Delhi Style Wedding

The Land and the People

A Delhi-style wedding is held in Delhi and nearby cities like Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. Delhi is the capital of India, and it is a city where people from every part of the country live together. Because of this, a Delhi wedding is a mix of Punjabi and other North Indian customs. The style is lively, rich and modern.

Delhi weddings are known for being big, colourful and full of music. Many are held in banquet halls, farmhouses and hotels. Families spend a lot of time planning the decor, the food and the dress. Guests come from all parts of the city, and the crowd is often very large.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A Delhi-style wedding takes about three to five days. Some families extend it to a week with extra parties. There may be a cocktail party, a music night and a mehndi lunch, all on different days. The main wedding day is the highlight of the event.

Before the Wedding

The wedding usually begins with the Roka or Sagai, where the families fix the match. The families meet, exchange gifts and sweets, and the elders bless the couple. In many families, a small puja is held, and the couple exchanges rings.

A Ladies Sangeet is held with songs and dance at the bride’s or groom’s home. The women of the family sing old wedding songs and dance to the beat of the dholak. Today, many families also hire dance teachers so that family members can perform on stage. The evening is full of laughter and fun.

Mehndi and Haldi are held one or two days before the wedding. In the Mehndi, an artist draws henna designs on the bride’s hands and feet. The women of the family also get henna on their hands. In the Haldi, turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom. Friends and relatives join in, and the celebration is bright and playful.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, the groom arrives in a Barat with dhol and dance. He sometimes rides a decorated horse. His friends and relatives dance in front of him, and the streets are filled with music and lights. The bride’s family waits at the gate to welcome them.

The two families meet in Milni and exchange gifts and garlands. In Milni, the elders of both sides hug each other and exchange flowers. The couple exchanges garlands in the Jaimala. Friends often lift the bride and groom in a playful way. Then the couple takes the pheras around the holy fire. The priest chants mantras, and each round is a promise.

The wedding ends with Vidai, followed by a big reception. The bride says goodbye to her family with tears. At the reception, friends and relatives meet the new couple and give blessings.

Clothes and Jewelry

The bride wears a heavy red lehenga, often with rich work in gold and silver. She wears a long list of jewelry, such as a necklace, earrings, bangles and a maang tikka. The groom wears a sherwani with a turban. Some grooms also wear a special garland called a Sehra.

Food, Music and Fun

The food is a big attraction, with chaat counters, tandoori snacks and sweets. Guests walk from counter to counter and choose what they like. There are also many main dishes, breads and desserts. Music, DJ and dance are a big part of the fun. The dance floor is full of guests from the beginning to the end of the night. A Delhi-style wedding is a grand party where everyone has a wonderful time.