A Beautiful Indian Wedding, Where Tradition Meets Modernity

Weddings | December 31, 2021

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When stars align, you find the one. In this beautiful Indian wedding, Naveen and Karina celebrate their love, together with family and loved ones.

It is indeed a wonderful feeling to love and be loved. But finding your “soulmate” is another level of bliss. While we all have our own different definitions of what a soulmate is, it all boils down to finding your best friend and the love of your life—all in one person.

Take Naveen and Karina, for example. This couple met at a New Year’s Eve party that they both did not want to attend. Likewise, nobody knew that these two will finally find their twin flames at that party.

Fast forward to this year, where Naveen and Karina—one of our fearless couples—planned their wedding at the height of the pandemic. I even remember them talking about how they were willing to adjust to the protocols no matter how it will be. They just want to get married to each other no matter what.

Luckily, things got a little better nationwide and they were able to push through with their destination wedding despite the pandemic.

Day 0: Mehndi

This tradition is the time where the bride gets to have her hands and feet covered with decorative art using henna paste. Karina, being the creative bride that she was, had a mix of floral and beach designs to personalize hers.

Day 1: Engagement Ceremony & Sundowner Vows

The couple declared their love and commitment in front of their whole family and closest friends through a traditional Indian engagement ceremony by the deck of Crimson Resort Boracay, overlooking the beach.

Shortly after, a sundowner beach ceremony followed, wherein they were able to say their personal vows to each other. And using ring pops, they even did a mockup ring ceremony to “seal” these vows—a very cute and imaginative reminder that you are free to be kids together, anytime you want!

**Day 2: Navghari, Ghari, Sagri, and Neon Themed Pool Party**

This day was full of prayer traditions. From the morning prayers to the remarriage of the couple’s parents, this day was filled with prayers dedicated to the couple and their families.

The Sagri that happened right after the morning prayers was my favorite event of the day two celebrations. The bride got to be decorated with flowers by the groom’s sisters. What’s more, DAS creations did a pretty good job in making fabulous-looking flower accessories that the bride enjoyed wearing.

After the traditions, it was time for everyone to relax and party the night in a neon-themed pool party.

Day 3: Indian Wedding Ceremony and Prohibition Night

We are now on the best part of the festivities—the wedding day.

The day started with oil ceremonies for both the bride and the groom. After the morning prayers for this day, the couple started their wedding preparations separately. The bride gathered her squad and her family to take her to the ceremony area by the beach while singing and dancing under a beautiful flower bed.

On the other hand, the groom did the bharat with his homies—beating drums and dancing through lively songs while circling the grounds of Crimson Resort Boracay, going all the way to the ceremony.

As soon as Naveen arrived at the ceremony area, Karina’s father was ready to finally give her away to the love of her life. The couple was joined forever by the Maharaj underneath a traditional mandap with a very palpable image of Ganesha. We were told by the mother of the bride that each milestone in their lives would have to start with a prayer to Ganesha, the god of beginnings and good fortune, and the remover of obstacles.

A fire was also kept throughout the ceremony as witness to this beautiful union, while offerings were made to their gods through the same platform. And towards the end of the ceremony, the bride was given a new name—Gizelle Ganglani—to symbolize her new life as a married woman.

Needless to say, there were lots of dancing, eating and partying to cap of the night.

Of Prayers and Celebrations

We learned that the main importance of a Hindu wedding ceremony is not just the physical, spiritual, and emotional union of the couples, but it’s also about the joining of two families through prayer and celebration.

What a beautiful three days that was! It was rich in culture, vibrant, carefully planned, packed with activities, full of celebrations, and overflowing with love and happiness.

Find someone who will not just promise you the moon and the stars but instead, will promise to watch them with you, always. Congratulations to the happy couple!