Preparing for an American wedding can be stressful enough, but what do you do if you’re invited to an Indian matrimony ceremony? The saying is, “When in Rome,” but you have to know what they do in Rome to take part.
There’s no need to panic if you’re invited to an Indian nuptial celebration. We’re here to help you arrive at the party in appropriate style and ready to have a ball. Continue reading to get some tips that will help with attire and etiquette for attending an Indian uniting soirée.
Dress modestly
Modesty is one of the hallmarks of an Indian wedding. Women are expected to dress conservatively out of respect for the bride and her party. Neither should male guests try to compete with the groom for best-dressed. After all, the day belongs to the couple getting married.
Women who want to wear Indian attire for the event should consider wearing a colorful lehenga—a customary ankle-length skirt. The dupatta saree is another important part of your outfit as it covers the shoulders, which is traditional for women at Indian nuptial ceremonies.
Money is the most common wedding gift
Another challenge of going to an Indian bridal ceremony is knowing what gifts are appropriate. The good news is that gift-giving is simple, as money is the most common wedding present for Indian newlyweds.
It’s common in American culture to give monetary gifts that are denominations of five or 10. However, it’s customary to gift the Indian bride and groom with monetary gifts ending in one for the sake of auspiciousness. Spirituality is a vital part of Indian culture, and monetary gifts ending in one symbolize good tidings for the future.
Jewelry also makes a great present
Money might be the most common gift to give at Hindu weddings, but jewelry is also acceptable. However, if you choose to purchase a gift instead of giving money, you should spend at least $50 on a gift as anything less could be deemed inconsiderate, or worse, cheap.
Gifts made of silver are considered auspicious and precious. If you’re one of the groomsmen or a close friend of the groom, you can find top watches under $200 in silver and even gold. If your Indian friend invites you to their uniting ceremony, it means they think highly of you, and you attending their nuptials says you think the same of them. So, let your gift-giving show it.
Indian nuptials can last from three days to a week
“Ain’t no wedding like a Hindu wedding ‘cuz a Hindu wedding don’t stop!” Poor grammar aside, you’ll learn that phrase rings true if you’re blessed to attend an Indian friend’s nuptials. Indeed, these things can last for up to a week, so you’d better plan to take some vacation days and get plenty of rest leading up to the event.
Not only can the ceremony last anywhere from 3 to 7 days, but some of the events, including the main ceremony, can start as late (or early) as two or three in the morning. That’s because a typical Indian wedding ceremony is timed based on astrology and other cultural factors. So, rest up, because Indians take celebrating very seriously!
Weddings are a glorious event regardless of the country or culture within which they take place. However, it’s good to know the customs if you’re attending a wedding in a foreign culture.
Indian nuptials are grand events that last for days and combine spirituality and unbridled but wholesome fun. The key is to dress modestly, be prepared to party into the wee hours of the morning, and get in where you fit in. In other words, don’t be a wallflower—join the festivities. After all, celebrating matrimony isn’t a spectator sport.