Christian Wedding

Marriages are considered the union between man and woman predestined by God in Christianity. Christian wedding rituals are conducted in church, along with friends and family members. A church wedding is a ceremony presided over by a Christian priest or pastor. Ceremonies are based on reference to God, and are frequently embodied into other church ceremonies such as Mass. Like any community; different sects of Christianity hold different opinions regarding marriage and have diverse ways of conducting it. Like all other marriages Christian weddings also have pre and post wedding rituals.

The pre wedding rituals starts with engagement ceremony followed by bridal shower just like groom celebrates the Bachelor's party with his male friends. In bachelor party raising a toast is must. Just like the Hindu wedding, at some places, the bride and the groom are applied turmeric and sandalwood paste known as Haldaat ceremony. However, in Goa it is known as Ross, wherein the couple is applied coconut paste in place of turmeric. On the wedding day, the groom sends a car to pick up the bride and waits for her outside the church. After she arrives, the Best man of the groom welcomes her with a bouquet of flowers. Then the couple walks down the corridor gracefully to reach the altar. There the priest awaits them and offers them best wishes. He then reads psalms from the Hoy Bible, which is followed by sermon called Homily on the sacredness of the wedding. Following this, he asks question to the bride and the groom regarding their consent for the marriage.

The wedding concludes by signing on a register and the couple walks down the aisle, arm in arm. A copy of the signed page is later sent to the Registrar of Marriages. Reception is a grand affair, wherein the couple is welcomed by the guest, with a shower of confetti. After this, the newly-wed couple cuts the wedding cake and feeds each other. Besides, the Reception party is celebrated with dance and dinner party.