Research Paper on Weddings
Wedding traditions around the world vary according to nationality, country and religion. One custom that I had the pleasure of learning is the Christian Wedding in India. I became interested in what happens during a typical Christian Wedding in India. Though traditions may be similar, the meaning and practice behind them vary greatly. India’s Weddings are coupled with many traditions and beliefs. Christians in India perform a vast of ceremonies leading up to the actual wedding ceremony.
Though in America we marry out of love, the first act before a couple unites in India is the arranging of marriage by their parents. The belief in India is that parents are to look out for their daughter’s best interest. The parents choose a groom for their daughter, who will look out for her best interests. In India it is customary for the parents to unite the couple. Upon approval from the potential bride and groom then they begin to prepare for the ceremonies. The couple then has a Mangni, the engagement ceremony; the priest officiates over this service (shaadionline.com). It is traditional for the groom’s family to arrive at the bride’s home with gifts for their daughter-in-law. The gifts may include some jewelry, sari, and green glass bangles (which tells of her marital status).
Though in America we marry out of love, the first act before a couple unites in India is the arranging of marriage by their parents. The belief in India is that parents are to look out for their daughter’s best interest. The parents choose a groom for their daughter, who will look out for her best interests. In India it is customary for the parents to unite the couple. Upon approval from the potential bride and groom then they begin to prepare for the ceremonies. The couple then has a Mangni, the engagement ceremony; the priest officiates over this service (shaadionline.com). It is traditional for the groom’s family to arrive at the bride’s home with gifts for their daughter-in-law. The gifts may include some jewelry, sari, and green glass bangles (which tells of her marital status).
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The couple has to send out a posting of banns. This is an announcement of the intended matrimony between the bride and groom. The banns are published three weeks prior to the ceremony to give the community a chance to object if there are any restrictions (freemarriage.com). During the wedding ceremony the priest also gives those gathered for the service a chance to object.
Two days before the ceremony the bride is given an Uptan celebration. This is the beautification of the bride tradition. They mix powdered sandalwood and dried herb into a paste with jasmine oil. The paste is applied to the brides face, arms, legs and feet. The process can take up to eight hours to apply and even more time to dry. The art is detailed in actual drawings upon the body in the form of a skilled craft of artwork. While the paste dries they begin the Mehndi ceremony. The ladies sing to the rhythm of a ‘dholak’ (small drum) traditional wedding songs during the ceremony (shaandionline.com). The bride may not leave the house until her wedding day. She is also forbidden to meet with the groom again until the wedding day.
Then it is time for the Shagan, or the custom of blessing the couple with gifts. Shagan is the practice of welcoming the bride into the groom’s family. Blessing the bride with gifts is a way of showing acceptance of her into the family. The groom’s family brings gifts in the form of clothes, jewelry, and bangles for the bride. The bride’s family in return presents the groom with gifts of clothes and jewelry. The bride’s family distributes gifts as a gesture of thanks. They show their appreciation, to the groom and his family for taking in their daughter. Then they begin celebration of the couple with music. Family and friends sing to the y beat of the 'dholak' (small drum). They make sure to sing several songs to tease the bride's mother-in-law and other members of the groom's family!” The Shagan ceremony is usually hosted in two separate ceremonies one, by the bride’s family and the other by the groom’s.
Once the Shagan ceremony is wrapped up, the families begin to prepare for the wedding ceremony. The wedding is given at a traditional Christian Church in India.
The wedding is performed during the week, late afternoon. Most wedding ceremonies in India are performed during the week. Wednesday is the traditional day for weddings; it is considered the most auspicious. Weddings are never conducted on the weekends. Sundays are considered the Lord’s day, Saturdays are days of rest.
The ushers are present to assist the guests on which side of the church to sit. When the ceremony is ready the groom takes the traditional place at the alter nest to the Best Man. It is customary for the mother’s brother to receive the bride at the entrance of the church. The uncle then hands the bride over to her father. The father is to lead the bride into the church, preceded by three priests, the flower girls and then of course the bridesmaids. They still play the traditional song ‘Here comes the bride’ while the attendees stand, until the bride is handed over at alter to the groom.
The couple kneels at alter while family and friends recite meaningful poetry to them. Once this has concluded the priest begins the service. It is then customary for the Best Man to pass the wedding rings to the priest for his blessings. The couple then exchange vows in the language that they choose. Public displays of affection, such as kissing, is not performed in India After the exchange in vows the couple proceeds to the vestry, along with the priest and their parents to sign the church register. Then it is time for the reception which is usually hosted by the bride’s family.
The ceremonies are concluded with the Vidai or bridal send off. This is when the groom and his family take the wife to their home. The bride is to leave home and retreat to whatever city or country the groom chooses. Before they leave, they go to the bride’s home where the couple have prayers offered and receives blessings. The bride then departs with her trousseau or lingerie, wedding gifts in a decorated car.
Two days before the ceremony the bride is given an Uptan celebration. This is the beautification of the bride tradition. They mix powdered sandalwood and dried herb into a paste with jasmine oil. The paste is applied to the brides face, arms, legs and feet. The process can take up to eight hours to apply and even more time to dry. The art is detailed in actual drawings upon the body in the form of a skilled craft of artwork. While the paste dries they begin the Mehndi ceremony. The ladies sing to the rhythm of a ‘dholak’ (small drum) traditional wedding songs during the ceremony (shaandionline.com). The bride may not leave the house until her wedding day. She is also forbidden to meet with the groom again until the wedding day.
Then it is time for the Shagan, or the custom of blessing the couple with gifts. Shagan is the practice of welcoming the bride into the groom’s family. Blessing the bride with gifts is a way of showing acceptance of her into the family. The groom’s family brings gifts in the form of clothes, jewelry, and bangles for the bride. The bride’s family in return presents the groom with gifts of clothes and jewelry. The bride’s family distributes gifts as a gesture of thanks. They show their appreciation, to the groom and his family for taking in their daughter. Then they begin celebration of the couple with music. Family and friends sing to the y beat of the 'dholak' (small drum). They make sure to sing several songs to tease the bride's mother-in-law and other members of the groom's family!” The Shagan ceremony is usually hosted in two separate ceremonies one, by the bride’s family and the other by the groom’s.
Once the Shagan ceremony is wrapped up, the families begin to prepare for the wedding ceremony. The wedding is given at a traditional Christian Church in India.
The wedding is performed during the week, late afternoon. Most wedding ceremonies in India are performed during the week. Wednesday is the traditional day for weddings; it is considered the most auspicious. Weddings are never conducted on the weekends. Sundays are considered the Lord’s day, Saturdays are days of rest.
The ushers are present to assist the guests on which side of the church to sit. When the ceremony is ready the groom takes the traditional place at the alter nest to the Best Man. It is customary for the mother’s brother to receive the bride at the entrance of the church. The uncle then hands the bride over to her father. The father is to lead the bride into the church, preceded by three priests, the flower girls and then of course the bridesmaids. They still play the traditional song ‘Here comes the bride’ while the attendees stand, until the bride is handed over at alter to the groom.
The couple kneels at alter while family and friends recite meaningful poetry to them. Once this has concluded the priest begins the service. It is then customary for the Best Man to pass the wedding rings to the priest for his blessings. The couple then exchange vows in the language that they choose. Public displays of affection, such as kissing, is not performed in India After the exchange in vows the couple proceeds to the vestry, along with the priest and their parents to sign the church register. Then it is time for the reception which is usually hosted by the bride’s family.
The ceremonies are concluded with the Vidai or bridal send off. This is when the groom and his family take the wife to their home. The bride is to leave home and retreat to whatever city or country the groom chooses. Before they leave, they go to the bride’s home where the couple have prayers offered and receives blessings. The bride then departs with her trousseau or lingerie, wedding gifts in a decorated car.
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___________________________________________________________Warning!!! All free online research papers, research paper samples and example research papers on Wedding topics are plagiarized and cannot be fully used in your high school, college or university education.
If you need a custom research paper, research proposal, essay, dissertation, thesis paper or term paper on your topic, EffectivePapers.com will write your research papers from scratch. Starting at $12/page you can order custom written papers online. We work with experienced PhD. and Master's freelance writers to help you with writing any academic papers in any subject! High quality and 100% non-plagiarized papers guaranteed!
