Christian Wedding Rituals In India

By WeddingPlz
July 17th, 2023
Rituals & Traditions
3 Min Read

Indian Christian wedding rituals are a unique blend of Indian and Western traditions. They reflect the country’s diverse cultural heritage, characterised by their grandeur and traditional customs. While some rituals are common everywhere else in the world, there are few that have an Indian touch to them. Read on to learn more.

Pre-wedding Rituals

Engagement Ceremony

The engagement ceremony is an essential pre-wedding ritual in Indian Christian weddings, hosted by the bride’s family. It is a joyous occasion accompanied by close family and friends where the couple exchange rings and formally announce their marriage.

Via: Delhi Velvet

Bridal Shower

The bridal shower is a special pre-wedding event that is typically hosted by the bridesmaids and close female relatives of the bride. This celebration is a chance for the bride to spend time with her closest female friends and family members before her big day, and to receive gifts and blessings for her upcoming marriage. A bachelorette party is a bit wilder version of it.

Via: Happy Frames

Bachelor’s Party

This event is a chance for the groom and his closest male friends to celebrate his upcoming marriage, let loose, and have some fun before the big day. It’s just like any other bachelor’s party, where the groom gets a chance to bond with his friends and enjoy some quality time together before starting a new chapter in life.

Via: Dream Diaries

Mehndi

The Mehndi ceremony is a beautiful and cherished event in many Indian weddings, including Christians too. Mehndi is a form of art deeply inherent in our culture, so it’s not unusual to see a bride in a white gown with henna-clad hands in India.

Via: Neha Brackstone Photography

Roce Ceremony

In this ceremony, the bride and groom are anointed with a paste made of turmeric, sandalwood, and other natural ingredients. It is meant to purify and cleanse the couple, both physically and spiritually, before their wedding day. It is also a symbol of the love and affection that the couple’s family and friends have for them as they come together to prepare them for their new life together. This ritual is prevalent in Goa and Karnataka.

Via: REM Video and Photography

The Wedding Day

Bride’s Entry

The bride’s entry is a moment of great excitement and anticipation. Typically, the bride enters the wedding venue accompanied by her father or a close male family member. She may also be accompanied by her bridesmaids, who walk ahead of her and prepare the way for her grand entrance. As the bride makes her way down the aisle, she is often accompanied by music, with traditional Christian hymns or contemporary love songs playing in the background.

Via: Weva Photography

Wedding Vows

The wedding vows are recited after the priest has addressed the couple and invited them to express their love and commitment to each other. The vows may be personalised by the couple, or they may choose to use traditional vows that have been used for generations in their family. The rings are also exchanged once again.

Via: Stories By Joseph Radhik

The Magical Words: ‘I Do’

This part is led by the priest, who asks the couple a series of questions to which they must respond with “I do” or “I will.” These questions may vary depending on the denomination or tradition followed by the couple. The couple publicly declares their love and commitment to each other in the presence of God and their loved ones. Kissing in public has been considered taboo for a long time in India, but times are changing now; couples don’t shy away from expressing their love to each other.

Via: Lumière Wedding Company

Thali

In Indian Christian weddings, the Thali, or Mangalsutra, is often presented to the bride by the groom during the wedding ceremony along with a saree. While the Thali tradition is typically associated with Hindu weddings, some Indian Christian weddings have also started incorporating this tradition as a way to honour their cultural heritage. The Thali may be made of gold or other precious metals and may be adorned with intricate designs or precious stones.

Via: REM Video and Photography

Post-wedding Rituals

Reception

The reception is an important part of an Indian Christian wedding, where the couple and their families come together to celebrate the wedding and enjoy a festive evening of food, music, and dancing.

Via: Bombay Paparazzi

Bouquet Toss

While the bouquet toss is not traditionally a part of Indian Christian weddings, it can be a fun and playful way to add some Western flair to the wedding celebrations. It is usually done towards the end of the reception after cutting the cake. As with Western tradition, the woman who catches the bouquet is believed to be the next to get married.