MohiFashion

  While Western weddings may last one day, Indian weddings can be two weeks long and include a variety of rites and rituals that are extremely important. Indian weddings are observed as festivities with a variety of customs, dances, music, and decorations. Indians consider marriage to be a sacred union of two souls that lasts a lifetime, and as such, they believe it deserves to be joyfully celebrated. So this being said, one should expect a lot of people, different ceremonies with different outfits, loud music, food with lots of different spices, etc.  Image Courtesy:  Bruno Rezza If it's your first time attending an Indian wedding, don’t worry you are at the right place. This article will guide you on everything that you need to know before attending an Indian wedding. First of all, don't worry. Try to enjoy the process because you'll be around kind and welcoming people. Indians are famed for their hospitality, and they'll do their best to make you feel at home. Howeve...

  We no longer see many arranged marriages. Instead, most of us find love at school, at a party, on dating apps, in Ubers, etc. Today, we are finding love on our own terms. That’s why weddings today are incredibly joyous occasions - a moment to celebrate the love between two people and the union of two families. When it’s time to get married, we want that celebration to be a display of our personalities (as bride and groom) and affection. We plan our wedding for nearly a year - to include fun coordinated dances at the Sangeet, beautiful outfits, open bars for our friends; and we hope everyone breaks it down on the dance floor at the Reception. Amidst all of this though, many couples go through their actual wedding ceremony and have no idea what is happening nor understand what each custom represents. Why do we do this?   Last year, prior to getting married, I spent a lot of time researching each part of the Wedding ceremony. I wanted to learn more about the seven steps ar...

  A little about yourself: Name: Kathryn City/Country of residence: New York, NY, USA Nationality: American (and I grew up in Minnesota) What is your experience with Indian fashion? To be clear, before being in a relationship with an Indian man, Akshay, I had no experience whatsoever with Indian fashion-- except to adore it from afar. It was stunning and intimidating; complex and classic; rich and regal. It wasn’t something I ever thought I would get to wear or understand fully, but (like so many women I’ve spoken to) the mere thought of donning Indian clothing, or attending an Indian event, feels almost universally whimsical and exciting. What Indian occasion were you attending? Lucky me that I have now been to two weddings where traditional Indian clothing was expected. The first was a rehearsal dinner / welcome party (an ode to the mother of the bride, who is Indian), and a more traditional full Indian wedding and ceremony, with changes between the marriage ceremony itself and t...

  Navigating the world of Indian garments can be quite intimidating. There’s a wide range of Indian styles appropriate to wear, and they're not all called sarees! Here’s a list of the different types, and when they’re most appropriate. What is a Lehenga? A lengha (pronounced leng-ah) is typically a 3-piece outfit composed of:    - Skirt (lehenga)    - Cropped blouse (choli)    - Scarf (dupatta) The lehenga has a similar look to a sari because of the draped fabric but is much easier to wear. (And dance in!) Embellished and elegant, lehengas are delightfully universal. They can be worn at weddings, engagements, sangeets, or receptions. Whether you're the bride or a guest — a lehenga will make any mom proud. What is an Anarkali? An Anarkali (pronounced uh-naar-kuh-lee) is a combination of:    - Long flowing top (kurta)    - Leggings or Pants (churidaar)    - Scarf (dupatta) Because they’re so versatile and...

Let’s be honest, Indian weddings are overwhelming for everyone involved -- the bride, groom, and all their guests. There are so many events and traditions to keep track of what we’ve forgotten why we do them or what they mean in the first place. Here’s your guide to the events you’ll most often experience at an Indian wedding and the symbolic, philosophical, and spiritual meaning behind them. The Sangeet Sangeet, which literally translates to “music”, is an event held a few days before the wedding and is filled with dance, music, and vibrant colors. In the olden days, women of all ages gathered around and took turns singing songs and dancing. This represented well wishes to the bride for the life she was about to start. Today, Sangeets are typically co-ed and usually marks the first time both families are meeting one another.   If either family is Gujarati, you might see dandiya-raas and Garba, a traditional folk dance from the region of Gujarat performed with sticks and rotating p...