FAQs

Question

What is an Indian Wedding?

Answer

An Indian wedding is a large, elaborate affair that often spans several days and involves many different traditions and rituals. The bride and groom are typically adorned with brightly colored clothing and lots of jewelry, and the ceremony itself is often very colorful and filled with music and dance. Indian weddings are usually quite lavish affairs, with food and drink flowing freely throughout the celebration.

Question

What kind of food is served at the Tamil wedding?

Answer

A Tamil wedding food is a vegetarian bounty served on banana leaves. You can typically expect savory lentil fritters (vadas), dumplings (paniyaram), and vegetable fritters (bajji) to start. The main course features flavorful rice dishes like coconut rice (tengai sadam) and accompaniments like vegetable medley (poriyal), lentil stews (sambar, kootu, kuzhambu), and yogurt rice (thayir sadam). Crispy crackers (appalam) and a cooling yogurt dip (thayir pachadi) add textural contrast. Don't miss the sweet ending - semolina pudding (rava kesari) and creamy rice pudding (payasam) are Tamil wedding staples. With regional variations, this vegetarian feast is a delicious way to celebrate the union of two families.

Question

What do I wear for the wedding?

Answer

Since this is a three day long event the best thing to wear is what you are comfortable in. However most people wear a wide variety of styles and colors to the wedding. Women could wear a salwar suit ( a long top and pant set), a lehenga (a cropped blouse and maxi skirt set), or the classic Saree (6 yards of fabric pleated and draped). Men generally wear a pant and button up shirt, a veshti (white silk cloth that is wrapped around your waist), or a kurtha suit (short top with pant set).

Question

What will the weather be like?

Answer

Chennai is generally humid and warm during the month of August. The event is by the beach so it will be a bit cooler, however keep in mind it is still summer!

Question

What should you do for accommodations?

Answer

There is accommodations at the venue and near the venue! Please reach out if you need some help finding a place to stay!

Question

What’s special about the Muhurtham

Answer

The bride will then change into the saree the groom's family gave her. The thaali is blessed by the priest and the groom ties the thaali around the neck of the bride. The two knots of the thaali are put in by the groom, while the groom’s sister puts in the third and final one. During which time the guests offer their blessing with flower petals and turmeric coated rice. However after the tie the knot, there are multiple prayers that still need to be done before the bride and groom can be congratulated!

Question

What is Mehendhi/Henna?

Answer

Mehendi, one of the most celebrated wedding rituals in Indian weddings, is held a day or two days before the big day. It is a celebration of love, joy, and the anticipation of a new beginning. Mehndi ceremonies using henna paste have been an integral part of Indian culture for centuries. The bride and her closest female friends and relatives etch their unique designs on their hands and feet. This mehandi ceremony is more than just a pre-wedding ritual; it is a symbol of the rich heritage of Tamil weddings.

Question

What is the Nichayathartham?

Answer

Although most couple today do proposal amongst their friends and family, this is event is still a very important part of the Indian wedding. This is a formal engagement between the families. In Tamil weddings, the Nischayathartham ceremony stands out as a beacon of love, commitment, and the joyous promise of a shared future. This South Indian wedding tradition begins with an offering to Lord Ganesh at the bride's home. First, the bride and groom exchange the garlands and then they exchange the rings. This ceremony is a celebration of the beginning of a beautiful journey that will last forever.