1. Wedding ceremony
2. Nichayathartham
3. Muhurtham
4. Nalangu and Mehndi Night
5. Tamil Wedding Reception
Tamil Hindu Wedding Ceremony: A Beautiful Blend of Rituals and Culture
A Tamil Hindu wedding is one of the most vibrant, detailed, and meaningful celebrations in the South Asian wedding timeline. Known for its rich traditions, symbolic rituals, and multi-layered ceremony, a Tamil wedding is deeply rooted in spirituality and community.
Whether you are planning one yourself or attending as a guest, here is a guide to the key steps and what they represent.
Where does it take place?
Tamil Hindu weddings are often held in temples or specially decorated halls with a sacred fire and a beautifully constructed mandap, sometimes called a manavarai. The ceremony is led by a priest and can last anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the family’s traditions.
What happens in a Tamil wedding ceremony?
Here are the key steps you will likely see in a traditional Tamil Hindu wedding:
1. Ganesh Puja
The ceremony begins with a prayer to Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles and bless the marriage. This sets a peaceful and auspicious tone.
2. Vratham
A pre-wedding ritual performed by both families, usually the day before. The bride and groom take vows of purity and prepare spiritually for marriage.
3. Kasi Yatra
In this light-hearted ritual, the groom pretends to renounce worldly life and head to Kasi (Varanasi) to become a monk. The bride’s father stops him and offers his daughter’s hand instead.
4. Maalai Maatral
The bride and groom exchange flower garlands to signify acceptance of one another as life partners.
5. Oonjal
The couple sits on a decorated swing as family and friends sing songs and feed them milk and bananas. The gentle swinging represents the ups and downs of married life.
6. Kanyadaanam
The bride’s father places her hand in the groom’s, entrusting her to him. The moment is emotional and signifies responsibility and respect.
7. Mangalya Dharanam
This is the tying of the thaali, a sacred gold necklace, by the groom around the bride’s neck. It is one of the most important moments of the ceremony and symbolises the couple’s official union.
8. Saptapadi
The couple takes seven steps together around the sacred fire. Each step represents a vow, from mutual respect to shared goals and spiritual growth.
9. Talambralu or Aasirvadam
The couple blesses each other with grains, turmeric, or flower petals while the priest chants blessings. Elders from both families also offer their good wishes.
10. Nalangu
This playful post-ceremony ritual includes games and symbolic gestures between the newlyweds, adding lightness and intimacy to the day.
Do you need a wedding invitation for a Tamil wedding ceremony?
Yes. This ceremony is one of the most important events in your South Asian wedding, and it deserves a beautifully designed wedding invitation that reflects the culture and gives guests clarity.
At Raw Invites, we create bespoke Tamil wedding invitations that include all the ceremony details, timings, and any special notes about dress code, traditions, or order of service. Whether you are using a wedding template or opting for custom artwork, we help you share your culture in style.
How to personalise your Tamil wedding invitation
Why it matters
A Tamil Hindu wedding ceremony is not just a celebration. It is a spiritual journey that honours ancestry, faith, and community. It blends tradition with emotion, creating memories that last a lifetime. Every moment, from the laughter of the oonjal to the sacred tying of the thaali, is filled with love and meaning.
Nichayathartham: The Tamil Hindu Engagement Ceremony
Before the rituals of marriage begin, a Tamil Hindu wedding often starts with the Nichayathartham, or engagement ceremony. It is a formal, joyous event where the two families agree to the match and begin the wedding journey together.
Whether you are planning a full Tamil wedding or a mixed culture wedding, this ceremony is a meaningful way to honour tradition and celebrate the couple’s commitment.
What is Nichayathartham?
Nichayathartham means “promise” or “commitment.” It is the Tamil equivalent of a Roka or Mangni and usually takes place at the bride’s home or a small hall. The families exchange gifts, finalise the wedding date, and bless the couple.
It is often led by a priest who recites mantras, performs a short Ganesh puja, and makes the engagement official in the presence of both families.
What happens during the ceremony?
Do you need an invitation?
Yes, especially if you are inviting guests outside the immediate family. A well-designed wedding invitation helps guests understand the purpose of the event and makes it feel more intentional. It also gives you the chance to introduce your theme, colour palette, or wedding illustration style early on.
At Raw Invites, we offer both print and digital South Asian wedding invitations that make even intimate events like the Nichayathartham feel beautifully personal. Whether you choose a wedding template or go fully custom, your design can set the tone for everything that follows.
How to personalise your Nichayathartham invitation
Why it matters
Nichayathartham is not just about rings or rituals. It is about two families coming together, setting intentions, and beginning the journey to marriage with mutual respect and joy. It brings love, culture, and community into one beautifully simple moment.
Muhurtham: The Sacred Moment in Tamil Weddings
In a Tamil Hindu wedding, the word Muhurtham carries special weight. It refers to the most auspicious date and time chosen for the actual wedding ceremony. But in many families, the word Muhurtham is also used to describe the wedding day itself — particularly the moment the thaali is tied.
If you are planning a South Asian wedding and following Tamil traditions, understanding the meaning of Muhurtham is essential.
What is Muhurtham?
The term comes from Sanskrit and means a divine or auspicious moment. Tamil families work with a priest or astrologer to select the exact date and time that aligns with the stars, the couple’s birth charts, and family traditions.
The ceremony is then scheduled to align with this timing, often in the early morning or midday hours.
What happens during the Muhurtham moment?
This is when the groom ties the thaali around the bride’s neck — the most sacred moment of the wedding. Bells may ring, drums play, and the priest chants powerful mantras. Family and guests often shower the couple with rice, flowers, or blessings.
Everything before this is preparation, and everything after it is celebration.
How is it different from the rest of the ceremony?
While the full wedding ceremony includes many steps like Ganesh puja, Oonjal, and Saptapadi, the Muhurtham is the spiritual peak. It marks the actual moment of union.
Do you need an invite that includes the Muhurtham?
Yes. The Muhurtham is one of the most sacred and specific parts of a Tamil Hindu wedding, and your wedding invitation should make that timing easy for guests to follow. It helps ensure everyone is present for the right rituals and respects the cultural significance of the moment.
At Raw Invites, we design both print and digital Tamil wedding invitations that make your schedule clear while keeping the design elegant and meaningful. Whether you are planning a full invitation suite or just need a ceremony card, we will help you honour this moment in style.
How to personalise your Muhurtham invite
Why it matters
The Muhurtham is more than a calendar detail. It is the cosmic heart of the wedding. For Tamil families, it reflects generations of belief and care. When shared with intention, it creates a sacred rhythm that brings everyone into the moment.
Nalangu and Mehndi Night: The Fun Side of a Tamil Wedding
While Tamil Hindu weddings are filled with sacred rituals and emotional moments, there is also room for celebration, laughter, and a bit of playfulness. Two events that bring that energy are Nalangu and the Mehndi night, especially for Tamil couples blending tradition with modern flair.
Whether you are planning a full Tamil Hindu wedding or a mixed culture wedding, these events are the perfect way to balance the spiritual with the social.
What is Nalangu?
Nalangu is a traditional Tamil post-wedding ritual that has become a favourite moment for many modern couples. It includes playful games, teasing, and small symbolic gestures between the bride and groom. The idea is to lighten the mood after the formal wedding ceremony and allow the couple to bond in a relaxed setting.
In many families, it is a private event with just close relatives. But more and more Tamil couples are turning it into a social evening with music, food, and a few friendly competitions. Think turmeric blessings followed by coconut rolling or guessing games with the groom’s shoes.
What is a Tamil Mehndi Night?
While Mehndi is not part of traditional Tamil culture, many Tamil brides — especially those in the UK, Canada, or the US — now host their own Mehndi night as part of their South Asian wedding events. It is often inspired by North Indian customs and involves henna, music, and time to connect with close friends, sisters, and aunties.
Some brides combine the Mehndi with Nalangu, making it a joint celebration that bridges cultures and lets everyone join in the fun.
Who is invited?
These events can be as intimate or as inclusive as you like. Some couples keep it family-only. Others turn it into a full-on pre-wedding party with decor, DJ sets, and matching outfits for the bride tribe.
If you are having a mixed culture wedding, Nalangu and Mehndi are beautiful ways to help non-Tamil guests feel involved and entertained before the more traditional ceremony begins.
Do you need an invitation for Nalangu or Mehndi night?
Yes, especially if you are combining the two or inviting guests beyond your immediate family. A dedicated wedding invitation for these events helps guests understand what to expect, what to wear, and how to get involved.
At Raw Invites, we design both print and digital South Asian wedding invitations that reflect the energy of every event — from formal to fun. Whether you are using a pre-made wedding template or commissioning a fully custom design with illustrations, we make sure your invite captures the mood of the celebration.
How to personalise your invite for Nalangu or Mehndi night
Why it matters
Nalangu and Mehndi night bring heart and personality to your wedding. They let you share a side of your story that is warm, playful, and real. Whether you follow every tradition or create your own version, these events remind everyone that weddings are not just rituals. They are moments of joy.
Tamil Wedding Reception: The Celebration Before the Ceremony
In many Tamil weddings, especially outside India, the reception is no longer just a post-wedding dinner. More and more couples are hosting their reception before the wedding day as a way to welcome guests, introduce both families, and kick things off with a proper party.
Whether you are planning a full Tamil Hindu wedding or a mixed culture wedding, the pre-wedding reception is your moment to set the tone and celebrate with style.
What is a pre-wedding reception?
Traditionally, Tamil weddings focused on rituals, family blessings, and temple ceremonies. But today, couples are also creating space for more modern, celebratory events. A pre-wedding reception is usually held the night before the main wedding and includes dinner, dancing, speeches, and outfit changes.
This is your chance to enjoy the celebration without the pressure of rituals. It is relaxed, fun, and full of energy.
Who is invited?
Most couples invite the full guest list, including extended family, close friends, and out-of-town guests. Some even include colleagues or friends who may not attend the ceremony itself.
It is a great opportunity for everyone to meet, especially in mixed culture weddings where not all guests are familiar with Tamil traditions. A pre-wedding reception breaks the ice and brings people together before the big day.
Do you need an invitation for the reception?
Yes. Your wedding invitation should clearly include the reception details, especially if it is being held separately from the main ceremony. This includes time, venue, dress code, and any additional notes.
At Raw Invites, we design South Asian wedding invitations that make your timeline easy to follow and visually exciting. Whether you are using a wedding template or commissioning a bespoke design with illustrations, we help you create an invitation that reflects both tradition and personality. We offer both print and digital options, depending on your guest list and delivery preferences.
How to personalise your reception invitation
Why it matters
The Tamil pre-wedding reception is more than a party. It is a moment to breathe, laugh, and celebrate love with the people who matter most. It allows both families to feel relaxed and connected before the wedding rituals begin.
Whether you go all out or keep it simple, this event is your chance to start the wedding on a joyful note.
