Indian Fusion Wedding Ceremony Advice

This sounds like it will be a beautiful celebration of both cultures from what you've described. My fiancé is Nigerian (I'm Caucasian) and we are meshing cultures in our wedding as well. It certainly is a challenge, but my best advice is just focus on what YOU want your wedding to look like. Trying to please everyone on both sides is pretty near impossible, but as long as you are happy with your wedding day and feel like both cultures are adequately represented, that's all the matters!

Aww, I think that sounds like a beautiful blend of both. I am not Indian, so I can't say what else there could potentially be which is left out - hopefully one of our other members with more knowledge of that will be able to share, but from what I can see it looks like it would flow well!

I am not well-versed in traditional Indian ceremonies, so I don’t know what/how much you have left out of that side. However, this sounds like a beautiful melding of cultures and religions! As a guest who has seen sooooooo many traditional American weddings, they all tend to start looking/feeling the exact same. I think it would be a really fun change of pace to see a wedding that embraces different cultural aspects!

I think it’ll be really important to find the right officiant who can create this for you and explain the traditions to either side. Perhaps a really liberal Pandit who is open to doing interfath weddings? Or do a Sangeet the night before with many elements of a Hindu wedding then do a Christian/non-denom ceremony? Completely agree with others that you both should be the ones excited and comfortable with it.

I think your idea sounds perfect! I have been to a lot of Indian-American weddings and find a lot of times folks will bring in traditional elements from both backgrounds. I love the previous poster's idea of having a Sangeet before as well, especially if you have any more traditional Hindu family members that will want to celebrate you in a super "Indian" fashion.

Hi, I have a very similar vision! I am Indian (Punjabi) and my fiance is half Indian (but identifies more with his Caucasian side). Neither of us are religious, but my family weddings have been Indian/Hindu and his have been American. We are wearing Indian clothes and doing a baraat (but with both sides dancing alongside the groom, it would be pretty lame with just his side). Our processional down the aisle will be more American, with bridal party and my parents walking me down. Then my idea is the following:

Jai mala
Kanya daan (I've heard the anti-feminist sentiment but I am very close with my parents so I think it will be sweet)
Light fire, saat pheras
Personal vows (this was important to me)
Mangal sutra
Exchange rings
Pronounce husband and wife, exit

I agree officiant is important. I was lucky to find a woman who does all types of ceremonies, had lived in India for a period of time, and was very familiar with traditions. I didn't want a traditional pandit - the vast majority of the guests (including me and my fiance) don't speak Hindi, and it just wasn't going to be reflective of us. I am open to more ideas/suggestions!

Hello,

I am thinking about doing something similar and would love to hear if you have made any progress combining both traditions. I have been thinking about doing two ceremonies but it seems like too much planning.

My mother's family is from India and hindu but i was raised in the states and am Christian. My fiancee and his family are Christian.

View Quoted Comment Hey Rachel! Yes I do! Just sent you a private message

View Quoted Comment Hi Shae, I would be interested in what you have come up with as well if you’re willing to share! My officiant said she would have a draft ready last week and still nothing 😐

Have any of you considered bridesmaids wearing a mix of western and Indian outfits in matching palate? Can’t find any examples online, but thinking of it!

Curious to know what you decided?

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Hi Ladies, I'm in the same boat! I know probably by now you're off and happily married. But I need help, my situation is a bit different. My fiance's family is hindu and im christian! HELP

Hi Shane and Rachel and all the others,

Would love to hear your options and solutions to combine Indian and American ceremonies. Thank you.

Can you please share your officiant contact

View Quoted Comment Hi! I’m hoping to touch base with you on how your wedding went! Kind of in a similiar predicament and would love some suggestions and advice!

I'm wondering too. I wonder how to include India older traditions with Christian while avoiding not interrupting the Christian concerns. I also wonder if the original poster was able to do the sacred fire element at their venue.

Probably the main upset is of their child marrying someone of a different religion rather than the ceremony elements. But some of the Hindu rituals might be fun.

View Quoted Comment What did you end up doing?

View Quoted Comment Our wedding went off without a hitch! It was the perfect blend. Honestly the hardest part is finding a pandit to actually officiate with someone else. Wasn’t as easy but here’s what we did!


Wednesday- Sangeet Thursday- Haldi Saturday- Wedding DayWe started off with the baraat, my husband wore traditional Indian clothes, then my parents greeted him. Once that was over everyone was dismissed to their seats, then the ceremony started as normal.Ceremony Flow:Bridal Party Entrance Officiant opened with a prayer and shared a few words with the guests about us then transferred to the pandit, he spoke a little bit and then did the exchange of garlands, mangalsutra, walked around the fire, then he switched over to the officiant We did our vows and closed it up.
We were able to get it done within 45 minutes. It was a beautiful event! My in-laws are guju so we needed to make sure we hit all the important thingsFeel free to check our pictures on our wedding photographers page! She did a great job capturing the day!

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That's great to hear how it worked out. I am curious about the blend of Christian and India culture where they can be cooperative.

View Quoted Comment It wasn’t easy but I can tell you that we focused on what marriage means and having God in the center of it. It honestly worked out. They both spoke on the same things and did the Indian version of Indian vows (walking around the fires 6 times represent different vows made to each other). The Christian officiant, opened in prayer and did a mini sermon, it was beautiful.