INDIAN WEDDING IN DELHI
Dozens of cars, mostly Suzukis, Hondas, or Mercedeses, are parked in front of the hotel. In the foyer, there’s a large sign announcing the wedding, taking place in one of the salons. The bride and groom are already seated on the stage as the priest recites the first prayers. This is the final day of the three-day wedding, and today marks the ceremonial vows in the presence of the priest.
Red, not White
While in Europe the bride typically wears white, here the bride is seated on the stage in red attire, adorned with luxurious gold bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Her hands are decorated with beautiful hand-painted henna designs. In this case, the couple met well before the wedding and do not see each other for the first time during the ritual walk around the fire.
Vows Around the Fire
The couple, along with the wedding guests, must walk around the sacred fire seven times under the strict supervision of the priest, their families, and the guests. Each circle corresponds to one vow recited. The couple prays for the plenty of food in the first round. In the second round, they pray for physical and mental health and a prosperous life. The third round is for wealth and the strength to share both joy and pain. The fourth prayer is for love and respect for each other and their families. The fifth round is for children, and the sixth round is for a long life together in peace. In the final, seventh round, they pray for understanding, harmony, and unity. The groom closes the prayers by confirming their vows and their lifelong permanence.
A Long Journey
The road to this day has been long. In India, it is still uncommon for a couple to freely decide to marry and announce their intentions to their parents. Status, social position, origin, and caste still play a significant role.
Wedding Theater
The couple sits on the stage as the main protagonists, awaiting a line of wedding guests eager to congratulate them and give gifts or envelopes with money. Everyone wants a photo. During the ceremony, guests sit on chairs, watching the "theater." Some whisper to each other, comment on the bride and groom, soft music plays, and the vows are loudly repeated after the priest. It seems that smiles are held back; this is a serious moment.
The Car Bar
To lighten the gravity of the situation, younger and middle-aged generations occasionally slip to the parking lot into the trunks of their cars for a so-called "Car bar." Although alcohol is officially banned at the wedding, whiskey, rum, beer, and gin are still consumed, though discreetly and from plastic cups.
Joy, Celebration, and Leaving the House
After the ceremony, group photos, and cake, where everyone feeds each other, the celebration begins, followed by spontaneous dancing. However, the party abruptly halts as the bride and groom leave for his house. At that moment, a dramatic scene unfolds as the bride’s family, especially the mother, wails, and siblings cry. It seems as though their daughter will never return. The wedding guests typically head to a decorated hotel room where they collapse in exhaustion after the marathon of the last three days.
INDIAN WEDDING IN RAJASTHAN
While driving through the villages of rural Rajasthan, deep in the desert, we stumbled upon a vibrant wedding procession—led by a truck with a booming sound system and an incredible group of women dancing their hearts out. The colors, the music, the joy—everything was pure magic. Join us in this unforgettable celebration! The contrast to weddings in Delhi couldn’t be more striking. 🎉💃🌾