The jewelry, the dresses, the vibrant colors, and the dancing!!
Instead of a bachlorette party the women have a "mendhi" party whereby the women apply "henna" to their hands and feet.
The mehndi represents strength of love in the marriage so the bride wants it to fade as slowly as possible!
The wedding day begins before sunrise.
The couple is taken by 8-10 married women to a pond where they invite the goddess "Ganga" to the wedding! They then bring a pitcher of water from that pond to purify the bride and groom.
Indian brides wear a "sari" (the most beautiful dresses you will ever see!!)
The white symbolizes purity and the red symbolizes fertility. They are detailed heavily with gold thread. Guests and the wedding party are expected to wear brightly colored clothing and as much gold jewelry as possible!
The groom is greeted at the ceremony with a symphony of conch shells and ringing bells~ He is given a garland by the brides mother and escorted to the "mandap". The bride is escorted by her uncle and relatives to the "mandap". The "mandap" is a four column canopy. Everyone prays to "Ganesha" (the god of all existence) to remove negative energy from the marriage.
One Indian wedding tradition involves the couple exchanging flower garlands, much like our western tradition of exchanging rings ;)
Another tradition involves the lighting of a sacred fire. Representative of knowledge and purity of the marriage. The bride's brother gives her 3 handfuls of rice to toss into the fire as a request to the deities for a blessed union.
7 steps ( Representing : nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, progeny, long life and friendship)
are taken together around the sacred fire, and there union is confirmed!
The groom dabbs red vermillion powder on the bride's forehead as a blessing and pledge to love her forever <3 *Squeel*
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