Wedding events has always been considered to be one of the most
auspicious occasions in one’s life. Such events are not only important
for the couple going to tie a nuptial knot but also for the family,
friends and relatives surrounding the brides and grooms. During these
recent decade marriage events has experienced sea changes in how the
event process has professionalized itself. The upcoming of event
consultant and professionals has made it possible in bringing such
change that has transformed the whole events to be more joyous and
filled with fun.
I still remember that as a child I was exposed to both rural and
urban marriages and the close distinction in the marriages that occurred
in the diverse cultural group. It was during such exposure that I
experienced the nostalgic folk songs of the rural India sung mostly by
the elder women accompanied by the younger newlywed women. These songs
still gives a fragrance memory of the traditional way the marriage
process occurred. Now it’s been replaced by DJs or private party
musicians and singer. Friends and relatives used to gather a month
before the actual marriage. I observed elders planning and managing the
whole events that has to be meticulously performed as it relates to
their pride and giving utmost respect to the guest invited for such
auspicious occasion.
Engagement ceremonies of today are performed with
rings being exchanged between bride and groom irrespective of religion.
But earlier this had the rituals performed by the priest. Engagement
ceremony is being followed by Subh Tilak amongst the Hindus that are
usually performed at the groom’s place of residence and in some cases
community hall are booked.
Subh Tilak is actually a gift giving ceremony, in
which the tradition of gifts, clothes, utensils and dowry (still
evident) are being ushered to the groom and his family. Earlier the
duration between the Subh Tilak and the actual marriage day used to be a
more than a week or two. But with the changing times it’s been
shortened to three to four days for the purpose of less known ceremony
of Madwa and Mehndi rasam (ceremony).In the recent years due to the
cultural acceptance and mingling in India, Baarat (when actual day of
marriage), the modus operandi of Baarat events are almost same in all
religions. Event management companies expertise and cultural knowledge
in arranging these marriages tailor-made (due to the large cultural
diversity), mixed with the cocktail of western touch has really helped
the marriage events becoming memorable. Take for instance the marriage
events of Liz Hurley and Arun Nair, the ceremony being performed in
Jodhpur, India had drawn the global media attention that resulted in the
beeline of celebrity marriage from US, UK in India.
Baarat events are considered to be the most
important event of all the marriage events as on this day of events the
actual marriage is to take place. Band parties are booked by the groom’s
family three to four months before the actual day of marriage due to
their busy schedule and to make it low cost affairs. During the last
hour it is not necessary that one can engage reputed band party. Band
party includes musician and the light man that makes the event colorful.
Series of car and Bus accompany these Bandwala that accommodate family,
friends and relatives of groom. Grooms car follows the rest of the car
that are especially decorated with variety of beautiful flowers so that
the people surrounding could establish the groom car. Baarat actually
means the group of people of Groom acquaintances moves together towards
the Brides place (community place could also be booked for the
purpose).Family, friends and especially young lads of grooms
acquaintances dance and fire cracker before the grooms convoy. Finally,
after the Baarat reaches its destination, they are being welcomed by
Bride relatives and their family member. This is followed by Jaymala
ceremony.
Jaimala ceremony is a simple ceremony in which
brides and groom garland each other that demonstrates that both of them
accepts each other as to be a wife and husband that would eventually
happens in few hours. It’s a symbolic ceremony that gives the
opportunity to the bride family and her acquaintances’ to have the first
glimpse of Grooms look in his new specially designed attire. Similar is
the story from Grooms side to break the suspense of how beautiful the
bride is. Nowadays usually Sherwani are being preferred by the Grooms
especially designed for the marriage purpose. Brides wear saari for this
special occasion, the trend is to wear Banarasi silk sari with silver
linings and in the exceptional affluent case golden lining sari are
preferred by the bride for wearing on this particular day.After the
Jaymala ceremony is over all the guests are being invited for dinner
party. The dinner menus are carefully prepared taking in view the
cultural food habits and getting informed about their specific
requirements. Finally, the marriage ceremony takes place being
facilitated by the priest. Marriage ceremony is then followed by
Reception party being thrown by the Grooms family.
Reception party is attended by the guest invited,
that presents gift to the brides and grooms and bless them for their
future prosperity. Nowadays DJs and private music band party has an
eminent role in making such events memorable. Dinner party is thrown on
this very day and Non-Vegetable items are included on the dinner menu.
There is also a trend of serving alcohol in such reception party.
During the old days, the whole marriage events used to extend for a
year and in some exceptional cases two or more years. It’s surprising,
but till the recent times the practice has to undergo several phases of
marriage rituals that includes ceremonies even after the actual marriage
has occurred. All these were evident only in the arrange marriage as
love marriage were a strict no-no during those times. Now with the
advent of increasing educated population, social awareness and strict
law enforcement, perception towards love marriage has changed. A love
marriage nowadays translates into the arranged marriages so as to get
social acceptance.
Destination weddings,
though they cost 30%-40% more, are hot. Wedding outfits, accessories and
make-up services are also seeing a huge amount of personalized choice and
couture businesses are growing at rate of 20% as more and more consumers are
not averse to experimenting. Today, it is not just about brides and grooms
anymore but the trend has shifted to friends and family who comes for the
occasion for that perfect look. 
