Wedding Traditions The Indian culture celebrates marriage as a sacrament (Sanskara), a rite enabling two individuals to start their

journey in life together. In a Hindu wedding, the multiplicity of creation becomes possible when spirit (Purush) unites with matter (Prakritti). The Hindu wedding lays emphasis on three essential values: happiness, harmony, and growth. The institution of marriage can be traced back to Vedic times. The ceremony should be held on a day in the "bright half" of the northern course of the sun. Months before the wedding an engagement ceremony known as Mangni is held. This is to bless the couple, who are then given gifts of jewelry and clothing by their new family. Jaimala (Exchange of Garlands) The couple exchanges garlands as a gesture of acceptance of one another and a pledge to respect one another as partners. Madhupak (Offering of Yogurt and Honey) The bride's father offers the groom yogurt and honey as the expression of welcome and respect. Kanyadan (Giving Away of the Bride) The father of the bride places her hand in the groom's hand requesting him to accept her as an equal partner. The concept behind Kanyadan is that the bride is a form of the goddess Lamxi and the groom is Lord Narayana. The parents are facilitating their union. Havan (Lighting of the Sacred Fire) The couple invokes Agni, the god of Fire, to witness their commitment to each other. Crushed sandalwood, herbs, sugar rice and oil are offered to the ceremonial fire. Rajaham (Sacrifice to the Sacred Fire) The bride places both her hands into the groom's and her brother then places rice into her hands. Together the bride and groom offer the rice as a sacrifice into the fire. Gath Bandhan (Tying of the Nuptial Knot) The scarves placed around the bride and groom are tied together symbolizing their eternal bond. This signifies their pledge before God to love each other and remain faithful. Mangalphera (Walk Around the Fire) The couple makes four Mangalpheras around the fire in a clockwise direction representing four goals in life: Dharma, religious and moral duties; Artha, prosperity; Kama, earthly pleasures; Moksha, spiritual salvation and liberation. The bride leads the Pheras first, signifying her determination to stand first beside her husband in all happiness and sorrow. Saptapardi (Seven Steps Together) The bride and groom walk seven steps togehr to signify the beginning of their journey through life together. Each step represents a marital vow: First step: To respect and honor each other Second step: To share each other's joy and sorrow Third step: To trust and be loyal to each other Fourth step: To cultivate appreciation for knowledge, values, sacrifice and service Fifth step: To reconfirm their vow of purity, love family duties and spiritual growth Sixth step: To follow principles of Dharma (righteousness) Seventh step: To nurture an eternal bond of friendship and love

Jalastnchana (Blessing of the Couple) The parents of the bride and groom bless the wedded couple by dipping a rose in water and sprinking it over the couple. Sindhoor (Red Powder) The groom applies a small dot of vermilion, a powdered red lead, to the bride's forehead and welcomes her as his partner for life. It is applied for the first time to a woman during the marriage ceremony when the bridegroom himself adorns her with it. Aashirvad (Parental Blessing) The parents of the bride and groom give their blessings to the couple. The couple touches the feet of their parents as a sign of respect. Menhdi (Henna Ceremony) The traditional art of adorning the hands and feet with a paste made from the finely ground leaves of the Henna plant. The term refers to the material, the design, and the ceremony. It is tradition for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the design, and the wedding night is not to commence until the groom has found both names. After the wedding, the bride is not expected to perform any housework until her Menhdi has faded away. Mangalasutra (Thread of Goodwill) A necklace worn specifically by married women as a symbol of their marriage.

Reception XXXX Kaur Sokhi kindly request the honor of your presence to celebrate the newly wed couple XXXX and XXXX on Saturday, January 27, 2007 Six thirty in the evening at Hotel Clarks Aamer 161-177 Blackpool Road Southport, W7 2HJ Tel. 0121 212 1212 R.S.V.P. 2st Stephens Close Southall, Yorkshire UB1 2UL Email. XXXX@hotmail.com Tel. 0212 121 0121 With Compliments From Sokhi Family Ferreira Family All Relatives and Friends

Mrs. XXXX & Mr. XXXX Lavu Request the pleasure of your company at the Wedding Reception of their son XXXX With XXXX (Daughter of Mrs XXXX & Mr XXXX Singh) on Saturday, September 2nd, 2006 Cocktails 6:30 pm Reception 7:30 pm Venue Hotel Mourya Sheraton 2110 S Dunlap Ave, Phoenix, AZ 89991 Phone: 612-911-8110 Toll-Free: 811-411-4111

Sardar XXXX Singh Dhaliwal & Sardarni XXXX Kaur Dhaliwal Request the pleasure of your company at a wedding reception honoring the newly weds XXXX & XXXX On Sunday, December 10, 2006 at 6 oclock in the evening at The Great Indian Banquette Hall 999, Rose Street, Downtown Modesto, CA 91212 (211) 511-0111

Sardar XXXX Singh Takhar & Sardarni XXXX Kaur Takhar Request the pleasure of your company at a wedding reception honoring the newly weds XXXX & XXXX On Sunday, December 8, 2006 at seven in the evening The West End Columbus City, NJ 08558 (251) 600-3121

WEDDING RECEPTION Sardar XXXX Singh & Sardarni XXXX Kaur Sidhu kindly request the honor of your presence to celebrate the newlywed couple XXXX & XXXX on Saturday, March 18, 2006 Seven O Clock in the evening at Cafe Romance 6115 Park Avenue E, Town Vasco, NJ 98108

RECEPTION Mrs. XXXX and Mr. XXXX Chohan kindly request the honor of your presence to celebrate the newly wed couple XXXX and XXXX on Saturday, August 13, 2005 seven o clock in the evening at Maharani Banquet Hall 9214 32 N Avenue Montara, DC Tel: (710) 435 - 8161 No Gifts Please!

WEDDING RECEPTION Mr XXXX & Mrs XXXX Kaur Tumber kindly request the honor of your presence to celebrate the newly wed couple XXXX & XXXX on Saturday, March 18, 2006 Six O Clock in the evening At The Majestic Palace 6999 Fort Ave W, Alexandra Rd, Washington 9998 Tel: (226) 722-5224 No Gifts Please.

The miracle of love is that love is given to us to give to one another... XXXX & XXXX

invite you to share a day of happiness as they begin a life of love at their reception on Sunday, the third of September Two thousand and six at seven oclock in the evening Hotel Maya International, Amritsar XXXX & XXXX Bhatia

Wedding Ceremony Invitation Wordings

|| Shree Ganeshay Namah || Ridhi Sidhi Sath Padharjo Gauri Nandan Ganesh Sahu Kutumb Sathe Avjo Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh Mr. XXXX and the Late Mrs. XXXX request the honor of your presence and blessings on the auspicious occasion of the wedding ceremony of their grandson XXXX Son of Mr. XXXX and Mrs. XXXX to XXXX Daughter of Mr. XXXX and Mrs. XXXX on Saturday, the 4th of July, 2009 at the K K Royal Hotel 1999 North Carl Hooper Highway Dover, Delaware Jaan Celebration: 11:30 12:00 p.m. Jaan Swagat: 12:00 noon (with lunch to follow) Wedding Ceremony: 1:30 p.m.

Smt. XXXX & Shri XXXX request your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion of the wedding of their daughter XXXX With XXXX Son of Smt. XXXX & Shri XXXX on Monday 22nd January 2007 At Rajarajeswari Kalyana Mantapa 6999/9, 9th Block, Dr. Pankaj Singhvi Road Bangalore-560 003 Muhurtham : 10.05 a.m.-10.25 a.m. Reception in Bangalore : 7.00 p.m.- 9.00 p.m. Reception in Ahmedabad, on 27th January 2007: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Venue Nighthawk Disco & Club, New Rajnagar Road, Jankipuram, Sabarmati, Ahmedabad-380 005, Gujarat.

|| Om Sree Ganeshaye Namaha || Mr.and Mrs. XXXX Of 999 Greenwood Lane, Miller Palace, Short Island Cordially invite ______________________________ To attend the Vivaha Sanskar (Wedding Ceremony) Of their daughter XXXX To XXXX Son of Mr. & Mrs. XXXX Of Princess Village, New York On August 27th, 2005 At 12:30p.m At the above address. We would be delighted in celebrating with you the beginning of a life of sharing, caring and a love of endless giving together.

|| SHREE GANESHAYA NAMAH || Shri XXXX and Smt XXXX request the pleasure of your presence and blessings at the auspicious occasion of the wedding of their daughter XXXX With XXXX Son of Shri XXXX and Smt XXXX on Saturday June 18th of Two Thousand and Five Sharing the Happiness: XXXX and XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX & XXXX

Mr XXXX and Mrs XXXX request the honor of your presence and blessings on the auspicious occasion of the wedding ceremony of their son XXXX to XXXX daughter of Ms XXXX on Saturday, the thirty first of January, two thousand and nine Six oclock La Posada Zaragoza ballroom 1999 Jungle Road, TX Reception to follow La Posada Grand Ballroom 8:00 pm Please accept this card as a personal invitation. Thank You

A journey has begun, for two hearts to beat as one. The joining of two souls and two families to unite We would like to wish XXXX and XXXX all the very best and a happy married life. Shri. XXXX and Smt. XXXX Cordially invite and request the pleasure of the company of Mr & Mrs _____________________________________ & Family To grace the auspicious occasion of the wedding ceremony of their beloved grandson XXXX (Son of Mr XXXX & Mrs XXXX) With XXXX (Beloved daughter of Mr XXXX and Mrs XXXX) To be celebrated at Kadwa Patidar Samaj UK Ltd, Kenmore Avenue,Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex HA3 8LU

We experienced love... in our parents, families and friends. And then we crossed oceans to find each other where a new love in us bloomed... and we decided to share our tomorrows and all that they hold Together with our parents, we XXXX and XXXX invite you with immense pleasure to join us as we unite in marriage on Friday the 3rd of November 2006 between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM. And also for the reception the same evening from 6:30 PM onwards At Rani Laxmibai Hall 99/9, Nandini Lakshmipathi Road (Marshalls Road), Egmore, Chennai - 600 008 We look forward to celebrating with you...