Gujarati Wedding Moments in Somerset, NJ
COUPLE: Avanti and Smeet
Color and festivity.
That's how we typically describe a Gujarati wedding. But there's way more to it. It's a deep dive into culture and tradition, where every custom and ritual has its special place.
Big thanks to Avanti and Smeet for asking us to shoot their wedding and let us be a part of the celebration. It's great to see the tradition continuing with the younger generation.
Now, let us walk you through the Gujarati wedding experience through our featured couple's special moments.
What is a Gujarati Wedding Like?
In Gujarati weddings, there are four key gatherings the couple and their families participate in. It includes pre-wedding customs, the procession, the main wedding ceremony, and post-wedding celebrations.
The pre-wedding event can span several days, and the length varies based on the family's preference. It includes Sakhar Puda, Mehndi, Garba, and Dandiya.
If you spot intricate henna designs on the bride's hands and feet, that's applied during the Mehndi ceremony.
The entire celebration wraps up in the reception, featuring delicious Gujarati cuisine and plenty of dancing.
Gujarati Wedding Video
Avanti and Smeet’s Indian Wedding Highlight Film
Baraat and Jaan Ceremony
Before the wedding ceremony, Baraat or wedding procession takes place where the groom gets together with his family and friends. They even bring in musicians and dancers to make it more festive.
Adding royalty to the groom's grand entrance is the Jaan ceremony. In this ritual, the groom rides a mare or a horse and is welcomed by the bride's family.
Riding the mare symbolizes the groom's strength, bravery, and readiness to protect and provide for his bride. It's also seen as a way to bring good luck and prosperity to the newlyweds.
Take a look at Smeet during the wedding procession.
Mandap of Gujarati Wedding Cultural Festivities
Mandap is a rectangular canopy with pillars considered a sacred stage for Indian weddings. It's all decked out with fabrics, flowers, and drapes. The color scheme is chosen based on traditions.
Avanti and Smeet went for a soft pastel shade with a burst of red flowers, creating a classic and romantic look. Flowers adorned the pillars while maintaining the sacredness.
You can tell that the couple paid attention to the aesthetics, and this attention to detail extended to the elegant chairs as well.
Gujarati Wedding Rituals
At the wedding ceremony, various Gujarati customs take place. In this post, we'll describe these traditions, including Jaimala (where the bride and groom exchange garlands), Kanya Daan (tying of strings around the parents' wrists), Mangal Phera (making four circles around the sacred fire), and Hast Melap (when the wedding priest ties the holy knot).
Reception at Imperia, Somerset, NJ
The Imperia, located in central New Jersey, is a well-known venue for weddings. It's famous for its top-notch cuisine and spacious banquet halls – just what a Gujarati wedding needs. With both indoor and outdoor areas, it's perfect for hosting a large guest list.
Here, we've got some lively snapshots of the guests having a blast in the expansive dance hall at the venue. It's a large crowd, indeed!
We also have photos of the couple in the hall.
We also took photographs of their dear ones while sharing heartfelt messages.
The reception venue has a classy arrangement that carries on the wedding's elegant atmosphere.
And let's not forget about that wedding cake!
Avanti and Smeet Couple Shot
To balance the festive moments, we make sure that we capture photos of the couple.
Gujarati Wedding FAQ
We're guessing you've reached this point because you might be puzzled about Gujarati wedding traditions. Maybe it's your first time attending such a wedding, or perhaps you're planning an interfaith wedding. Well, here are some common questions we think will shed some light on these customs and make things clearer for you.
Why do Gujarati Weddings only have 4 Pheras?
Typically, Indian weddings require couples to complete seven circles around the fire. However, in the Gujarati wedding, the couple completes four circles only.
The four pheras include Dharma (duty), Artha (providing for the family), Kama (love) and Moksha (knowledge)
The groom leads the first three rounds, and the bride does the final round to show she’ll stand by him.
What kind of traditional Gujarati food is served at a wedding?
Vegetarian cuisines like dhokla, fafda, khichdi, jalebi, and rasgulla are served during the reception.
What is the role of Lord Ganesh in a Gujarati wedding?
Lord Ganesh takes the stage at the start of the wedding to clear any hurdles and shower the ceremony with good luck.
How long is a Gujarati wedding ceremony?
The main wedding ceremony lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Who pays for Gujarati weddings?
The old custom requires the bride's family to foot the bill for the wedding, which is a common practice in Indian weddings. As the customs have evolved, nowadays, expenses are often shared between both families. The split can also depend on factors like additional guests or the Gujarati bride's choice of designer clothing.
What is the traditional Gujarati wedding attire for the bride and groom?
The Gujarati bride usually wears a saree, which can be either red or a colorful one. The bride also wears heavy jewelry. As for the groom, he suits up in a traditional sherwani or kurta, and tops it off with a fancy headpiece known as a safa or pagdi.
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