Indian Royal Wedding
Marriages are made in heaven. But wedding are celebrated here on earth. It is a fusion of traditions, emotions, enthusiasm of relations, sanctity and celebrations associated with marriages in India that make the Indian wedding extremely enchanting. Adding to all this is the vibrancy and regality of the processions, the convenience of the organization and comfort of the invited guests that make weddings in the tourists cities of Rajasthan an occasion-extraordinaire for the families involved.

In today’s trying times when getting the best in the minimal time is a concern for all, Rajasthan has emerged as the first preferred place to organize family functions as grand as a wedding. No wonder that with a rare combine of convenience, comfort, grandeur, ambience and accessibility posit Rajasthan as the country’s favorite hub for - Dream Weddings.

Rajasthan Travel Service, being a leading tour operator in the state of Rajasthan with a large number of foreign tourists visiting Rajasthan through us, has organized such regal weddings for its foreign clients – who are interested to experience the romance of traditional Hindu wedding.

INDIAN MARRIAGE CEREMONY

Mehndi - A day before the wedding the palm and feet of the bride and her friends & relatives are decorated with Mehndi (Henna). During this processss special Indian wedding songs are sung by friends/ relatives and local singers. Tea / coffee, soft drinks with sweets & snacks are served to the guests.

Wedding Procession - A traditional “Barat” or procession starts from the Groom’s house and moves to Bride’s (Marriage venue) place. The Groom sits on a decorated horse and moves in a caravan form with his friends & relatives. The caravan is led by a band and the “Baratis” (friends & relatives) dance on the beats of the band . ( This caravan can be made more attractive by adding decorated Camels & Elephants)

On reaching at the gates of the Brides place (Marriage venue) the groom & Baraties are welcomed by Brides relatives and friend with Arti / Tikka and garlands.

All wedding ceremonies takes place under Mandap (well decorated canopy - specially decorated for the ceremony invokes blessings of God for the couple to be married) under the auspices of a hindu priest.

First step :
The groom is taken to Mandap where he waits for bride to arrive to exchange Garlands with each other – This is called “VARMALA”

Second step :
The bride and the bridegroom face each other, and the priest ties their garments (the bride's saree to the groom's shirt) in a knot, symbolizing the sacred union. The bride and the bridegroom garland each other and exchange the rings. Next the nuptial fire, symbolizing the divine witness, and the sanctifier of the sacrament, is installed and worshipped. Both the bride and the groom grasp their hands together and pray to God for His blessings. Samagree, consisting of crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar, rice, ghee (clarified butter), and twigs is offered into the sacred fire to seek God's blessings for the couple.

Third Step :
This is the most important rite of the entire ceremony. Here the bride and the bridegroom take seven steps together around teh nuptial fire (Agni) and make the following seven promises to each other :As per the Vedic rituals, the bridegroom sings the following : With God as Our Guide, Let Us Take,

• the first step to nourish each other
• the second step to grow together in strength
• the third step to preserve our wealth
• the fourth step to share our joys and sorrows
• the fifth step to care for our children
• the sixth step to be together forever
• the seventh step to remain lifelong friends,
• the perfect halves to make a perfect whole.
  
  After the seventh step he makes her remain where she is and says: "With seven steps we become friends. Let me reach your friendship. Let me not be severed from your friendship. Let your friendship not be severed from me." The Saptapadi ceremony concludes with a prayer that the union is indissoluble. At the end of this ceremony, the bridegroom and bride become husband and wife. In some communities such as Gujarati, instead of seven, only four steps, signifying Artha, Dharma, Kama and Moksha are taken.

Fourth Step :
The bride accepts her change of status from an unmarried woman to a wife by spreading turmeric powder on her hands. Kanya Danam is performed by the father (or uncle of guardian) of the bride in presence of a large gathering that is invited to witness the wedding. The father pours out a libation of sacred water symbolizing the giving away of the daughter to the bridegroom. The groom recites Vedic hymns to Kama, the God of love, for pure love and blessings. As a condition for offering his daughter for marriage, the father of the bride requests a promise from the groom for assisting the bride in realizing the three ends : dharma, artha, and kama. The groom makes the promise by repeating three times that he will not fail the bride in realizing dharma, artha and kama.

After the Kanya Danam guests joins the groom & the Bride for dinner thenafter the last ceremony is the “Vidai” the send off of the Groom / Bride and the Barathies.

WEDDING COSTUMES & JEWELERY

For Groom : Sherwani ( the embroidered long coat, turban with feather and broach tugged on, turban & tight trousers while in procession the Groom’s face is covered with flower leads.

For Bride : Silk embroidered long skirt / top & shawl, Glass & Lac bangles, Earrings, Necklace and other bridal jewellery.

For Guests / relative & friends : free to wear their best clothes of their choice or can wear traditional costumes like long coat / tight trousers etc.

Venue Decoration and illumination : The venue is well decorated with flowers of different variety like Marigold / rose etc. Entire venue is lit up with ferry lights and bright halogen lights.

To perform the entire show will cost from US $ 1500.00 onwards.

The cost includes:
1. Heena / Mehandi painting
2. Band / Horse / Camel / Elephant for Procession
3. Dress for Groom and Bride on use for marriage purpose only.
4. Venue and its decoration and illumination.
5. The Mandap & other marriage ceremony materials.
6. Services of hindu priest
7. Dinner for approximately 40 to 45 guests.