10 Traditions Unique to Indian Weddings

Who doesn't love Indian weddings? These celebrations with bright colors happen over the space of three days. They are glamourous and fun. You'll love the bright colors and festive atmosphere. Most Indian weddings consist of three main ceremonies.

These are the Misri, Sangeet Party, and the Mehendi. There are also other impressive aspects that will amaze you. If you've been invited to an Indian wedding, you'll have a lot of fun. Here are ten traditions unique to Indian weddings that you should know.

• Misri

Misri is one of the prominent Indian wedding ceremonies. It happens a few days before the wedding celebration starts. At the Misri ceremony, the couple exchanges flower garlands, prayers, and gold rings. The groom's family also brings a gift basket for the bride. One of the crucial things in it is Miri which is rock sugar. It represents a wish for a sweet married life.

• Sangeet Party

Sangeet is sometimes connected to the Mehendi ceremony, but it can also happen on its own. At this party, the families get together to sing and dance. Some families restrict it to only women, but it can also be open for everyone to join in.

• Mehendi

Mehendi is the most recognized Indian wedding tradition. Only the women attend, and the bride's hands and feet are decorated with intricate henna designs. These designs signify the bond between her and her future husband. Once this ceremony is over, the bride's parents give her away and enter a fast to remain pure until the wedding. You can take gifts to this celebration. Look through our list of vendors to get awesome Mehndi favors from.

• Haldi Ceremony

Haldi is an excellent way for Indian couples to moisturize before their wedding. The couple's families gather to spread oil, water, and turmeric over them at this ceremony. This is believed to bless the couple and happens on the wedding day. 

• Jutti Chupai

The groom visits the home of the bride on the wedding morning. Here the bride's mother will wash his feet and offer him milk and honey. While this happens, his future sister-in-law will try to steal his shoes! If she is successful, he has to pay to get them back for the ceremony.

• The Hindu Marriage Pledge

Holy fire, known as Agni, is vital at an Indian wedding ceremony. It is central and acts as a witness to the wedding. The couple takes seven steps around this fire to recite the Hindu pledge of marriage.

• Mangal Pheras

Mangal Pheras is a fun Indian wedding tradition. Here the couple circles the sacred fire four times to represent dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. After this, they run to their seats. Whoever gets there first will be the head of the household. 

• Aeki Beki

Aeki Beki is also about who gets to be the head of the household. A mixture of milk and vermillion is made in a bowl filled with coins and a ring. Whoever finds the ring four out of seven will become the head of the household.

• Vidaai

Vidaai is the ceremony during which an Indian bride officially says goodbye to her family. She throws handfuls of rice over her head as a way to say thanks to her parents. It's an emotional time.

• A New Start

After the wedding, the bride is taken to her husband's home. Before they enter, the couple is sprayed with saltwater. The bride also dips her feet into a mixture of vermillion and milk. This happens before taking her first steps into the home.

This leaves red footprints to summon Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of love, beauty, and fortune, to the house. Finally, she spills a bowl of rice with her right foot to attract wealth and show that she is ready to start her new life.