The core wedding customs of an Indian wedding are what make the event distinctive and unique. They make it known that the grooms family members take on the legal guardianship of the bride who becomes an equal shareholder of the joys, sorrows and responsibilities of the groom. However, the preparations for the wedding are what attract viewers the most.

Choosing the Wedding Sari

The sari is a very important part of the bridal preparations because this is the garment that defines the wedding ceremony. Choosing the sari is perhaps the toughest part of the wedding because there are lots of varieties and price ranges available. Each sari in a wedding is meant to be worn for a special ceremony or protocol. The saris that are presented to the bride by her family members are usually worn up to the event of kanyadaan. This is because up to this moment, the bride belongs to her parents. The saris that are given by the grooms family are meant to welcome her to their circle.

Mostly, the saris are red in color, although you may also opt for bright greens and yellows. The saris should have the best designs and value, since they are extremely important. While making a choice, you should look at the colors of the pallu and border and the zari work. The zari is normally chosen in silver, although gold is also permissible. Although the traditional saris are heavy, today, people opt for the lighter ones.

Wedding Customs

The wedding customs uphold the cultural background of the community or religion to which you belong. Their purpose is to bind the couples in a bond of love and commitment in every aspect of their life. The ceremony is started by the Kanyadaan, although Brahmins and Kshatriyas start with the Upanayana, or the sacred thread that marks a mans entry to maturity. It also indicates that the man is responsible for handling the family. The man takes the oath to consider her as his alter ego, and this leads to the kanyadaan, which means that the bride is now a member of the grooms family.

Garlands are exchanged by the couple and they tie the mangal sutra. The latter is actually a gold necklace with black beads and a couple of traditionally designed pendants. The married woman is not to remove the mangal sutra from her neck under any circumstance. It is a symbol of her husbands oath of protecting her from all hazards. The wedding is culminated by the seven steps or sapta padi, a symbolic identification of the steps the new couple takes in their life together. The couple walks around the fire which stands for spiritual purity and the promise of togetherness till death.