I love the Hollywood Dreams wedding dress designs and we spent a great day reviewing the new 2014 collection at the Boutique in Enfield, can’t wait to shoot for the new catalogue.
I really enjoyed this amazing Cypriot Turkish wedding of Zuf & Serkan. Parklands Quendon Hall is amazing place providing very stylish and relaxed countryside atmosphere + a very big marque for big weddings.
Sopwell House in St. Albans hosted this amazing Greek wedding of Andrea & Jacob and I was happy to cover the event. Being a Greek wedding photographer in London mainly for the last few years I’m amazed how they can be all similar and different same time. Why I label myself as a Greek wedding photographer? Because my 2014 bookings are mostly for Greek weddings and I really plan to start one of the North London Greek schools lol.
I’m very strict about the wedding schedule preparation and I want every minute, every detail and risk possibility like traffic, delays, etc. to be taken under account. Together with the wedding schedule I was given so much info about the Cypriot Greek wedding traditions and I’ll share it with you below the photos together with few things that Peter Lane Photography is unbeatable with. Are you curious?
Artistic wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Artistic wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Artistic wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Artistic wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
London wedding photographer - Peter Lane
Artistic wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Artistic wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Artistic wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Creative wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Creative wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Creative wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Creative wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Creative wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Creative wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
London wedding photographer - Peter Lane
London wedding photographer - Peter Lane
London wedding photographer - Peter Lane
London wedding photographer - Peter Lane
London wedding photographer - Peter Lane
Reportage wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
London wedding photographer - Peter Lane
Reportage wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Greek wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Reportage wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Reportage wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Documentary wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Documentary wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Documentary wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Documentary wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Documentary wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Documentary wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Documentary wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
I’m happy to announce to my Greek clients (and not only) that we started some unique services for London and partly for UK and we are unbeatable. 1/ You can enjoy your about 2000 (for a traditional Greek wedding) fully edited hi-res photos up to 2 days after the wedding, 2/ you can hold your fine art one of a kind wedding book about 2 months after the wedding. Isn’t it amazing? What about the quality? Book your meeting to touch and see … and this is just a small part of your wedding expectations, and do you know why? Because we love to spoil our clients! My clients went to NY after their wedding and after long flight and a good sleep they could already log in their secured gallery and enjoy their photos …
I’ll remember this wedding with tones of tears of joy and emotions. I’ll definitely ask the groom to upload his wedding song in youtube because every single girl was crying and every men were stoned speechless. Being a Greek wedding photographer I get loaded me with that positive emotions every single wedding and this is really priceless.
Cypriot Greek wedding – Key Events at the home:
Shaving of the groom
The groom is dressed by his koumbaro and witnessed by family and friends. He is also shaved by the koumbaro which is known as the ‘last shave”. The koumbaro then proceeds to putting the grooms shirt, waistcoat and cravat on all done whilst the violin and singer play and sing music to praise the groom before his departure from his home.
Red scarf
Many people are not aware what the red scarf we tie around the bride and groom before they set off to church symbolises. Well for the woman it signifies her virginity and for the man his fertility. It is wrapped around the bride and groom three times by their parents and close family and friends.
Cypriot Greek Wedding – Key Events at the Greek Orthodox Church:
The wedding ceremony of the Greek Orthodox Church is an ancient and meaningful service that has been celebrated in its present from for centuries. The service is abundant with symbols that reflect marriage: love, mutual respect, equality and sacrifice.
The ceremony consists of two parts which are distinct and separate from each other: The Service of the Betrothal and the Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage. Everything in the ceremony has a special meaning and significance, especially the repetition of each act three times to symbolize and to invoke the mystical presence of the Holy Trinity. The wedding begins as the white candles are handed to the Bride and Groom. These candles symbolize their spiritual willingness to receive Christ. Lighted candles are present throughout the service symbolising the purity of life of the Bride and Groom which should shine with the light of virtue.
The Service of the Betrothal
This service begins with the prayer for peace of the whole world, the priest then requests God’s blessing for the betrothed and asks that He grant the couple peace, harmony and a happy life.
The Exchanging of the Rings
The highlight during this service is the exchanging of the rings. The priest blesses the rings. He holds them in his right hand and making the sign of the cross over their heads, he betroths the servants of God, the Bride to the Groom. The rings are then placed on their right hands, for it is the right hand of God that blesses, it was the right hand of God to which Christ ascended and it is also to the right that those who will inherit the eternal life will ascend.
The two chief witnesses Koumbaro (Best Man usually) and Koumera (Maid of Honour usually) then exchange the rings three times; this will also be done by all the witnesses in turn. The rings are the symbol of the betrothal from the most ancient times and the exchange of the rings symbolizes the unbreakable bond of Christian marriage. It also signifies that in married life, the weakness of one partner will be compensated by the strength of the other, the imperfections of one by the perfection of the other. Individually the newly betrothed are incomplete but together they are made perfect.
Greek Wedding Service of the Crowning:
The Joining of the Hands
The priest offers 3 prayers asking God to grant the Bride and Groom a long and peaceful life and the bind of mutual love and happiness. These prayers portray humanity as one long interwoven fabric, from the first man and woman to the present generation. With the reading of the third prayer the Bride and Groom become entwined in its fabric. The priest, serving as an instrument of God in his celebration of the marriage then joins the right hands of the couple which now remain united throughout the ceremony. This symbolises the union coming from God and the “oneness of the couple”.
The Crowning
This is the focal point of the marriage ceremony. The wedding crowns known in Greek as “Stefana” are joined by a white ribbon which again symbolises the unity of the couple and the presence of God who blesses and joins the couple. Some interpret the Stefana to refer to the crowns of martyrdom, since every true marriage involves immeasurable self-sacrifice on both sides. The priest takes up the crowns and makes the sign of the cross three times over the heads of the couple then places the crowns on their heads. They are symbols of the bond between the Bride and Groom and signify the sacrament. In addition, they represent the crowning of the couple as King and Queen of their own kingdom; the home which they should rule with wisdom, justice and integrity. A white ribbon is pinned to the shoulder of the Groom and another to the shoulder of the Bride. This long ribbon is passed down amongst the witnesses who now write a message and their name on it.
The Common Cup
The crowning is followed by the reading from the St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians concerning the mystery and holiness of Christian marriage and the duties and responsibilities of the couple to each other. The reading of St. John’s Gospel that follows tells the marriage of Cana at Galilee. It was at this wedding that Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water in to wine, which was then given to the married couple. Wine is given to the Bride and Groom in the common cup and they each drink from it three times. The drinking if wine from the common cup serves to impress upon the Bride and Groom that from this moment on they will share everything in life, the joys as well as the sorrows and that their joys will be doubled and their sorrows halved.
The Ceremonial Walk
While three beautiful and joyous hymns are chanted, the priest takes the Bride and Groom by the hand and leads them around a small table three times with the Best Man and Maid of Honour following. This symbolises the first steps as a married couple and the Church represented by the priest, leads them in the way they should go forward in life – hand in hand. Sometimes, the Groom is slapped on the back by friends and family as he goes round the table. This is to make him strong throughout the marriage.
On the table are placed the Gospel and the cross, the former containing the word of God and the latter being the symbol of our redemption by Jesus. By circling the table, the couple signify their oath to preserve their marriage forever and it expresses the fact that Christian living is a perfect orbit around the centre of life that is our Lord Jesus. In particular, the circle symbolises eternity and the triple circling honours the Holy Trinity.
The Benediction
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the priest removes the crowns from the heads of the newlyweds and beseeches God to grant them a long, happy and fruitful life together. He then lifts up the Gospel and the Holy Cross and separates the couple’s joined hands reminding them that only God can separate them from one another.
If you plan a romantic and unforgettable wedding, definitely Bovey Castle is the right venue. My team and myself were happy to spend the day in that magnificent place, giving a birth to a new family.
Bovey castle is an amazing quite and green place, you feel like the time has stopped and you can let your soul enjoy on the surrounding beauty. My couple was very happy to say YES in that place and I was a blessed London wedding photographer to be a witness and document their wedding.
Daria & James, we wish you all the happiness in this world!
Top London Wedding Photographer - Peter LaneTop London Wedding Photographers
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Best London Wedding Photographers - Peter LanePeter Lane is one of the Best Wedding Photographers in London UK
Sensual, romantic, luxurious, spectacular … I can’t find better words for this Hampton Court House Central London Asian Wedding. Two days of creative fashion and wedding documentary – I was a blessed Asian wedding photographer, nice people and friends for life.
I’m really happy when my clients know what they want, that makes them more demanding but for me that’s a creative challenge and I always try to exceed their expectation. That happened with A.I. and Tabby, be sure to reed and watch their testimonial. I love to be an Asian wedding photographer in London and whole UK, I love to shoot Asian weddings and can’t wait for the next one.
Asian Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Asian Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Asian Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Asian Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Asian Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Asian Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Asian Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Asian Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Award winning Wedding photographer London - Peter Lane
Many people asked me about the difference between Hindu and Muslim Asian weddings and I decided to use that wedding as and example of a Muslim Pakistani wedding and same time to compare the customs and traditions to the Hindu Indian weddings.
Muslim Pakistani wedding in London – explained by Asian wedding photographer in London – Peter Lane
Pakistani Wedding Customs
A Pakistani wedding, like others is a ceremony to celebrate the wedlock of a bride and a groom. It brings closer the families of a bride and a groom. A wedding ceremony has great importance in different cultures of the world. Different cultures have different ways of wedding celebrations and have different wedding traditions. Pakistan has a great culture with rich customs. A Pakistani wedding is a great feast of fun, wearing fancy clothing, merriments, and celebrations. It is celebrated with great fervor. A Pakistani wedding is followed by several pre-wedding customs and rituals. Men and Women wear Pakistani Clothing of various styles and fashions. It is important to note that some of the customs followed in Pakistani weddings have no foundation in Islam. However, the Pakistani culture has adopted those ceremonies and traditions from the Hindu culture.
Mangni is the engagement ceremony that marks the formal engagement of couple. The small ceremony takes place in the presence of a few important members of would-be bride & groom’s family. Prayer and blessings for the couple are recited and the wedding date is decided in Mangni.
Mayun is custom of the bride entering into the state of seclusion eight to fifteen days before the wedding. She’s made free of all the chores and errands around the house. The bride and groom are not allowed to see each other after the Mayun; bride is not allowed to leave her house. The beautification rituals begin during this time.
Uptan is a paste made from turmeric, sandalwood powder, herbs and aromatic oils, which groom’s mother brings for bride. She blesses bride and applies “uptan’ to the bride’s hands and face. Groom’s sister also does the same, and a thick string called a “gana” is tied to the bride’s arm. “Uptan” is applied to the bride’s skin each day leading up to the wedding. Similar ceremony is held for the groom, where bride’s mother, sisters, cousins and friends bring “uptan” for groom and rub it on his skin.
Dolki is a popular ceremony of singing traditional wedding & popular songs accompanied by two or three percussion instruments Dolki being the main. The girl is officially treated as bride (dulhan). She wears traditional Pakistani yellow outfit. Her brothers, sisters, and cousins bring her (bride) in the dholki party.
Rasm E Mehndi (Henna Party) takes place a day before the wedding. It’s a ceremony mainly of women. They apply Mehndi (Henna) to the bride’s hands and feet, sing, dance, and bless the bride. Sadka (warding off evil through charity) is performed on the bride i.e. donating money circling three times on the bride’s head. Traditionally mehndi was brought by groom’s parents. Mehndi (Henna) is applied in beautiful floral designs and sometimes groom’s name is written in designs. After the ceremony dinner is organized for the guests. Traditionally, the bride is not allowed to take part in the celebrations and keeps her face hidden in veil. Rasm E Mehndi is organized for grooms also in some parts of Pakistan.
Baraat is procession of family, relatives, and friends of groom that accompany the groom to bride’s home for official wedding ceremony. Groom makes his way to the bride’s home on a richly decked horse or in a car and “baraat” follows in different vehicles. Groom is given warm welcome by the bride’s family with flower garlands and rose petals. Family and relatives of the groom and the bride exchange glasses of juice or sherbet along with money. Guests are welcomed by the bride’s sisters by playfully hitting them with a stick wrapped and decorated with flowers.
Nikah is purely Islamic official wedding ceremony that usually takes place at the bride’s home. Nikah is attended by close family members, relatives, and friends of groom and bride. Usually, the men and women are made to sit separately, in different rooms, or have a purdah, or curtain, separating them.
Nikah-naama (document of marriage contract) is registered in Nikah. The Nikahnaama contains several terms and conditions that are to be respected by both parties (bride & groom). It includes bride’s right to divorce her husband. Nikahnaama specifies “Meher,” the monetary amount the groom will give the bride. Meher includes two amounts; one that is due before the marriage is consummated and the other that is a deferred amount given to the bride at a time to be determined. The Meher guarantees the bride’s freedom within the marriage, and acts as the bride’s safety net. The fathers of groom and bride (Walis) act as witnesses to the wedding. If father is not available, the senior male, brother or uncle performs the ceremony. Islamic Imam (called maulana or maulvi in Urdu) reads selected verses from the Quran and waits for the Ijab-e-Qubul (proposal and acceptance) of wedding. Usually, the groom’s side makes proposal and the bride’s side conveys her assent. Maulvi and witnesses (gavah) take the Nikahnaama to the bride and read it aloud to her. She accepts the Nikahnaama saying ‘qabool kiya,’ meaning ‘I accept and signs it. The Nikahnaama is then taken to the groom and read aloud to him. He accepts saying ‘qabool kiya and signs the document. The Maulvi and witnesses (gavah) also do sign the Nikahnaama contract and the wedding becomes legal. The Maulvi recites the Fatihah, the first chapter of the Quran, and various durud, or blessings to mark the closing of Nikah ceremony.
After the wedding is legally announced, dishes of dates and misri (unrefined sugar) are served to the groom’s family. Groom is then escorted to his bride where he’s allowed to site beside his wife. This is the time when sisters-in-law of groom play pranks and tease the groom.
Mooh Dikhai is the ceremony of first time “showing of the face” after the Nikah. The couple is made to see each other in the mirror and the bride unveils her face that she keeps hidden during the Nikah. The custom of Mooh Dikhai is also called “Aarsi Musshaf.” The bride and groom share a piece of sweet fruit, such as a date and family and friends congratulate the couple and offer gifts. Dinner is served to the guests. The sisters, friends, and female cousins of bride take this opportunity to steal the groom’s shoes and demand a sum of money for shoes. This is very popular custom and groom usually carries a lot of cash, due to the popularity of this custom. He pays money to get back his shoes and girls divide the money among themselves.
Ruksati is the ceremony to bid farewell to the bride before her departure to the groom’s house. She says goodbye to her parents, close friends and family. The Quran is held over her head as a blessing. It’s a pretty touching moment. Although this practice is un-Islamic but a lot of Pakistani families have come to adopt it.
Several traditional games are played at groom’s house. A tray full of a mixture of water and milk is placed before the couple and a ring is thrown into the mixture and husband and wife are asked to find the ring. The one who finds the ring is considered winner and dominant partner in the relationship. The couple is asked to untie the “ganas” (thick strings) that were tied on their writs before wedding. The one who unties it first is considered the dominant partner in the relationship. Bride eats kheer (sweet, pudding-type desert) out of the groom’s hand. This customs are designed to make the couple more intimate before the physical relationship. Groom washes the feet of the bride in a basin of water that is sprinkled into the four corners of the house. It’s believed that this brings wealth, prosperity and luck into the home.
Chauthi is the custom of bringing the bride back to her parents’ home the next day, or on the fourth day after the wedding (depending on family tradition). Usually bride’s brothers perform the Chauthi and goes to fetch their sister home.
Walima is ceremony to announce the wedding to community and friends. It’s a grand reception hosted by the groom’s parents. Relatives, friends and community people are invited to the reception and wedding is celebrated with great fun and festivities.
Hindu Indian wedding in London – explained by Asian wedding photographer in London – Peter Lane
Marriage in the Hindu religion is the 13th of the 16 ceremonies in a person’s life. It is a sacrament and as such is solemnised in accordance with the VEDAS, the holy scriptures of the Hindu religion that date back several thousand years. Hindu Ceremonies seem to last for hours, days or even weeks. Although the wedding itself is held on one day, there are a number of ceremonies that are usually held on separate days preceding the wedding:
Engagement (‘Misri’, the Ring Ceremony) – this event is held to exchange the gold wedding rings. The couple welcome each other with garlands and sweets are exchanged between the two families. The engagement is often completed a dinner party for friends and relatives. Among Gujarati families the bride’s family presents the ‘Matli’, which consists of significant quantities savoury snacks and Indian sweets, to the groom’s.
Mehndi Party – This is a festive occasion celebrated by the bride’s family. The bride and close female members of her family have henna painted on their hands and feet while the rest of the family celebrate with songs. Mehndi signifies the strength of love in a marriage so brides try to leave it on as long as possible! Mehndi parties are often held at home and end with dinner for the family and friends.
Raas Garba (Sangeet Party) – In many families, the Sangeet Party is a much larger affair held as a separate joint event for both families. It is an opportunity to sing songs, eat, drink and dance the night away. Among Gujaratis, Raas Garba is a favoured alternative. These are held in a hall and involve traditional dance (Garba), and dandia raas (dancing with sticks). The Raas Garba usually ends with a light supper for all those attending.
Ghari Puja – This is a religious ceremony performed on the eve of the wedding day in the respective homes of the couple. The priest performs prayers with rice, coconut, wheat grains, oil, betel nuts and turmeric. During this event, the mother and close female relatives dress up in their finery. They carry earthenware pots of water on their head and plant a small stalk in their garden in celebration of the marriage. Nowadays, the Ghari Puja is often combined with the cleansing ceremony (Pithi) during which the bride and bridegroom are pasted with turmeric powder in a beautification process.
Outfits & Jewellery – The bridal outfit consists of a red and white sari heavily embroidered with gold thread. The white signifies purity and the red signifies fertility. It is customary for the bridegroom’s family to gift the bride a wedding sari, so she may actually end up wearing two saris! The first, a simpler silk sari given to her by her maternal uncle (mama), and covering her head, a heavier embroidered sari given to her by her husband’s family. The groom also wears white (ivory or beige). His outfit can be a traditional Sherwani (long tunic embroidered with gold thread) worn with Kurta pyjamas, or a simpler dhoti and tunic. Both families use the occasion to wear their finery and much of their traditionally ornate gold jewellery. This is not custom, so much as fashion!
The Hindu Indian Wedding Ceremony
The wedding day usually commences with a fast for both the bride and groom. The groom will leave his house accompanied by his best man and one of his younger female relatives whose job it is to keep the groom awake by shaking a metal pot filled with a few coins and a betel nut over his head. The history behind this curious custom is that weddings in India were traditionally held in the evening at which time many a groom might succumb to slumber! On leaving his house, the groom’s car may be impeded by the younger female members of his family who demand a “gift” in exchange for allowing him to leave for his wedding ceremony.
The majority of the wedding ceremony will take place in a Mandap (the four-pole canopy at centre stage). The sacred fire in the Mandap symbolises not only the illumination of the mind, knowledge and happiness but is also a clean and pure witness to the ceremony as it progresses. The ceremony itself is a collection of rituals performed by the bride, bridegroom and their respective parents and close relatives. The priest chants “mantras” from the Vedas that were originally written in Sanskrit. He will also use the following in his ceremonies:
Fresh flowers – to signify beauty;
Coconut – to signify fertility;
Rice, jaggery and other grains – to signify the food necessary for sustenance of human life;
Ghee (purified butter) – to feed the sacred fire;
Kumkum (vermilion) – red powder used for marking the forehead to signify good luck and to say that your soul (husband) is with you.
The major stages of the Hindu Ceremony:
Ganesh Puja – The wedding day starts with a prayer invoking Lord Ganesh whose divine grace dispel all evils and promotes a successful and peaceful completion of the ceremony.
Grah Shanti (Worship to the Nine Planets) – This is a prayer to the nine planets of our Solar system. Ancient Indian studies indicated that various celestial bodies have an influence on the destiny of every individual. The effect of the nine planets is meant to be the most profound. During this puja the Gods associated with these planets are asked to infuse courage, peace of mind and inner strength to the bride and groom to help them endure life’s sufferings.
The Welcome (Parchan) – The bride’s mother welcomes the bridegroom with a garland and she then escorts him to the mandap. The father of the bride washes the right foot of the bridegroom with milk and honey. At the end of the welcome, a white sheet is held to prevent this bridegroom seeing the arrival of the bride.
Arrival of the Bride – The bride is escorted to the mandap by her maternal uncle (Mama), female cousins and friends. In some wedding ceremonies she may be carried in a small carriage to the mandap.
Kanyadaan (Entrusting of the Daughter) – Consent of the parents is obtained for the wedding to proceed. The bride’s parents give their daughter to the groom by putting the bride’s right hand into the groom’s right hand (Hastamelap, joining of hands) while reciting sacred verse. The curtain separating the bride and groom is then lowered and the couple exchange flower garlands. The elders of the house place an auspicious white cotton cord around the couple’s shoulder’s to protect them from the evil influences. This also symbolises the couple’s bond. The groom holds the bride’s hand and they both take vows to love cherish and protect each other throughout life.
Ganthibandhan (tying the knot) – The priest ties the wedding knot as a symbol of the permanent union between the bride and groom as husband and wife.
Agni Puja (evocation of the holy fire) – The priest sets up a small fire in a kund (cooper bowl). Agni (fire) is the mouth of Vishnu and symbolises the illumination of mind, knowledge and happiness. The remainder of the ceremony is conducted around the fire.
Shilarohana (stepping on the stone) – The bride places her right foot on a stone. The bridegroom tells her to be as firm as the stone in his house so that the can face their enemies and the difficulties of life together.
Laja homa (putting parched rice into the sacred fire) – Three obligations are offered to the sacred fire. The brother of the bride puts into the bride’s hand parched rice, half of which slips into the bridegroom’s hand. Mantras are chanted. The bride prays to Yama, the God of Death, that he grant long life, health, happiness and prosperity to the bridegroom.
Mangalfera (walking around the fire) – The couple walk around the sacred fire four times. Each time they stop to touch with their toe a stone in their path. This symbolises obstacles in life that they will overcome together. These four rounds stand for the four basic human goals:
Dharma – righteousness
Artha – monetary accomplishment
Kama – energy and passion in life
Moksha – liberation from everything in life.
The groom, signifying his contribution in helping the union to attain dharma, artha and kama, leads the first three rounds. The bride signifying their continual journey spiritual liberation leads the last round.
Saptapadi (seven steps) – The bride and groom take seven steps together around the fire. It is said in Hindu philosophy that if two people walk seven steps together then they will remain lifelong friends. They exchange sacred vows at the beginning of each encircling walk. At the end of each walk, the open palms of the bride are filled with puffed rice by her brother signifying wealth and prosperity. The seven steps and their promises are:
1.Let us take the first step to provide for our household, keeping a pure diet and avoiding those things that might harm us.
2. Let us take the second step to develop our physical, mental and spiritual powers.
3. Let us take our third step to increase our wealth by righteous and proper means.
4. Let us take out fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love, respect and trust.
5. Let us take the fifth step so that we may be blessed with strong, virtuous and heroic children.
6. Let us take the sixth step for self-restraint and longevity.
7. Let us take the seventh step to be true companions and remain life-long partners by this wedlock.
Saubhagya Chinha (blessing the bride) – The bridegroom blesses the bride by putting kumkum or sindhur (vermilion powder) at the parting of her hair (or on her forehead) and by giving her a sacred necklace (Mangal Sutra). The Mangal Sutra represents the couple’s togetherness, love and sacred union.
Haridaya-Sparsha (touching of hearts) – The bride and bridegroom touch each other’s heart reciting promises to each other.
Chathurthi Karma – The bride and groom feed each other four times for nourishment of the bone, muscle, skin and soul.
Aashirvaad (blessings) – The priest blesses the bride and groom. Flower petals and rice are given to the guests to shower them on the bride and groom with blessings. The wedding guests can then give their individuals blessings to the bride and groom and once completed, the marriage ceremony ends. Guests are invited to enjoy a sumptuous meal with the newlyweds.
Viddai (Bride’s departure) – The farewell to the bride by her family and friends is a very emotional episode. The bride is leaving her parents home to build a life with her husband and his family. She leaves with tears of joy and sorrow.
Pilucinchuanu – Before the wedding car departs for the Hindu temple, the priest will place a coconut under the front wheel of the car and wait for it to be broken by the weight of the car. The historic significance of this is that in the old days the couple would use a horse drawn carriage and the breaking of the coconut ensured that the vehicle was roadworthy for the journey.
The pilucinchuanu concludes the entire ceremony.
Hope you enjoyed and if so please like the page and share it on your social medias. Thanks!