Orlando Wedding Photographer: Indian Wedding Traditions to Know

Indian weddings are famous for their extravagance, luxury, and many traditions. Some weddings have as many as fifty traditions or more. Whether you’re a guest or an Orlando wedding photographer, we’ve covered you.

Here’s a list of the 20 Essential Indian Wedding Traditions you should know.

Tradition #1: Mahurat

This comes soon after the families agree to the marriage and essentially means “Time” because the wedding date and time are set on this occasion. Usually, a Hindu pundit will decide the Mahurat after reviewing the astrological signs of both partners.

This is a critical tradition as it symbolizes the first agreement between the two families. Orlando wedding photographers should take pictures at this moment to signify the start of a relationship.

Tradition #2: Lagna Patrika

The Lagna Patrika is the couple’s formal engagement ceremony, held a few months before the actual wedding day.

On this occasion, both couples might exchange rings in a tradition known as Wagdaan and vow to marry on the date decided on the Mahurat.

Engagement events create an excellent setting for any Orlando wedding photographer. They allow you to capture the start of a relationship and the two happy families coming together.

Tradition #3: Mehndi

The wedding week is full of events and traditions; one of the first is the Mehndi. It usually takes place one day before the wedding day and is an event from the bride’s side of the family.

It takes place during the daytime. The bride’s family and friends gather to apply henna in geometric or floral designs to her hands and feet. Most of the other ladies also apply henna to themselves.

People say the darker the color of the henna, the stronger a woman’s love for her husband. The event is full of laughter and fun, making for great Orlando wedding photography!

Tradition #4: Sangeet

The Sangeet is where all the colors and music are! It is the most vibrant event of the entire wedding ceremony. Both families get together, dance, enjoy, and laugh their hearts out throughout the night.

The Sangeet can also feature dance competitions between both sides, which are great fun. Because there is so much to cover, it’s one of the busiest days for any Orlando wedding photographer covering this event.

Tradition #5: Haldi Ceremony

The last event before the wedding day, the Haldi Ceremony, is an important and emotional day. The couple sits together, and a Turmeric paste is put on them.

The paste is applied onto their hands, feet, face, clothes, etc., and signifies purification, thanks to turmeric, which is highly prized in Indian culture. It also has the added benefit of cleaning the skin of any impurities.

Tradition #6: Baraat

On the wedding day, the Baraat is known as the Groom entering and walking towards the altar. During the Baraat, the groom’s side dances to a dhol (traditional Indian drums).

The process of meeting the bride’s family when the groom is about to enter the venue is called the Milni. Orlando wedding photographers can capture many beautiful embraces and happy greetings here.

Tradition #7: Ganesh Puja

Before beginning the ceremony, the bride’s family and the pundit pray to the Hindu elephant God Ganesh. Their family prays for peace and tranquility to prevail on this day and in the couple’s life together.

Tradition #8: Bridal Entry

Another very emotional moment at a traditional Indian wedding is the bride’s entry.

If you’ve been there, you know the feeling. The lights dim, beautiful music starts playing, and a spotlight shines on the bride’s family as they walk towards the altar.

This moment is the father’s walk with his daughter before he hands her off to the groom. It is a sentimental moment for everyone but also signifies her father’s trust in the groom.

Tradition #9: Kanyadaan

Once the bride and her family approach the altar, the bride’s father will put the bride’s hand on the groom’s right hand. This symbolizes their trust in the groom, known as the Kanyadaan.

Tradition #10: Varmala

Once the bride and groom are on the stage, they exchange garlands in a tradition known as Varmala. This can be a fun moment when the couple’s friends and siblings make it difficult for them to put their garlands on each other.

Both the Kanyadaan and Varmala are great opportunities for Orlando wedding photographers to get incredible pictures. Be sure to capture all these critical moments in a close-up!

Tradition #11: Havan

Given its high significance in Hindu culture, fire is also included in wedding traditions such as Havan. This is a sacrificial fire meant to create an atmosphere of divinity and pureness.

The couple sits around the fire facing east, making offerings to the sacred fire and saying prayers.

Tradition #12: Mangalsutra

Like wedding rings, Hindu tradition calls for the groom to tie a dual gold pendant with three knots around the bride’s neck. This symbolizes a lifelong partnership and acknowledges to the world that the two are together.

Tradition #13: Seven Pheras

Perhaps one of the most recognizable Indian wedding traditions is the seven Pheras, the act of the couple taking seven vows around the sacred fire. These vows are considered to be unbreakable and are a promise to the couple of their union.

This is another great moment for Orlando wedding photographers to capture this timeless tradition between the two.

Tradition #14: Ashirvaad

Literally, Ashirwad means blessings. After the seven Pheras are done, the family elders come and bless the newlywed couple.

These moments are great for an Orlando wedding photographer to capture some very intimate portraits.

Tradition #15: Joota Chupai

In a fun and lighthearted tradition, the bride’s family will try to steal the groom’s shoes and then bargain with him. This allows everyone in the family, including children, to get involved and creates great banter between both sides.

Tradition #16: Bidaai (Orlando wedding photographers, be prepared!)

The most emotional and bittersweet moment of the entire wedding, the Bidaai, is when the groom’s family takes the bride away. This moment is surrounded by tears and hugs as the bride bids farewell to her family.

 

Tradition #17: Graha Pravesh

In a tradition known as Graha Pravesh, the bride enters the home and is welcomed by the family members.

The family puts a small pot of rice at the entrance, and the bride has to kick it as she enters. After this, a plate filled with red tilak is mixed in water. The bride must put her feet on this plate and then step onto a cloth or into the home to signify her arrival.

Tradition #18: Moon Dikhai

This is a small but cute tradition in which the ladies participate. It’s the moment when they take turns looking at the bride to reveal her veil and give their blessings.

Tradition #19: Post Wedding Games

After a long and tiring day, it’s time to blow off some steam. One of the most common post-wedding games is finding the ring. They drop a ring in a large pot of milk and flower petals, and the bride and groom will compete to see it.

Whoever manages to find the ring first will win. It is said that whoever finds the ring first will have the upper hand in the relationship.

Tradition #20: Post Wedding Reception

While the bride’s side hosts most other events, the groom’s side is responsible for the post-wedding reception. This is the wedding’s last event, and it announces the couple’s marriage and introduces the bride to the groom’s side of the family.

The wedding reception is usually a formal event, which allows Orlando wedding photographers to capture stunning portraits.

In a Nutshell

Indian and Hindu culture has a diverse and colorful history, so many different communities exist. We’ve mentioned the 20 most popular Indian wedding traditions, but many more depend on the culture.

Whether there are as many as 50 traditions in a single Orlando wedding photography album or just a few, Indian weddings are undoubtedly a colorful​ event!

If you’re looking for an Orlando wedding photographer, P.Taufiq Photography has you covered. Contact us to book your dream Orlando Wedding Photography!