Indian wedding

traditions
 bride's clothing
Most traditional Indian brides prefer to wear a red lehenga, usually embroidered
with silver or gold and embellished with sequins, stones and crystals. The lehenga is
an ankle-length skirt and is usually paired with a choli top that shows the waist
and has fitted sleeves. The bride traditionally also wears a dupatta or chunni which
is a long stole that is wrapped around the neck and shoulders.
 groom's clothing
Achkanos and Serwanis are two long traditional jackets worn at weddings.
The former, which are more popular in northern India, reach to the knees
or less and are usually paired with churidars, which are very tight-fitting
pants that bunch up at the base of each leg.
 color of clothing
On her wedding day, an Indian bride typically wears the color bright red, as
Western white is used at Indian funerals. Black is also avoided because it
symbolizes death and mourning. Wedding guests and members of a
wedding party should wear bright colors, avoiding red as it is the bride's
special color.
ceremony duration
Hindu weddings last three days, in
which rituals and blessings will be
carried out, necessary to prepare
the bride and groom for the
imminent marriage.
pre-wedding ceremony
The Mehndi, a kind of bachelorette
party where the bride, her family
and female friends paint their hands
and arms. To do this, they use a
paste prepared with turmeric and
sandalwood powder or henna.
 during the wedding
When the bride reaches the Mandap, the curtain is dropped and the ceremony
begins in which both exchange flower garlands. This ritual, known as Jai Mala, is
carried out while the bride and groom say a few words in which they inform the
guests of their mutual acceptance and union.
after the wedding
Once married, the couple is blessed by
both families. The women of both
families whisper good omens in her
ear. The couple kneels in front of the
priest and his family, and walks
among the guests while they throw
flowers and rice at them. This ritual is
known as give Aashirvad.