Guides
Everything we explain on first calls, written down
Short answers for couples planning a wedding in India, and for the guests flying in.
Marrying in India from abroad
Planning
Ceremonies and traditions
Kerala weddings of three faiths, side by side
| Aspect | Hindu | Christian | Muslim |
|---|---|---|---|
| The ceremony | The groom ties the thali around the bride’s neck at the muhurtham, the auspicious time | Vows in church, then the groom ties the minnu and drapes the manthrakodi over the bride | The nikah: a marriage contract agreed before an officiant and witnesses, with the mahr gift to the bride |
| Where | A temple, kalyana mandapam, family home or resort | A church, with the reception at a hall or resort | A mosque or family venue, with the reception after |
| Before the day | No days of rituals in most communities | Manasammatham (betrothal in church) and madhuram vekkal (sweets) | Mylanchi, the henna night, often with oppana songs |
| The feast | A vegetarian sadya on banana leaves | Often meat and fish, such as appam with stew, or biriyani | Malabar biriyani; the groom’s family hosts the walima |
| Usually avoided | The month of Karkidakam, in many families | Lent, in most churches | Ramadan |
Customs vary between communities and families. We also plan interfaith and fusion weddings and civil weddings under the Special Marriage Act.
Tell us about your wedding
Where you live, roughly when, and how many guests. A planner replies within a few hours, in your time zone.