Christian Wedding: Sobriety & Elegance

In India, we have so many festival-related rituals one of them is the Wedding. A wedding is a ceremony where two unknown people meet, and share their feelings with each other as a couple

and are united by a ritual called marriage. 

In India not only couple are united, but their families were also involved in it.

At the wedding, we have a lot of traditions and customs that have to vary greatly between cultures 

Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of marriage vows by the couple, a presentation of a gift, and a public proclamation of marriage by an authority figure or celebrant. Special wedding garments are often worn, and the ceremony is sometimes followed by a wedding reception Music, poetry, prayers, or readings from religious texts or literature are also commonly incorporated into the ceremony.

CHRISTIAN WEDDING

When one thinks of an Indian-Christian wedding, they imagine a perfectly white gown, walking down the aisle in the church, flowers all around, and lots of happiness. Well, as cliche as it sounds and seems, a Christian Wedding does have these elements but also more, But

What really happens in an Indian-Christian wedding? Is it the same as depicted in movies? If you have been invited or been a part of an Indian Christian wedding, then you know that it is different for the different states and communities. Of course, this is the happiest day for the bride and groom’s life, but it involves a lot of details, customs, and traditions! 

Christian weddings are known for their sobriety and elegance. The bride’s white wedding gown, the flower decorations at the church, the gorgeous bridesmaids, and the cute flower girls, all together make a Christian wedding a treat to the eye.

The Christian weddings in India are a happy blend of Indian and Western customs. The Indian Christians, while adhering to their Indian culture have incorporated some Western customs as well. This amalgamation of Indo-Western customs is visible in the wedding rituals. Here are the main traditions and rituals of an Indian Christian wedding.

As kids when we used to think of marriages, we would imagine walking down the aisle in a white gown with a beautiful veil and our 'Prince Charming' waiting at the altar. The Christian brides sport a beautiful tiara or flowers in her hair to get an elegant look with the aforementioned ensemble. On the other hand, the groom sports a black tuxedo or suit. The bride also carries a bouquet which she tosses over her shoulder after the wedding ceremony (during which her maid of honor holds on to it), and it is believed that whoever catches it, would be the next in line to get married. Christian weddings are simple and elegant, which involves exchanging wedding vows and gold bands as wedding rings between the bride and the groom. The marriage is solemnized by the priest of the church. 

Pre-wedding rituals

The first function of the marriage is the engagement ceremony. It is generally hosted by the bride’s parents and is a gathering comprising of only close family members and friends. The couple exchange rings on this occasion. The engagement is announced in their local churches as well.

Engagement Ceremony

First and foremost, a to-be-married Christian couple has to celebrate their engagement. It is a ritual that is followed by most couples and is highly celebrated. This celebration is a declaration and announcement to the world that the parents have approved the relationship and the couple is set to tie the knot. 

Haldi / Roce Ceremony

The Christian weddings in India are a happy blend of Indian and Western customs. The Indian Christians, while adhering to their Indian culture have incorporated some Western customs as well. This amalgamation of Indo-Western customs is visible in the wedding rituals. Here are the main traditions and rituals of an Indian Christian wedding

Sangeet

Borrowed from the Hindu tradition, including a Sangeet as a part of Christian pre-wedding celebrations is now common. If the to-be married couple wants to indulge in a little extravagance and add to the fun, Sangeet is definitely on the list. It is a fun celebration where family and friends from the bride and groom’s side put up dance performances and celebrate the new and lifelong relationship. 

Bridal Shower / Bachelor Party 

These are two celebrations respective to the bride and groom. 

It is a trend that is getting popular in India. The friends and brothers of the bride and groom host a bachelor’s party for him. This party celebrates the groom’s last days as a bachelor. On the other hand, a similar party is organized for the bride by her friends and sisters. This is known as the hen party or the bachelorette party.

As per the traditional norms, the bachelor and the bachelorette parties begin with raising the toast in the name of the groom and the bride for his/her happy married life and cute little kids too. The idea at the end is to make it a memorable night for the bride and the groom as a single woman/man before their traditional Christian wedding.

Wedding Attires 

Of course, one of the main parts of a Christian wedding is the wedding attire. This attire varies and depends on which state in India you are from. If you are from the Konkan/ Goan area, the bride traditionally wears a white gown, while the groom wears a formal suit. Whereas, if a bride and groom from the south get married, their wedding attire is a silk saree with a formal suit. Apart from the bride and groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen have their clothes picked out for the day by the to-be married couple.

Wedding Day Ritual 

Dressing Of The Bride & Groom

Although this ritual isn’t known by many it is followed by all Christians. In a Christian wedding, the bride and groom, get ready in their respective homes. There, the bride’s friends and family help her get ready for the occasion and the same goes for the groom. This part of the day involves a lot of chaos but is full of love because everyone is thrilled for the new beginning. 

Walking Down The Aisle 

This is an extremely emotional ritual, especially for the bride’s side because here; the bride’s parents have to walk her down the aisle and give her away to her to-be husband. The procession of the walk begins with the flower girls, then the bridesmaids with the groomsmen, and then the parents with the bride. 

The Vow

It is no secret that a Christian wedding involves the couple taking vows that will bind their relationship forever. These vows are extremely sacred and special. Unlike seen in movies, not all vows are written by the newly married couple. Either these are the sayings of the church or the additional vows the couple wants to include in their wedding. 

Exchange of Rings 

Once the vows are said, the bride and groom are asked to exchange wedding rings to show their commitment. This follows the announcement of them being married. This ritual later is sealed by a kiss. 

Tying A Wedding Thali

This ritual is followed only by South Indian Christians. Here the groom ties a thali a.k.a mangalsutra around the neck of their bride to announce their marriage.

Wedding Reception

The reception is heavily anticipated by everyone. It is where they get to celebrate the union of the newly married couple. This reception is extremely grand, spectacular, and full of life. There is lots of food, fun, music, and dancing! In a Christian wedding reception, the newly married couple cut a beautiful cake. Another aspect of this celebration is throwing the bouquet. It is not always followed but is a fun tradition. The bride gathers her single friends and tosses the bouquet towards them hoping the one who catches is the one to get married next! 

An Indian Christian wedding is very different and special but also elegant and beautiful.  Every person has a way of following and expressing the ritual and traditions. But what will remain the same is the celebration of love and marriage. What you see in movies or read in books may be completely different from what you experience in real life. 

My blog is based on Christian traditional weddings, for more blogs keep watching this page. 

                                                         

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