No other event retains a cultural legacy like weddings. Therefore, I'm fortunate to experience them in person. In 2024, I attended a Chinese wedding in Malaysia. In 2025, I took part in a Buddhist wedding in Cambodia. And this year I visited India to witness a Hindu marital celebration.

Weddings in Poland

Polish wedding culture shaped my frame of reference. Since most Poles are Catholic, the ceremony starts in a church at midday. Then we eat and dance and eat and dance. With an endless flow of vodka, beer, and other drinks. The celebration continues past two in the morning. Occasionally, with a next-day lunch.

Three days of Indian festivities

Bollywood became a craze in Poland during the early 2000s. The movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was most influential in shaping my image of what to expect at an Indian wedding. 25 years later, my partner and I arrived in Kolkata to participate in all the stages of a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony.

Wedding song from the Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Mehndi

Intricate henna tattoos painted on hands and legs are a signature feature of Indian weddings. I assumed henna tattoos were only for the bride, but in reality, close family and friends receive them too. The henna artists surprised everyone with the precision and diversity of designs. They ranged from complex laces, nature themes, symbols, and in my case, movie film-like frames.

Sangeet

This day most resembled Polish weddings that I've witnessed. Family members delivered tearful speeches. Friends performed rounds of dance and singing performances. After a delicious dinner, we all ended up on the dance floor, twisting, turning, and goofing around to a mix of Indian, Western, and K-pop hits.

Notably, this event had a sparkly dress code. And we were fortunate to find proper Indian attire in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia beforehand.

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Haldi

Bright yellow and orange-themed outfits dominated on this occasion. We all gathered outside for the ceremony led by a pandit, a Hindu priest. The bride and groom were sitting on the ground and following the pandit's cues. The ritual involved reciting Sanskrit, purifying with water, and initiating a bonfire. After the slow-paced beginning, the ceremony lived up to the next stage. Traditional marching drummers popped up, and all the guests formed a line to mark the newlyweds with turmeric. Guests drank fresh coconuts, uncles danced, and flower petals rained on the couple.

Evening reception

With the final and most official gathering, the three-day celebration came to an end. The hall radiated. Red curtains at the entrance resembled Oscars' red carpet scene. Inside, a smaller stage on the left had a forest-like canopy full of roses, and the main stage featured a fancy sofa with white flowers and chandeliers.

The Indian red and white outfits of the bride and groom harmonized with the scene. She hid her face behind a leaf and walked around the groom surrounded by plants. They exchanged garlands several times, which was a feat, as he was wearing a tall white conical hat. Next, they removed the shoes and sat down on the small stage, where Pandit commenced the last ceremony. Once again, the setup of the stage included a small bonfire and loads of surrounding flower petals.

The unique experience

Pleasure defined participation in this wedding. Eating a delicious Indian buffet, surrounded by friends with matching henna tattoos, dancing to local tunes and observing the three-day ceremony. You cannot get such an event with money. I'm thankful to be invited as a plus one and earn the privilege of experiencing it.

The event was private. To respect everyone's privacy, I don't publish pics with guests.