| With the world becoming a smaller place as the | | | | traditional Indian wedding ceremony, they can |
| internet and efficient airline companies link | | | | expect the celebration to take on a whole new |
| everyone; it is no wonder that more mixed | | | | perspective. Indian weddings are usually very |
| marriages are taking place all over the world. It is | | | | colorful with bright, striking hues playing an |
| indeed common to hear of a man from the west | | | | important role in the bride's attire. In fact, during |
| marrying a girl from the east. Hence, today, | | | | the ceremony which could take a couple of hours, |
| Indian, Korean, Japanese and Malay weddings have | | | | the bride has to change her saree or bridal outfit |
| become the norm among people all over the | | | | a few times. When she is doing this, the guests |
| world. Very often, couples meet in the glamorous | | | | are expected to wait patiently but very often she |
| capitals of the world like London, New York and | | | | has ladies attending to her who will help her to get |
| Paris. Yet, when it comes to settling down, they | | | | dressed quickly. |
| would rather return to their country of origin | | | | The religious Indian wedding ceremony usually |
| where family and friends are, to have a traditional | | | | takes place in a large community centre or hall as |
| and more meaningful wedding. | | | | it is known in the East. The couple, priest, men |
| At times, two wedding ceremonies are held. For | | | | and ladies in attendance usually play an important |
| instance, if a western man marries an Asian girl | | | | role on the stage where there is a special dais for |
| from India, you might hear of them having both a | | | | the bride and bridegroom to be seated on. The |
| church and temple wedding. This would call for | | | | guests will be seated beneath the stage, opposite |
| twice the amount of planning, yet it has been | | | | the couple and from here will be able to observe |
| done to appease both the bride and groom's | | | | the ceremony that is taking place on the stage. |
| families. It is also done as a form of respect to | | | | Once the official ceremony is over, guests will be |
| the couple's upbringing and cultural backgrounds. | | | | invited to go on stage where they can bestow |
| A western wedding involving a church or religious | | | | their blessings and good wishes on the |
| ceremony and reception would call for themes | | | | newlyweds. |
| and favors that are suited to the season. For | | | | Very often, just as the guests leave the hall, |
| example, if the couple gets married in summer, | | | | young girls and boys will be present at the door |
| they could have a sunflower theme that is | | | | to offer colorfully wrapped Indian sweets that |
| featured on the wedding invitations, bridal | | | | serve as unique wedding favors. Many guests |
| bouquets, button holes and even as decoration on | | | | would confess that this is the best part of an |
| the dinner tables. When it comes to giving away | | | | Indian wedding as these delicacies are really |
| wedding favors, sunflower themed picture | | | | sweet, tasty and rich, having been prepared using |
| frames, bookmarks and scented candles could be | | | | a traditional recipe that is handed down from one |
| the order of the day. | | | | generation to the next. |
| Now, when this same couple decides to have a | | | | |