Some Hindu Wedding Traditions

Some couples choose to have the typical Hindu ceremony that spans several days, while others have a condensed version that lasts only a few hours. Many Hindu ceremonies take place at the bride's house or at a hall. Decide if you will have guests sit on the floor, as is typical at Hindu weddings, or whether you would prefer to go the more modern route and provide chairs. Eating, drinking and talking during the ceremonial events is accepted practice at Hindu weddings. Offer food to the gods during the ceremony to obtain their blessings. Include a portion of the ceremony in which the bride and groom take seven steps together toward a long and happy marriage, praying for blessings such as wealth, happiness, strength and devotion with each step. Create a marriage mark on the bride's forehead with sedhu, or orange powder, to announce to the world that she is now married. After the mark is applied, the couple should touch each parent's feet and receive their parents' blessings.