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Contrary to what some might believe, not all Indian weddings are the same.
When people ask about the wedding, I get questions about wearing red and walking around a fire. And this is in the Bay Area, where the Indian population just keeps growing.
For one thing, our wedding day won’t be very Indian. For another, I’m an Ismaili Muslim—Ismaili brides wear white on their wedding days, and only Hindus walk around fires.
And, also, even if you have two Indian families with the exact same background, the odds are they won’t do things in quite the same way.
Long ago, one of my cousins theorized that this was because Indians have too many obscure wedding traditions and no one could remember them all. I picture one auntie asking another, “What do we do now?” And the other auntie saying, “I don’t really know, but how about we just do it this way?”
That’s why I really liked something I read on a photography blog:
“It’s one of the most wonderful and baffling things about Indian weddings. No matter how much you think you know, and how many times you have seen things done one way, there is always the chance that you will be thrown a curve ball, and see something totally different and totally new.”
–Lauren from Rob & Lauren Photographers
Not convinced? Take a look at these pictures from Indian weddings. Even if you’re an Indian wedding veteran, I guarantee you’ll find something new to see. (And, honestly, can anyone actually resist wedding eye candy??)
Traditional Bengali wedding makeup application, photo by Sephi Bergerson
The application of the bride’s sindoor under cover at a Fijian Indian wedding, photo by Andrena Photography
An Ismaili wedding ceremony, photo by Rob & Lauren Photographers
A Malayalam Christian wedding ceremony, photo by Stephanie Williams Photography
Miss Margarita following Sri Lankan tradition by wearing a white sari with a veil, photo by Andrena Photography
A Sikh wedding ceremony, photo by Rob & Lauren Photographers
An Ismaili groom at his pithi ceremony, photo by Elementz of Photographie
Does your wedding have traditions that other people might not expect?
That’s so awesome that you have so many traditions from which to pick! You can really personalize your wedding and make it very memorable for everyone involved 
I totally feel you! Mr. Margarita’s traditions were very different than my sis in law’s (who is also Indian) and Sri Lankan tradition is all over the place too.
Its kinda of fun to learn about all the different varieties but can be very frustrating when you’re trying to incorporate all you can into your day. I’m excited to see how you incorporate your Ismaili traditions with Mr. DDs
Those are great photos! Can’t wait to see what you do for your own. As for my own wedding, nope, nadda, we got nothing! We are going to include guest vows (which I love the thought of them taking vows to support us throughout our marriage, etc), but no unity candle, pouring of sand or hand tying–that’s just not us. We have no idea what to include in our ceremony!
That’s really neat! Thanks for opening our eyes to the diversity in Indian weddings! Great that you can pick the traditions that mean the most to you!
i love the pix. we’re having a tea ceremony which will be common for my family, but not for his. we’re also having the bride’s family go first, which is not conventional, since the groom’s family’s never seen one.
Those pics are so cool I’m so glad you can incorporate all you want
Thanks for sharing your culture with us! =) It’s fascinating to see how different each subgroup is.
wow, so many different traditions! i love it! which are your favorites?
I am fascinated by Indian weddings! They are always so big, beautiful, and full of color! And the traditions, although so different from each other like you said, are also so different then the catholic traditions that I have grown up with, I always want to learn more. Thanks for all the eye candy too!
This is so true! Among Hindus, the traditions can be so different down to not just the region where you live, but also your caste/subcaste and even your own family.
I think South Asian weddings and their traditions are beautiful. Thanks for letting us know the depth and breadth of all of these traditions.
Ohhhhhhh Miss Dew Drop! I have been excitedly following your posts already (I am IN LOVE with your dress!) but now I am even more excited - I am marrying an Ismaili Muslim! And I have recently seen lots of these pictures in my own search to find out more about the wedding traditions before we talk to his parents, which like you’ve said, I’ve learned vary greatly! So fun!
I heart Indian weddings. Mr. Peep wanted to model our ceremony after an Indian wedding we went to. I had not idea that they could be so different. Cool post and great pics.
I love the gold makeup in the first picture! Gorgeous!
This is such an enlightening post - it is so beautiful to see other traditions and cultures celebrating marriage!
How did I ever miss that AMAZING veil from Miss Margarita?!? Loved this post!
How cool!!!! We had a Korean Wine Ceremony and it was really unexpected since most people don’t know right off the bat i’m part Korean
These photos are amazing. I think it’s so cool how diverse weddings can be.
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Miss Dew Drop, San Francisco Age and Occupation: 31, Attorney Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Managerial Type at an Internet Company Engagement Date: December 12, 2008 Wedding Date: September 2009 Venue: Ralston Hall Mansion About Me: I'm a food-and-baking-obsessed, occasionally sword wielding Bay Area native who is quickly becoming overwhelmed with planning a wedding and opening a law practice at the same time. (Brilliant move, that one.) I love reading, online shopping, ice cream, my Macbook, Bollywood movies, hoodies, the UCLA Bruins, and of course, Mr. Dew Drop.
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