The word wedding itself raises spirits in the minds of people. In fact, the very sound of the word wedding gives us a joyous bump. Ever wondered what it is about weddings that enthralls and fascinates everyone. Nothing in this world is so gaily celebrated as this union of man and woman in a ceremony called wedding. Everywhere in the world, different kinds of weddings have different ceremonies, as each culture has its own bunch of traditions and customs, based on their ethic origin.
Similarly, the Christian weddings in South India is a blend of Indian and Western customs since the time Christians in India are Indians who have been converted to Christianity by the British Christian missionaries, when Britain ruled India. Therefore, the Indian Christians, while still sticking to their Indian culture have also incorporated some western customs in their weddings. This jovial mingle of Indo-Western customs reflects on the Indian Christian wedding ceremonies as well! But then, one should not mix the concept of Indian Christianity with Indian Christians with Anglo-Indians whose parentages are a mixture of both Indians and British and they just follow only the western culture and traditions.
Well, talking about weddings, as in all other Indian ethnicities, the Indian Christians too opt for the traditional arranged marriages, though that trend is gradually changing, as the generation of today likes to choose partner on its own.
How the Bride and the brides maids dresses up
The Indian Christian bride is supposed to wear a white or off white saree with or without veil. The brides maids (again in sarees) and the flower girls dresses have to match the color decor of the wedding! However, of late, it has been observed that many brides are choosing to wear gowns and veils for the church service and then change over to the traditional silk sarees for the wedding reception.
On the day of the wedding, just a few hours before the church service, the sisters of groom and his cousins carry decorated trays containing the wedding saree, the veil, a bible, traditional coconuts, dried fruits like almonds, pista, cashew nuts and Indian sweets to the brides residence and place them in front of the bride. The church pastor, who is also present in the wedding, blesses the saree and hands it over to the bride. After that, the grooms group leave for the church where he awaits the bride at the church alter.
The Church Service During The Wedding Day
The wedding service in a Christian matrimonial is conducted just like all the Christian church weddings in the western countries but there is one difference, instead of the ring the groom places the Thali or ‘Mangalsutra’ around the neck of the bride amidst the peals of the church bell. The ‘Thali’ or Manglasutra is a gold chain with a gold pendant in which the symbol of the cross is entrenched. A woman wearing a Thali is a married woman. At times, during the wedding, rings are also exchanged in church. But usually rings are exchanged only during the engagement ceremony. Now, the groom takes the wedding promises holding the gold cross pendant, Thali. Another deviation in an Indian Christian wedding from the western custom is that the groom does not kiss the bride in church as kissing in public is sort of outlawed in India. Finally, the bride and the groom are pronounced as the man and the wife by the church pastor.
After the wedding service takes place, the newly-wed couple walks down the aisle, while the Church Organ plays the Wedding March and the congregation shower rice and flower petals on the couple symbolizing blessings.
After that, there is the usual wedding reception with some usual ceremonies like cutting of cake, proposing the toast to the bridal couple but no dance. Since the Indian christian weddings are a very social event with a huge crowd, dancing and singing are meant for the close family members who dance only when all the guests leave. And then, the couple is forced to drink a glass of milk and banana (a symbol for prosperity and fertility), the couple leaves for their honeymoon. Thats about all regarding the rituals of Christian weddings in South India!
Month: December 2018
Wedding Photographers Uk
Apart from creating unforgettable videos, VN Photography is known for creating outstanding photo albums for its valued clients. One of the top wedding photographers in London, Vishal Nishchal the company owner is dedicated towards providing photography solutions and services for all weddings or marriage ceremonies, be it of any caste or religion.
About Vishal – the name behind VN Photography
His passion and a keen eye for details of photography have enabled him to take up photography as a career. An advance course in Fashion Photography from one of India’s premier institutes and arduous professional training under distinguished fashion photographers has given Vishal the edge to launch his own photo studio at a very young age.
A short stint with top fashion magazines has given him the recognition in the form of several titles and awards. With his imaginative coverage and steady performance in capturing wedding ceremonies has propelled him to the position of Top Wedding Photographer in London, UK.
A thorough understanding of traditional Asian weddings and the specific requirement of clients ensures that clear memories of the most important moments of your life and timeless love are preserved in the form of photos long after the sacrosanct vows are exchanged.
Importance of Wedding
The importance of wedding or marriage and its significance has changed with time. However, for most people marriage is a commitment that, once entered into, cannot be broken up or dissolved. Whatever significance marriage carries for people, wedding time is an occasion of festivity and celebration. The wedding ceremony especially Asian wedding is a display of regal splendor. In addition, wedding is a time that marks the eternal bonding of the two persons along with the bonding and connecting of family members. Hence, these moments are worth the capture in cameras so that they can be cherished forever.
Wedding planning
Wedding planning of Asians in the UK is an elaborate and decorative affair and the effort of a number of creative professionals is involved in the wedding. A competent caterer, an efficient and innovative decorator, a professional florist, a trusted family jeweler, the ideal venue, the imaginative and creative invitations, the omnipresent photographer all come in the ambit of wedding planning in London, UK. One of the most challenging tasks is choosing the right photographer to capture every wedding moment and mood as there are no retakes in wedding ceremony.
Top wedding photographer selection
All set for one such wedding moment and need a photographer who can capture spontaneously all the anticipated moments- just search for top Wedding Photographers in London, UK. As soon as you have short-listed some of the top wedding photographers in UK, contact them and have a look at their portfolios to ensure quality and professionalism. Undoubtedly, your pick would be VN Photography at London, UK because you deserve the best.
Four Characteristics Of A Good Wedding Ceremony Speech
Wedding celebration is not all about the fun activities and food. It is also about the solemnity of wedding ceremony speech, which is prepared by special people important to the bride and groom to welcome them into the amazing union they have both willingly entered together.
As mentioned, the honor of delivering a wedding speech is usually given only to those who are really close to the couple. These usually are the parents and the best man. The order of the speeches is generally as follows: the bride’s father’s speech which includes a toast to the bride and groom; the bridegroom then comes in to respond to the father of the bride’s speech, and includes a toast to the bridesmaids; and then the best man’s speech is a response on behalf of the bridesmaids, and should be lighthearted and humorous.
Avoid making wedding speeches that are more than three to five minutes in length as you would not want to bore the newlyweds and the guests. It should be short but simple and remarkable heartfelt messages or advices.
List all the things you want to say in your wedding speech. Later on, you can narrow it down to the most essential and interesting things only. Making an outline and drafting it first before making the final wedding ceremony speech is very helpful. It helps also if you practice in front of a mirror as frequently as you can or ask someone to help you out by pretending to be an audience at the wedding reception. The most important thing in making wedding speech is that it should show how much you care for the couple. Wedding speeches are the big moments when the guests will either laugh and cheer – or yawn and look at their watches. So it is important that wedding speeches must have the following characteristics:
1. Sincerity – The message you intend to deliver must be heartfelt and moving to the audience.
2. Humor – The message must tickle the whole audience without being offensive to anyone. Never attempt humor that embarrasses anyone in the audience, especially the bride and groom.
3. Flow – There must be a smooth flow of your speech and smooth transitions in your speech. Make sure you read it and practice it several times out loud prior to the big day.
4. Impact – There must be great openings and endings so that your speech can have an impact on the newlyweds and the audience.
It really is quite simple but it takes some effort on your part. Following this guide will help you to deliver a smooth and great wedding ceremony speech.
Wedding Favor Tags Special Sayings For Your Special Day
Just as its traditional to present your wedding guests with small token favors, its also common to secure personalized favor tags to your gifts. These tags usually include the bride and grooms names, plus the wedding date, along with a short verse or saying that fits with the wedding theme.
If youre stuck on what to include on your wedding favor tags, here are a few ideas to help you along.
Bells
Every time you hear a bell ring think of when Mr. & Mrs.________ got their wedding rings.
Hark! The merry chimes are pealing, Soft and glad the music swells, Gaily in the night wind stealing, Sweetly sound the wedding bells. ~ Eliza Cook
Bubbles
“Rice is traditional, but bubbles are more fun. Help us cheer on the newlyweds as their life has begun.”
Candy
Hugs and kisses from the Mr. & Mrs.” (Hershey Chocolate Kisses and Hugs)
“We treasure your presence on our special day” (Gold foil chocolate coins)
May the sweetness of this day fill our lives forever.
Love is like chocolate. Life is so much sweeter when it’s shared!
Sparklers or Candles
“Take a bit of today’s joy to brighten tomorrow”
“Burn this candle and think of our bright new future”
Flowers and Seeds
“Plant these seeds and watch them grow, as does our new lives together”
“Love is the only flower that grows and blossoms, Without the aid of the seasons.” ~Kahlil Gibran
Heart
Two souls with but a single thought. Two hearts that beat as one. ~ Franz Joseph von Munch-Bellinghausen
“Now join hands, and with your hands your hearts.” ~- William Shakespeare
Use Of Wedding Rings And Its Importance In A Persons Life
A wedding ring is the symbol of love and commitment of the wedding couples towards each other; it represents an endless bonding which can never be broken. The wedding ring forms a deep bonding between the heart of the husband and the wife. The use of rings in wedding started thousands of years ago, but at that time, the man used to gift his woman with a ring; the acceptance of which made the woman a property of the man. The use of wedding rings was noticed in the Egyptian civilization for the first time; after which it was seen to be prevalent all over the world. Previously, wedding rings were mainly made of leaves or hay; the use of metal for making rings came hundreds of years later. During that time, wedding rings were used only by the women; men did not use any such rings. The use of mens rings started during the Second World War and it is prevalent till now all over the world. Nowadays, wedding rings are used extensively all over the world by every marrying couple. Choosing the right wedding ring is the most important part of marriage and people always want to give their best while buying one.
Wedding rings are worn on the 4th finger of the left hand; as it was believed previously that this finger contains the vein of love, which runs directly to the heart. Wearing a ring, gifted by the loved one on this finger linked the lover directly with the heart. People do not believe in this nowadays, but the tradition still prevails. The couples still wear the matrimonial rings on this finger. These rings create a deep bonding between the husband and the wife; and they can never ignore it as long as they wear this ring. It forms a lifelong bonding between them for the rest of their life. The wedding ring keeps the couples together for the rest of their marital life.
Choosing the perfect wedding ring is the most important part of marriage. People spend a lot of money to buy the best wedding ring available in the market for their partners. And why should they not spend this money? The ring which bonds them so deeply is worth such money. Nowadays, wedding rings are mainly made of platinum or gold; as these are the two most beautiful and costly metals, people choose them for making the rings. Various types of rings of different metals, different stones are available in the market. Among them, the diamond studded platinum rings are the most beautiful and the costliest. These rings are largely used by people in their wedding. People seldom keep in mind the matter of money in such cases; they spend large amount of money for getting the best ring. The jewelry stores that have grown up provide facilities of payment in installments, which have made buying expensive rings much easier for the people. People should never ignore the importance of wedding rings, when they have got such opportunity of buying expensive rings in installments.