Indian Weddings are widely known as the sacred bond that binds couples and bless them to embark on a life journey together. The weddings in India are affairs to induct a new member into the family fold. These are the occasions on which people recall the wisdom inherited from their forefathers. Needless to say couples and their families save for years to make this big day memorable one caring little about the expenses. The weddings in India are marked by a number of ceremonies, rituals and customs that are interesting, amusing and still meaningful.

Indian marriages depend a lot on the religious beliefs of the bride and the groom. While the marriage rituals keep changing from one social community to other the basic tenets remains same in all the Indian weddings.

The wedding rituals in India are classified in pre wedding, main day and post wedding rituals. Engagement ceremony is one of the pre wedding rituals performed before marriage, where the bride and groom exchange rings. The engagement ceremony is often followed by lively Sangeet ceremony or music and dance. This fun filled ceremony is great chance of get together and merrymaking.

The big day or the wedding day is known for various rituals which have to be performed. Along the recital of holy mantra the bride and groom take part in the various ritual, important among them is seven vows and saptapadi. Every ritual has to be performed in entirety and perfection. As the groom approaches brides home with Baraat the ceremonies starts in the full swing. Right from welcoming the groom to the performance of various rituals which takes a major part of night to complete, the grooms family and friends receives best of the hospitality at the brides place.

Alongside the performance of the rituals the guests are treated with lip smacking cuisines. Hearty meal is one of the characteristic features of the Indian weddings. The bride side arrange the best food they can, to enthral the kith and kin of the groom.

After the conclusion of wedding rituals it is time to wedding games, an important aspect of the post wedding ceremonies. These games revolve around the bride and groom and an important part of the merrymaking enjoyed by the both sides alike.

Vidaai is post marriage ritual of the Indian weddings when a bride leaves her parents home to join the groom’s family.