If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a wedding by your friends, then you know the drill. You need to show up and look great in a nice outfit and be supportive of your friends as they take their vows. It’s an exciting celebration, and being a part of it is a privilege. 

If you’ve been invited to your very first Indian wedding, you may not know what to expect, but you still feel that same level of excitement: and so you should. Indian weddings are huge events. There are long celebrations, there are parties, the food is amazing, and you get the opportunity, with your friend’s permission, to wear a sari, especially if this is your first time.

You can make your own sari by getting some sari silk fabric and stitching something. Or you can choose to go to one of the many Indian stores out there to have one fitted for you. If it’s your first time ever wearing one, you may choose to go down this route because you don’t know what to expect or how to put one on. It’s essential that you are respectful of whatever clothing you wear to an Indian wedding, but here is what you should expect at your very first Indian wedding experience:

• Expect a long celebration. Did you know that an Indian wedding often lasts for three days? The first day involves Ganesha Pooja, which is a Hindu festival that celebrates the God Ganesha. This usually takes place in the home with very close family and friends, So if you’ve been invited to this stage, then you’re definitely a good friend to the bridal groom on the second day. For the mehndi ceremony or the sangeet, where the bride and her guests will put intricate henna patterns on their hands and feet and followed by dance performances with a dinner, the last day is the wedding ceremony itself, with the reception party in the evening.
• Expect a beautiful venue. As a wedding guest to an Indian wedding, you’re going to be overwhelmed with awe at the ceremony venues that are chosen. These are usually held at hotel banquet halls or Hindu temples with decorated four pillared, gazebo-like structures called the Mandap. This is where the ceremony will take place. Chairs will be set up for you to be able to view the ceremony, and the first few rows are always reserved for family and the wedding party. So if you’re not a direct family member or a member of the wedding party, expect to sit in the back.
• Expect the Holy Fire. The priest lights a holy fire called the Agni during an Indian wedding. The couple will step around the fire 7 times and that symbolises the seven sacred vows that they give to one another. The ceremony here can last anywhere from one to four hours, so bring a bottle of water and make sure you eat before you go.
• Expect new traditions. In a typical wedding ceremony, the bride and groom will exchange rings. This isn’t just what happens at an Indian wedding. The bride will usually get a line of red powder applied on the part of her hair, along with a black and gold necklace called the Mangalsutra. These two items symbolise a couple’s devotion to one another, and it’s something that’s very prevalent during an Indian wedding ceremony.
• Expect a lot of colour. We mentioned getting your first sari and one of the best things about an Indian wedding is that the clothing is not boring. It’s rarely black and white. The brighter the better when it comes to an Indian wedding, which means you get to choose the sari silk that matches your personality. Lehengas, Indian suits that are accessorized with glitter jewellery and colourful sarees, are the norm.
• Expect amazing food. Make sure your saree is not too tight when you go to an Indian wedding because there are cocktail hours, appetiser stations, dinner buffets and desserts that are going to really bring on the pounds over a multiple day event. Pace yourself and sample a little bit of everything and make sure that you have tasted something you’ve never tried before.
• Expect lots of people. At an Indian wedding, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed. The groom will also potentially be riding a horse or an elephant when he makes his entrance at the ceremony. There’ll be hundreds of people celebrating, being excited and there will be a lot of noise, so relax and have fun because you’re going to be surrounded by a lot of energetic guests who are looking to dance and have fun. 

Related posts:

A Chinese Wedding Banquet Minimalist wedding ideas you can try Mother of the Bride wedding outfits: your questions answered How to manage wedding costs