A marriage is a contract between two parties, a man and a woman, made in the presence of witnesses as well as the woman’s guardian. It also involves the payment of a dower, the amount of which is agreed between the two parties and become payable by the husband at the time when the contract is made (though the payment may be deferred by mutual consent).

A marriage contract does not need to be written down in order to be valid. But the documentation is important, particularly these days in order to ensure that all future formalities are properly made.

In many Muslim marriages, the wife may not be present when the actual contract is made. However, her father or guardian comes to her with two witnesses and asks her whether she gives him the [verbal] power of attorney [in presence of the two witnesses] to act for her in marrying her to the man concerned and whether she agrees to the amount of dower to be paid to her. When she has given him the power of attorney, he proceeds to complete the marriage contract.

An offer of marriage is made by the woman’s father or guardian. Secondly, an acceptance made by the man in the presence of two Muslim witnesses. The witnesses may be required to confirm the actual marriage in front of a judge. In order that their testimony be binding on a Muslim party, they must be Muslims.

The bride is entitled to receive a dower. The dower, a sum of money, in cash or kind, must be specified as being given by the bridegroom to his bride.

Wedding Traditions

Among Muslims, it is the family of the Groom who searches for a suitable Bride.

There are many ceremonies which comprise the marriage process.

The Mangni

The Mangni or engagement ceremony is an exchange of rings. The outfit for the Bride is provided by the Groom’s family.

The Manjha Ceremony

The Manjha ceremony is where the Bride is anointed with turmeric paste. This takes place at the Bride’s house one or two days before the wedding day. The paste of turmeric, sandalwood and chameli oil are provided by the Groom’s family.

Only unmarried women apply this to the bride to be. Henna is applied on her hands and feet. A symbolic token in the form of a spot is also applied to the groom. After this ceremony, the Bride does not leave her house until the wedding. On her wedding day, she is provided her clothing by the Groom’s family.

The Groom’s Procession

On the wedding day, a procession of friends and relatives accompany the groom from his place to the wedding venue. This is done whether the groom rides on a horse or in a car.

If no concrete covered area is available, a shamiana (large decorated tent) is erected.

The Arrival of the Groom and Guests

The arrival of the groom is accompanied by the beating of drums and playing of musical instruments.

On this arrival, the groom and the brother of the bride exchange a glass of sharbet (a sweetened drink) and money. The sisters of the bride welcome the guests by playfully hitting them with a stick wrapped around flowers.

The Wedding Ceremony

For some Muslim ceremonies, particularly those rooted in Islam more traditionally found in South-Asia, the men and women are seated in separate rooms or have a curtain to separate them. This is not the case for all Muslim ceremonies though. The meher, (a compulsory amount of money given to the bride’s family by the groom’s family) is decided upon by elders of both families.

Before reading a selected piece from the Koran (the holy book of the Muslims), witnessed by two male persons and a lawyer or eminent person, the officiating priest will ask the bride if she is happy with the arrangement and whether she agrees to marry the groom. The boy is asked the same.

The marriage is registered (nikaahnama). It is first signed by the groom and then two witnesses. The bride will sign later. The groom is then taken to the women’s section. He gives money and gifts to the sisters of the bride. He receives the blessings of the elder woman and offers his salutations. Dinner is served separately to the women and men. The groom’s family feasts separately.

After their first meal, the groom and bride are seated together and a long scarf is used to cover their heads while the priest makes them read prayers. The Holy Koran is kept between them and they are allowed to see each other through reflection by mirrors. Dried dates and a sweet dish are served to the guests. The dates have religious significance.

The groom spends the night in a separate room at the girl’s house with a younger brother. In the morning he is given clothes, money and gifts by the bride’s parents. That afternoon his relatives come to accompany the bridal couple to their home.

The Rukhsat Ceremony

The farewell by the father of the bride is performed by the father giving her hand to her husband and asking him to protect her always. Final farewells are offered and the couple leaves.

Another tradition from the Muslims of South Asia is that when the bride enters her new home, her mother-in-law holds the Koran over her and the groom follows. It is believed this may have its roots in the Hindu faith. Four days after the wedding she is taken back to her parent’s place. The wedding reception is held when the husband brings his wife and her family back to a reception hosted by his family

Gifts

Gifts are exchanged between the bride’s family and the groom’s family before and after the wedding.

Wedding Attire

Throughout the Muslim world, a cherry red shade is chosen for bridal robes.The following descriptions are very typical of those worn in South Asia, and by those who practice the Islam of this region.

Covering the head during a wedding is a mark of respect. The ghunghat, which is equivalent to the veil of the Christian bride, is worn by the bride. It may vary in length, covering not only the head but the shoulders, back and almost down to the waistline.

The draping may be done is several ways. The chunri, worn with a ghaghra choli, is tucked in at the waist on one end, pleated beautifully around the body and draped delicately over one shoulder. An odhnis is usually made of silk with a tie dye pattern. The center of the veil is used as a head covering the ends taken carefully under the arms and tucked inside the neck of the abho or chorio (the upper garment).

The groom may sport a safa with its flowing tail-end. Others may wear a nattily wound pagdi, or a topi. White flowers can be tied in suspended strings ove rthe forehead, called sehra.

In northern, central and western India, a golden kalgi studded with precious stones is tied over the right side of the groom’s safa. In the center of the forehead sandalwood is applied and further decorated with gold, red and white dots. This decoration may also be done over the eyebrows.

The groom may wear a white silk brocade suit, sword and turban as his wedding outfit.

Well bengali wedding last for 2 days.day one is called ‘Biye’ and day two is called ‘Boubhat’.

they have a one day gap between these days.

Yes they aloow the picture to be taken.

i realy dont know the ans of your 3rd question.as soon i know it i will post the reply .

Majority of indian people think that honeymoon in abroad is very expensive so they cant afford it ..
so they spend their most precious time of married life in indian places.but they dont understand
its the biggest mistake they r doing at the starting of their new married life.these days it has become so cheap and easy arranging.but guys dont let ur desire fade away get them colorful just as u wanted for long time.
you can choose any place from a wide range of thailand, mexico,indonesia,london,new york,africa, austrelia,italy.
in abroad your honeymood should be unique but cheap but it should reach all your desires and your needs.your honeymoon should be smooth running so that you can cheerish the experience through out your life.so be confident about your honeymoon n choose the best as much as you can get.

Flower Decorations have traditionally found favor in the Indian weddings. Flowers give a new and fresh dimension to the wedding décor. Exotic and seasonal flowers lend that extra touch to the overall décor. Flowers are chosen to decorate all parts of the venue, starting from the entrance, the mandap, tables, corridors, arches along with the wedding stage.

Mostly flower decoration is done keeping the color scheme in the mind. The choice of flowers should reflect the mood of the wedding. Floral arrangements for this special day are done to create a festive feel and to reflect the sacredness and purity of marriage through the floral patterns.

One can also coordinate floral decorations according to the seasons. Rich bright colors like red, burgundy, amber, yellow and rust work best for an autumn wedding. Light and pastel shades like pink, sky blue, citrus tone etc are suited to a summer wedding. Using flowers in a creative manner can give a totally unique ambience to the wedding.

Benagali Weddings

A Traditional Bengali Marriage Ceremony

The tying of the nuptial knot in traditional Bengali style entails a series of elaborate and colorful rituals, which are not only enjoyable but are of great significance in conjugal life.

The blowing of the conch shell and ululation by the women gathered at the wedding venue are most characteristic of a Bengali marriage. Shehnai recital played by live musicians or else played over a music system adds to this symphony. The purpose is to draw the attention of all and sundry to the wedding and also to summon the invitees. It is also a kind of social declaration from the family to the rest of the society.

PRE-WEDDING RITUALS

Ashirbaad - On an auspicious day the elders of the groom’s side go to bless the bride and vice versa, by sprinkling husked rice and trefoil on their heads and giving them gold ornaments.

It is a kind of acceptance of the boy and the girl on both sides.

Aai Budo Bhaat - A bachelorette party for the bride before the D-day thrown by relatives or friends. It signifies their approval as well, and also encourages community feeling.

Holud Kota - A ceremony in which five or seven married women of the household grind turmeric with mortar and pestle and anoint the bride with turmeric paste. This brightens up the bride’s complexion and makes her skin glow.

Dodhi Mongol - At dawn on the day of marriage seven married ladies adorn the bride’s hands with the traditional bangles Shakha and Paula - one pair of red and one pair of white bangles, and feed her a meal of curd and rice, the only meal for the day.

MAIN WEDDING RITUALS

Bor Jatri - The members of the groom’s house as well as his friends dress in their best attire and journey to the bride’s house where the wedding takes place.

Bor Boron - When the bor jatri reaches the bride’s place, usually the mother of the bride along with other members come out to welcome the groom and his family by showing the holy earthen lamp, sprinkling trefoil, and husked rice placed on a bamboo winnow (kula). Then they are served sweets and drinks.

Potto Bastra - After the groom is seated at the chadnatolla (wedding altar and canopy) - the sanctum sanctorum where only the groom, bride and the priest takes their place, the groom is offered new clothes by the person who is to do the sampradaan - a kind of gift to the boy from the girl’s side.

Saat Paak - The bride, usually seated on a low wooden stool called pidi is lifted by her brothers and is taken round the groom in seven complete circles. The significance is they are winded up securely to each other.

Mala Badal - After the circles are completed, still sitting high on the piri, the bride and the groom exchange garlands of fragrant flowers thrice. This is the first step in which they accept each other.

Subho Dristi - After garlanding one another the bride and the groom are made to look at each other in front of all the assembled invitees. This exchange of loving glance is to initiate them to be together officially by the society.

Sampradan - The bride then takes her place at the chadnatolla where an elderly male member of

the bride’s family hands her over to the groom and the couple’s hands are bound by the sacred thread amidst recital of Vedic chants and are placed on the mangal ghot - a brass pitcher filled with water that is covered with mango leaves attached to one twig and a green coconut placed on it.

Yagna - The bride and groom sit in front of the sacred fire and chant mantras after the priest. Agni, the fire god is made the divine witness to the marriage.

Saat Paak - Seven circular rounds are taken by the couple around the fire thereby solemnizing the occasion.

Anjali - An offering to the fire is made. The bride’s brother puts puffed rice (khoi) in the hands of the bride, and the groom standing close to her holds her hands from the back and extends their arms forward. They then pour the offering into the fire together.

Sindoor Daan and Ghomta - Once again seated at their respective places in chadnatolla the groom applies sindoor or vermilion (a symbol of marriage worn by Hindu women thereafter) on the bride’s hair-parting. The bride then covers her head with a new sari offered by the groom as ghomta or veil.

POST-WEDDING RITUALS

Bidaay - This is a farewell - mixed moment of joy and sorrow as the bride is bid adieu with blessings of her parents and relatives to start a new life with her beau.

Kaal Ratri - After the couple reaches the groom’s house and the initial welcome ceremony is over they are separated for the night, probably to get a refreshing sleep and prepare for the next day’s final wedding ceremony.

Bou Bhaat & Bodhu Boron - The girl cooks and serves all the members of her husband’s family. A banquet is held to treat the guests who lavish gifts on the new bride.

Phool Shojja - The couple is adorned with flowers and are left together alone in their room to enjoy conjugal bliss on a bed laid with flowers.

All in all Bengali weddings are as beautiful as it can get….

Indian weddings are known for their splendor and elaborate arrangements. A wedding being an expensive affair needs a careful, well though-out budget. A budget plan is essential in order to plan a successful wedding. Since money matters the most, having a rough estimate of the expenses (and sticking to it) helps a lot in accommodating the unavoidable unexpected expenses at the last moment.

Also one should split the budget for different expenses in a prioritized manner. This helps in knowing how much one needs to spend for what.

The other ways to control expenses during a wedding are by having a limited guest list, asking artistic friends to double up as mehendi artists and photographers, not including too many exotic food items in the menu among others.You can always go beyond your budget,but keeping the expenses within the budghet is a special art to be learned.so lets plan ur budget frsit before making some wdding arrangements,that will make ur wedding experiences more beautiful.

indian wedding cards

indian wedding is the most exciting, joyfull, fabulous, auspicious n memorable event in indian’s life.everybody wants this day just to be perfect.this event is celebrated with full rituals, customs ,energy and mysteries.marriage is the most important decision of a person’s life.it brings together not only two different persons as well as their entire families too.they get to know each other’s famity members with their new rituals and customes.many varieties get mixed up together through this occasion.so everyone wants a good starting for new relations.here we need wedding cards to invite relatives,friends,colleagues and others.indian wedding cards also used to convery the warm message of the news of wedding along with the details of bride and groom.indian wedding card is a part of our indian ethenic culture.the cards are generally made of hand made paper with bright color and rich decorations.

use of indian wedding card :

it gives a good staring to the weding.ceremony as well as it boosts up the energy also.

the card contains all the informations bout bride and groom in brief as well as their families too..

indian wedding cards leave a warm feelings for the invitees for its rich colors n decorations.

it gives the list of the functions like sangeet, mehndi, haldi, shaadi, reception etc. happening for the wedding there with venue and time.

types of indian wedding cards :

india is a multilanguage country. so there are several types of wedding card in india.

HINDU WEDDING CARD

in hindu wedding card people must use swastik sign in any corner of the card.they have to write the name of “prajapati”[god brambha]. finally they make spot of turmaric n vermilion on the card.now this card is ready fot the invitees.the 1st invitaion always go to the god then all come after him.hindu wedding cards are d perfect blend of indian tradition and exclusive handcraft.in enthnic hindi wedding card red color is must.it is essential for it.

MUSLIM WEDDING CARD

islamic wedding cards are used for their nikaah ceremony.here the color green is mandatory these days they use both traditional n modern cards as well as elegant and simple design also.

SIKH WEDDING CARD

sikh wedding cards are very unique in both traditional and simple collection.they use vibrant colors and special designs to invite their sikh community.

CHRISTIAN WEDDING CARD

christian wedding cards are very simple n mostly white color is used widely in christian community.they simple state the venue n time of their wedding.they dont use rich colors.but they do use handmade papers.

MODERN WEDDING CARD

modern wedding cards are used these days widely.any community can choose it for them .there is no restriction for modern wedding cards.neither in paper nor in color not even in design.

ROYAL WEDDING CARD

these cards are look like our old ancient FARMAN.very special kind of paper is used for this type of cards with special ink n metal or wood.it can have wooden or metal envelope for the card.this elegant card is nothin but a scroll.