"I do" Indian style

I had the amazing opportunity to attend one of my classmate's sister's wedding in Hyderabad. The Indian wedding experience is intricate, symbolic and beautiful. It is full of rituals dedicated towards respecting family and relationships.

The wedding was over four days, it started with a henna ceremony where guests and family came to the bride's family house and gave their well wishes. The women had their hands decorated with detailed designs and symbols. Some of the boys also got henna, but they opted for more masculine designs such as the Raiders and Manchester United emblems. 

The next day the bride got her henna done which took a couple hours. She had her arms and feet decorated with images of Ganesh, brides, grooms and peacocks. In the evening they had the Sangreet which is an opportunity for the two families to eat, dance and sing together. The families give little speeches and one of the brides's relatives who is a comedian in the US, Sid Singh, performed. After this Sangeet, there was a ceremony with the bride at her house where her family rubs her with tumeric for good luck.

Tumeric ceremony

The third day was the wedding which was under a flower covered gazebo. The ceremony lasted about one hour and involved the bride and groom saying vows, praying, being joined and being wished well. There is eating and a lot of family chatting. Everyone is dressed up in their most colorful and beautiful sarees and rice is thrown at the bride and groom for luck. 

After the ceremony the couple goes to the brides's house for a farewell ceremony. The family cries and the bride leaves the family home and throws rice over her shoulder as she leaves. The last day is the reception put on by the bride's family. I was not able to attend this event but this is where about 800 people come to greet and wish well the bride and groom. There is a lot of eating and conversing at this event.

Shoe stealing and negotiating by the bride's sisters