Everything I experienced at my cousin’s wedding in India

My cousin and her now-husband got married in Hyderabad, India in November 2023. My mom, aunt, brother, boyfriend, and I flew around the world to participate in the celebrations. We wouldn’t miss the destination wedding of our lives for the world!

I had always wanted to attend an Indian wedding. The rituals, clothing, music, and colors floored me the moment I saw my first Bollywood movie. It’s a travel photographer’s dream! Little did I know that my own family member would be the bride of such a spectacular event.

If you’re wondering what makes Indian weddings special, I’ll share the details of my experience. From ceremonies and rituals to a custom-fit saree, it was the most enchanting and unique celebration. I felt so lucky to be a part of it. 

Here’s everything I did at my cousin’s wedding in India: 

The stars aligned… literally

The Muhurtham is the first step of the Hindu wedding process. This is when a priest and the couple’s families analyze astrology charts to calculate the wedding date.

The word I see most regarding this ceremony is “auspicious.” To ensure a long, happy, prosperous life together, the stars must align for such favorable results. My cousin and her groom were set for a November wedding.

Getting there was the hardest part

When my boyfriend and I arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport for our flight to Dubai, the standby numbers didn’t look good. Keep in mind that a Boeing 777 holds 350 passengers, so it was really packed. But as a broke flight attendant, I try not to pay for full-price tickets.

Our prayers were answered at the expense of a family of three. They didn’t want to split up when only two seats remained. Feeling a bit of airport anxiety, we watched as the family walked away from the gate. Our names were called over the loudspeaker, and we got the last two spots on the plane.

Two middle seats and a 15-hour flight over the Atlantic later, we landed in the UAE. We connected to Hyderabad via IndiGo on a 3-hour flight that touched down in India as the morning sun broke over the horizon.

The engagement party was scheduled for that night at the groom’s relative’s home, a short drive from the hotel. It was a reception dinner of sorts. But first, we needed the proper attire.

Yes to the saree/kurta

The groom’s mother took us to a local tailor to take measurements for our wedding sarees on our first morning. We were fitted with vibrant orange, pink, and yellow clothes — popular colors for southern Indian celebrations. We’d see the results in a few days.

Kurtas are traditional tunic-like garments worn for casual and formal occasions. They come in all colors and patterns, and they’re incredibly comfortable. My cousin advised us to purchase at least three for the coming ceremonies. We set off for the mall.

My brother, boyfriend, and I had no idea where to find these so-called kurtas. We barely knew how to pronounce the word. We asked a store clerk for help, but we ended up at a home decor store because he thought we’d asked for “curtains.” Our confusion was comical.

After wandering four floors of Indian stores, we finally found a boutique. Kurtas of green, purple, and royal blue lined the racks. The staff helped us put on a fashion show and advised which outfits complimented us best. We left the mall with kurtas to last us the whole week.

Every ceremony I attended

While my family (the cousins) were allowed to attend most wedding ceremonies, a few were reserved for immediate family. This article is super informative if you want to learn about the symbolism of each Hindu ceremony. 

Here are the ceremonies I had the pleasure of attending:

Mehndi

The Mehndi ceremony is one of the most common in Hindu tradition where the bride and her family get henna tattoos. These temporary tattoos symbolize good luck, health, and prosperity. They’re also meant to cool the bride’s body and calm her on her big day.

My cousins and I got beautiful designs hand-drawn all over our hands and forearms. The bride became an elaborate work of art with intricate, symbolic scenes tattooed on her hands, arms, and feet. 

Everything was drawn freestyle by local artists who entranced me as I watched them work.

Pellikoduku

The Pellikoduku ceremony signifies the groom’s preparation for marriage. It’s also a gesture of both families accepting each other and approving the matrimony. Gifts are exchanged, blessings are given, and everyone revels in the love connection.

Haldi

The Haldi ceremony was my favorite of them all. Under a sprinkling sky, we took turns dumping vases of water on the couple, whose faces had been smudged with bright yellow turmeric. It was so fun to watch, but I felt bad for them shivering away as they got soaked for an hour.

The purpose of Haldi is to purify the couple before they officially enter into marriage. The turmeric serves as a detoxifier, and the water washes away any worries about the impending marriage.

Sangeet

The groom’s family planned an American cocktail party in conjunction with the Sangeet ceremony at the resort. It was an homage to my cousin’s small group of guests: the boisterous Americans, who definitely stood out. 

Friends and family performed choreographed dances for the entire wedding party. I even partook, which was a startling sight, I’m sure. We danced the night away for hours with both sides of the family. I’m sure we gave the 400+ guests an entertaining show.

The wedding ceremony — a production like no other

My tailored saree was finished and it was time to get ready for the wedding. A woman came to my mom’s room and professionally wrapped each of us in our personalized sarees. It was quite the process! Each of us took about 15 minutes to get everything pinned and tucked into the right spots.

When it was finished, I felt like a princess. The bright material and my sparkling chandelier earrings were unlike anything I’d ever worn before. My mom, aunt, cousins, and I took mandatory saree photos and took off with the boys to the wedding.

No words can fully describe the grandeur of the wedding ceremony. Drums pounded from every corner of the room. Ceremonial chants and songs rang out. The men of our group carried my cousin in on a flowered platform as the rest of us followed. Hand-strung flower garlands hung from the ceiling and chairs and doorways. It was a sight to behold.

We sat in awe as group after group went up to the couple to bless and congratulate them. I didn’t know the exact meaning of everything going on, but it was fascinating to watch nonetheless. I thought to myself how overwhelming it must be to be the center of all this attention. The couple handled it all like champs.

After a night of nonstop drumming, humming, blessing, and eating, it was suddenly time to go home. I think everyone was so exhausted by the previous few days that we had nothing left to give. 

We congratulated the newlyweds and slept fitfully through the night for the first time since we’d arrived in India four days prior.

Indian food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

For me, the most exciting part of the trip was the food (right after my joy for my cousin’s happy marriage, of course). Indian food has always been my favorite. It’s even my first choice on my hometown list of the best restaurants in Tucson. 

We feasted on homemade Indian food for five days and let me tell you: It. Was. Phenomenal.

I gorged myself on biriani, masala, chutney, and naan bread atop mountains of basmati rice. I ate so much, that I nearly made myself sick. 

A note for all of you reading this: To feel your best when traveling, don’t overdo it on meals during your first few days in a foreign country. You will pay the consequences.

If you’ve never tried Indian food, I’ll tell you one thing: It hurts if you’re not careful. Indian food is known for being spicy, and it’ll knock you out if you’re not a seasoned pro. I thought I could handle it right off the bat, but I was wrong. So was the rest of my family.

We all spent the week with unpleasant stomach aches and frequent trips to the bathroom. As much as it pained me, I couldn’t stop eating the food. It was just SO GOOD. 

My boyfriend, who was not accustomed to Indian cuisine, resorted to eating pancakes and pasta at the hotel buffet for breakfast and lunch. I still make fun of him for it, but maybe he had the right idea.

Goodbye family and goodbye India

With teary eyes and a whole bunch of stories to take home, my family members embraced and departed for the airport. We were going our separate ways after six unforgettable days in India together.

📚 Related Reading: What to Pack for India

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If you ever get the chance to attend an Indian wedding, take it. You’ll never experience anything else like it. 

I doubt anything will ever quite measure up to the grandness and excitement of this experience — not even my own wedding! The travel, jet lag, and money were worth every memory made in India with my family.

If you enjoyed this story, check out my trip to Dubai, where my boyfriend and I had a long layover before returning to Phoenix. And please share your own Indian wedding experiences with me in the comments! I’d love to hear how you enjoyed your celebrations.