The Ultimate Guide to What to Expect at an Indian Wedding

Indian weddings are renowned for their vibrant celebrations, rich traditions, and multi-day festivities that offer an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. As a guest, you’ll be lucky enough to participate in a mesmerizing blend of cultural rituals, stunning colors, rich flavors and joyous celebrations deeply rooted in centuries-old traditions.

Different Types of Indian Weddings

Indian weddings are celebrated differently based on religion and geographical region. Below we break down some of the most well-known types of Indian weddings, their most important pre- and post-wedding ceremonies and traditions, and if you can be expected to participate in any of the rituals.

Hindu Weddings

Hindu weddings (India, Nepal, and worldwide) last three to five days and are deeply rooted in traditions and rituals. Hindu weddings reflect the couple’s personalities and offer the opportunity to share your love story with family and friends.

There are a few important rituals that take place before the actual wedding day. They include:

Mehndi: This is where the bride-to-be and her female friends and family receive intricate henna designs on both hands and feet. If you are a female guest you may be asked to join in this ritual remember to keep an open mind and have fun!

Sangeet: An evening full of music and dancing where both families come together to celebrate the soon-to-be union and are entertained by performances. As a guest, you might be asked to join in the dancing so let go of any fears and get your dancing shoes on!

Haldi: A turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom to purify and bless them.

When it comes time for the big day, there are three key rituals to a Hindu wedding. They are:

Kanyadana: This is where the father gives his daughter away to the groom, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility and care. This ceremony typically occurs after the groom arrives at the wedding venue and before the main wedding rituals.

Panigrahana: Following the Kanyadana the bride and groom hold hands near the fire to symbolize a union and the groom’s acceptance and commitment to their future together.

Saptapadi: Also known as the “Seven Steps”, the bride and groom take seven steps around the sacred fire (Agni), each step symbolizing a vow they make to each other.

First Step: For nourishment and prosperity.
Second Step: For strength and health.
Third Step: For wealth and well-being.
Fourth Step: For happiness and harmony.
Fifth Step: For progeny and family welfare.
Sixth Step: For longevity and joyous togetherness.
Seventh Step: For lifelong companionship and loyalty.

Sikh Weddings

Sikh weddings (Punjab and Sikh communities in northern India and globally) also called Anand Karaj meaning blissful union, are colorful family-oriented celebrations that last several days.

There are a variety of pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding rituals. Some, like the Sangeet and Mehndi ceremonies, are similar to other traditional Indian weddings, but some are unique to Sikh tradition. Such as:

Maiyan: A cleansing ceremony that takes place a day or two before the wedding where the bride and groom are applied with a paste of turmeric, sandalwood, and mustard oil to purify and bless them.

Kangna Bandhana: A sacred thread is tied to the wrists of the bride and groom symbolizing protection and blessings. This ritual is accompanied by prayers and the singing of hymns.

On the day of the wedding, several important rituals are performed such as:

Milni: A welcoming ceremony where the families of the bride and groom exchange garlands and gifts to bond the families together.

Anand Karaj: This is the actual wedding ceremony that includes the singing of hymns, reading of scripture, and the Palla, where the bride’s father places the palla, or scarf, in the hands of the bride and groom to symbolize their union.

Karah Prasad: A sweet offering of wheat flour, sugar, and ghee given to the guests to share in the couple’s joy.

Langar: A large meal, usually vegetarian, served to the guests symbolizing Sikh principles of equality, community, and service.

Punjabi weddings

Punjabi weddings(Punjab, India) are known for their energetic and vibrant celebrations. Elaborate pre-wedding and post-wedding events including family meetings and extravagant gatherings symbolize families becoming one.

Like Sikh weddings, Punjabi weddings include pre-wedding traditions like Mehndi, Sangeet, Haldi, and Kangna Bandhana.

On the day of the wedding, the Milni, Anand Karaj, and Karah Prasad take place, but two additional rituals start the day off. They are:

Gana Bandhna: Red threads are tied to both the bride and groom’s wrists to ward off evil spirits.

Ghodi Chadna: The groom rides a decorated horse to the wedding venue, accompanied by family and friends in a lively procession called the baraat.

Bengali Weddings

Bengali weddings (West Bengal and Bangladesh) are traditional events that are both fun and dramatic.

Many multi-day rituals are designed to connect families, ancestors, and cultures. Some pre-wedding rituals include:

Vridhi Puja: A ceremony performed separately by the bride and groom’s families to seek blessings from ancestors and deities for a successful wedding and marriage.

Dodhi Mangal: A ritual where the couple’s respective families feed them a special meal of sweetened rice and yogurt, symbolizing blessings for their marital life.

Gayeholud: This is a tradition similar to the Haldi in other Indian cultures where the bride and groom are cleansed with a turmeric paste.

The wedding day is a colorful and rich experience with several unique cultural traditions. They include:

Adhibas Tattva: Like the Milni in other Indian traditions, the groom and his family are welcomed to the ceremony by the bride’s family and the groom is offered a seat on a special mat (Asan).

Aalta Ador: This is where the bride’s hands and feet are adorned with red dye (red alta) to show her marital status.

Saankha Porano: Here, the groom presents the bride with a conch shell (saankha), filled with betel leaves and sindoor (vermilion powder), symbolizing his acceptance of her as his wife.

Mala Bodol: During this part of the ceremony the bride and groom exchange floral garlands representing the mutual respect they hold for each other.

Saptapadi: Like in Hindu wedding ceremonies, the bride and groom take seven steps together around the sacred fire (Agni) while reciting vows.

Sampradan: This is where the bride’s father formally gives the bride away, symbolizing the transition from parental to marital home.

Tamil Weddings

Tamil weddings (Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka) are known for their simplicity and traditional Vedic rituals.

Spanning over several days, a Tamil wedding includes some important pre-wedding traditions such as:

Naandi Shraardham: A ceremony where prayers are offered to the ancestors to protect the couple on their marriage journey.

Janavasam (Maapillai Azhaippu): The groom’s procession to the wedding venue. Traditionally the groom arrives on a decorated horse or in a car, accompanied by family and friends.

Nischayathartham: An engagement ceremony where the families exchange trays containing betel leaves and nuts, fruits, clothes, and sweets as a token of acceptance of the marriage alliance.

During a Tamil wedding ceremony, there are several unique and playful traditions both the bride and groom go through. They are:

Mangala Snanam: A purifying bath that both the bride and groom take on the morning of the wedding.

Kashi Yatra: A fun and playful tradition where the groom pretends to renounce worldly pleasures and decides to become a hermit. The bride's father persuades him to choose married life instead.

Pada Pooja: The bride’s parents wash the groom’s feet with milk and water to welcome him into the family and seek his blessings.

Kanyadaanam: This is where the bride’s father formally gives her away to the groom.

Muhurtham: The moment in the ceremony when the groom ties the mangalsutra (sacred thread) around the bride’s neck and applies sindoor (vermilion powder) to her forehead to mark her as a married woman.

The end of the wedding ceremony includes the Saptapadi or “Seven Steps” ritual that many other Indian wedding ceremonies include. Once the Saptapadi is complete the groom helps the bride to the Ammi (or grindstone), and a Metti (toe ring), is presented on both her second toes; this is the only visible jewelry worn by the bride after marriage which denotes she is married.

Gujarati Weddings

Gujarati weddings (Gujarat) are filled with cultural dances like Garba and Dandiya They begin on Wednesday night and continue until Sunday morning with ceremonies like:

Garba: A lively dance event where both families come together to celebrate, usually held a night or two before the wedding day where traditional Garba and Dandiya Raas dances are performed.

Pithi: A traditional cleansing ceremony where turmeric paste, mixed with sandalwood and rose water, is applied to the bride and groom’s skin to purify them before the wedding.

Ganesh Puja: An invocation of Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, to ensure a smooth and promising start to the wedding proceedings.

Jaimala: The exchanging of flower garlands between the bride and groom to symbolize their acceptance of each other.

Madhuparka: To welcome the groom into the family, the bride’s parents gift the groom with a mixture of milk, honey, and ghee.

Kanya Agamana: The bride’s ceremonial arrival at the mandap (ceremonial wedding structure), accompanied by her maternal uncle or brother, where the groom and his family welcome her.

Gathbandhan: This is the tying of the bride’s saree with the groom’s scarf, symbolizing the union of their souls and the beginning of their journey together.

And like many other Indian wedding ceremonies, the celebration ends with the Saptapadi where the couple takes seven steps around the sacred fire.

Maharashtrian Weddings

Maharashtrian Weddings (West India) are full of traditions, rituals, and cultural beliefs, beginning with the engagement ceremony, Sakhar Puda, where the couple exchange sugar packets. This symbolizes their love and commitment.

Following the Sakhar Puda, Maharashtraian weddings include some of the following pre-wedding traditions.

Halad Chadavane: Like many other Indian cultural traditions, this is a purification ritual where a turmeric paste is applied to both the bride and groom.

Kelvan: A small pre-wedding feast held by both the bride and groom’s families to seek blessings from the deities and elders.

Mehendi: The traditional adorning of intricate henna designs on the bride’s hands and feet.

Simant Pujan: This is a special ceremony where the bride’s family welcomes the groom’s family, symbolizing the beginning of their journey together.

Celebrations continue with post-wedding rituals, including:

Ganapati Puja: The day begins with prayers to the deity Ganesh, the remover of obstacles who will ensure a smooth wedding day.

Punyahavachan: The families perform another purification ritual for the couple.

Seeman Pujan: The bride’s family welcomes the groom’s with an aarti, flower garlands, and sweets.

Antarpat: A cloth screen (antarpat) is held between the bride and groom so they cannot see each other as the priest begins the wedding ceremony.

Mangalashtak and Sankalp: The priest recites the ancient verses of mangalashtak while the bride and groom exchange garlands and recite vows to each other.

Kanyadaan: This is where the bride’s father officially gives the bride away to the groom and they begin their life together.

The bride and groom then perform the Saptapadi.

Kansar Bhakshan: Finally the bride and groom feed each other a sweet dish called kansar, symbolizing their commitment to support and nourish each other throughout their married life.

Muslim Weddings

Muslim weddings (Muslim communities in India and worldwide), also called Nikah, are beautiful yet simple ceremonies that include a variety of pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding rituals.

Some pre-wedding traditions include the Manjha Ceremony which is similar to the Haldi ceremony of other Indian cultures. This is where the bride and groom are purified with a turmeric paste.

The Mehndi ceremony is also performed where the bride-to-be receives intricate henna designs on both her hands and feet.

On the wedding day, several traditional rituals are performed such as:

Baraat: This is the groom’s wedding procession to the wedding venue. This usually includes singing, music, and dancing.

Nikah: This is the wedding contract between the bride and groom. This ceremony is normally performed by a Qazi (Muslim priest). It involves the bride and groom consenting to the marriage in front of witnesses. The Qazi reads from the Quran, and the couple signs the Nikahnama (marriage contract).

Ijab-e-Qubool: The bride and groom express their consent to the marriage in front of a witness by saying "Qubool Hai" (I accept) three times.

Khutbah: The Qazi delivers a sermon highlighting the importance of marriage in Islam, the roles and responsibilities of the couple, and seeking Allah’s blessings.

Dua: The ceremony concludes with prayers for the couple’s happiness and prosperity.

Christian Indian Weddings

Christian Indian weddings are a beautiful combination of Western and Indian traditions that are similar to Roman Catholic ceremonies.

The celebrations before, during, and after the marriage vows include the engagement announcement and pre-wedding family blessings.

Additionally, Indian Christian weddings include:

Roce Ceremony (for Konkani Christians): This is a a pre-wedding ritual where coconut milk or oil is applied to the bride and groom. This is similar to the Haldi ceremony in Hindu weddings and signifies purification.

Indian Destination Weddings

As a guest at an Indian destination wedding, you can expect an immersive and vibrant experience filled with colorful celebrations, rich cultural traditions, and lavish decor just like you would at an Indian wedding at home.

From the moment you arrive, you'll be welcomed with warm hospitality and festive rituals. The multi-day event typically includes ceremonies like the Mehendi, Sangeet, which you will most likely be asked to participate in, and the grand wedding day, each featuring lively music, dance performances, and sumptuous Indian cuisine.

Be prepared to don your best traditional attire, participate in joyous festivities, and witness a beautiful fusion of ancient customs and modern elegance, all set against the backdrop of an exotic location.

What to Wear to an Indian Wedding

To avoid any fashion faux pas always remember to read the wedding invitation carefully to see if specific wedding attire has been stated. If not, it’s a good idea to reach out to the bride or groom to see if guests should wear more traditional Indian wedding clothing or Western wedding attire.

Also, remember to pay attention to the wedding’s location and the time of year. Many destination weddings take place on beaches or in tropical climates so you want to wear something that you’ll be comfortable in and that fits in with the exotic locale.

What to Wear to an Indian Wedding Male Guests

For Male Guests:

If the bride and groom have chosen to go the traditional route, then male guests can expect to wear some of the typical wedding attire below:

Sherwani: A long button-down knee-length jacket with fitted pants called churidas.

Accessories: Consider wearing a dilangi or sarpech, a jewel-adorned turban, along with multiple chains, brooches, and rings. Formal Western tuxedos and suits are also acceptable.

Don’t own a Sherwani of your own? There are many shops you can reach out to to rent traditional Indian wedding clothing or if you want, buy your own. Also, get in touch with other members of the bridal party or family to see if you can borrow something, and when in doubt ask if it’s ok to wear something more Western.

What to Wear to an Indian Wedding Female Guests

For Female Guests:

Female guests get the luxury of wearing some pretty fantastic and vibrant clothing so the sky is the limit here! If you are a guest you can expect to wear something like the below:

Saris or Lehengas: Women often wear vibrant and adorned saris or lehengas. A lehenga consists of an elaborate skirt, a cropped blouse, and a dupatta draped over the head and shoulders.

Colors: Red is traditional for brides, but guests can wear other bright colors like light pink, emerald green, yellow, orange, or gold.

Jewelry: Wear intricate jewelry pieces. Bangle bracelets symbolize a lucky marriage, and henna tattoos on hands and feet symbolize beauty and joy.

Just like with male guests, don’t hesitate to reach out to other female wedding guests or the bridal party to borrow clothing or get an idea of where you can rent a sari or lehenga.

If you’re stuck discuss wearing something Western to the wedding with the bride beforehand, always making sure it’s OK with her first and it’s still respecting cultural traditions.

What Traditional Indian Wedding Food to Expect

Indian food is well known for its vibrant flavors but depending on the region, dishes will vary in terms of ingredients, spice level, and dietary requirements. Many Indian weddings will serve buffet-style food and a lot of dishes tend to be gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian.

Because most Indian destination weddings take place at all-inclusive resorts, you’ll have your pick of different types of cuisines and any special diets can easily be accommodated. However, If you have any special dietary requirements or allergies always remember to inform the bride and groom well in advance so they can make any necessary adjustments to the menu during the celebration itself.

Respecting Cultural Traditions at an Indian Wedding

As expected, Indian weddings have many different traditions and rituals that are culturally unique and maybe like nothing you have ever experienced at other Western weddings. Just like everything else in life, different doesn’t mean bad or wrong so it is important to embrace and respect these traditions so you can fully enjoy yourself.

Here are some helpful tips to honor the cultural differences at Indian weddings and ensure you have the best possible experience:

Dress Modestly: Ensure your attire is respectful. Avoid overly revealing clothing and stick to the dress code mentioned.

Participate Respectfully: Join in the ceremonies and rituals respectfully, and follow the lead of family members and other guests.

Gifts: It is customary to bring a gift. Monetary gifts in odd amounts (e.g., 101, 501) are considered auspicious.

Food Restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions, inform your hosts in advance, as Indian weddings often feature elaborate menus.

And most importantly have fun! Let go of any expectations you may have and embrace the day as it comes.