An Indian wedding is completed in three stages mainly the pre wedding, the post wedding and the wedding day ceremonies. The wedding day ceremonies form the major attraction. There are many rituals and customs to be performed on that day. All these rituals have their own importance and play a  significant role in bonding the bride and groom together. These rituals are carried out in the presence of family, friends with the priest being a mediator.

The main day function often takes place at the brides place.  The function begins with welcoming the baraat. According to the Hindu custom, the groom arrives at the brides place with his parents, relatives and friends. The groom and the baraat are received by the bride’s parents. The groom is welcomed by the bride’s mother after she performs an aarti.

Once the groom is welcomed, the var mala ceremony is carried out. In this the bride and the groom exchange garlands. This ritual shows that the bride accepts the groom as her husband. They then proceed to the mandap where other rituals are to be performed. There is a canopy or the mandap that is decorated with flowers and other items. The four pillars of the canopy symbolize the parents of the bride and the groom. This is where the bride and the groom get married.

One of the most important wedding day ceremonies is the sapta-padi or the seven steps taken by the bride and the groom together. A sacred fire is lit and the bride and the groom encircle the holy fire- symbol of God, while the priest recites mantras. It is here that the couple promises the seven vows of love, commitment, honesty by taking seven steps before God, symbolized by fire and light.

Another important ceremony accomplished by the groom is the ritual of putting sindoor or vermillion onto the bride’s head and tying the mangalsutra. These two rituals are considered very sacred and they mark the union of the bride and groom in wed lock. The next important ceremony on the wedding day is that of the kanyadaan. During kanyadaan the bride’s father gives her hand to the groom in commitment.

Indian wedding ceremonies and rituals may vary according to region and community. Although there may be different rituals and traditions, yet one thing remains common in all i.e. the beautiful display of love and commitment.