Things that guests do at a Wedding Reception
Astrology and Auspicious Dates Choosing
Auspicious dates for weddings in the Indian/Hindu culture are deeply rooted in astrology. The alignment of stars, planets, and zodiac signs guides the decision of when and where the wedding should take place, ensuring a prosperous marriage.
Significance of Colours
Colours play a pivotal role in Hindu weddings. Red, symbolising purity and sensuality, is the predominant colour for weddings. Green stands for life and happiness, yellow represents knowledge and learning, and blue is believed to protect humanity. These colours are seamlessly integrated into the wedding attire and decor, paying homage to tradition. Brides often adorn their foreheads with a dash of red kumkuma powder as a sign of good luck.
Mehendi Ceremony
The Mehndi ceremony is primarily attended by women from both the bride and groom's families. Mehndi, or henna, is an ancient form of body art. Intricate designs, sometimes including the groom's name, are applied to the bride's hands and feet, symbolising blessings of luck, joy, love, and prosperity. The intensity of the Mehendi stain is believed to reflect the depth of blessings; the darker the stain, the deeper the blessings.
Welcoming the Bride & Groom
The wedding Reception festivities commence with a grand welcome of the bride and groom. This is a significant moment, marking the beginning of their new journey together. The families greet them with traditional songs, dances, and rituals, setting the tone for the celebrations to follow.
Jaimala
Jaimala, also known as the exchange of garlands, is a symbolic ritual where the bride and groom place flower garlands around each other's necks. This act signifies their mutual acceptance and the promise to stand by one another throughout life.
Dinner & Fest
Indian wedding Reception are a culinary delight, reflecting the country's rich heritage and vibrant culture. With a significant portion of Indians being vegetarians, you can always expect a plethora of vegetarian delicacies. From street food buffets to formal international dishes, the food is as exciting as the entertainment.
Exchange of Gifts
The practice of giving return gifts is a testament to the Indian ethos of gratitude and hospitality, ensuring that guests carry with them a piece of the joy and warmth of the occasion. Whether it's the timeless charm of artisanal crafts, the spiritual solace of religious keepsakes, or the sensory delight of aromatic candles, each gift tells a story of love, unity, and the timeless beauty of Indian traditions. As couples embark on their marital journey, these gifts serve as tokens of appreciation, ensuring that the memories of their special day are cherished by all who attended.
Sangeet
The Sangeet is a pre-wedding extravaganza where families and friends come together to celebrate with music, dance, and food. This event is often themed, with elaborate decor, wardrobe changes, and sometimes even famous musicians and entertainers.
Haldi Ceremony
On the wedding reception morning, relatives apply a paste made of turmeric, sandalwood, and rosewater to specific body parts of the bride and groom. This ritual purifies and blesses the couple and leaves the skin glowing once washed off.
Wedding Reception Wardrobe
The attire for Indian wedding reception is rich in tradition and symbolism:
- Lehengas: A two-piece costume for women, often adorned with intricate beading and embroidery. The bride typically wears a red and gold Lehenga.
- Sarees: A long fabric, usually made of silk or brocade, draped elegantly around the body.
- Bangles: Known as choora, these bracelets signify the husband's long life, good fortune, and prosperity.
- Sherwani: A long jacket worn by the groom, often in gold and white.
Ceremonies
- Mangni or Nischitartham: Similar to a Western engagement party, this event marks the official betrothal of the couple.
- Graha Shanti: A pre-wedding ritual involving purification and blessings for the couple.
- Puja: An auspicious ceremony where both families offer prayers to deities and exchange gifts.
- Tilak: This ceremony welcomes the groom into the bride's family, applying a paste to his forehead.
Indian Wedding Reception Food
Indian wedding reception are a culinary delight, reflecting the country's rich heritage and vibrant culture. With a significant portion of Indians being vegetarians, you can always expect a plethora of vegetarian delicacies. From street food buffets to formal international dishes, the food is as exciting as the entertainment.
Choosing the Perfect Return Gifts for a Wedding Reception
Artisanal Crafts
Indian craftsmanship is renowned worldwide for its intricacy and uniqueness. Gifting items like handcrafted pottery, detailed wooden carvings, or hand-woven textiles using traditional techniques not only supports local artisans but also offers a piece of Indian heritage to the recipients.
Elegant Jewellery
Jewellery holds a special place in Indian traditions. Gifting small pieces, whether they're silver anklets, earrings adorned with semi-precious gemstones, or even traditional nose pins, can serve as a lasting memory of the occasion. Each piece can be a blend of modern design with traditional motifs.
Delectable Sweets
Sweets are an integral part of Indian celebrations. Offering boxes filled with classic Indian confections like creamy laddoos, rich kaju katli, or syrupy jalebis ensures guests have a taste of the festivity even after the event.
Personalised Mementos
Personal touches always make gifts more memorable. Consider items like keychains engraved with the wedding date, photo frames with the couple's names, or calendars tailored with pictures from pre-wedding shoots. These mementoes serve as a constant reminder of the joyous occasion.
Wellness and Spa Hamper
A relaxation-focused hamper with items like essential oils, scented candles, bath salts, handmade soaps, and a silk eye mask. This hamper promises a spa-like experience at home.
Gourmet Food Hamper
A selection of gourmet treats that can include artisanal chocolates, premium nuts, dried fruits, and traditional Indian sweets. Add a bottle of fine wine or non-alcoholic sparkling beverage to elevate the hamper.
Spiritual Enlightenment Hamper
A spiritually inclined hamper with items such as a miniature deity idol, prayer beads, incense sticks, a Bhagavad Gita or other spiritual text, and perhaps an aromatic diffuser.
Traditional Textiles
India's textile heritage is vast and varied. Gifting items like embroidered scarves, vibrant stoles with traditional prints, or elegant turbans can introduce recipients to the rich tapestry of Indian fabric traditions.
Literary Gifts
For those who cherish the written word, curated collections of Indian poetry, folklore, or spiritual writings can be a treasure. Whether it's the lyrical verses of ancient poets or tales from Indian epics, these books promise a journey into India's literary heartland.
Eco-friendly Green Hamper
A hamper for the environmentally conscious, containing plant saplings, organic teas, jute or cloth bags, bamboo cutlery, and seed balls for planting.
Discover The Good Road for Your Wedding Reception Gifts
Looking for the perfect return gifts for your wedding reception? The Good Road offers a curated selection of unique and memorable gifts that resonate with the beauty and tradition of Indian weddings. From artisanal crafts to personalised keepsakes, find the perfect token of appreciation for your guests. Make your wedding even more memorable with gifts from The Good Road. Explore our collection here.
Final Words
In conclusion, Indian wedding reception are a beautiful amalgamation of traditions, emotions, and celebrations. The practice of giving return gifts is a testament to the Indian ethos of gratitude and hospitality, ensuring that guests carry with them a piece of the joy and warmth of the occasion. Whether it's the timeless charm of artisanal crafts, the spiritual solace of religious keepsakes, or the sensory delight of aromatic candles, each gift tells a story of love, unity, and the timeless beauty of Indian wedding traditions. As couples embark on their marital journey, these wedding gifts serve as tokens of appreciation, ensuring that the memories of their special day are cherished by all who attended.
