Tamil weddings are based around the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism (the Vedas), but also incorporate a modern touch for both the bride and groom. Typically, a priest determines the date or month the couple should be married by looking at auspicious dates within the Hindu calender. The priest is also needed throughout the ceremony.
Typically, a Tamil wedding ritual lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. Wedding ceremonies are followed by lunch.
At Tamil weddings, most women (including their non-Tamil guests) wear traditional sarees, and sometimes have their hair tied in a bun or braided with flowers. Men from the immediate family wear white dhotis (traditional men's garment) and a white shirt with a golden border. Other male guests are required to wear formal wear. For both men and women, gold is very common. If you are attending a Tamil wedding, try avoid wearing black, it is seen as bad luck.
Some Tamil couples opt to have their marriage registered on the same day of their Tamil wedding — just because of schedule or timing. Often couples will exchange wedding rings before/after the wedding ceremony ends. Klarence and Thushy exchanged their rings on February 4, 2021 with a justice of the peace. They exchanges their own vows then as well. But a custom at all Tamil weddings is the thali/mangalsutre — a gold chain that is tied by the groom around the bride’s neck during the ceremony.
The bride and groom both wear traditional Tamil clothing. The bride usually wears a kanchipuram saree (often in a red tone, made of silk with thick golden borders) adorned with heavy gold jewelry. The bride usually has her hair braided with extensions and pieces of gold jewelry, The groom either wears a white dhoti, a shirt with a golden border or a sherwarni which is a traditional Indian pant suit. Grooms also wear turbans or thalappas on the day of their weddings. During the wedding — right before the bride ties the knot — it is customary for her to to change into a second saree. This second saree is called the koorai and the first saree (which she enters the venue with) is called a manavarai saree.