My last big wedding before COVID was an epic two day event at The Hyatt Lost Pines Resort near Austin, TX with guests attending from all over the world!  Thoroughly planned and designed by Glittzy Events, this beautiful celebration was like a dream come true for the bride and groom. Both are of Indian heritage, she is Punjabi and he is Telegu. These two doctors celebrated their union in style with various cultural ceremonies and events which I explained in more detail as they happened.

In this post let me take you through the different scenes of the first day which consisted of a Havan ceremony (an ancient vedic fire ceremony), a Haldi ceremony (a cleansing ritual for the bride consisting mostly of turmeric), Choora (bangle) ceremony (a blessing of the bride’s maternal side of the family), and a Sangeet party! Enjoy and let me know what you think!

The day started with Havan ceremony with the bride’s relatives in attendance. Havan is a sacred purifying ritual that involves a fire ceremony.

After that it was time for another ceremony involving turmeric, referred to as Haldi. Turmeric is a common flavor in Indian cooking and also a significant ingredient in the pre-wedding Hindu event known as the Haldi ceremony. Known to possess anti-inflammatory, healing, beautification, antiseptic, and purification properties, Haldi is essentially a cleansing procedure for the bride and groom. Its beautiful mustard yellow hue is auspicious in Indian tradition representing a life of prosperity for the couple about to begin their new life together.

 

The decorated pitcher of holy water (gharoli) is brought for the bride’s bath by the brother’s spouse.  

Next up is the Bangle ceremony known as Choora (Chura). It involves a giving ceremony, in which the oldest maternal uncle (called lovingly Maama) and aunt of the bride bring this set of beautiful red and cream bangles as a gift of good wishes and happiness. 

All those who are present at the ceremony tie kaliras (gold ornaments) to the bangles worn by the bride.

This Chura ceremony is the landmark moment when the bride and her family start preparing for her new life. It is one of the most emotional moments of the wedding for both the bride and her parents as she bids her final goodbye to the place she has called home.

After all the pre wedding ceremonies it was finally time for Sangeet. That’s where the party began and it was definitely one for the books!

It was so much fun capturing this Punjabi tradition to dance to the music called Jago meaning Get Up, be Awakened!

I hope you enjoyed looking through this beautiful day and learning about all the rituals of a Punjabi pre wedding ceremonies. Now let’s not wait any longer and dive into the second day of this glorious event – the actual wedding! So click here to take that visual journey and let me know what you think!

VENDORS

Photographer – Svetlana Photography

Event Planner and Coordinator – Glitzzy Events

Floral – Merveille Floral and Design

DJ and Lighting –  Desi Junction DJs

Wedding Venue Ceremony and Reception, Catering – Hyatt Lost Pines Resort in Austin, TX

Videographer – Transition Films

Cake – Michelle’s Patisserie

Vedic Havan – Priestess Shoba