Sweet Jasmine
October 30th, 2007 @ 12:53 pm by Mrs. Jasmine
One of the reasons I chose my icon is because the jasmine flower is such a meaningful part of Indian weddings. Its creamy white petals and lush, heady fragrance play both important symbolic and cultural roles.
Many Indian brides make a spectacular entrance into the ceremony under a fragrant net of jasmine flowers:
Also, jasmine adorns the hair of many Indian brides. The star-shaped flowers are cut at night, when the scent is the strongest, so the fragrance will linger throughout the big day.
Another important part of the Indian wedding ceremony is when the bride and groom exchange garlands of roses, marigold, and jasmine. This exchange is symbolic of their acceptance of one another as husband and wife.
Actress Aishwarya Rai and Actor Abhishek Bachan at their wedding: they are the Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt of India!
The bridal suite is often covered with a canopy of sweetly-scented jasmine flowers over the bed. It’s said that the fragrance will be a life long memory for the husband and wife who honor their vows.
Some Indian and Pakistani grooms wear a sehra, a veil of jasmine flowers covering the groom’s face as he approaches the bride. Traditionally, the “sehra bandhi” ceremony occurs right as the groom and his baraat are leaving for the wedding. The groom is also presented with gifts from his family members. Occasionally, a commissioned poem is read and the family shares a prayer that all will go well with the wedding and the future of the bride and groom.
Jasmine flowers are also used to cover the front of the bride and groom’s getaway car:
Are you using any flowers that have special significance to you?
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14 Responses to “Sweet Jasmine”
I’m putting my grandma’s favorite flower in the bouquet, and also putting freesia in there for me, since it’s my favorite flower ever. 
Its nice to know the reason behind the icon choice.!!! I love peonies, but no real reason why. On top of that they arent in season, so its not looking good for me.
I don’t have a flower that I really consider to be my own (yet!), but I love the reason behind yours. And Jasmine is my favorite green tea!
I have pretty bad allergies, so we’re just using the least-smelly flowers we can find!
Thank you so much for your post! Learning about other cultures has been one of the things I enjoy the most about reading weddingbee. My FI has called me “Sweet Pea” for our entire relationship, so I though it would be fun to put some in my bouquet.
I love Jasmine tea and Jasmine scented anything… so lovely & light & natural! Thanks for sharing. I agree with Bonniebelle101 that learning about different cultural customs is one of the best parts of the bee. Thanks!
Orchids! They were my mom’s favorite flower. And I grew up with them around the house.
I’m learning so much about Indian wedding customs from your posts! Thanks for sharing!
I love the fragrant smell of jasmine! How wonderful to see them infused in Indian tradition. Nope… no favorite flower… maybe orchids and gerber daisies?
I didn’t know that Aishawarya was already married?! But yeah, I love smelling jasmine flowers.
hej aichwarya you beste girl no kareena kapoor ok bye bye byeeeeee
love you aichwarya
i love aichwarya
Mrs. Jasmine, Chicago/LA
Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Attorney
Engagement Date: March 24, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: September 20, 2007
Venue: Hotel on the westside of Los Angeles
About Me: I'm a happy-go-lucky, imaginative spirit trapped in the body of a lawyer. I love reading, shopping, dining out, and exploring my beloved adopted city of Chicago with my fiance. We're planning the wedding of our dreams in my hometown of Los Angeles and we're excited to incorporate our cherished Indian/Pakistani customs and traditions.
My bouquet included my late mother’s favorite flower (gardenia) and lily-of-the-valley, which I remember picking at my grandmother’s house.