Hindu Wedding Ceremony Traditions 101

 A wedding is more than just getting every important people together to witness the emotional, spiritual, and physical union of two individuals.  A wedding is also the time when an exceptional Orlando wedding photographer can capture the joining of two different families through prayer, tradition, and celebration.

Being in the Indian wedding photography and cinematography business for many years allows us to witness firsthand countless Hindu weddings here in Orlando. While every Indian wedding is unique on its own, all of them are similar in many ways especially in terms of tradition. If you are curious about what a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony looks like, well, you have come to the right page. Below are some of the common Hindu wedding ceremony traditions that are worth knowing. 

Indian weddings include a series of rituals and ceremonies

Indian weddings are known for being so vibrant and rich in cultural festivities. A typical Hindu wedding includes not just one ceremony, but lots of it. Before the main ceremony, the soon-to-be-married couples and their families need to follow and carry out different rituals and mini ceremonies first.  

The uniqueness of the groom’s procession

Indian grooms arrive at the ceremony venue riding on a decorated white horse. During the groom’s procession or baraat, the guests will surround the groom while they are dancing to the beat of an Indian Drum called dhol. The bride, together with her family, will then approach and greet the groom. The procession ends with the couples exchanging floral garlands. 

Hindu weddings last for days

Unlike a typical western wedding that is done on a single day, and may consume an average of 20 and 30 minutes only for the ceremony and a few hours for the reception, a traditional Hindu wedding can last for around three days. 

The first day is intended for the Ganesh Pooja ceremony, an intimate event that is attended by the close family only. Some families allow the best wedding photographer in Orlando Fl to be present during the event as well to witness and capture the event. 

The second day is for sangeet, a vibrant musical party or celebration where families and selected guests get together to enjoy music, henna, food, and dance performances. For many Orlando photographers, this is one of the most joyful events that allow them to capture lots of candid photos. The third day is the main ceremony and reception.

Wedding outfit for guests

You might be wondering what outfit is appropriate for a traditional Indian wedding. If you are attending a Hindu wedding event, one of the most important things that you need to consider is your outfit. Hindu weddings, in general, are well-embellished, luxurious, and colorful. As a guest who wants to experience such a uniquely extravagant and joyous event, you will need to immerse yourself in the Indian wedding culture and tradition and blend in. One way to do so is to wear what Indians wear. 

The first thing that you need to consider when choosing an outfit is the color. Choose a color that is bold and bright - the brighter, the better. Avoid wearing red and black. Red is typically the color of the bride’s wedding outfit and black signifies bad luck. 

The best outfit options for a traditional Indian wedding are sarees and lehengas. You can also go for a jewel-toned or bright-colored dress. You can pair it with a set of eye-catching jewelry and a shawl. If you prefer wearing a Western-style outfit, make sure that your shoulders, knees, and arms are covered.