50 Photos of a traditional wedding ceremony in India

Traditional Indian weddings are generally structured into pre-wedding ceremonies, wedding day ceremonies, and the Vidaai. When the marriage has been agreed upon, the father of the bridegroom visits the father of the bride. The day before the expected arrival of the marriage procession, lavish preparations are done by the family to receive the groom in beautiful and decorated venues, typically farmhouses or hotel halls, where a sacrificial fireplace called marhwa is built. Brides decorate themselves with gold and diamond jewellery, apply mehndi to colour hands and feet, and undergo various bridal rituals, including wearing bridal lehenga or saree. Bridegrooms typically wear a sherwani dress or a designer suit. To complete the marriage, the bride and groom walk in a circle around the sacrificial fire.