A Tamil wedding is a vibrant celebration that focuses on much more than just the day of the wedding. Family and friends are a huge part of the wedding and are involved in many of the rituals that surround the wedding ceremony. Find out more about the most common rituals here.

Aalathi Blessing by Sumangalis

The Aalathi is a blessing that is performed by two Sumangalis, or married women. The blessing is carried out for the bride and groom in their own homes before they leave for the wedding venue. It involves circling a tray of light to ward off obstacles the couple could encounter and is repeated at the end of the wedding for good luck.

Kanyathanam is an Emotional Ritual

When the bride arrives at the wedding venue it is customary for her family to give her away to the groom and his family by pouring water over the couple’s hands as a symbol of approval of the marriage. This ritual is full of sadness with the bride leaving her family, but joy as two families are united by the married couple.

Tying the Thaali

The ritual of tying the Thaali is a tradition that symbolises the couple are now husband and wife. This is achieved by the groom tying a sacred gold bridal necklace around the bride’s neck at a specific hour. The act shows mutual acceptance of the wedding vows and is usually accompanied by friends and family throwing fresh flower petals over the happy couple.

Kumgumam for Good Fortune, Prosperity and Luck

A red bindi worn on the forehead is common for married women in India. During a Tamil wedding, the groom will place the Kumgumam onto his bride’s forehead for the first time to symbolise that she is now a married woman. 

Maalai Maatral and Metti Ceremony

This is a floral garland ceremony in which the couple garland each other three times. The groom places his garland over the bride first in the first two exchanges and in the final exchange, they place the garlands simultaneously as a symbol of them being equal. Rice is then poured by the priest into the groom’s hands who allows the rice to fall through his fingers into his wife’s hands below. Finally, during this ceremony, the groom places toe rings on the second toe of each of his bride’s feet. These also symbolise that she is married and will be worn throughout the marriage. 

Nalangu for Fun and Games

The whole of a Tamil wedding is a joyous occasion and the Nalangu is where fun and laughter are at the most. The couple is encouraged to take part in games such as competing to be the first to find a trinket in a pot full of water and flower petals. It’s a game that is best of three with tradition saying the winner will be the one in charge of the marriage!

Capturing the Memories of the Rituals 

Having a photographer who understands the customs, traditions and rituals of a Tamil wedding means that the important parts of your celebration will be captured. If you are planning a Tamil wedding then Jermaine Chandra is the perfect photographer for your celebration. Reach out today to find out how Jermaine can help you capture all the elements of your day, ready for you to enjoy for years to come.