Asian Wedding Rituals And Customs Explained

Asian weddings are vibrant, colourful and steeped in tradition. They are often large, three-day celebrations, with a huge guest list, multiple pre-wedding events and rituals, and a ceremony lasting up to sixteen hours.

The specifics vary depending on the culture and religion of the couple. Muslim weddings, for example, are generally arranged by the parents, with the bride and groom having the final say on who they will wed. The bride wears bright, sparkling clothes, lots of jewellery and flowers, while the groom wears a simple outfit. The ceremony is well-attended, but only two male witnesses are required to make it official.

Hindu weddings are also large affairs, with a focus on the happiness, harmony and prosperity of the couple. The date is chosen by a priest, who uses the stars to find the most auspicious date. The ceremony includes rituals such as Mehndi, where the bride and female guests have their hands and feet decorated with henna, and Sangeet, a mini-reception where the families come together for the first time. The wedding ceremony itself involves the couple being physically bound together and taking steps around a sacred fire.

Asian weddings are a fascinating insight into different ways of life and are always a fun and enjoyable celebration.

The dress code is usually colourful and bright

Asian weddings are known for their bright and colourful dress codes. Guests are encouraged to wear vibrant colours and flowy outfits. Bold colours and sparkly jewellery are common, and some guests may even choose to wear traditional saris or lenghas.

For Indian weddings, the colour red is considered auspicious, so it is often worn by the bride and other guests. In addition to red, Indian weddings feature a variety of colours, with prismatic shades of orange and pink being especially common.

Muslim weddings also feature bright colours, with the Asian Muslim bride traditionally wearing sparkling, bright clothes with lots of jewellery and flowers. In contrast, the Arab Muslim bride typically wears a white dress and veil.

For Pakistani weddings, the common theme on the wedding day is to wear traditional clothes. The bride usually wears a heavily embroidered dress in a rich red or dark purple, along with gold jewellery. The groom often wears a sherwani with a turban, matching the bride's dress colour.

Overall, the dress code for Asian weddings is colourful and vibrant, with guests encouraged to express their style through bold colours and sparkly accessories.

The wedding ceremony lasts between one and two hours, but the whole day can last up to 16 hours

Asian weddings are vibrant, colourful, and steeped in rich tradition. The specifics vary per culture, but the main ceremony typically lasts between one and two hours, while the entire wedding day can last up to sixteen hours.

A conventional Indian wedding is a three-day affair, with the first day involving a service at the bride and groom's home, attended only by close family. On the second day, the ladies have henna patterns drawn on their hands and feet, and the Sangeet takes place—a pre-wedding event that occurs before Hindu, Punjabi, and Gujurati wedding ceremonies. The Sangeet welcomes visitors and involves food and dancing, and in the past, it lasted for ten days, celebrating up to the wedding day.

The third day is when the main services and the wedding reception take place, usually with more guests in attendance. The dress code is colourful and bright, with sparkly jewellery. The bride's attire often includes a traditional sari or lengha. The groom may arrive on a white horse, and the mother of the bride may offer him sweets as a welcome. The bride makes a grand entrance, escorted by a senior family member.

The wedding reception is where the real party begins, with plenty of food, drink, theatrical-style dancing, speeches, and grand entrances. Gifts of money are customary, helping the newlyweds start their life together.

Muslim weddings, on the other hand, are generally simpler and more modest in their decorations and attire. They may take place in a mosque or another venue, and guests are typically seated separately by gender. The ceremony includes a marriage sermon, prayers, and blessings, lasting about one and a half hours. It is followed by a marriage banquet, or Walima, served to men and women separately.

The bride and groom have their own arrival traditions

The bride's arrival is a grand reveal. She is preceded by her bridesmaids and flower girls and is escorted or carried by a senior male family member.

In Muslim weddings, the bride and groom are separated during the ceremony, either in different parts of the hall or in different rooms. The bride is decorated with flowers for the service.

In Hindu weddings, the groom has his own processional, parading up to the mandap, where he greets his parents and the bride's parents. The bride and groom then circle a sacred fire seven times, vowing to support each other and confirming their eternal friendship.

The wedding reception is a huge party with food, drink, dancing, entertainment, toasts and speeches

Guests play a crucial role in making the event special for the couple, and their presence contributes to the overall atmosphere of the reception. One of the first things guests do upon arriving is to socialise with other attendees, creating a warm and welcoming environment.

Food and drinks are a central part of the reception. Guests indulge in a variety of dishes and beverages, with catering and bar services ensuring a memorable dining experience. The reception is also a time for dancing and entertainment. Guests hit the dance floor to celebrate the newlyweds, and the music, DJ or live band, and dance floor setup all add to the fun.

Toasts and speeches are a meaningful way for guests to express their love and support for the couple. They offer well wishes, share anecdotes, and deliver heartfelt messages, adding a personal touch to the celebration.

The reception is also a time for guests to participate in traditions, which vary depending on cultural background and religious beliefs. These may include activities such as the bouquet toss, garter toss, cake cutting, or the couple's first dance.

Finally, as the reception comes to a close, guests bid farewell to the newlyweds and each other, offering hugs, congratulations, and well wishes. This send-off is the final opportunity for guests to express their love and support before the couple embarks on their married life together.

Gifts of money are common

In China, the giving of money is linked to a special tea ceremony, the cha tao, which is performed near the end of the wedding day. During this ceremony, the bride serves tea to her new in-laws, starting with the groom's parents and moving from the oldest to the youngest member of his family. After the tea is finished, the bride receives red envelopes, called hung bao, full of money (and sometimes jewellery) in return. In a more contemporary version of this ritual, both the bride and groom participate.

In Japan, money is also a very common gift at weddings. The groom's parents traditionally give the bride's family money in ashugi-bukuro, or a specially decorated envelope. The amount inside is usually generous, equating to around three months of the groom's salary or a set amount of 500,000 yen (about $5,000). In addition, guests also give cash gifts to the couple, with friends giving around $300-$500, and bosses, uncles and aunts giving up to $1,000.

In Poland, guests pin money on the bride's gown if they want to dance with her, and this money is usually used to fund the couple's honeymoon. Similarly, in Spain, each guest who dances with the bride during the sequidillas manchegas, the traditional dance, presents her with a gift of money.

In Italy, guests place envelopes of money in a satin bag called la borsa, and this money is used to help cover the wedding expenses.

In Armenia, a godmother collects money for the couple and gives out dried fruit and nuts to guests in return.

In Malaysia, on the morning of the wedding, children carrying trays of food and money tucked inside animal or flower-shaped envelopes bring their offerings to the bride's house.

In Nigeria, guests fill the bride's bag with envelopes containing cheques, and she is literally showered with money.

In India, a conventional wedding lasts for three days, and although guests do not usually attend all of the functions, gifts of money are common.

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