What is a Hindu wedding?
• A Hindu wedding is a religious ceremony and one of the most important of the sixteen Hindu sanskars or sacraments. It is seen, not only as the bond between two people, but also the bond between two families. • The ceremony lasts a minimum of one-and-a-half-hours, but the preparations and celebrations begin weeks before the actual ceremony and continue afterwards. • The Hindu service is performed by a male Brahmin priest in accordance with the holy verses (mantras) from the Vedas — the Hindu holy book. • The ceremony takes place in a venue chosen by the bride’s family. This is normally a town hall or community hall, or a hotel, depending on the budget of the bride’s family. There are then blessings in the temple after the service. • The Hindu wedding ceremony is not recognised by British law. It is therefore also necessary to marry in a civil register office and follow this with a Hindu ceremony.
