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Pre-wedding photoshoots, cocktail parties and stunning bridal entries have become the new norm in contemporary weddings.
Destination weddings are in-trend from the past few years. (Image: Pexels)
The wedding season is officially here. It is that time of the year when brides and grooms dress to their ethnic best vowing to spend the rest of their lives with each other. Family, friends and relatives shower the couple with blessings as they start a new chapter in their lives.
Marriage ceremonies have always been a reflection of Indian culture, personal values and adherence to social norms in the context of following rituals and traditions. Over the years, however, weddings have evolved dramatically with the introduction of contemporary trends. The gradual shift has been able to break stereotypes and give a fresh spin to the occasion.
Here’s how Indian wedding traditions have changed over time.
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Traditional Wedding Rituals
Rituals: Almost all bride and groom-to-be follow traditional pre-wedding and post-wedding customs even now. Practices like the mehendi and haldi ceremonies are performed before the special day. Some post-wedding customs include vidaai, griha pravesh and mooh dikhai.
Outfits: Previously, nuptial outfits strictly followed a particular colour palette. For brides, it was a rich red and gold saree or lehenga while for grooms it was sherwanis or dhotis.
Venues: Traditional marriage ceremonies were typically hosted at family or ancestral homes, temples and community halls. Banquet halls were also booked for the purpose.
Food: A wedding is incomplete without food. Back in the day, marriage feasts organised for the guests comprised authentic Indian dishes celebrating the country’s culinary splendour. Buffets were a staple.
Contemporary Wedding Practices
Rituals: Rituals have gone through a major change in some households. Pre-wedding photoshoots, cocktail parties and stunning bridal entries have become the new norm.
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Outfits: Following the trend in Bollywood, more and more brides are ditching the customary red colour for their wedding. They are choosing softer and pastel shades with modern adornments. Grooms are choosing Indo-Western fusion wear and chic sherwanis instead of dhotis
Venues: With the shift in time, couples are opting for destination weddings. They are tying the knot against the backdrop of pristine beaches like Goa, winter wonderlands like Shimla and historical locations like Udaipur.
What’s more, the wedding decor has also witnessed a 360-degree change. Varied themes and different colour schemes play a major role in present-day marriage ceremonies. Creative wedding decor is at its peak now.
Food: Another major aspect of contemporary weddings is the food. Breaking free from conventional menus, couples are now bringing global cuisines to the table for the guests. From welcome drinks to gol gappa counters, snack stalls and even bar counters, the food options are limitless.