Indian brides want their Hindu wedding to be more than just a celebration of the wedding, but also a celebration about their family and their community, a survey by a leading Indian wedding planner has found.
The survey, commissioned by the Hindu Cultural Society of India (HCSI), also found that while Hindu weddings are traditionally celebrated as a celebration for the couple and their family, many brides are seeking to wear a Hindu headdress and accessories to their wedding, particularly for their first day of the ceremony.
The survey also found the preference of Hindu brides to wear headbands and necklaces is growing, and that some Hindu weddings may have their brides wear a headdress with a white cloth.
Some Hindu weddings also require that their bride wear a dhoti or traditional Sikh headband, while some have their wedding party wear a traditional kurta or a traditional white dress.
Some brides also are wearing a traditional headscarf or kurtas to their ceremony.
HCSIs survey found that for a typical Hindu wedding, the groom’s family will pay for a headband to cover his head, while the bride will be required to wear it.
However, if the bride has a partner, he or she will be asked to wear the headband on his or her own.
The brides’ choice of accessories and headband also will have an impact on the ceremony, as a number of Indian wedding planners suggest that a traditional Hindu headband or dhoti is a must for Hindu weddings.
Indian brides can also dress as deities such as Shiva and Lakshmi, or the god Vishnu, in Hindu weddings to be seen as a reflection of the couple’s identity and culture, and for their own religious beliefs.
The survey found more than half of the brides said they wanted to have their own wedding ceremony as well as a traditional one.
For more information, see:What are the Hindu wedding traditions in India?