All You Need To Know About Indian Christian Weddings

Christian weddings are simple, brief, and sweet. Filled with fun and celebrations, Christian marriages happen to be an auspicious ceremony predetermined by God. These marriage ceremonies symbolize the long and enduring cultural traditions of the Christian community with all its splendor. The roots of Christian marriages are believed to have came from Jewish tradition. As usual, Christian marriages are decided by the parents of the bride and the groom. Once the marriage is fixed there are certain pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding rituals. The richness in the rituals is so captivating that you would enjoy to the fullest. Come; Let’s have a tour of some of the most charming Christian wedding rituals.

Pre-wedding Rituals of Christian Weddings

(1) Aachaarakalyanam

Christian marriages begin with “Aachaarakalyanam.” This traditional ritual is celebrated together by the bride and the groom’s family. The elder people from the families will fix the date of the wedding during this function.

(2) Engagement (Manasammatham)

The engagement ceremony is celebrated to officially announce the marriage. The ceremony is well known as ‘Manasammatham’ in Kerala where the family of both the bride and the groom host a party to announce the wedding to other family members and friends.

During the ceremony, the head priest asks the consent of the bride and the groom to know whether both of them are willing to get married.

(3) Bridal Shower

This ritual is exclusively for the bride and interestingly only ladies are permitted. The guests bring valuable gifts and they are showered on the bride to make her happy as she is all set to start her new life. Lots of fun tasks are also performed during the function.

(4) Bachelor/Bachelorette Party

Bachelor Party as the name refers is thrown for the groom by his friends. It is to celebrate the groom’s last days as a bachelor. It is a fun filled party celebrated with drinks, music and dancing. Meanwhile the bride also celebrates the same, but seldom. This is the wildest form of wedding shower.

(5) The Rose Ceremony/Haldi Ceremony

This is one of the funny rituals performed as part of Christian marriage. This ritual is somewhat similar to the haldi ceremony performed during Hindu wedding celebrations. During the ritual, turmeric paste or coconut paste is applied to the couple by all the relatives invited to the ceremony.

(6) Mehndi

Yes, Mehndi at a Christian wedding sounds unusual. However, as cultures integrate and bleed into one another and inter-cultural weddings become more and more common, traditions drip into one culture from another. Mehndi is no exception to either, especially in the Northern parts of India. The bride and her side gather for an intimate function where mehndi designs are applied to her hands and legs. Music and cheerful-making follow.

(7) The Bride’s Entry

On the morning of the day when the wedding ceremony takes place, the groom’s relations visit the bride’s home with the wedding dress, sweets, gifts, fruits etc. As per Catholic tradition, the groom’s dress is first blessed by the priest. As the bride waits for the bride to arrive, everybody stands and the flower girls lead the way. This is followed by the brides and groomsmen entering. Ultimately, the bride is escorted into the church by her father and walks down the aisle towards the groom. If it’s a Catholic wedding, the bride is greeted by playing music or with an announcement. Wherever, at a Protestant Christian wedding, most wedding services are hymnal. Occasionally, the church priests or a choir sing, and even guests can join in.

Wedding Rituals of Christian Weddings

(1) Sthuthi Cholluka (Prayer session)

Christian weddings are closely associated with divinity and hence each and every Christian celebration is celebrated with a prayer session. During the wedding day too, a prayer session is conducted and it happens before the bride and the groom enters the church.

(2) Entry of the bride

On the wedding day, the first ritual is the bride’s entry. She will be entered into a car accompanied by friends and relatives. Once the bride enters the venue, her father accompanies her and takes her to the groom.

(3) Exchange of Vows

During the ritual, the bride and the groom read the wedding vows together and they write the vows on their own. These vows are considered as the promises that the bride, as well as the groom, recite to each other.

(4) Minnukettu (Tying the knot)

This is the most auspicious moment during Christian Marriage. Like the Thallikettu in Hindu Marriages, here it is Minnukettu. The bride, groom and their family and friends standing in front of the altar. The groom ties the holy knot around the bride’s neck while the head priest blesses the couple chanting prayers. A grand feast is then served with traditional as well as tasty dishes.

(5) Bouquet Toss

While the couple comes out of the church after the ceremony, the bride tosses her bouquet backward. This is a fun-filled moment as it is believed that the woman who grabs the bouquet will be the next to get married (oh yes, only if she is an unmarried woman).

Post-wedding Rituals of Christian Weddings

(1) Reception

Once the wedding is over, a grand reception is being organized either at groom’s place or at any other venue. During the reception, the bride and the groom perform their ‘first dance’ as husband and wife.

After that, they will cut the wedding cake together. Friends and relatives shower showy gifts to the newly married couple.

A grand dinner is followed where the guests will be served special and tasty dishes. The occasion is celebrated with plenty of fun, music and dance.

Bridal Attire for the Christian wedding

Generally, Christian brides wear a cream saree in different colors or patterns. She will be adorned with trendy and stylish gold jewellery. Trends have changed and now brides have started wearing a long white wedding gown.

Groom’s Attire for the Christian wedding

On the wedding day, the groom wears either a white kurta or a dark formal suit with a white shirt inside the suite.

Conclusion:-

No matter how big or small, Indian Christian weddings are celestial. You have the beautiful white wedding decor that is laden with flowers, a dapper groom with his gorgeous bride and of course, a party that will leave you wishing for more. All in all, there’s nothing that can beat the charm of this festival and we’re all for it!