Most people associate a Christian wedding with a traditional English wedding, with the elaborate gown, long trail of a veil and lots of bridesmaids. However, Christian weddings in India is a lot more Indianized. From the ceremonies involved to the bridal wear, everything has gotten an Indian twist here.

Here are a few popular misconceptions we all have about Indian Christian weddings and the truth behind it:

Gowns rule the bridal fashion

In India, a white/off-white saree in rich fabrics such as Kanchipuram, silk etc. with heavy zari borders are the most popular bridal attire. However, some communities in India, such as Goan Christians etc. predominantly wear gowns. For related functions such as engagement, wedding eve etc. the brides wear everything from gowns to lehengas.

Short and sweet ceremonies

After watching Hollywood movies which showcases simple and romantic Christian marriages, most non-Christian Indians assume that the same hold true for us Indians. This is not the case with most denominations under Christianity. Some have a long mass that follows or have elaborate proceedings for the marriage ceremony alone.

Veil train on the isle

For most Indians, a long train of a veil is a permanent fixture in our mind for Christian brides. However, In India this neither a mandate nor a common sight. A lot of brides skip the veil, especially when they are wearing a sari.

Saying “I do” with romantic wedding vows

Sorry to burst your bubble, but in India the wedding vows are mostly preset by the church. The couple just repeats these words after the priest. Even though these wedding vows are also equally precious, it is nothing like making a personalized set of vows for yourself.

Bridal showers cannot be done without

Though extremely popular at the moment, bridal shower is not one of those ceremonies which cannot be done without at an Indian Christian wedding. In fact, the idea of bridal showers only very recently got popular in India.

Dresses are the dress code

Not true. At most Indian weddings, you would see an array of bright silk saris and elegant pearls. Women in some regions even wear flowers on their hair to complete the look. Dresses are also worn by many, but not the norm.

Bridesmaids and maid of honor

The trend of having bridesmaids have been heavily adapted from the western culture, Even though bridesmaids are commonly seen at Indian weddings, they are mostly close cousins and family. Maid of honor is not a trend that has become popular in India as yet.

These days, Indian Christian weddings are getting more and more inspired by the west with the weddings having a much stronger western influence. A good wedding planner should be able to help you plan a wedding that is a good mix of both traditions and modernity.