Junior Rasmussen
Post-wedding refers to the period after a couple is married. Post-wedding rituals are an integral part of Indian weddings, where the celebrations continue with joy and enthusiasm. These rituals are significant as they celebrate the beginning of a new phase in the couple's lives and introduce the bride to her new family. Post-wedding rituals include the Vidaai ceremony, where the bride is given a final send-off from her parent's home, and the Grah Pravesh ceremony, where the bride is welcomed into her new home. Post-wedding photo shoots are also becoming popular, allowing couples to capture relaxed and creative photos in their wedding outfits after the busy wedding day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Done after a marriage or relating to the period after marriage |
| Purpose | To celebrate the beginning of a new phase of the couple's lives and introduce the bride to her new family |
| Post-wedding photo shoot | An opportunity for couples to have additional professional photos taken in their wedding outfits, but in a more relaxed, creative, or unique setting than what might have been possible on the actual wedding day |
| Post-Indian wedding rituals | Vidaai, Grah Pravesh, Muh Dikhai, and Darwaza Rokaai |
What You'll Learn
Post-wedding photo shoots
There are several benefits to having a post-wedding photo shoot. Firstly, it allows for a more relaxed atmosphere. Wedding days can be hectic, and fitting in numerous photos between the ceremony and reception can be challenging. A post-wedding photo shoot removes the time constraints and rushing associated with wedding days, allowing couples to take their time and be more creative with their photos.
Another advantage is the freedom to choose locations. Couples are not limited to event spaces and can select unique and meaningful locations for their photos, such as the place they first met or their favourite vacation spot. This flexibility also allows them to plan the shoot around the weather forecast and reschedule if conditions are unfavourable.
Additionally, a post-wedding photo shoot provides an opportunity for couples who were dissatisfied with their original wedding photos, whether due to rushed preparations, unflattering poses, or other unforeseen circumstances. It gives them a second chance to capture the memories they want with their spouse.
While there are many benefits to a post-wedding photo shoot, there are also a few downsides to consider. Cost is a significant factor, as couples will need to hire a photographer and pay for hair and makeup services again. If the wedding outfits have been preserved, they may need to be professionally cleaned before and after the shoot to maintain their condition. Some couples may also prefer the authenticity of taking photos on the day they exchange their vows.
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Indian wedding rituals
Indian weddings are a vibrant celebration of love, tradition, and grandeur, where every detail is meticulously crafted. The rituals, which vary from region to region, contribute to the overall significance and sanctity of the wedding ceremony, making it a memorable and meaningful event for all involved. Here are some of the post-wedding rituals that evoke emotions and bring a sense of belonging and togetherness among family members and friends:
Vidaai Ceremony
The Vidaai ceremony, meaning farewell, is the first post-wedding ritual performed as the couple and the groom's family leave the wedding venue. The bride's family bids her farewell with tearful hugs as she departs towards her new home. The bride throws handfuls of puffed rice in four directions, symbolizing the abundance of wealth and prosperity in her family home. Her brothers push the car, supporting and encouraging her as she embarks on this new chapter.
Grah Pravesh
Grah Pravesh, meaning the entry into the home, is a sacred ritual where the bride is honoured as the embodiment of the goddess Laxmi. The bride's mother-in-law places a pot filled with rice at the doorstep to welcome her. The bride gently tilts a pot with her right foot as she enters, signifying the arrival of prosperity and good fortune in her new home. The bride also dips her feet in vermillion water and leaves her footprints, symbolising the blessed arrival of a goddess. Some families also get a vermillion handprint of the bride on the front wall.
Finding the Rings
One of the most popular and entertaining Indian wedding rituals is "Finding the Rings." The newlyweds face each other competitively, searching for a ring in a dish filled with milk, vermillion, flower petals, and betel nuts. The one who finds the ring the most is regarded as the ruler of the household. This playful tradition helps the bride bond with her new family.
Darwaza Rokaai
Darwaza Rokaai is a lighthearted ritual that follows Vidaai. After bidding farewell to her family, the bride is playfully teased by her groom's sisters, who block the entrance to their home. They demand gifts from their brother in exchange for allowing the bride to enter. This negotiation is filled with laughter and fun, and once the demands are met, the bride is welcomed into her new home.
Aashirwad
Some time after the wedding, the families hold the Aashirwad ceremony, where they exchange gifts and blessings. The bride's parents, relatives, and friends go to the groom's house to offer blessings, and the groom's family does the same at the bride's house. The groom's parents usually give the bride gold or diamonds. This ceremony is about seeking the blessings of elder family members, which is an important way to begin married life in Indian culture.
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Vidaai ceremony
Vidaai, also known as Bidaai, is a crucial marriage ceremony in Indian weddings. It is a form of a farewell ceremony organised by the family of the bride to bid her goodbye as she leaves for her marital home. The Vidaai ceremony is considered the most emotional moment of Indian weddings.
The Rituals
The Vidaai ceremony is performed after all the wedding rituals are completed. The family and relatives accompany the bride to the exit of the wedding venue, with the parents leading the pack while holding their daughter close. They request the groom to take care of their daughter and always support and guide her in their marital journey.
Before crossing the doorstep, the bride throws a handful of rice and coins three times or five times over her head behind her toward her parent's home. This act symbolises repayment and gratitude to her parents for their love and care. It also represents her wish for her parents' house to always remain happy and prosperous.
The bride then hugs her parents and touches the feet of the elderly relatives, seeking blessings for her new life ahead. The couple then steps into a well-decorated car, marking the beginning of their final farewell. The brothers and cousins of the bride push the car from behind, wishing her luck and pushing the couple towards their new voyage of marital bliss.
The Significance
The Vidaai ceremony is symbolic of the final stage of a marriage ceremony, where the parents of the bride bid farewell to their daughter with their son-in-law. Brides are considered the manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi in the Hindu religion. The ritual also marks the beginning of the couple's life together as husband and wife.
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Grihpravesh ceremony
The Griha Pravesh ceremony is an integral part of the post-wedding rituals in Hindu weddings. It marks the bride's first step into her husband's home and is a grand finale to the wedding celebrations. The ceremony is performed to ensure the bride feels welcomed and accepted as an integral part of her new family.
On this occasion, the ladies from the groom's household, particularly the mother-in-law, stand near the entrance of the home to welcome the newlyweds. The mother-in-law performs an 'aarti' and applies a 'tilak' to the bride and groom, after which the couple seeks blessings from the elders.
A significant aspect of the ceremony is the ''kalash' or 'jar' filled with rice, placed at the entrance. The bride pushes and topples it with her right foot while stepping into the house with her right leg first, which is considered auspicious. This ritual symbolises the bride bringing prosperity and wealth into the household, with the spilling of rice representing an abundance of happiness.
In some regions, the bride also dips her feet in water containing vermillion or red 'kumkum' or 'Alta', leaving behind auspicious red footprints as she walks. These footprints signify the arrival of the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Lakshmi, into the home.
The Griha Pravesh ceremony is often followed by ritualistic games that act as an ice-breaker for the bride and help her feel more comfortable in her new family. These games include finding a ring in a bowl of water, milk and rose petals, and the pillow talk game, where the couple sits back-to-back and answers questions by nodding their heads.
The groom's family decorates the new home and stands on the other side of the threshold, eagerly waiting to welcome the bride with joyous dancing and celebration. This ceremony is a heartwarming and joyous occasion, showcasing the cultural richness of Indian weddings and the universal language of love.
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Wedding receptions
The choice of venue is often influenced by its location, capacity, and amenities. For instance, a venue nestled in nature, like an enchanting garden or a serene vineyard, can offer a tranquil and picturesque backdrop for the festivities. On the other hand, urban settings, such as banquet halls, restaurants, or even a catamaran on the water, provide a modern and sophisticated atmosphere. The size of the venue is also a key consideration, as receptions can range from small, cosy affairs to grand celebrations accommodating hundreds of guests.
The reception is a chance to showcase the couple's personality and style through décor, music, food, and drinks. It is a time for loved ones to come together, create lasting memories, and participate in rituals or traditions that hold special significance for the couple and their cultural heritage.
In Indian weddings, for example, post-wedding rituals are filled with fun and emotions, marking the bride's transition to her new family. One such ritual is the Vidaai ceremony, where the bride bids a tearful farewell to her family as she departs towards her new home with the groom's family. This bittersweet moment is followed by the Darwaza Rokaai ritual, where the groom's sisters playfully block the entrance to their home, demanding gifts from their brother as a fun-filled negotiation to welcome the bride into her new family.
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Frequently asked questions
A post-wedding photoshoot is a relaxed photoshoot that takes place after your wedding day, sometimes in a different location, where you can get Instagram-worthy pictures of you and your partner in your wedding outfits.
A post-wedding photoshoot is a great opportunity to get additional professional photos in your wedding outfits, but in a more relaxed, creative, or unique setting than what might have been possible on your wedding day. It also takes the stress away from worrying about the weather on your wedding day.
A post-wedding photoshoot usually takes place the day after your wedding, but it can also take place a couple of days or weeks after.
You can do a post-wedding photoshoot in an epic location, such as by a glacier lake or in a super scenic spot like Snowdonia.
Post-wedding rituals in Indian culture include the Vidaai ceremony, where the bride is given a final send-off from her parent's home and shifts to the bridegroom's house permanently. There is also the Grihpravesh or Grah Pravesh ceremony, where the bride is welcomed into her new home as an embodiment of the goddess Laxmi.
