How Long Is An Indian Wedding?

The average Indian wedding lasts for three days and can also stretch to an entire week depending on the complexity of the event. The wedding ceremony takes place commonly on the third day and would go on for at least an hour and a half.

An Astrology-Approved Date and Time

A typical Hindu marriage in India would often involve an astrologer to provide an approved date and time for marriage and all-important rituals. The astrologer would then consult his charts, for the most auspicious time and date, and arrangements of the marriage would only commence after learning of the important date and time

Indian Wedding Invitation

An Indian wedding invitation designs are an integral part of an Indian wedding. The invitation design and print will be conducted weeks before the wedding and will be promptly sent to the guests. It is more symbolic these days with e-cards becoming the norm, guests are now provided invites as a symbolic gesture of respect and importance in the life of the to- be- weds.

Multiple Days of Events

An Indian wedding on average goes for two or three days, consisting of welcome, wedding, and reception. More elaborate weddings could extend, to even an entire week. With separate days, for welcoming, Mehendi/Sangeet, vidhi, the main marriage ceremony, and reception, etc.

All The People

There is a restriction now with people; however, a typical Indian before the covid restriction is no short of a festival with even a small wedding attracting people in the hundreds. Marriages are important social gatherings, and people do go out of their way to be able to attend when invited.

Outfit Changes.

A typical Indian wedding can have as many as two outfit changes, one for the wedding and one for the reception. More elaborate plans can also include a dress code for each stage of the wedding, with color schemes thrown into the mix for mehndi and other events.

A Grand Entrance for The Groom

The groom’s entrance is often accompanied by a band, and done very grandly, in older days people would employ elephants to ferry the groom, though horses are often the more preferred choice in elaborate weddings.

The Bride’s Big Reveal (Kanya Aagaman)

The kanya agaman is when the bride arrives at the wedding pandal, usually escorted by the maternal uncle or aunt, her sister, friends, and cousins often join in the introduction. This depends on the cultural practices but the maternal aunt or uncle is the more prevalent option in north Indian weddings. It is an important ritual as it symbolizes the bride’s mother’s consent to the wedding.

Unity Ceremonies

The Indian unity ceremony is a spiritual ritual that symbolizes the unity of two individuals as one by the bonds of marriage. In the ritual, a knot will be tied with the bride’s sari and the groom’s scarf and the couple will join hands.

Saptapadi (Seven Steps)

The Saptapadi ritual is performed by the bride and groom, the pandit will spread out seven stones in a line and the bride and groom will move from one stone to another touching them with feet, to mark their first seven steps as a married couple. The pandit will read them the seven verses as they perform the ritual.

So Much Food

An Indian wedding is a feast, and no one is shy about it. People in traditional marriages sometimes would print menus of the food offered. The food differs from one culture to another but you can expect several different kinds of food at an Indian wedding.

Serious Dancing

There is a whole event called sangeet in an Indian wedding, where people will dance and sing on par with the theatrics shown on televisions. Often members of the family, young and old will partake in some heavy dancing, not just impromptu moves but also choreograph dance routines practiced for weeks for the wedding.

Pranks Played On the Groom

If you are the groom, you better have your sense tuned to its peak, as the bridesmaid is out to play pranks on the groom. The most popular being hiding the groom’s shoes, they will demand money in exchange for the shoes. Another prank is barring from exiting with the bride after the ceremony, the groom is only let go when he pays a certain sum

A Big Party

Indians love to celebrate, and the many festivals in India are testament to the Indian zeal for festivity and celebrations and none embodies this spirit more fervently than in an Indian wedding ceremony. Everything from the planning to the end is one big party and there will be games, dances, songs, and feasting regardless of the culture, all Indian weddings are just a whole festival on their own.