who specializes in Indian weddings. You might also consider having live musicians play traditional instruments. Many couples have a "sangeet," which is an event that takes place before the wedding, during which guests and family members sing and dance together.
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References
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- Photo Credit Lamb Biryani 4 image by Brett Mulcahy from Fotolia.com le turban du rajpout image by harmonie57 from Fotolia.com
