A Modern Hindu Fusion style Wedding
A BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN SHAADI MODERN FUSION, PERFORMED BY A PUNDIT
WHILE KEEPING MANY TRADITIONS AND CULTURAL ASPECTS.
MORE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS AVAILABLE
A MORE FORMAL AND TRADITIONAL CEREMONY ALSO AVAILABLE, CALL FOR DETAILS
“We have gotten so many rave reviews from all our guests about how personal and intimate our ceremony was” Source: Nick S. – GOOGLE REVIEWS
Opening
(Groom enters mandap and stands)
We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the joining of two hearts. In this ceremony today we will witness the joining of GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE in marriage.
Ganesh Pooja
We will begin this ceremony with a prayer in the name of Lord Ganesh. And as such, I will now invoke the lord to remove all obstacles always and forever, from all activities and endeavors.
vakratunda mahaakaaya suryakoti samaprabhaa.
nirvighnam kurumedeva sarvakaaryeshu sarvadaa.
(Salutations to the supreme Lord Ganesha, whose curved trunk and massive body shines like a million suns and showers his blessings on everyone. Oh my lord of lords Ganesha, kindly remove all obstacles, always and forever from all my activities and endeavors.)
(bride enters with father/brother/uncle/bridesmades/groomsmen. All standing.)
Mangalmantras
I shall now recite the Mangalmantras, to bless this wedding from the planet Mars, or Mangal. Mangal represents strength, courage, passion, and devotion. Using it in a positive way, it will keep you unified throughout your life.
Om Ang Angarkaaya Namah
Om Kum Kujaaya Namah
Om Krim Kum Kujaya Namah
Om Kraam Kreem Kraum sah Bhaumaya Namah
Om Agnirmoordhadivah Kakutpati Prithivya Ayam
Apaang Retaan Si Jinvati Bhoumay Namah
I do’s
GROOM/BRIDE, do you take GROOM/BRIDE to be your Husband/Wife? (“I do”)
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him/her, forsaking all others and holding only unto him/her forevermore? (“I do”)
GROOM/BRIDE, do you take GROOM/BRIDE to be your Husband/Wife? (“I do”)
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him/her, forsaking all others and holding only unto him/her forevermore? (“I do”)
Jai Mala – Garland Exchange
(Groom garlands the bride, bride garlands the groom)
(Groomsmen and Bridesmaid and non-immediate family disperse, or stand by the mandap. Immediate family enters the mandap. Bride, groom, and immediate family sit.)
Brahma Vivaah – Kanya Daan – Give Away
To symbolize the family giving away their child, the groom/bride’s parents will now perform the Brahma Vivaah, the most noble act they will perform in their lifetime. The groom/bride’s mother will now pour holy water into the groom/bride’s father’s palms, which will pour into the groom/bride’s palm, and finally into the groom/bride’s palms. This symbolizes the continuity of life and passing the family heritage to the next generation. GROOM/BRIDE now symbolizes Lord Vishnu, and as they pour the water, I will recite a verse.
Kaayena Vaachaa Manasendriyairvaa Buddhyaatmanaa Vaa Prakriteh Svabhaavaatah Karomi Yadhyadh Sakalam Parasmai Naaraayanaayeti Samarpayaami
(I offer everything to Lord Vishnu; my actions, my soul, good and bad. I bow to you great lord, Vishnu)
Vows
I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my husband/wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my husband/wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
Words of Wisdom
GROOM/BRIDE AND GROOM/BRIDE I would ask that you always treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together today.
Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage – as they do to every relationship at one time or another – focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong.
This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and happiness.
Ring and Mangalsutra
Before exchanging rings, GROOM/BRIDE will place the mangalsutra around GROOM/BRIDE’s neck. The mangalsutra represents GROOM/BRIDE being surrounded by love.
The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.
(groom places mangalsutra on the bride’s neck)
I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee, GROOM/BRIDE to be my Husband/Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Husband/Wife, for as long as we both shall live.
I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee GROOM/BRIDE, to be my Husband/Wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband/wife, for as long as we both shall live.
Vivaah Homa (Sacred Fire)
We will now bless this marriage with one of the holiest of elements, fire, or Agni. This fire represents light, power, and knowledge, and will act as a witness to this ceremony. I will recite a prayer to Lord Agni as the couple place Ghee, a type of clarified butter, in the fire.
Shubham karothi kalyanam, aarogyam, dhana sampadam,
Shathru budhi vruddhi vinasaya deepa jyothi namo nama.
(Salutations and salutations,
To the holy flame of the lamp,
Which bestows on me all that is good,
Health as well as wealth,
And destroys all my enemies.)
The couple will now stand and circle the fire clockwise. The Groom/Bride will stand to the Groom/Bride’s right, supported by his/her brother/sister. As they circle the fire, I will recite a poem the groom/bride has written to express his/her love
(couple stand, circle the fire clockwise.)
The Groom/Bride will now move to the left side of the Groom/Bride, indicating her transition into her new family.
Saptapadi – Seven Steps
The couple will now take seven steps to reiterate their vows for their married life.
Step one: We will provide for and support each other
Step two: We will devlop mental, physical, and spiritual strength
Step three: We will share all wordly possesions
Step four: We will acquire knowledge, happiness, and peace
Step five: We will raise strong and virtuous children
Step six: We will enjoy the fruits of all seasons
Step seven: We will always remain friends and cherish each other
Closing
To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.
It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.
It will take dedication, to stay open to one another – and to learn and grow together.
It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.
And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both have pledged to today.
By the power vested in me I now pronounce you . . . . . .
The Kiss
You may kiss the Groom/Bride.
I would like to introduce the happy couple
(Couple leave mandap and walk down the aisle, followed by family seated inside mandap. Rice/flower petals may be thrown as the happy couple walks down the aisle, Congrats!)