Intro

South Asian weddings are full of festivities, sacred religious practices, and two families joining together through marriage. “South Asian” is a broad, general term to include those individual nationalities who individually may have similar events or processes but each culture and religion has their distinctions not to be coupled together with the other. There are predominately Indian, Pakistani, Persian, Middle East, and many others just as important. Depending upon if the South Asian wedding is Indian-Hindu-Punjabi, Christian-Indian, or Muslim, Indian or Pakistani - there will be events that occur only in a particular culture and religion, and there will be events that are present in both.

When choosing the top destination professional wedding photography company, David Baker Studios LLC is the professional photo and video photography company that is familiar with South Asian wedding customs and has documented many Indian weddings and Pakistani weddings in California, Florida, Houston, Dallas, Austin, and Tennessee.

This article will discuss the varieties of cultural wedding practices within Indian and Pakistani nationalities and their wedding traditions individually as it relates to the wedding event in their unique, sacred way that may not be regularly present in other religious and cultural wedding practices; and how both Indian and Pakistani weddings may share similar events.

Multi-day Wedding!

What are the different wedding days, their purpose and significance, and what occurs during these distinct events?

The total wedding event is comprised of multiple days - each day pertaining to a particular function and celebration. Depending upon how both families choose to celebrate. South Asian wedding events can occur over 2-4 days. Why would a wedding event require more than one day? Each day has a significant purpose, thus celebrated jubilantly. When you contact the top Indian wedding photographer in Houston, David will personally respond to you by email and phone call to talk with you and listen to what you want to do during your wedding day and schedule a consultation to connect with you and your fiancé in a personable and authentic way. After all, when you prefer classic, elegant, and timeless memories for you to keep, share, and pass to future generations. You invest in the best south asian wedding photography in Houston because you drive a BMW or Mercedes luxury car and wear a Rolex, Omega, or Tag Heuer watch purchased from Zadok Jewelers because you know luxury services and products last the test of time. When you choose Safari Texas, The Astorian, and The Woodlands Resort for your wedding. It is important to chose the right destination South Asian wedding photographer in Houston because your wedding is the joining of two families coming together, there are many moving parts, and after that day’s event is over there is no going back. This is why choosing the top Houston South Asian wedding photography company is important if you want to enjoy and celebrate your once-in-a-lifetime day with peace-of-mind knowing David Baker Studios is your preferred Indian and Pakistani wedding photography company in Houston, Dallas, and Austin. When you choose us, leave your wedding photography to us and celebrate with your friends and family And imagine turning the pages in your heirloom wedding album and looking at the canvas print enlargements hanging on your walls inside your house. Your memories matter to you because you will pass your wedding pictures down to your kids and family.

Some family’s choose to combine multiple events in one day, holding many small ceremonies through the continuum of the wedding days or have each sacred event on separate days, each ceremony is longer. Starting with the Pithi or Haldi, Mehndi and Sangeet, followed by the Baraat and official wedding ceremony, and in some south Asian cultures, Pakistani, for example, will have a Walima – a post-wedding event hosted by the Groom’s family, occurring the night after the Nikah ceremony where both families come together to enjoy dinner, performances, and group pictures with the couple on their decorated stage setup - welcoming the Bride as a proud member of the Groom’s family. Between these core events, there are multiple, sub-ceremonies which contribute to the main, core events which are equally important.

Indian Hindu and Pakistani (Muslim and Ismaili) Wedding Traditions

Indian Hindu

Pre-wedding-day Ceremonies

Roka Ceremony
- This is a pre-engagement commitment ceremony where bride and groom and families officially see the couple as more than boyfriend and girlfriend. Roka means to stop the couple from seeing other people possible prospects because wedding is imminent. The ceremony consists of exchanging gifts. A promise ring may be exchanged.
Kurmai (Sagai) ceremony – engagement ceremony
- Bride is gifted an ornate dupatta from grooms family which is an heirloom passed down through his family. Bride is given gifts and jewelry which her mother in law and sister in law help her put on. Brides dad puts a tika on the groom’s forehead to bless him. Ceremony ends with the exchange of rings between bride and groom.
Kirtan
- The women on both bride and groom sides of family get together along with other relatives and neighbors together to do a puja that initiates the beginning of the wedding celebration separately in the houses of bride and groom
Vatna (Haldi)

A paste of turmeric and mustard oil is applied to both bride and groom faces, and acts as natural skin smoothing to prepare them for the wedding. Bride and groom may do this together or separate. There may be variations on this if Pakistani or Indian.

Dholki ceremony

There is a separate ceremony for both bride and groom at their houses with the closest family members of bride and groom playing dhols and singing Punjabi folk songs to have light-hearted fun with them. Some couples choose to hold dance performances and dj’s, in addition to, the dhole.

Mehndi ceremony

Bride and groom both receive henna. Bride’s mehndi is sent by mother in law arrives to bride on trousseau that is decorated. The event turns into an evening of mingling and a social event with food, music, dance, and good times shared. There are many colorful pillows and other vibrant colors seen throughout the entire house. Guests also wear vibrantly colored Lehngas and Saries.

Verona Villa in Frisco, Dallas is a great choice for your Mehndi event. Their main ballroom is large enough for guest seating and Sangeet performances. Verona Villa is also a great choice for any other Pakistani and Indian wedding event.

What is a Mehndi party?

Mehndi Party is a south Asian wedding event which both Hindu and Muslim religions include part of the wedding celebration. The Mehndi party is one of the most vibrant and essential of the parties and starts the multi-day wedding event.

How can you find a Mehndi Artist in Houston?

Choose Tasneem for your Mehndi event. She is the top Houston Henna and Mehndi artist for your Houston, Austin, and Dallas South Asian wedding.

This party occurs the night before the wedding event. Traditionally, this event has occurred inside the Bride’s home, but can also occur outside of the Bride’s home at a venue large enough to host many people and provide room for Sangeet dance performances. The couple will be photographed by a professional wedding photographer in Houston with their stage setup with all of their guests who came to celebrate with the couple.

Mehndi isn't just decoration. What is henna and what is its significance?

This pre-wedding party celebration has a lounge-feel, filled with bright vibrant colors of greens, orange, yellow, and pinks, and may have lots of colorful pillows decorating the space scattered throughout the outside-of-home venue. This event is hosted by the Bride’s side of the family where close friends and family are invited. This event is considered an intimate event for both families to come together and celebrate the bride and groom’s wedding before the actual wedding. Although the bride’s guests and family will get Henna applied to their hands during the event, the bride will sometimes get her Henna applied the night before at a private home event because she will receive more elaborate and intricate designs which may take 2-6 hours.

Henna is a red-orange paste that is used as a body art decoration. In marriage, the darker the henna stain, signifies deep love between the couple, good health, and prosperity in their marriage together. Henna is applied on the bride’s palms, on top of her hands, on the forearms up to her elbow, and on her feet up to the knees. The Bride may have the Groom’s name hidden somewhere on her hands, and during the ceremony event, she will playfully make him find his name.

Henna is created from dry leaves of the Lawsonia Inermis plant. Henna is called Mehndi in Hindu and Urdu and Henna in Arabic. Mehndi has been practiced in Pakistan, India, Africa, and the Middle East for over 5,000 years. The Mehndi paste was originally used to cool people who lived in dry desert climates. Henna has medicinal purposes. It can be applied to the skin to treat stomach aches, burns, headaches, and cuts. Henna is also used as a dye for hair, nails, silk, wool, and leather. The Standard color is red-orange, and other color variations are white, red, black, and gold. In addition to the South Asian wedding events, Henna is also used during Hindu festivals: Karva Chauth, Vat Prunima, Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Navrrthri, and Teej; and Muslim events: during the wedding, Eid-ul-fitr, and Eid-ul-Adha.

Henna can be applied using a cone that comes to a small tip where the paste comes out of. After placed on the subject’s body, the stain dries and begins to crack. To moisten and deepen the richness of the color, lemon juice and white sugar may be applied. In addition, wrapping the henna to lock in the body heat can further deepen the color after the wrap is removed and the henna and skin is exposed to the air. Depending upon where on the body the henna was applied and quality of paste, Henna can last up to 3 weeks.

Mehndi Ceremony Event

The official Mehndi event begins with a processional of the Groom’s family approaching the Bride’s home carrying trays or plates with gifts, sweets and candies, flower pedals, and silver plate with Mehndi and two candles. If this event takes place outside of the Bride’s home and at venue. The processional will occur at the venue, both families entering the venue open dance floor area one-at-a-time until both Bride and Groom are inside the open dance floor area. Henna is delivered on silver tray with two burning candles carried by the Groom’s relatives to Bride. Before the Henna is applied, guests throw coins over the bride’s head to symbolize fertility. Bride’s mother-in-law gives bride a silk tapestry as a gift to bride for the bride to walk towards the mother-in-law. Once the Bride reaches the mother-in-law, the Bride will kiss her hand showing respect. Trays of fuits, nuts, pastires, and marzipan would be carried before event began. Songs reserved for henna parties would be sung to make bride cry, which would represent good luck. Mother-in-law and bride would sit beside each other on cushions, and mother-in-law would place gold coin in Bride’s hand. The gold coin symbolizes good luck and abundance. The Bride would have some henna placed on her hands from a woman who is in a good, happy marriage, followed by the Bride’s un-married friends who desire to marry soon. Sangeet is a performance where both sides of the family sing and dance for each other as a celebration.

Would you like to receive Mehndi, too?

During the Mehndi event, there will be a station or two where guests are invited to get Henna applied on their hands. Since this process can take 5-10 minutes for each person. Music, festivities, and discussions can be started to entertain guests.

Keep the formal ball gown in your closet!

Come in a festive mood while wearing bright and fun colors! Women usually wear Lehngas, Saris, or Salwar Kameez with bright colors featuring jewelry and colorful bangles.

Traditions Bride Performs

Mayian
- the preparation ceremony one day before a Punjabi wedding. This ceremony is a late afternoon or early evening festival, at the couple's parental homes. It consists of many rites, including: Chura, Vatna (Haldi), Sangeet, Mehndi
Jaggo
- The families sing, dance all night long and without sleep and light diyas that the maternal aunt is supposed to carry on her head. This celebration occurs at both groom and brides houses.

Chura and Kalira ceremony
- this ceremony occurs morning wedding day and marks beginning of the wedding ceremony. Chura is a set of red bangles given to bride by her maternal uncle. Bride is not allowed to see ceremony. So, her eyes are covered. All family present at ceremony take turn touching bangles one by one to bless the bride and send her their good wishes to her for her new life. Maternal uncle and aunt help put the churas on the bride. Then, the rest of the relatives tie kalire to churas.
Ghara Gharoli (clay pot) ceremony
- Brides sister in law visits the closest temple to fille an ornate clay pot with holy water and brings it to the bride for the bride to clean her self right after her vatna (haldi) and begins getting ready for her wedding and changes into her wedding attire. Same ceremony happens with the groom at his house, but the groom sister in law gets the water

Rituals Groom Performs

Baraat

The groom and his braatis make their way to the venue. Traditionally, the Baraat would be a celebration towards the Bride’s house. Today, a group of family in the Groom’s party will sing and dance to music and accompanied by dhol drummers in a caravan making their way to the ceremony spot. Allow for 30-45 min for baraat because time is needed to assemble guests from wedding event, get caravan setup, get groom in car or on Ghodi, start.
Choosing a Professional DJ is essential to ensure your Baraat is a jubilant celebration. David Baker Studios LLC has personally worked alongside DJ Yogi and DJ Chani - two highly recommended wedding vendors!

Sehra Bandi ceremony

Groom’s face covered by multi-stranded garland connected to his paghadi (turban). Sehra is a headdress garland of beads or flower petals tied to groom’s turban by his sister in law (bhabhi) after she applies kajol (eye liner) to the groom (believed to ward off evil spirits) worn by groom meant to ward off evil. Grooms sister or relative attaches sehra to groom’s turban. A puja is performed to ward off evil spirits, he gives gift to whoever helped him get ready, his family members give him gifts as best wishes and good luck before he walk down the aisle

Varna
- Following the sehra bandi. This is small, but very important ceremony led by groom’s sister where she does a small puja and puts the surma on the ground to ward off evil and get him ready to go to his bride.
Sehra Bandi and Varna occur before groom gets on horse, elephant, or car to start baraat
Ghodi Sajaana Chadhna

The Ghodi or mare is the groom’s ride to the wedding during the baraat. The mare is fed by grooms sisters and cousins. The mare is decorated before the groom gets on it before the baraat starts. You can find your baraat Ghodi by contacting Houston Wedding Horses.

Ghodi – horse; Sajaana – decorate; chadna – climb
Applicable to all Indian weddings with baraat – not only hindu-punjabi

Sarbala
- A young nephew or cousin (sarbalal shabbala), or caretaker of the groom accompanies the groom during baraat on the way to the wedding while riding in the ghodi (mare) or car
- Traditionally, when the baraat would be on their way to the brides house. The baraat would also carry valuables. Sometimes it would get robbed and groom attacted. That child with groom who was also dressed the same would take grooms place for marriage
- Today, young child (Chota dulha, small groom) rides with groom for fun

Agwaani and Milni

Once the groom’s baraat reaches the ceremony entrance point of the venue, the brides family welcomes the groom and his family at a decorated archway with puja thalis
Agwaani
- After baraat when bride’s family receives groom’s family before entering ceremony area. Groom’s mother in law does ceremonies at a decorative archway for the groom
- This ceremony usually lasts 10 minutes.
Milni (to meet)

Both families officially meet, and extended family meet each other. Family members on both sides of the families greet and exchange gifts with each other.

An appointed M.C. will announce who is next to meet the other corresponding family members. Starts in descending order by age. For example, Grandfathers, fathers, uncles
Traditionally only males did this
10-30 min dep on:
- How many relatives, and how many posed pictures, and how its organized
Important to choose a larger space, so theres enough for both families to congregate and have space to actually meet.
After milni, ceremony starts

Ceremony: Wedding Day Rituals

This portion of the article explains in detail what ceremonies occur during the ceremony during a Indian, Hindu-Punjabi wedding, and the significance of those sub-ceremonies which comprise together to form the main wedding ceremony.

When choosing the best south asian venue large enough to perform an entire 3-day Indian Hindu-Punjabi wedding is The Ballroom at Bayou Place. Your wedding decor is very important because your decor will be seen in your wedding memories for many generations. We personally recommend Mugwump Productions and Exclusive Events.

If outdoors, make sure there is back up space indoors in the event of rain. Also, make sure venue is ok and aware of the flame during the ceremony. Discuss that if ceremony be moved indoors, the ceremony requires flame. So this should be discussed before contract signed. Explain to the venue and show them pictures of what the falme size would be. Assure them its not a large bonfire. Let them know part of your safety measures is a fire extinguisher.

Discuss all parts of the ceremony and their significance and meaning to the ceremony
- Mandap
- Flame is necessary part of ceremony
- The different sub-ceremonies within main ceremony, items used during ceremonies and their significance
- touching rock with foot as couple performs Phere Ceremony
Jaimala (varmala)
- The first ceremony rite is when the bride and groom put flower garlands over each others necks. This represents both parties willingness to move forward with ceremony to marriage. They may flirt with each other during the garland exchange, pulling away from each other as the other attempts to place garland around the other.

Kanyadan
- This is one of the most important and sentimental rituals. Bride’s father puts a rings on the grooms finger and then he gives his daughter to the groom
Phere ceremony

When the bride and groom circle (pheras) the fire pit seven times. Each phera is a promise they make together in front of the priest. This ceremony is followed by groom putting sindoor (vermillion) on the bride and then putting the mangalsutra around her neck

Post Ceremony

Joota (shoes) Chhupai (to hide)

When grooms shoes are stollen and groom is forced to bargain for his shoes back. Groom take off his shoes before entering mandap. This is an opportunity for cousins and friends to be involved

After the Ceremony

Vidaai and Rukhsati
- The moment the bride says good bye to her maternal home and now going with groom to his home. She shows gratefulness to her family by throwing rice behind her and over her head towards her family. This is an emotional moment of goodbyes and hugs. This event occurs after family and group pictures.
- Rukhsati - Throwing rice behind her
  - Rice is symbol of prosperity. When she throws rice behind her in the direction of her family, she hopes for prosperity and fortune to remain in the home. In Hinduism, women are considered embedment of hindu goddess Laxmi, Goddess of prosperity and fortune.
Then bride and groom leave by car driven by groom family member, symbolizing they will go to groom’s house. They will drive around venue, and come back to the start of the reception.

Post wedding rituals

Griha Pravesh, Paani bharna, bodhu boron
- Bride’s first time entering groom’s house as a married couple. A puja signifying that the grooms family accepts the bride with love and warmth into their family is when the mother in law offers the bride a glass of water and circles it around her head before offering her to drink. Bride knocks over container with rice before she enters house. Spilt Rice symbolizes they will have so much wealth the spilt rice will not impact them financially.
Vhura Ceremony (Fishing for the ring)
- This occurs at the groom’s house. Whoever finds ring dominates household
Reception
- groom’s family and officially introduce them part of their social circle
Phera Dalna
- Bride’s brother picks her up to bring her up to go to her maternal house. This symbolizes that she is always welcome back home

Pakistani, Muslim and Ismaili

Pakistani, Muslim

Dholki (Pre-celebrations)
- This event occurs a few days before wedding. Close friends and family on both sides celebrate amongst themselves through song, dance, and time spent together. Decorated rugs and pillows may be present. The Grandmother will bless couple with prayers. Traditionally, events held inside home of both bride and groom. Now some of these events are with bride and groom combined.

Mayun

Bride preparation for her wedding day and beatification occurs a few days before wedding. Female friends, family, cousins perform rituals on bride. This includes, putting oils in Bride hair and I tan in her face, arms, feet. Elders in community, grand mothers, oversee these traditions are correctly performed. Bride does not leave house until wedding day because it is perceived as bad omen

Mehndi

Bride can wear yellow dress or more formal, shalwar kameez. Bride wears fresh flower jewelry and little makeup. Decor includes fresh orange flowers on the backdrop
For more information, refer to “Mehndi” section above in “Indian Hindu-Punjabi”.

Pre-wedding

Nikah

The signing of legal marriage contract between bride and groom under Allah. The Nikah is held in Masjid with both families closest friends and family present. There must be two witnesses from bride and groom side. The Bride and groom wear distinct outfits. The Bride wears white or pastel colors with a red dupatta with simple and natural makeup. The groom wears shalwar Kurt’s with golden or light colored waistcoat

Rukhsati

This occurs during Vidaii. The bride throws Rice behind her to symbolize hopes prosperity remains in her family while she leaves her home for husband. Although this is an emotional moment for all. The parents are also happy to know they did a good job raising their daughter because they now see their once little girl leave with her now husband because they are happy for her. The groom is happy to welcome his wife into his family and life. When the Vidaii and Rukhsati occurs. The Quran is held over here head signifying she is sent to a new chapter in her life with the blessing and protection of Allah

Walima

Celebrate the new marriage and symbolizes happiness in the home together after the marriage. Relaxed and easy-going atmosphere. Organized by groom family. Fresh and lighter tones in decor and flowers. Very elegant, formal attire worn by men and women: Men Wear Sharara suits and Women wear formal pastel colored dresses and exquisite jewelry

General notes:

All events symbolize happiness and joy of new marriage
Pakistani wedding traditionally 3 days, and there can be smaller events before main events
Two touching moments for bride during entire wedding event:
1. Sign Nikah papers
2. Rukhsati
What should I wear as guest:
- Traditional and modern Pakistani dresses with heavy embroidery. Dresses include:
  - Shalwar kameez
  - Sharara dress
  - Anarkali dress
  - Banaris dress
  - Saree
Why does bride wear red?
- Symbolizes passion and love that the couple will enjoy happy married life together during the hard times that may arise past of life
Why do brides look down?
- An emotion-filled day where bride leaves her home and starts a new life
- If she appears not reserved or sad. She is said to be happy that she is leaving her parents

Pakistani, Ismaili

We know Ismaili weddings well. I would say I photograph Shia Ismaili and Muslim weddings the most - event more than Western weddings. We photograph many Ismaili weddings in the Houston, along with, many destination weddings in Dallas, Austin, and we have a wedding scheduled in Florida and California. We are familiar with the culture, the wedding events, the many traditions performed during all of the wedding days which comprise the wedding event (we are able to anticipate and get in position before and during different events as they occur), and we are familiar with the equipment that is needed throughout the different weddings events.

This blog’s purpose is to give insight into the complex nature of the Ismaili wedding event from the professional wedding photography and videography perspective, discuss the different events and traditions, and let you know that when you choose my professional Houston wedding company our goal is to provide peace-of-mind that you can celebrate with your friends and family and leave your wedding photography and videography to my team.to a smooth wedding weekend.

An Ismaili wedding is celebrated over the course of 3-4 days. These days are: Mehndi, Pithi, Sangeet; Pre-wedding, Nikah, Koba Kobi; Walima; and Satada.