Tamil Wedding - Weddings & Marigolds

TAMIL WEDDINGS

Tradition, elegance and finer details.

Muhurthams by Weddings and Marigold.

No Tamil wedding can compare to one planned by Weddings and Marigold. The Tamil weddings that we execute are a mix of rich tradition, elegance and interesting contemporary touches that make them grand affairs to remember.

Nischayathartham Or Engagement

Commitment of dreams, love & feelings

This ceremony begins with the bride's family giving the groom turmeric, betel leaves, nuts and clothes. The bride's brother then honours the groom by placing a flower garland around his neck. As a symbol of happiness, sugar candy is distributed to all guests. Then, an 'Aarthi' is performed, and a coconut is broken, as a ritual believed to ward off evil eyes.

Oonjal

Averting evil spirits...

"The couple are made to sit on the ""Oonjal"" or swing which is rocked gently. The swing's oscillating motion is a message to the couple that they must stay strong together during the challenges and joys of life. Relatives and friends sing auspicious songs, blessing the couple. They are offered milk and bananas and the ladies from both the families throw coloured rice balls in four directions to ward off evil spirits. This ritual also signifies support of that family and friends during the couple's married life.

Mehendi

Adorn your hands with Mehendi...

On the "medai" or raised platform, both families sit opposite to each other and the "lagna patrika," or marriage contract is written and read aloud by the 'priest or sastrigal'. The document includes the names of both the families, the names of the bride and groom and the agreement that the marriage is to be conducted and it is signed by both bride's and groom's parents. After this, Thamboolams' (platters of betel nuts, dry fruits, nuts, coconuts, turmeric and 'kumkum') and gifts are exchanged. The cone shaped "parupputhengai" is an important part of all these ceremonies.

Kasiyatra

The ritual in 'Hindi Weddings'

The groom is dressed in the traditional “Panchakatcham” veshti. He also holds an umbrella, a fan, a walking stick, and a towel containing dhal and rice tied to his shoulder. He then sets off on a mock pilgrimage to pursue further religious studies, and renounce worldly pursuits. As he steps out of the wedding hall, the bride's father intervenes and advocates for the superiority of married life to an ascetic life. He also promises to give his daughter as companion to face the challenges of life. The groom accepts and returns to the mandapam to get married. The umbrella is to remain with the groom, to remind him in the future of this advice.

Muhurthan (Kanyadhaan & Saptapadi)

The auspicious time to begin the journey of life together...

The bride ties a string fastened to a piece of turmeric around the wrist of the bridegroom to bind themselves by a religious vow. It is only after tying the kankanam that the bridegroom gets the right to touch the bride. A little later, the bridegroom ties a kankanam to the bride’s wrist. The tying of the Mangal Sutra or Thali takes place at exactly the pre-determined auspicious hour. The bride is seated over a sheaf of grain-layden hay looking eastward on the lap of her father while the bridegroom faces westward. The bridegroom puts the gold Mangal Sutra around the neck of the bride. As he does so the Nadaswaram is played loud and fast so as to muffle any inauspicious sounds at the critical hour. This is called “Getti Melam”. At the same time as the Mangal Sutra a turmeric thread is also put around the bride’s neck. To this three knots are tied. The first knot is tied by the bridegroom. The other two knots are tied by the groom’s sister to make the bride a part of their family. The three knots symbolize Brahma, Vishnu and Rudhra.

Reception

Greeting the world as a couple...

"The reception is an event where guests can greet and bless the newly wedded couple and give them gifts as well.

Typically South Indian / Karnatic musicians are called upon to provide the music entertainment as the reception goes on and dinner is served as well. "