India weddings are no less than celebrations. London is another word for elegance. If you visit any big fat Indian wedding in the UK you will almost drop your jaw by watching even the English natives following the dance steps of trying to sing Indian songs. Simplicity is the opposite of Indian wedding. Especially when weddings are arranged in some of the exotic destinations in the UK, the venues and the ethnic flair of Indian culture produces a unique ambiance. That is the reason more and more people from the west are becoming increasingly interested in Indian wedding rituals. Besides that, the ethnic delights in the menu are of special interest in Indian weddings. The UK now has the finest wedding catering London based services that provide a delectable array of freshly cooked and imaginatively prepared menu choices.
The traditional norms
Culture and tradition attract western attention more in Indian weddings. The cultural norms, traditional legacies, family values were the catchiest things Carrie was talking about. We were having tea in a café, and I was very surprised by her reactions; she had visited a grand Indian wedding at Syon Park in the UK. It was like she had peeked into something unknown. Hindu weddings attract more attention because they are filled with fun, enjoyment, little quirks and moments of high humor. They are characterized by drama, emotions and dynamic scenarios. Carrie said that she was surprised to know that Indian weddings have many programs like engagement, haldi(a pre-wedding ritual) sangeet (musical celebration), tying the knot with religious ritual, then finally the reception. All these small but necessary traditional events comprise different interests to be satisfied by the bride and groom and their families. No Indian wedding is complete without these traditions because Indians believe the knot of marriage is tied in the heaven.
The ecstasy of Culture
Carrie said she understood that culture is the next most important thing to Indians after food and water. Indians believe that culture adds color to life and life without it would be so bland. She said that she was amazed to witness the cultural practices. For example, when the mother of the bride welcomes the groom in the wedding mandap she has to put a “tilak” (a red dot) on his forehead. When she approaches to do that the groom is playfully lifted up so that she can’t reach him. That happens until she succeeds in applying the tilak. There is also a well-known play of stealing the groom’s shoes by the bride’s sisters until they get some cash in return for the shoes. There are many such cultural plays that add to the fun in the joyous weddings.
The mandap
I asked Carrie about the mandap (a temporary covered structure on four pillars) and she said it was the most beautiful thing she ever saw on such an auspicious wedding occasion. The main wedding ceremony is carried out under the decorated mandap. It is decorated with flowers, colorful ribbons, and bouquets. When westerners say that it is the most attractive and adorable thing for them.
The ethnic cuisine
When the discussion came to food in the wedding Carrie said that she was startled by the array of the dishes that were part of the starters and the dinner that the reception. She said, “I was skeptical whether I would like the cuisine because I had never tasted Indian food before. When I tasted the veg curry and the sweet called Jalebi I was dazzled because of the mouth-watering cuisine and thereafter I almost felt like a gluttony fish!” Ethnic cuisine and the contemporary delights are the most important part of Indian weddings. No wedding is complete without arrays of traditional sweets. That is the reason the UK has Indian catering London based services that offer a wide range of traditional veg and non-veg, canape cuisine especially for glamorous weddings at breath-taking venues.
Conclusion:
The interest of westerners in Indian wedding can be well observed from their presence in the weddings and later what they say about the traditions, culture and the fun they witnessed. Carrie was almost mesmerized by the confluence of beauty, values, and ethnicity by saying, "I would like to visit an Indian wedding like that again because I want to experience the joy of the celebration. No matter if you are not exposed to Indian culture before, if you attend a glorious Indian wedding once, that will change your perspective of a wedding.
Ragamama Ragasaan | A Hindu Wedding Ceremony at Grosvenor House | Anika & Anish
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