Wedding program samples and Wedding program wordings

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Part-1

The Wedding Day Events

Arrival of Family and Friends
10:30 am - 11:00 am

Vedic Hindu Marriage Ceremony
11:00 am - 1:30 pm
The Imperial Ballroom

Light Indian Refreshments
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
The Imperial Ballroom

Cocktail Reception
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
The Crystal Ballroom
&
Sapphire Room

Formal Dinner & Dancing
7:30 pm - 12 midnight
The Imperial Ballroom

Part-2

Hindu Vedic Marriage Ceremony
Conducted by Shri Murali Krishna garu

Marriage is a highly auspicious occasion in Indian culture, conducted according to the 6,000 year-old Vedic Hindu tenets. According to the Vedas, the Hindu scriptures, marriage is a sacred, life long commitment between a man and a woman. Marriage is the thirteenth of the sixteen samskaras (sacraments). Marriage, considered the strongest of social bonds, is said to spiritually merge two souls opening the doors to "Grihasthashram" (household life). Of the four stages of life, Grihasthashram is believed to be the most difficult. The Hindu marriage ceremony consists of prayers, invocations and vows recited in Sanskrit, the oldest language from which most Indo-European languages have originated. Hindu marriage is sanctified by seven pledges made by the bride and groom and commenced when the bride and groom have completed seven steps around a sacred fire. Symbolic gestures and rituals encompass the ceremony and ensure that the bride and groom are united in the presence of God (Lord Vishnu), Agni (the sacred Fire) and the Pujari (Hindu priest). The ceremony is held under the canopy of the Kalyana Mandapam or wedding pavilion, which is decorated with fresh flowers. Nadaswaram (Indian wind instrument) music traditionally accompanies most South Indian weddings.
The main aspects of the Hindu Ceremony are as follows........

Ganapathi Puja -To commence the Hindu wedding ceremony, a prayer is offered to Lord Ganesha, the elephant God, whose blessings will remove any major obstacles from the ceremony and from the couple’s new life together. Ganesha is the Lord of all circumstances, therefore no Hindu ritual or auspicious occasion is ever undertaken without Him. Jasmine garlands and the Mangalasutra (sacred wedding necklace) are placed at Ganesha’s feet to invoke his blessings. His grace will overcome all obstacles, destroy all evils, and enable the ceremony to proceed with tranquility.

Gowri Puja - The bride offers prayers to invoke the blessings of Goddess Gowri Devi, the icon of an ideal wife. The Goddess’ own marriage is the symbol of everlasting love. Ardhanarishwara is the concept of the perfect emotional, mental and physical union between Gowri and her divine husband Lord Shiva. By invoking the Goddess’ blessings, the bride prays for a long, happy, married life with her husband.

Vara Puja - Kashi Yatra - The bride’s parents welcome the groom with great honor and offer him gifts. The groom is persuaded by the elders to enter into holy matrimony and take his soul mate along as they journey through life pursuing their goals.

Part-3

the Bride’s father prays to the Lords of all eight directions to protect her from all s.ides. The Gods in turn promise their protection and join the Bride’s parents in offering the Bride to the Groom.

Sumuhurtham - At the precise auspicious moment a paste made of cumin seeds and brown sugar is held by the bride and groom on one another’s heads, while the cloth veil is still in place. The cloth veil is then removed, which symbolizes the opening of the physical world that kept the Bride and Groom from uniting and now allows them to join in holy matrimony.

Talambaralu - The bride and groom shower one another with rice mixed with saffron "Talambaralu." This denotes the couple’s desire for happiness, enjoyment and contentment.

Mangalya-dharana - The Groom ties the Mangalasutra, a sacred necklace with the Mangalyam (gold pendant) around the Bride’s neck. The sacred necklace symbolizes safety and security offered to the Bride by the Groom as he asks her to share in a long and happy married life with him. The Groom secures the necklace by tying three knots which represents the "Trimurthis," Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (the Holy Trinity).

Agni Saakshi - "Fire as the witness." The holy fire is lit symbolizing purity and serving as a witness to the vows that are to follow. The couple offers prayers to Agni (the God of Fire). These prayers have a special significance for the couple who say, "Today in your presence, we have become one, and only you can separate us from one another." The Bride and Groom will make an offering of rice into the Agni, which symbolizes fertility, friendship, and the good fortune of their marriage. It is believed that Agni will dispel darkness and ignorance from the couple’s life and lead them into the world of light and knowledge.

Part-4

Sapthapadi - The Bride and Groom pledge and declare to all those present that they have accepted one another voluntarily. The couple takes seven steps, symbolic of the seven marital vows, around the sacred fire.

As they hold hands and walk around the fire, the Bride and Groom pledge the following vows:

- Let us take this first step vowing to keep a pure household, avoiding all things injurious to our health
- Let us take this second step vowing to develop mental, physical and spiritual strengths
- Let us take this third step with the aim of increasing our wealth by righteous means
- Let us take this fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony by mutual love and trust
- Let us take this fifth step to pray for virtuous, intelligent and courageous children
- Let us take this sixth step for longevity
- Let us take this final step to vow that we will always remain true companions and life-long partners
And thus, the two halves are made a perfect whole - The Bride and Groom are now married and as a symbol of the seven steps, the Groom places rings on the Bride’s toes.

Exchange of Garlands - The Bride and Groom exchange Jasmine garlands.

Arundhati - The Pujari gestures to the sky and shows the Bride and Groom the seven "Rishis" or Saints and the Star of Arundhati to which the couple must pray to obtain blessings.

Mangalaharati - Women sing signifying the successful completion of the ceremony and wishing the Bride and Groom harmony and prosperity. The songs are in praise of the Gods.

Maha-Aashirvadam -Arundhati - The Pujari gestures to the sky and shows the Bride and Groom the seven "Rishis" or Saints and the Star of Arundhati to which the couple must pray to obtain blessings. The Pujari blesses the newly married couple and their parents. In turn all those present bless the couple by showering them with rice and flowers. The Pujari offers the following prayer:

"Live in Peace, Live in Prosperity. Have satisfaction in your achievements. Let your family grow and be enriched. Let your life be free of worries. Be blessed with long life and good health. Be good to all others. Prosper through work. Observe religious duties. Add to your knowledge and experience. Be blessed with children. May you always have food and wealth to your satisfaction."

Mr. Anand H. Sastry & Mrs. Lakshmi Anand
along with Dr. Barindra and Mrs. Heide Desai
Thank you for your good wishes and blessings
("Maha Aashirvadam") for their children.

Part-5

"Keep in touch with Friends & Family..."

Part-6

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