The Hindu wedding, step by step.
From haldi to vidaai: the rituals of a Hindu wedding in the order they usually happen, and the food that goes with each.
What happens at a Hindu wedding?
A Hindu wedding usually runs over several days. Haldi, mehndi and sangeet come first. On the day, the groom arrives in the baraat, the couple exchange garlands in the jaimala, the bride's parents give her away in the kanyadaan, and the couple circle a sacred fire in the pheras, taking seven vows. The vidaai, the bride's farewell, closes the day.
Customs differ between regions, communities and families, so the order and the names below will not match every wedding exactly. Your priest, or pandit, will guide the ceremony itself.
For a caterer, the important thing is the shape of the days: several smaller events, a long ceremony with guests who need feeding, and a reception that may or may not be vegetarian.
Order of the day.
Haldi
A day or two before
Turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom by family, a blessing for the days ahead.
Mehndi
The evening before
Henna is applied to the bride's hands and feet while family and friends eat, sing and celebrate.
Sangeet
Before the wedding
A night of music and dancing, often with performances from both families.
Baraat
Wedding day, arrival
The groom's procession arrives with music and dancing and is welcomed by the bride's family.
Jaimala
Under the mandap
The couple exchange garlands of flowers, accepting each other.
Kanyadaan
The ceremony
The bride's parents give her hand to the groom.
Havan and pheras
The heart of the ceremony
The couple circle a sacred fire. The saptapadi, seven steps, carries seven vows.
Sindoor and mangalsutra
Close of the ceremony
The groom applies sindoor and ties the mangalsutra, and the couple receive blessings.
Vidaai
End of the day
The bride's farewell to her family, often an emotional moment before the reception or departure.
Food at each stage.
| Stage | Typically served | How we serve it |
|---|---|---|
| Haldi and mehndi | Chaat, pakora, paneer tikka, sweets | Passed or as a relaxed buffet |
| Sangeet | Canapés and starters, then dinner | Our events menu, with live stations if the venue allows |
| Wedding day | Usually fully vegetarian | Our vegetarian menu: paneer, kofta, three dals, breads, desserts |
| Reception | Vegetarian or mixed, family by family | Our events menu, buffet, family style or silver service |
Planning notes.
The havan needs the venue's permission for an open flame. Rules differ: Oatlands Park Hotel does not permit fire ceremonies, while North Mymms Park allows a havan during a mandap ceremony by prior arrangement. Check before you book.
Many families keep the ceremony day fully vegetarian and ask for Jain requirements for some guests. Tell us early and we plan the preparation as well as the dishes.
Passage to India caters Hindu and Gujarati weddings across London and the South East, with a dedicated Gujarati menu and an all-vegetarian kitchen offer for the ceremony. We work with the Hindu Cultural Society temple and with venues from Heathrow to Hertfordshire, and plan each menu around the family's traditions.
Hindu & Gujarati weddingsMore guides.
Questions couples ask us.
How many pheras are there in a Hindu wedding?
Most Hindu weddings have seven pheras or seven steps, the saptapadi, each with a vow. Some communities, including many Gujarati families, walk four mangal pheras around the fire.
Is the food at a Hindu wedding vegetarian?
Often the ceremony meal is vegetarian, and many families keep the whole wedding vegetarian. Others serve meat at the reception. It is a family decision.
Can we have a havan at a hotel venue?
Some venues allow it by arrangement and some do not allow open flames at all. Check the venue's rules before you book; our venue pages list them where the venue publishes them.
Tell us about your evening.
Share the date, the venue if you have one, and roughly how many guests. We will call you back within one working day.
Thank you. We have your enquiry.
Our events team will be in touch. If you use WhatsApp, you can also send us your details there.
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