How to Plan an Indian Wedding
In Indian culture, marriage is celebrated as a sacrament where two souls unify for life. Indian weddings usually follow Hindu traditions, but may also incorporate Muslim, Sikh or Jain rituals, depending on a couple's religion. Traditional weddings are often large events that include family, friends and the whole community. The wedding can last several days, although some couples opt for a one-day affair. Planning an Indian wedding can be time consuming, but with a little organization, you can have a wonderful event.
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Instructions
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Arrange a meeting with you, your fiance and both sets of parents to discuss your wedding. Decide on the type of ceremony you want (North Indian, South Indian, Muslim or Sikh,) and the duration of the event.
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Set a budget. In India, the bride's family traditionally pays for the event, but some couples spread the cost between both families. Decide how much you can afford and stick to your budget.
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Choose a wedding date. If you are Hindu, hire an astrologer to check your horoscope and choose an auspicious date.
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Determine how traditional your wedding will be. Traditional Indian weddings can last several days and involve many rituals conducted in Sanskrit. Guests typically sit on the floor. Decide how many ceremonies and rituals you and your fiance want in your wedding, and how much Western influence to mix-in.
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Compile a guest list. Speak to your fiance and both sets of your parents to get a headcount. Get a guest list together early on so you can determine how large of a reception hall you need to book, and how many people you need to feed.
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Hire wedding vendors. Research vendors on the Internet and through word of mouth. Arrange appointments to meet with each vendor. Choose a ceremony site, reception hall, caterer, photographer, videographer and florist that best fit your taste and budget.
If you are looking for a caterer who serves Indian cuisine, contact local Indian restaurants and inquire if they provide catering services. If you want to play traditional Indian music at your reception, hire an Indian musicians or a DJ who caters to an Indian clientele.
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Purchase your wedding attire. If you are planning to wear traditional Indian dress (like a sari), consider hiring a seamstress to create a custom order. Online stores like Redd Bridal also provide custom wedding attire for Indian brides. Some brides opt to have their saris made in India and shipped to the U.S.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember to obtain your marriage license prior to the wedding. You and your fiance can get a license from your county clerk or clerk of the court. If you are planning the wedding yourself, consider purchasing wedding planning software to help keep track of what you need to do. If you have the money, you may also want to hire a wedding planner to take care of all of the wedding details for you.
Resources
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