Christian Wedding

Christian's in India:Christianity is considered as the third most populous community in the India.As per the 2011 census 27,819,588 Are the Christian population in the Country.They are largely Concentrated in South India,Konkan region and the North Eastern parts of the country.Majority in Nagaland and followed by Mizoram.It is believed that the Christianity was Introduced by Saint.Thomas well known as the Thomas the Apostle.Although,Christianity enters from the western counties they merged with Indian society and became a part of the Indian culture.

Indian women praying in the church

Match Making:Match Making is the one of the most common Vital thing in the Christian society.Marriages are generally performed in the specific denominations like if a roman catholic Groom wants to marry a girl.He should have to Roman Catholic only not the Protestant or a Lutheran Christian.Once a Match is settled. Then the family members will meet.Once they Satisfied the talks proceed.When the bride and groom knows each other.If they find each other Compatible Then the formal proposals happens,Most probably from the Groom's Side.In South India They use to exchange the Betel Leaves and the Betel Nut.This Ceremony is known as 'Badalchen' Like Tambulam in South Indian Hindu Marriages.

Pre Wedding Ritual's

Engagement:Engagement is considered as the one of the most important rituals in the christian community.After the courtship period the Bride and the groom decides to engage.Family members from both the sides and friends will attend the occasion.Where groom use to gift a ring to the bride and he places it on the left hand ring finger and some other gifts like Clothes,Perfumes etc.Now a days bride also presenting the ring to the groom were he wears on the right hand ring finger.The engagement also announces in some local churches and sometimes in the local newspapers.

Engagement Ceremony of Christian wedding.

Bridal shower where the bride's relatives throws the bridal shower.Young cousin's and friends decides a day to take her to a merry night.They host a party were they play the games,sings dance and they shower the bride with gifts where she find useful further Conjugal life.Bride cuts the pink cake and served to the companions in that cake there is a hidden silver thimble placed.The piece's of cake delivered to the young girls,The girl Were the piece of cake is served with the hidden thimble believed to be the next girl to be getting married.In the same way Groom arrange a bachelor party.Altough, it is a pure western concept,But now its Popularity is gaining in India.Were the Groom calls his friends and enjoy with them,Women strictly not allowed in this party.Male friends and family members strengthen their male bonding.They enjoy by going some typical adventure sport like Hiking,Bungee Jumping,skydiving,surfing etc.

Rose Ceremony:Rose ceremony is the most common thing in the western Indian or Konkan  christian families.It is similar to Haldi Ceremony in the Hindu weddings. Were the The bride and Groom are anointed with the oil by Relatives.After this bride and groom bathed with water.The whole ceremony followed by a rose prayer and then dinner with drinks.

Wedding Ritual's

Welcoming the bride,On the day of wedding female relatives of the groom side visits the bride's home with her wedding outfits.Some jewelry,sweets and fruits.The priest use to pray and bless the wedding dress before handed over to the bride.The brides get ready in her house and sets off for the church in a car sent by a groom with her friends or bridemaids .And grooms family receives her at the Church.Then the wedding mass starts which is nothing but prayers and the Hymn's from the bible.The program starts from the opening prayer,Both the Old and New testament versus revised.The nest part is singing the Psalm.Either by the guests or Church Soloist.Wedding Vow's Starts,Were the actual wedding Ceremony starts. In India mostly vows mostly decide by the priest and the bride and the groom follows him. They essentially promise that they will be together in all the phases of life till the death.

A Christian Wedding Ceremony

Solemnizing of the Marriage:The marriage is solemnized by the first exchanging wedding rings.these are mostly simple gold wedding bands.They are placed on the left hand ring finger of the bride and the groom.In the South India in culture there is an additional custom which is nothing but tying the necklace around the bride's neck. Which we usually observe in the Hindu Marriage's called Thali or a Mangalsutra.The groom tie's the Half Leaf Pendant with the symbol of Cross embedded to the bride.Next the Bride and Groom blessed by the Priest and declared Wife and Husband.They hold hand together and march down from the dia's to seek the blessings from the Elders.

Tying the Necklace to the Bride.

Post wedding Ritual's

Reception:After completing the wedding ceremony couple, relatives and other Invitees  moves to the Banquet hall where they cuts the cake and feeds each other and then a wedding feast continues.Some times there is a live band and DJ present to encourage the guests to dance.