A Short Hindu Wedding Ceremony

IntroductionRolesSetPropsWardrobeScriptFAQ for GuestsLwedding organizer pekanbaru inksA short Hindu wedding ceremony wedding organizer pekanbaru

Traditional Hindu wedding ceremonies can last for days and involvemuch ritual in Sanskrit which may be understood only by jasa dekorasi pernikahan pekanbaru thepriest conducting the service.This ceremony is considerably shorterand is intended to be understandable even to a non-Indian audience,making it suitable for intercultural or mixed Hindu/non-Hindu marriages.The couple for whom it was originally written based it on theGujarati Brahmin traditions of the bride'sfamily with a few touches from Unitarian and secular weddingservices familiar to the groom's family.It includes three spots to insert optionalreadings and musical performances of your choosing.

The priest in this ceremony need not be formally trained as a Hindupriest.He or she should be familiar with Hindu weddings andcomfortable acting as a master of ceremonies, guiding the participantsthrough their parts and explaining the meaning of the service to theaudience.It's okay if the priest keeps the script in hand during theceremony.Roles Bride Groom Priest (who in this ceremony also serves as the MC) Bride's parents Groom's parents Bride's maternal uncle (maamaa) Bride's brother (or cousin or male friend) Best man Chorus: a few women who know how to sing traditional Indian slokas Flower girls (optional)Set

Hindu weddings are supposed to take place outside, on the earth, undera canopy known as a mandap.If that's not possible, youcan build a mandap inside and pretend you're harga paket wedding pekanbaru outdoors.Seating under the mandap can be on the ground (carpets or mats would bea good idea) or on chairs.

Front and center under the mandap is the sacred fire.The fire can be smalland confined to a brazier or dish for paling aman.

The groom's party is supposed to arrive at the wedding spot in aprocession, so it's good to have a convenient assembly locationnearby.PropsCoconutGarlands to be exchanged by bride and groomRings to be exchanged by bride and groomWedding necklace (mangalsutra)Gift from groom to bride's brotherGift from bride's mother to groomSacred fireSacred rope (varamala), tied in a loop large enough togo easily around bride and groomPots of water for washing hands and feetKumkum or red paste applied to foreheadRiceFlowersWardrobe

Traditionally, the bride wears a red or red and white sari.The sarishould be draped modestly over her hair.The groom wears a kafni(long shirt extending to the knees) with pijamo (leggings) or dhoti(sort of an overgrown loincloth).The groom might also wear a turban.

Of course, in an adaptedceremony like this one great liberties can be taken with wardrobe.One rule which shouldn't be broken is that anyone who enters the mandapor wedding canopy must have on sandals or slip-on shoes which can be easilyremoved (no shoes in the mandap!).In addition, it's a good idea toavoid much black.

One feature of the bride's wardrobe which has become popular abroadis the use of henna or mehndi to decorate her hands and feet.It's said that you can tell how well a new bride is being treated byher in-laws from how long it takes for the mehndi to wear off.Mehndi treatments are increasingly available in salons or you can getmehndi mix at any Indian grocery store for a do-it-yourself job.(But be sure to practice on paper first!Mehndi doesn't wash off.)Script Groom's party assembles a few minutes before scheduled ceremonytime at a convenient spot near ceremony location.(E.g., a neighbor'shouse or a parking lot around the corner.)Older members of the partymay go on to the ceremony location to be seated.Groom isholding a coconut and bride's garland. Groom's party walks in a procession to ceremony wedding organizer pekanbaru terbaik location.(Forextra credit, groom rides on a horse or better yet an elephant!)Groomis received by bride's mother who applies kumkum to his forehead.Groom bows to bride's mother and gives her coconut. Bride's parents escort groom and best man to the mandap.Groom'sparty is seated nearby. After groom is in position in the mandap, bride comes out carryinggroom's garland, escorted by maternal uncle, optionally preceded byflower girls. Priest says: We have come together to wed (bride), daughter of (bride'sparents), to (groom), son of (groom's parents).Today they build together the foundation of theirmarriage upon the earth, in the presence of the sacred fire and theradiant sun, among their family and friends. Bride and groom are seated facing one another under the mandap.Chorus sings the slokas:Invocation to Lord Ganesha: Vignesh varaia varadaia sukhapriyaya...Invocation to Saraswati: Yakundendutusharahara dhawala...Prayer for harmony: Om sahana vavatu...Bride garlands groom.Groom garlands bride.Reading #1.Bride's parents wash bride's and groom's hands and feet, applykumkum and give flowers.(Bride's mother does this to bride, bride'sfather to groom.) Bride's parents address audience:I, (name), son/daughter of (grandparents' names), approvethe wedding of my daughter, (bride's name), to (groom'sname).Groom says:I, (groom's name), take you, (bride's name), into my heartas my wife.Bride says:I, (bride's name), take you, (groom's name), into my heartas my husband. Priest says: A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and theuniverse.It is a symbol of holiness and of perfection and of peace.In these rings it is the symbol of unity, in which your lives are nowjoined in one unbroken circle, in which, wherever you go, you willalways return to one another and to your togetherness.Bride and groom exchange rings. Priest puts varamala (sacred rope) around bride's and groom'snecks.They're now married! The couple, who had been sitting facing one another, now sit down side by side.Bride's father puts bride's hand ingroom's. Song or musical performance.(Traditionally this is the timeto sing a mangalashtak, a poem composed specially for the occasion.)Bride cups her hands and places them in groom's dekorasi pernikahan pekanbaru cupped hands.Bride's brotherputs rice in bride's hands.Together bride and groompour the mixture into the fire. Bride and groom walk around the fire four times, alternating in who leads.Priest says:Om Svaha!With the first turn, we pray for happiness in the union of the couple.Om Svaha!With the second turn, we pray for the long life of the couple.Om Svaha!With the third turn, we pray for the healthy life of the couple.Om Svaha!With the fourth turn, we pray for the happiness and health of the couple. The bride and groom sit down.(Here's a fun part: whoever sits down first will be the boss in the marriage!)Groom presents a gift to the bride's brother. Priest says:Now is the time to confirm the marriage with the seven final steps.Bride and groom rise and prepare to take seven steps.Priest continues:I ask you, (bride) and (groom), to concentrate upon these seven vows as you take the seven steps: May the couple be blessed with an abundance of food. May the couple be strong and complement one another. May the couple be blessed with prosperity. May the couple be eternally happy. May the couple be blessed with children.Idea: one "blended family" we know of changed this to "May the couple be blessed with obedient children." :-) May the couple live in perfect harmony. May (bride) and (groom) always be the best of friends. Optional step to shock the traditional Hindus: bride and groom steal a kiss! Bride and groom feed each other sweets four times.Bride's mothergives groom a gift.Groom's mother comes to the mandap and puts themangalsutra necklace around the bride's neck. Reading #dua.Chorus sings the sloka:Blessing for Everlasting Love: Advaitam......as bride and groom bow to all their seniors in both parties in rough order according to age (eldest first). Adjourn to refreshments and photo ops.Mob scene ensues!

Links13 ritualsAmber's journalBengali ritualseHowMyBindiSAWNETTopToursVivaahaWedding DetailsWeddingSutraAppendix: FAQ for guests at a Hindu wedding