Home Vida the DEATS on Gujarati Wedding Ceremonies

the DEATS on Gujarati Wedding Ceremonies

by Komal Patel

Continuing on with the WEDDING series!

Last week I shared me and J’s love story, HERE.

This week I want to dive into what the wedding will be. We decided on a traditional Gujarati wedding and since Justin and his family and aren’t religious it made sense to only have one ceremony instead of two like most interracial (Indian vs. Non-Indian) couples do.

All of my friends are super excited to share in this colorful experience.

Our wedding will be 3 days and cover most of the usual events.

(we aren’t doing all the events like a Sangeet or Garba, because, well, resources, time, money – you know. the usual factors)

We decided on a winter wedding in butt fucking Egypt, but I’ll save the who, what, when, where for another post.

So, like, what does a Gujarati wedding consist of?

First. its not all Priyanka and Nick.

ha! had to get in there! 

Every little sub-set has their own traditions. Just because you are Gujarati, it doesn’t mean you have the same traditions as the other Guju girl.

Same goes within the sub-sets. Not all Patel’s have the same traditions as other Patel’s. Everything is done the way your elders did it in their “gam” (village in Gujarat).

Since this is SO complex, I’m going to share what WE are doing. So if you’re reading this and thinking, “that doesn’t sound right,” DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT.

My traditions are just different than yours.

Most Gujarati wedding journey’s start with the engagement ceremony known as Chanlo Matli.

Gujarati Wedding Ceremonies

Chanlo Matli

The chandlo (which is the red mark down the middle of the temple) signifies the acceptance of the alliance between the two families.

Indian weddings aren’t just about the bride and groom. It is about the joining of two families.

Usually the bride’s father and four other males from her family “visit the groom carrying auspicious items and the bride’s father applies the chandlo on the groom’s forehead and gives him a shagun (a blessing symbolized by a token sum of money).”

You’ll see the word auspicious used a lot during Indian ceremonies. We are BIG on alignment in the sun and stars, which ultimately leads to a favorable time, day or token of some sort.

Justin and I didn’t have a Chanlo Matli, but my family is SO CUTE and threw us a very thoughtful engagement party complete with cake and Dom.

You guys know how I feel about champs.

Lagna Padiku

This tradition is very much a Patel thing.

It usually takes place a month or so before the wedding, but since Justin and I’s family live all over the country we did it in March when we were all in the same place at the same time.

Essentially this is the formal acceptance of the groom’s family taking the bride in as their daughter. At this time both sides exchange wedding invites (traditionally both sides of the family will send out their own invites to the wedding) and formally accept that the marriage is going to happen.

NO GOING BACK NOW.

next.

Gujarati Wedding Ceremonie

Mendhi

The mendhi event, otherwise known as henna takes place a few days before the wedding. The bride gets TATTED UP.

Not really, but beautiful patterns and pictures are drawn onto the bride covering most of her arms and legs.

But like, why?

 “It is believed that the deeper the color on the bride’s hands, the stronger the love between husband and wife.”

It has also been said that the bride will not do any work in the home until all the mendhi has left her body.

Back in the day the bride would move into her in-laws house, so this was a big deal. No work in the house until it was gone.

Maybe I should just ALWAYS wear mendhi.

The mendhi ceremony is the kick off to the Gujarati wedding weekend so there is usually lots of food, drink and dancing involved

 Vidhi

Next comes the pre-wedding ceremonies. The Vidhi takes place the day before the wedding during an auspicious time that the Maharaj (priest) has aligned and picked out.

The Vidhi has 3 separate ceremonies:

Mandva Mahurat & Griha Shanti
This ceremony is V religious in significance because the parents of the couple seek the blessings of Mother Earth and ask permission to commence with the digging of the soil to erect the  mandap (the canopy we get married in). Griha Shanti is a ceremony that seeks the blessings of all the planets and matches the bride and grooms horoscopes. The mandva mahurat is a Pooja to Lord Ganesh which rids all of the negative energy and obstacles leading to the actual wedding.

Pithi
The Pithi ceremony is when the haldi (turmeric) takes place. The haldi paste is put all over the bride and grooms skin.

It basically gives them a fun little facial before the wedding.

Bright, soft skin. YES PLEASE.

Mameru
The bride receives gifts from her maternal uncle which consists of clothes, jewelry and other gifts.

Gujarati Wedding Ceremonies

The actual wedding is followed after ALL OF THIS.

but…. I think I’ll save that for another day!

Xx

K

Sweet and Masala

+ + photos by Catherine May Taylor 

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10 comments

Kristine Nicole Alessandra April 27, 2019 - 10:57 am

Wow. All the traditions and customs to follow! It just makes me wonder how long would it take to prepare before the actual wedding takes place? I like the thought of “joining of two families.” That would ensure a better relationship between in-laws.

Reply
Komal Patel April 28, 2019 - 2:23 pm

It takes a long time lol! we have been planning since last summer!

Reply
Annemarie LeBlanc April 27, 2019 - 11:10 am

I like the idea of having Mendhi. What a big bonus for a new bride! Weddings in India seem to have high regard for the families especially the elders, who probably have the biggest say in the ceremony.

Reply
Dalene Ekirapa April 27, 2019 - 3:10 pm

Bright, soft skin thanks to the Pidhi? Yes, please! I love that. Anyway, there is too much traditions to be followed before the wedding. A month or so? Patience is so necessary. All the best Komal. Can’t wait to see you finally in your wedding look.

Reply
Elizabeth O April 28, 2019 - 4:12 am

I find Indian weddings to be truly one of the best celebrations of a union between a couple and their families. The traditions, colors, rituals, feasts, music and everything else makes for a truly memorable event. I just love them!

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fashionandstylepolice April 28, 2019 - 3:33 pm

Interesting tradition here. I have never heard of it before. I always like colourful weddings.

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aisasami April 28, 2019 - 5:37 pm

I have seen how beautiful henna is on the bride during the Mendhi part of the wedding. But, I haven’t heard of the rest of the parts of the Gujarati wedding. Thanks for informing me!

Reply
Clarice April 29, 2019 - 4:31 pm

Wow! This is interesting. I had no idea about these wedding traditions and customs but definitely good to know. It’s very interesting.

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vidya April 30, 2019 - 4:44 am

congratulations Komal! and many/most of these are rituals in south indian weddings as well

Reply
chichi April 30, 2019 - 10:29 am

Awww these pictures are so stunning! Great to learn about the Gujarati traditions, we have similar customs in North India just different names!

Reply

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