1. Melanie Brown Intercultural Communication
East Indian Weddings
Melanie Brown
Intercultural Communication

2. Muslim Indian Weddings
The Wedding last for five days, which include…..
The Engagement
The Bride Ceremonies
The Groom Ceremonies
The Wedding Day
The Farewell Day

3. Day 1: The Engagement The bride and groom meet each other’s families
Exchange rings
The bride receives ancestry jewelry from the groom’s family as a gift
Sherbet Drinking Ceremony (sweet milk)

4. Day 2: Bride’s Ceremony Henna Ceremony
Turmeric (yellow powder/paste that brings out the “glow” in a woman before the wedding)
Bridal shower
Bachlorette party
Groom “crashes” the bridal party and brings rose bouquet to the bride

5. Day 3: Groom’s Ceremony
Pithi- The groom is bashed with turmeric paste, ketchup, tomatoes, eggs and honey. This ceremony is done to show that the groom is ready for manhood and can handle life on his own.
Bachelor party
Bride’s maids “crash” the bachelor party while the bride spends time with family and friends.

6. Day 4: Wedding Day
The Groom comes to pick up the bride and ask for permission to marry her.
The bride wears a traditional dress called a “Saree” and the groom wears a traditional suit called a “Salwar Kameez”. Some men just wear regular suits.
The actual wedding ceremony is called “Nikah” which takes place in a “Mosque” and takes place during the morning.
Only close family members attend
The father of the bride walks her down the isle and the best man walks the groom down
They exchange vow's but the groom is only allowed to kiss the bride on her forehead.

7. Wedding Day continued…
After the “Nikah” ceremony the bride and groom go to a central house and celebrate over lunch with their close friends and family.
After the lunch the nightly ceremony/reception is held, which involves food, dancing and singing.
This is the last night with the bride and the groom.

8. The Reception Rice always has to be served
There has to be something sweet served at the wedding which symbolizes celebration

9. After the Reception
The groom’s sister decorates a room (normally a hotel room) o a private party room with flowers and wedding decorations.
The groom has to pay a fee to all the bride’s maids for coming to the room.
This is just a finally get together with wedding party and close friends to congratulate the bride and groom.

10. Day 5: Farewell Day
Bride and groom go to the bride’s house and have the farewell ceremony.
Bride’s family spoils her with gift (money, house warming gifts ect.)
When the bride leaves her house her mother breaks a coconut on the ground and the bride walks over it as she leaves her house for good. She also throws rice over her shoulder as she leaves the house.
The rice symbolizes that she is leaving her childhood behind but the love for her family will still be there.

11. Farewell Day continued
When they leave the bride’s house they go to the groom’s house.
Upon arrival the groom’s mother breaks a coconut on the ground and the bride walks over it into the groom’s house.
This is meant to welcome the bride into their family.

12. Conclusion
There are five days to the wedding ceremony in Muslim Indian Weddings.
Day 1: The Engagement
Day 2: The Bridal Ceremonies
Day 3: The Groom Ceremonies
Day 4: The Wedding Day
Day 5: The Farewell Day
Thank you for your time, any questions?

13. References
Natasha Babvani (close friend)