Indian Weddings Sydney: All Your Questions Answered

Indian wedding is a kaleidoscope of colors, traditions, and festivities that span across diverse cultures, religions, and regions. As Indian Weddings are rich with ceremonies and multiple-day programs, people have got numerous questions and doubts.

In this blog, we dive into the glamorous realm and questions about Indian Weddings Sydney that you’ve been kept so far. So let’s get started.

1. How Long Does an Indian Wedding Last?

The events of an Indian wedding last for up to 3 days, and sometimes, can last up to 5 days. On the first day, normally Ganesh puja takes place, which is attended only by close relatives. On the second day, Mehendi and Sangeet ceremony commence, following Ganesh puja. The Mehendi and sangeet celebration gives way to the wedding ceremony and reception on the third or final day. All these events are based on auspicious times pre-decided by the priest.

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Here’s a general outline of how long an Indian wedding can last:

Pre-wedding ceremonies: These ceremonies typically start a few days before the main wedding day. The duration and number of pre-wedding events can vary, but they usually span around 2 to 3 days. Common pre-wedding ceremonies include:

Haldi Ceremony: Application of turmeric paste on the bride and groom to cleanse and beautify them.

Sangeet Ceremony: A night of music and dance performances by family and friends to celebrate the upcoming wedding.

Mehndi Ceremony: Application of henna on the bride’s hands and feet, often accompanied by music and dance.

Wedding day: The wedding day itself is usually a significant event, and the wedding ceremony itself can take a few hours. The entire day is devoted to the wedding rituals, including the main wedding ceremony, exchange of vows, and other customs specific to the community or religion.

Wedding Reception: After the wedding, a reception may be held where the newlywed couple is officially introduced to extended family and friends. The duration of the reception can vary, but it is typically a few hours long.

In total, an Indian wedding can range from 3 to 7 days, depending on the customs and traditions followed. In recent times, there has been a trend of having shorter and more intimate weddings, especially in urban areas, where the focus is on meaningful celebrations with close family and friends.

It’s essential to remember that the duration and scale of the wedding can be personalized based on the preferences and resources of the families involved.

2. What Happens at an Indian Wedding?

Prior to a couple of days before the wedding, the first pre-wedding ceremony called Sangeet Night is held where both families meet informally at the bride’s residence, where they sing and dance to celebrate the impending union.

Then comes the Haldi Ceremony, the fun part of pre-wedding ceremonies, where Haldi or turmeric paste is smeared all over the bride, as well as the groom, regarded as a beautification ritual.

The Haldi ceremony is normally conducted separately in the homes of the bride and the groom. A paste made of turmeric, chickpea flour, and rose water not just brighten the bride’s skin tone, but also wards off evil. The colour yellow is associated with beauty, purity, and fertility.

Haldi gives way to the Mehendi Night, where the bride’s hands are adorned with intricate henna designs, and all her female relatives partake in the ceremony. This ceremony is known as Madarengee in a South Indian wedding. All these ceremonies are much lively and zestful with music, dance, and a great deal of merriment.

The ceremony that leads to the wedding ceremony is a celebration in itself and has got a name- Baraat. All the guests from the bride’s side can directly move to the venue, but the groom’s guests should accompany the baraat procession, instead of moving straight to the venue. The groom arrives mounted on a decorated white horse in a procession while the groom’s friends and family will be dancing in a large circle.

The groom’s family will have a great time, where they arrive in a ceremonial procession amidst music and dance, often with a band in attendance. Upon reaching the venue entrance, the groom and his family will be happily welcomed by the bride’s family, by tossing rice upon them. The groom is presented with a plate containing a lamp and garland, by the relatives of the bride. At times, a tilak or dot is applied on the groom’s forehead. Then the groom will be led to the mandap to await his bride.

3. When is Indian Wedding Season?

The wedding season starts off in the month with more auspicious dates suitable for the wedding. The most auspicious wedding date will be declared by the priest. The wedding season begins in September and lasts until February for the North Indians. 

But for South Indian people, there is no such thing as a wedding season – it happens all around the year. Also, climatic conditions also have a major role to play in the Indian wedding Sydney season- weddings are normally not arranged during the rainy season, and the wedding season starts off in the month of Kartik.

4. How Much Does an Indian Wedding Cost in Australia?

Read the complete blog to get the ideas: https://symphonyevents.com.au/indian-wedding-cost/

5. Who Pays for an Indian Wedding?

Traditionally, it’s the bride’s family who bears the wedding expenditure, whereas the tikka ceremony and reception expenditure are borne by the groom’s family. Certain Indian families may choose to avoid reception altogether and merge the tikka ceremony with that of wedding engagement, in order to cut down expenses.

Some families may choose to share the expenditure, but mostly the wedding expenditure is taken care of by the Bride’s family. But sometimes these costs are adjusted if one family is insisting on extra fanfare or additional guests. For instance, the baraat expenses or the bride’s lehenga expenses will be borne by themselves.

In Indian weddings, the responsibility for wedding expenses is traditionally shared among the families of the bride and groom. However, the specific customs and practices can vary depending on the region, religion, and individual preferences of the families involved. Here are some general practices:

Bride’s Family: Traditionally, the bride’s family takes on a significant portion of the wedding expenses. This may include costs related to venue booking, decorations, catering, bridal attire, jewelry, and other related expenses.

Groom’s Family: The groom’s family is typically responsible for various expenses as well, including the cost of the groom’s attire, jewelry, and sometimes the wedding reception.

Shared Expenses: Some expenses may be shared between both families. For example, costs related to the wedding ceremony, such as the priest’s fees and religious rituals, are often shared by the bride’s and groom’s families.

Friends and Relatives: In many cases, close friends and relatives of the bride and groom may also contribute to the wedding expenses as a gesture of goodwill and support.

It’s important to note that these customs are not rigid, and modern Indian weddings often see a more equitable distribution of expenses based on the financial capacity and preferences of the families involved. Additionally, some couples may choose to bear the wedding expenses themselves, especially if they are financially independent.

6. How to Plan an Indian Wedding on a Small Budget?

To all the exhilarated brides and grooms who are somewhat close to getting spliced and wondering how to plan your wedding on a small budget, this step-by-step guide will definitely help you out.

Deciding Venue – It’s wise to pick a wedding venue in advance, since the banquet hall, resorts, or vendors may charge you more in the course of peak wedding season. Just steer clear of a destination wedding, if you’re on the lookout for a budget-friendly venue.

Shrink your guest list – When you’re focused on a small budget, trimming your guest list is a wise move. Try to shrink your guest list to those whom you really like to attend the wedding, which should include your close cousins, relatives, and close friends.

Curate a wise wedding catering list – You need to make sure that the caterer comes up with a plethora of food recommendations so you can rest assured of the taste of the food. Discuss with the catering or banquet hall manager and list out the dishes that you can’t avoid.

Off-season purchase – It’s wiser to buy your wedding outfits during the off-season since items in demand will cost you more during a popular season. And on top of that, sometimes you may get a discount, with which you can get hold of outfits from your favourite brands, that may otherwise cost you more.

7. What to wear to an Indian Wedding in Australia?

Read more: https://symphonyevents.com.au/what-to-wear-to-an-indian-wedding/

8. How to make Indian Wedding Hairstyles

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9. What to Wear to an Indian Wedding as a Guest

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10. How to Dance in Indian Wedding

Dancing at an Indian wedding is a fun and joyous part of the celebration. Indian weddings are known for their lively and energetic dance performances. Here are some tips on how to dance at an Indian wedding:

Be Enthusiastic: Indian weddings are all about celebrating and having a good time. Bring your enthusiasm and energy to the dance floor, and don’t be shy to let loose and enjoy yourself.

Learn Basic Moves: If you’re not familiar with Indian dance styles, you can start by learning some basic moves. Bollywood dance is a popular choice at Indian weddings, and there are plenty of online tutorials and videos available to help you learn some simple steps.

Join Dance Practices: Often, close family and friends of the bride and groom come together for dance practices before the wedding. If you are part of the wedding party, make an effort to attend these practices to learn and coordinate group dance performances.

Dress Appropriately: Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that allow you to move freely. If there’s a specific dress code or theme for the wedding, make sure to adhere to it.

Group Dances: At many Indian weddings, group dances are organized where guests join in together. Participate in these group dances and follow the lead of others if you’re not confident in your dance moves.

Encourage Others: Indian weddings are inclusive, and everyone is encouraged to participate in the dancing. Be supportive and encourage others to join in the fun.

Learn Regional Dances: India is a diverse country with various regional dance forms. If you’re attending a wedding with a specific regional theme, try to learn some dance moves from that region.

Respect Cultural Norms: While Indian weddings are lively and celebratory, it’s essential to respect cultural norms and customs. Avoid any dance moves or actions that could be considered offensive or inappropriate.

**Dance Off If there’s a dance-off or a friendly competition, feel free to participate and showcase your moves in a light-hearted manner.

Remember, the main goal is to have a great time and celebrate the couple’s special day. Whether you’re a skilled dancer or have two left feet, just go with the flow, enjoy the music, and dance with a smile on your face!