Guyanese Wedding Traditions in Charming New Jersey Wedding
Culturally blended ceremony.
That’s how you describe a Guyanese wedding.
With diverse traditions, Hindu and Christian religious influences make this event unique.
It’s not only about the marriage of the couple, but it’s also about the marriage of the family, culture, and customs.
And we can prove that here at Happy Films. With several Guyanese wedding traditions we covered, we always got the same vibe. It’s a culture-based ceremony known for its joyous celebration.
Photos from the wedding of Jeremy and Rebecca
Jeremy and Rebecca found the Mahatma Gandhi center the best place to exchange vows. For over 25 years, the 6.5-acre property has hosted cultural events and festive celebrations. The venue also has gods present to follow guyanese wedding traditions.
The community center promotes Gandhi’s principles. It’s also associated with peace and harmony, which makes it an ideal place for weddings. It’s a spacious facility with large banquet halls and smaller rooms.
It also has enough parking space. You can see that in the photos below as the guests arrive during baraat at the location.
Maticoor: The Night Before the Wedding
Jeremy and Rebecca paid tribute to Bhumi Maa, or Mother Earth, during the Maticoor. In this event, you can witness a short ritual that symbolizes respect and gratefulness to Bhumi Maa. Each family performs the ritual at their respective houses.
The Guyanese Wedding Traditions - Wedding Ceremony
The Guyanese wedding tradition follows the Vivah Sanskara or Hindu wedding ceremony. Here are some of the traditions that we captured during that special day.
Baraat Swagat and Vara Mandap Pravesha
The bride’s family greets the Dulha, or groom, and the Baraat, or wedding party. Then Dulha and his parents proceed to the mandap.
Vadhoo Mandap Pravesha
The Vadhoo Mandap Pravesha is the Dulhan. The guests rise to witness her arrival as her parents escorted her and her close loved ones to the mandap.
Kanyadaan
The Kanyadaan is one of the most important parts of the ceremony. At this point, the Dulhan’s parents formally offer her right hand to the Dulha.
Laaja Homam
The Laaja Homam is a ritual to pay homage to the fire god, Lord Agni. Fire is significant for the ceremony because it is believed to represent divinity and power. It also purifies the couple for a harmonious relationship.
The couple vows and walks around the fire seven times. It's lit in havan kund or sacred altar.
Puffed rice is also offered for Dulha’s long and happy life.
The Vivah Sanskara has more than 15 rites. Watch the entire ceremony below.
Biagio’s & The Terrace
The Venue
Located in Paramus, NJ, Biagio’s & The Terrace is one of the favorite wedding venues for large events. It can host up to 500 people. No wonder why guests describe it as a “big” venue.
But what makes this wedding hall different from other venues is its entryway. Guests enter through a 25-ft tall entrance with pillars made from Italian marble. Its stunning ballroom provides a romantic ambiance, especially at night with the lights.
The table setting and the centerpiece are elegant, showcasing a royal-themed setup. It helps to give the venue a lavish look and the extravagance it needs.
The Food
Guyanese wedding couples serve food and drink as a symbol of love, respect, and hospitality towards their guests. It also brings family and friends together.
This means that Jeremy and Rebecca’s decision to pick Biagio’s & The Terrace as its reception venue is a no-brainer. It’s a perfect venue to showcase Guyanese food.
As the night progressed, guests were able to enjoy the dinner, the cocktail hour, and the Viennese hour. They enjoyed traditional dishes, drinks, cheese, and cookies.
How can we miss the cake? The couple shared a slice of the four-tier cake as part of the wedding tradition.
The Staff
The success of the reception is accounted to the venue’s Maitre D', bridal attendant, and staff. Their dedication satisfies the guests and the couple.
The Reception Party
The couple and the guests had so much fun at the reception. The entourage was great in opening the party. We knew right off the bat that everybody would have a good time as the entourage entered the hall.
As the event continued, the mood started to mellow as guests watched the couple dance. A special mother-and-groom dance was also part of the event.
An elder took his time to give advice and messages to the couple. One of the groom’s closest people expressed his love and support to the couple.
The Squad
We love the couple, and we love their entourage. The groomsmen and the bridesmaids made the couple happy during the entire event. So, why not give the squad the spotlight?
Don't miss a Guyanese wedding if you're invited. Its fun and romantic ceremony allows you to celebrate the happiness of the couple.
If you're hosting a Guyanese wedding, we at Happy Films are excited to help you. We mastered capturing many Hindu weddings, including the Guyanese wedding tradition.
Check the link to see the following Guyanese weddings:
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