A Hindu wedding ceremony has a number of rituals and customs that are symbolic of beautiful and noble sentiments. Each part of a Hindu wedding has specific meaning and significance not only to the bride and groom but also to the wedding
attendees.
Hindu weddings are supposed to take place outside, on the earth, under a canopy known as a mandap. Seating under the mandap is on the ground or on chairs. Front and center under the mandap is the sacred fire. The fire is small and confined to a brazier or dish for safety.
Traditionally, the bride wears a red sari. In an adapted ceremony such as ours, liberties can be taken with wardrobe. One rule which shouldn't be broken is that anyone who enters the mandap or wedding canopy must have on sandals or slip-on shoes which can be easily removed (no shoes in the mandap!).
Although it is a serious occasion, an Indian wedding is not meant to be solemn. Unlike Western ceremonies, the attendees at an Indian wedding can converse during the ceremony and can even get up to walk around occasionally to be able to better view the prayers and rituals that the bride and groom are performing.
There will be specific times during the ceremony where the attendees will be requested to shower the bride and groom with flowers, give their blessings and pass on their well wishes. You will be directed when to engage in these activities either by consulting the wedding program or by the priest as he performs the rituals.
Mangalsutra
Comparable to the Western tradition of exchanging rings, in Hindu weddings there is the tying of the mangalsutra. The mangalsutra is a gold necklace with black beads and it symbolizes the inseparable bond between a husband and wife. During the wedding ceremony, the bridegroom ties the mangalsutra to the neck of the bride uttering- “May you live long by wearing this sacred mangalsutra, the reason of my life”. Married women are entitled to wear mangalsutra throughout their life as it is believed that the practice enhances the well being of her husband and family. It is also considered that the mangalsutra protects the marriage from any evil. A Hindu marriage is incomplete without the mangalsutra.
Three knots symbolize three different aspects of a married woman- the first knot represents her obedience to the husband, the second to parents and the third represents her respect for God. Before the mangalsutra is tied, the necklace will be brought to all attendees to receive blessings and good wishes from the community. When the mangalsutra is being tied, it is at this time that the attendees shower the bride and groom with flowers and marriage songs are sung by the Indian women.
For a detailed description of a real traditional Hindu wedding go here.