Indian Wedding Vs American Wedding

Every country and every religion have their own traditions and its help to differentiate each other. Even though wedding ceremony has the same meaning in every culture, the way of celebration is different. An Indian marriage is essentially different from a typical American wedding.

Indian wedding is about the association of family members follow the traditions, functions, customs while traditional American Wedding is about Bridal shower, Bridal Party, The veil, kissing the bride, the groom’s cake and the honeymoon. 

Indian marriages start with searching the bride or groom as a part of arranged marriage. It is considered to be the most acceptable form of marriage till date in most of the communities in India. Both of families fully involved in searching the bride or the groom. I still remember that day when I had first meeting with my husband in presence of my family members at my house. I had talk with him for two hours and then I discussed with my parents.

Then my parents had conversation with his family. When the both families were agreed, they fixed the date for marriage.

In contrast in the US, arranged marriage is a retard thing to do and is very uncommon. Bride and groom already knew to each other from long time. They have full power to make a decision for marriage. In India wedding is the big and three to five days event while American marriages does not take too much time.

When I got marry, my all family members involved one month before the actual date as they did all the planning by themselves. 

In contrast American wedding arrangements done by marriage planner and only the bride and groom can decide what they want to do. The homes of the bride and of the groom are decorated 5-10 days before as part of the decorations of this special day in India while In America homes are not important part of marriage as they don’t celebrate at home. Traditional American weddings are organized in a place of worship like in a church or they reserve the venue. Both the bride and groom send out wedding invitation cards with all lists of three days program and timings to their respective guests separately. Wedding invitation cards may be printed in any of the many Indian languages or English, or both.

Even if it is printed in English, the ancient Vedic Sanskrit mantras are still printed on the cards. Sanskrit mantras in English make for interesting text to read. In contrast American wedding cards printed in English with formal language. You have approximate idea about your guests as they response on your invitation, but in India you have to guess, there is no approximate, all most all guest would be involve. 

The riot of colors, loud music, and the boisterous dances are what captivate you at an Indian marriage.

No Indian marriage is complete without hearty dancing. I remember in my marriage all members were actively involved in dancing for five days before the wedding day. Of course, there is stunning food and tons of gossip awaiting the guests. In contrast Americans believe in peaceful marriages with formal parties. Few months ago, I went to a hike trail in Saratoga.

Before the hike trail starts there was a small garden. I saw some people in formal dresses.

I was surprised when I got to know that there was a wedding ceremony going on. I was thinking about my wedding ceremony, everybody in my town knew that there was a marriage ceremony going on. Heavy bridal decoration forms an essential part of wedding decorations in India. In my marriage I was decked up with precious jewelry from head to toe with heavy sequenced red Lahnga (skirt) and Sari that all had 15-20 lb weight. 

The groom wears a sherwani or suit with essential jewelry.

In contrast white pretty gown for brides and black or blue suit for grooms, this tradition is followed religiously in America. And guests also have the same kind of formal dress usually in Black. In Indian marriages groom comes on the back of horse with his family and friends, but not included elder women, they stayed at home and do arrangements for welcome of bride and groom together. A special dais is built for the solemnization of the marriage in the bride’s house and both the bride and groom repeat mantras chanted by a priest. After that they put their hands together right hand of the bride and left hand of the groom and take seven rounds in the front of fire.

Every round has its special meaning or promises that groom makes for bride and they showered with flower which is recognized as the symbols of happiness. In addition groom put one kind of red color (Sindoor) in bride’s head after that they announced as a husband and wife. When I got married this whole procedure took three hours. In contrast traditional American weddings are organized in a place of worship like in a church, where family and friends assemble.

Here comes the best man, flower girls, exchanging vows which mean personal commitment, and rings. 

The wedding ceremony is conducted by the priest. He formally asks the invitees whether they have any objection for this marriage and getting the positive response from the invitees the priest asks the couple to exchange wedding rings and then the couple is marked as husband and wife. Traditionally the newlyweds kiss to seal their union; this is the concept of kissing the bride. As the couple leaves the church, they are showered with rice or flower which is recognized as the symbols of fertility. Then the couple organizes a reception party where all family members and friends of two families dine, enjoy and makes merry.

The guests form two lines, to dance with the newlyweds and they both also have dance. After that both go for a long vacation, which is pre decided and spending time with each other.

In contrast Indian bride comes to groom’s house, where they have to follow other traditions which take one or two days. They have welcome party and celebration for addition in family. “Tie the knot” programs are loaded with fun activities. 

The fun activities are not additions but are inherent features of Indian weddings that infuse a lot of playfulness between the bride and the groom and between their families to make them comfortable. Even though it has lot of difference in way of celebration and traditions, this is the most holy event in a person’s life and they can share their happiness moment with friends and family.

In any condition or in any tradition wedding ceremony means remain always same, happy time and celebration time as two newlyweds unites together into a sacred bondage of love and life.

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