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MothersMantapMusings: The Hindu Wedding Steps

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  The Hindu Ceremony Program Guide Most Hindu marriages follow similar steps. In our case, though both bride and groom's families share the Hindu faith, they come from different backgrounds—Konkani Brahmin and Gujarati Brahmin. We created a celebration that beautifully blended traditions from both communities, thoughtfully weaving in some Western elements to reflect our life in the U.S. Here is an overview of the wedding steps and their significance. Pre-Wedding Events: We began the wedding week with a series of pre-wedding rituals, starting with a combined Nandhi Puja and Udida Muhurat at our (bride's) home with typical Konkani lunch served on banana leaves. Nandhi Puja is held days before a wedding to seek blessings from gods and ancestors for a smooth, obstacle-free celebration. Udida Muhurat is a Konkani ritual where the couple grinds black gram together, symbolizing partnership that reflects shared beginnings of joy and mutual respect. The groom’s side hosted the Haldi...
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MothersMandapMusings: The Wedding Shopping Experience

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Following up on my last blog post on wedding planning , I’d love to share the journey of choosing outfits for the bride, groom, bridesmaids—and of course, the rest of us who played key roles in her wedding. The bride’s look naturally took center stage, setting the tone for the rest of us to either coordinate or contrast in ways that complemented her style. First decision: shop in the U.S. or India? My daughter had been gathering outfit inspiration from Instagram , which gave her a rough sense of the style she envisioned for herself at the wedding ceremony and reception. With time constraints in play, she weighed the pros and cons of shopping locally versus traveling to India. US Shopping Scene Most major U.S. cities with significant Indian populations—such as New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area—now have dedicated stores for Indian wedding and formal wear. She began by visiting Indian wedding boutiques around the Bay Area , but most featured mass-produced des...
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MothersMandapMusings: The Planning

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As the mother of the bride in America, I envisioned something grand and vibrant for my daughter filled with tradition, joy, and unforgettable memories. It’s a dream that became a beautiful reality. I want this blog to be a helpful guide for families planning an Indian wedding in USA, making the process hopefully stress-free.  My knowledge comes from insights shared by fellow travelers before me—passed down through word of mouth. While websites like  Knot.com  and  WeddingWire.com  outline the basic wedding planning steps, they miss the nuances of an Indian wedding. Once my daughter announced her engagement, my mind was spinning with questions and emotions. When is the wedding?  How much do weddings cost?  Should we host the wedding in our hometown, San Francisco Bay Area or, plan a destination wedding? Do we need a wedding planner? Where do we shop for wedding outfits for the best value, India or the U.S? Is there a Hindu priest who knows all the...
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