Extravagant silks, spicy dishes, endless hours of dancing, various rituals and hundreds of guests might sound over-the-top for a wedding, but for an Indian wedding it’s tradition! Indian weddings are known to be extravagant, week-long affairs consisting of multiple events and ceremonies. It’s the result of endless planning, multiple shopping trips to India and a passion for celebration.

A few days before the wedding, the Henna or Mehndi party will typically take place at the bride’s home. She invites only her close friends and family. Sometimes, the groom will also have a Mehndi party for his female family members. Mehndi is intricately drawn onto the bride’s hands and feet signifying the joyous occasion about to take place. Mehndi is a temporary tattoo left on the bride’s hands and feet for up to 12 hours and sometimes overnight. The longer it’s left on, the more intensified the burgundy hue is. The groom’s job is to find his name which is hidden somewhere within the intricate designs of the bride’s hands and feet.

The following evening is the Garba which is celebrated the night before the wedding. The evening is dedicated to dancing and celebrating with the engaged couple. All guests are dressed to impress wearing their most colorful attire and prepared to dance until the wee hours of the morning.

The night of the wedding, the ceremony is held under a Mandap, or a gazebo adorned with fresh flowers and golden accents. Traditionally, the groom enters the scene on an elephant with his close friends and family surrounding him. The bride enters on a dholli, or carriage, and hidden behind a curtain until she makes her grand entrance.

The crowd is in awe as they see the bride dressed in her bridal sari for the first time. She is adorned with jewelry from head to toe and luxurious Indian silks folded and pressed intricately. Everything from her jingling anklets to her gold nose ring is placed perfectly on her as she takes her seat under the Mandap. The groom awaits her, wearing a head piece wrapped in red and gold silks and embellished with pearls. During the ceremony multiple rituals are performed, which consume most of the evening.

Following the wedding is the reception. Dinner and dessert follow a fun-filled show of dances, skits and speeches. Shortly after dinner the hall typically explodes into dance and celebration. After a week or so, the wedding will come to an end and the newlywed couple will embark on their honeymoon. Stay tuned for this wedding’s beautiful photo gallery.