Wedding Rituals

1. Muslim Ceremony
2. Hindu Ceremony
3. Sikh Ceremony
4. Christian Ceremony

1. Muslim Ceremony

The Muslim marriage is a simple, legal agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country. The officiator of the Muslim ceremony is the Molvi or Imaam.

1. Bhaarat
The groom's friends and family arrive at the bride's house or ceremony hall and are greeted by the bride's family.

2. Mahr
The gift that is given by the husband to his wife at wedding.

3. Nikaah
The bride and groom sign the necessary legal documents in front of the Molvi and their witnesses (friends and family). The bride and groom must consent to marry in the presence of the Molvi or Imaam.

4. Ring Exchange
The Bride and groom exchange rings to finalize their vows.

5. Duaa
The Molvi recites religious prayers from the Quran (Holy Book) to bless the couple.

6. Rukhsaati
The bride's family bids farewell in an official "send off". This step symbolizes the bride's entrance into a new phase of her life.

7. Walima
Following the ceremony, the groom's family offers a wedding reception for family and friends to celebrate the marriage and introduce the newlyweds.

2. Hindu Ceremony

1. Baraat
The groom arrives on a horse in the form of a parade.

2. Milni
The bride's family receives The groom and his family.

3. Var Puja
The Bride's Mother welcomes the groom with arti and flowers.

4. Jai Mala
The bride and The groom garland each other to signify mutual acceptance.

5. Sehra
A member of the Groom's family recites a verse, introducing the groom's family.

6. Sanesh Puja
The marriage ceremony begins with an invocation of Lord Ganesha for success in all phases of life followed by Navgraha pujan, a calling of all nine planets for peace and prosperity.

7. Arrival of the Bride
The bride is brought to the stage accompanied by her Mamaji (Mother's brother) and Sisters.

8. Kanya Dan
The bride's Father gives her away by placing her hand in that of the groom . The groom holds the bride's hand in a gesture of everlasting love. Gath Bandhan & Phere - The bride and the groom are joined together by tying a corner of their outer garments, symbolizing the bond of marriage. The couple walks around the sacred fire seven times, making it a witness of their union as husband and wife. Here, the Bride's sister will read a passage from the Geeta (Holy Scriptures).

9. Sapta Padi
The bride and The groom take seven symbolic steps together in a promise of lifetime friendship and fidelity. Each step asks for the Lord's blessings in the following;

May the Lord lead us to sustenance
May the Lord lead us to strength
May the Lord lead us to prosperity
May the Lord lead us to the source of all bliss
May the Lord lead us to good progeny
May the Lord lead us to enjoy all the seasons and longevity
May the Lord lead us to union, devotion, and companionship

10. Sindoor Daan
The Groom puts Sindoor (red powder) in the parting of the Bride's hair to welcome her into his life as his eternal partner.

11. Anguthi Rasam
The bride and The groom exchange rings. Aashirvad - Family and Friends bless the couple by showering them with flowers.

3. Sikh Ceremony

The Sikh ceremony is also called Anand Karaj meaning 'Blissful Union". The ceremony usually takes place in the morning at the Sikh place of worship, the Gurdwara.

1. Baraat
Close family and friends arrive at the Gurdwara together. The groom may arrive by horseback.

2. Milni
Prayers are invoked and the families greet each other by exchanging garlands. The groom then distributes Karah Prashad (ceremonial sweets) to his family.

3. Kirtan
The ragies perform a simple ceremony and sing hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Book) as people enter the Gurdwara.

4. Gurdwara
Guests of the Gurdwara traditionally remain seated with men and women sitting on opposite sides of the hall. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is at the focal point of Gurdwara.

5. Ardas
The couple and their family and guests stand up for Ardas (prayer). After Ardas the couple sits down and the officiate gives a lecture on the significance of marriage. The couple indicates their agreement to these guidelines and principles by bowing down before Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

6. Tying of the Scarf
The Father of the Bride places one end of the scarf worn by the groom over the bride and groom's shoulders and into his daugher's hands. This signifies the start of the bride's new life with her husband.

7. The Lavans
The officiate then reads the Lavan hymn composed of four stanzas. After the completion of each stanza, the groom, followed by the bride, walks around Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a clockwise direction, while the Ragis sing the recited stanzas. The stanzas signifiy the progression of the marriage ceremony and union with the Lord as follows:

1. The Lord sets out His Instructions for performing the daily duties of married life.
2. The Lord leads you to meet the True Guru, the Primal Being.
3. The mind is filled with Divine Love.
4. We have found Eternal love with the Lord.

8. Anand hymn
Following the Lavans, this hymn by Guru Amar Das is recited. This is followed by lectures and kirtan. The religious ceremony is formally concluded by the entire congregation standing for the final Ardas of the marriage.

9. Hukamnama
A random hymn from Sri Guru Granth Sahib is read as a proclamation of the days order from the Guru for the occasion (hukamnama).

10. Karah Prashad
Sweets are distributed to celebrate the completion of the ceremony.

11. Langer
After congratulating the couple, Friends and Family share a traditional meal in the community kitchen.

4. Christian Ceremony

A Catholic wedding ceremony incorporates traditional Catholic elements and Scriptural readings. An ordained priest performs the ceremony reading passages from the Bible.

1. Entrance
The ceremony begins with a procession of the celebrant (priest), the wedding attendants, and the bride and groom.

2. Gathering
The priest greets the community and invokes God's blessings upon the couple, those gathered and the event.

3. Readings
The priest and or family members deliver readings from the Bible as selected by the couple.

4. The Vows
The Bride and Groom pledge their love and allegiance to one another.

5. Ring Exchange
The rings are blessed by the priest and exchanged by the Bride and Groom as a symbol of their new bond.

6. Sermon or Homily
The priest concludes the ceremony with a lecture on marriage and the union of the bride and groom.

7. The Concluding Rite
The final segment of the service includes a blessing of the community and the new couple, a dismissal, and a final recessional from the church. Guests are free to exit once the couple, the wedding party, and the priest have recessed.