Everyone wants a perfect wedding but everyone has different tastes and opinions, different religious beliefs and views on the type of ceremony they'd like. With this in mind, this section is for those specialised beliefs, and to give a helping hand for these individual weddings.

Planning a wedding is a very tough job. The best way to proceed is through three steps called Organizing, planning and coordinating. It is usually the responsibility of the parents of the bride and the groom to decide upon the wedding size depending on the budget.

The bride and the groom should participate equally in the planning process, as it is a joyous occasion. Now a days, there is an huge increase in the amount of money being spent on weddings. This has also led to an interest of deviating from the common norms in the wedding ceremony.

People who specialize in the field of wedding planning (wedding planners) have increased in prominence. These professionals include people like, event organizers, fashion designers, beauticians, make up artist, hairstylists, and caterers.

There are lots of options available due to these specialized services from a number of professionals and service providers. The wedding ceremony size depends on the total budget of the wedding. So each stage of planning is equally important and has to be done with utmost care.

The following are the areas where planning has to be done thoroughly:

The most important aspect is to include the whole family in the event. If approval of the elders is available for the wedding then it becomes a happy event not just for the bride and the groom but for their respective families as well.

The second stage is to get the horoscopes matched with an astrologer to determine an auspicious date for the wedding. The ceremony usually takes place at the bride's house or at a hall depending on the number of guests.

Try and include as many as possible among the 15 small rituals that make up a Hindu wedding ceremony. Or, the ritual's can be chosen according to the preferences of the bride and the groom.

Offer alternate entertainment to occupy the guests during the wedding ceremony like food.

Videography and photography is essential for any wedding , to make sure that it can be seen later. It is generally needed for all the functions including pre wedding, main day and post wedding functions.

The Bridal Attire like saris, jewelry, dresses, Make-up, shoes, lingerie, etc. and For the groom there is groom wear, men accessories. Should be kept ready for the respective ceremonies.

Decoration of various kinds like, car decoration, lighting and flowers not only at the wedding place but also at home have to be taken care of.

Extra expenses like food, liquor, champagne, waiters, and caterers and other miscellaneous expenses have to be taken care of.

Weddings are very expensive affairs. A foolproof budget plan is very essential for any wedding so that one can realize well in advance what they can afford. The other advantage of a well-planned wedding is that, unnecessary expenses can be avoided. Wedding size should also be decided according to the budget of the wedding.

There are several rituals, through which the Hindu wedding ceremony occurs. Two People who are said to be compatible are brought together. Through the wedding ceremony they get into the form of a lifelong relationship at a ceremony called marriage. This is a new stage and responsibility as a householder.

The actual rituals that are performed in a Hindu wedding ceremony are different from region to region and usually take several hours to complete.

The Phases of Hindu Wedding Ceremony

Vara Satkaarah - this ceremony constitutes the welcome of the bridegroom and his relatives at the entrance of the wedding hall where the priest chants a few sacred mantras and the bride's mother blesses the groom by applying Tilak made of vermilion and turmeric powder.

Madhuparka - this ceremony constitutes the welcome of the bridegroom at the altar. The bride then offers a mixture of yogurt and honey to the groom as a sign of purity. The bride then greets the groom by a garlanding him and the groom reciprocates it.

Kanya Dan - in this ceremony the father of the bride gives away his daughter to the groom. The father pours out a little of sacred water which symbolizes the giving away of his daughter to the bridegroom. This ceremony is done between the chanting of sacred mantras.

Vivah-Homa - this sacred fire ceremony is done to ensure that all auspicious undertakings of the marriage start in an atmosphere of purity and spirituality.

Pani-Grahan - in this ceremony the groom and the groom stand opposite to each other. The groom holds the right hand of the bride in his left hand. He recites some Vedic recitations praying for a long life and a long life.

Pratigna-Karan - in this ceremony the bride and the groom walk round the fire, with the bride leading, and make promises of loyalty, love and fidelity to each other.

Shila Arohan - in this ceremony the bride's mother helps the bride to symbolically step onto a stone. This in other words is preparing her for a new life.

Laja-Homah - the bride in this ceremony offers rice to the Gods for their blessings. During the ceremony the palms of hers are in those of the groom.

The Mangala suthra Dharana- this ceremony marks the tying of the sacred thread, which is a mark of either Vishnu or Shiva in the neck of the bride by the groom.

Pradakshina - The bridegroom in this ceremony holds the hand of the bride and circles the nuptial fire either seven times. With this ceremony the marriage is considered complete, and they are wedded into matrimonial bliss.

Saptapadi - the bride and the groom are symbolically brought together through the Marriage knot. The groom's scarf is tied to the bride's dress. Then they take seven steps, which represent nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, progeny, long life, harmony and understanding.

Abhishek - this ceremony is done by sprinkling water and meditating on the sun and the pole star.

Anna Praashan - the couple first offers food to the fire and then feed each other food which expressing mutual love and affection.

Aashirvadah - this Hindu wedding ceremony marks the blessings received by the couple from the elders. All the people present in the ceremony express their happiness by showering flowers on the couple thus completing the marriage.

This information is from Hinduism.ygoy.vom

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