Whether you are planning your own South Asian wedding or are invited to a pre-wedding event and want to know what to expect, our guide will help you understand the traditions and meaning behind many pre-wedding ceremonies and how they are celebrated amongst the South Asian culture.
South Asia is home to a rich variety of cultures, each with its own distinct wedding traditions. Indian weddings are known for their vibrant, multi-day celebrations, filled with grand rituals, music, and colourful attire. In contrast, Sri Lankan weddings tend to be more intimate, focusing on close family. Pakistani weddings mix Islamic practices with lively cultural events, while Nepal and Bangladesh have their own unique customs. Despite these differences, South Asian weddings universally celebrate love, family, and union.
Sangeet Ceremony
The Sangeet ceremony is a lively pre-wedding event celebrated in many South Asian countries, particularly among Indian and Pakistani communities. Typically held a day or two before the wedding, it brings both families together for a joyful evening filled with music, dance, and entertainment. Guests often perform choreographed dances, showcasing their talents and celebrating the couple's love story. This friendly competition between the bride and groom's families adds to the festive spirit, creating an atmosphere of fun and laughter. Beyond being a celebration, the Sangeet strengthens family bonds and helps ease pre-wedding stress, allowing everyone to enjoy a night of camaraderie before the more formal wedding ceremonies begin.
For a Sangeet ceremony, people tend to opt for wedding dresses with vibrant colors like royal blue, emerald green, or deep red to match the festive atmosphere. They prefer wedding outfits with fabrics such as silk, chiffon, or georgette that allow for easy movement. Women consider wearing a lehenga, anarkali suit, or saree and men prefer a kurta or sherwani.
Nahan Ritual
This sacred pre-wedding ritual, associated with Parsi weddings, involves the couple taking a holy bath to purify and cleanse themselves in preparation for their journey together. Guests dress in vibrant clothing to celebrate the occasion, creating a festive atmosphere. Surrounded by close family and friends, the couple participates in the ritual as a priest performs the ceremonies, emphasizing the significance of their union and the blessings of their loved ones. Celebrated in both India and Pakistan, this ritual reflects the rich Zoroastrian heritage of the Parsi community.
In India, particularly in cities like Mumbai, the ceremony often takes place in a family home or a prayer hall, with guests dressed in vibrant traditional attire to mark the joyous occasion. Close family members gather to offer blessings, and a priest performs prayers and rituals that emphasize the couple's commitment to each other and their faith.
Indian Wedding Traditions
Roka Ceremony
The Roka ceremony is one of the first pre-wedding rituals in many Hindu North Indian and Punjabi traditions, marking the official approval of the marriage by both families. It is considered a formal engagement, where the bride and groom's families come together to bless the couple and exchange gifts as a symbol of acceptance. It's a relatively intimate event, often held at home or in a small venue, marking the moment when the two families announce that the couple is now committed to each other. Usually, immediate family members from both sides are present, including parents, siblings, and grandparents. In some cases, a few close relatives like aunts, uncles, and cousins may also be invited.
In different parts of India, similar ceremonies to the Roka are known as Sagai in Gujarat and Rajasthan, Nischay Tamulam in Tamil Nadu, Ashirbaad in West Bengal, Shagun in Punjab, and Mangni in North India.
Mehndi Ceremony
The Mehndi ceremony is a vibrant pre-wedding event, where the bride is adorned with beautiful henna patterns, often featuring elaborate motifs and symbols that represent love and good fortune. Guests are also welcome to put henna on their hands.This event usually has only females present. It takes place a day or two before the wedding and is a joyful gathering that includes family and friends. Music, dancing, and festive decorations create a lively atmosphere, as everyone celebrates the upcoming wedding.
If you are attending a mehndi ceremony, you can prepare your skin by using a hand scrub and moisturising before you go to the ceremony. After getting it done, you want it to stay dark for a while so make sure it fully dries and starts flaking off on its own before you wash it off.
Tip: If you want the mehndi extra dark then you can mix lemon juice and sugar and dab it on whilst it dries and then wash off as normal.
Haldi Ceremony
The Haldi ceremony is a vibrant pre-wedding ritual celebrated in many South Asian cultures, particularly among Hindus. It involves applying a paste made from turmeric, sandalwood, and other ingredients to the bride and groom's skin. This golden paste is traditionally believed to bring good luck, enhance beauty, and purify the couple before their wedding. Music and dance fill the air as loved ones take turns smearing haldi on the couple, often playfully splattering each other with the mixture.
The Haldi ceremony is known by various names across India, including Ubtan in North India, Pithi in Punjabi culture, Gaye Holud in Bengali weddings, and Kumkum Bhondu in Maharashtra.
Pakistani Weddings
Dholki Celebration
The Dholki ceremony is a joyous pre-wedding event in Pakistani culture characterized by music, singing, and lively gatherings. Traditionally, it involves family and friends coming together to celebrate the upcoming wedding by playing the dhol, a traditional drum. Participants sing traditional folk songs, often incorporating playful lyrics about the couple, and sometimes engage in light-hearted teasing. It's a wonderful opportunity to immerse oneself in the cultural spirit of the wedding and enjoy the warmth of community.
For a Dholki ceremony, women can choose pakistani wedding dresses ranging from colorful lehengas to anarkali suits, while men typically choose vibrant kurtas or shalwar kameez Comfort is key, as the event involves plenty of dancing and movement.
Sri Lankan Weddings
Nekath Ceremony
Nekath is a traditional practice in Sri Lanka where couples consult an astrologer to determine the most auspicious time for their wedding. Before setting a wedding date, the astrologer analyzes the couple's horoscopes and considers various astrological factors to identify the ideal date and time for their union. This practice is rooted in the belief that aligning the wedding with favorable celestial positions can bring good fortune and harmony to the marriage. Once the auspicious time is determined, families often plan the wedding around this date, emphasizing the cultural importance of astrology in Sri Lankan weddings.
Whether you're hosting or attending these vibrant pre-wedding events, the key is to have fun and truly enjoy the celebration! To make your Asian wedding even more special, explore the fantastic venues available on Guides for Brides where you can find a variety of stunning locations and ideas to enhance your celebrations. Embrace the joy of these traditions and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones!