Maritus

If you have attended a Kerala wedding, you know that this is far more than a mere ceremony; it is an experience that differs on all fronts. Deeply set traditions mingle with minimalistic but beautiful rituals and an extravagant feast to make it exceptional. Regardless of whether we are referring to a Hindu, Christian, or Muslim wedding, the wedding culture of Kerala defines a reflection of simplicity, love, and community bonding.

From the sacred Thaali Kettu to the grandeur of Walima, each tradition carries momentous meaning. And of course, how can we forget about the grand feast that is quite often celebrated in Kerala? This blog will serve as your ultimate guide to the rituals, attire, and culture prominent in Kerala weddings. The grand feast of Kerala weddings can be, without a doubt, the Catholic icing on the cake! If you plan to attend one or are just curious, dive in!

Types of Kerala Weddings

Kerala is very culturally diverse, which is beautifully reflected in its wedding traditions. Each of the three major religious communities (Hindus, Christians and Muslims) of the native community has their own distinct customs and ceremonies. The customs and rites of the three major communities of religion have received equal regard in the past as perhaps the most important sources of the present customs. However, despite the various forms of Kerala weddings, family values, traditions considered sacred, and the spirit of unity all form themes throughout these ceremonies. Some elaborate in celebrating; some prefer the simple cultural authenticity of the rituals. 

Let us take a look at this very beautiful description of some of the types of weddings celebrated in Kerala.

Hindu Weddings in Kerala

Sacred rituals, serene settings, and meaningful customs are all quintessential elements of a Kerala-type wedding. While northern Indian weddings last for days, most Hindu weddings in Kerala are finished within a few hours. Even within that short period, these Kerala Hindu weddings hold immense cultural significance.

Nair Weddings: These weddings are characterized as short and joyous affairs in the Nair community, with a matrilineal system that supposedly centers on the family’s blessings and cultural traditions rather than the bride and groom. 

Brahmin Weddings: The Brahmin weddings are major events in Kerala that shall last for two or three days and be followed strictly with the Vedic tradition and rituals. 

Ezhava Weddings: These kinds of weddings are common among and are similar to Nair Community in Kerala. The ceremonies center on family blessings within a tight-knit community.

Astrological considerations are paramount for fixing the wedding date for a prosperous and auspicious beginning. 

Christian Weddings in Kerala

The Christian weddings in Kerala very smoothly combine the Western style with local traditions. The ceremony takes place in a church, where the bride in a white gown walks down the aisle with her father to join the groom at the altar. There they repeat their vows before a priest and the couple exchanges the rings as a promise of their union. 

Kurissadikalyanam (or betrothal) is a pre-wedding event where the families formally announce the engagement and exchange gifts. The wedding reception is a big event with cake cutting, music, dance, and sumptuous food. Though it is Western in style, the warmth of family gatherings and traditional hospitality from Kerala remain the heartbeat of the celebration.

Muslim Weddings in Kerala

Kerala Muslims celebrate Nikah, the wedding that defines marriage as a spiritual contract, not a reason to overindulge on wedding festivities. The ceremony starts with Mahr (a monetary gift given to the bride by the groom), signifying the groom’s obligation to maintain the responsibility of the wife. After the Nikah, the bride and groom sign the Nikah contract in front of witnesses; this is conducted by a Qazi (Islamic priest) while Quranic verses are recited for blessings. Walima (wedding feast) is a menu normally after a Nikah celebration hosted by the groom’s family. This elaborated get-together also facilitates celebration where the duas are very much intermingled with the feasting on traditional delicacies such as biryani, curries of mutton, rich desserts, etc.

Pre-Wedding Rituals

Hindu Traditions

• Selection of Muhurtham: The wedding date and time, called ‘Muhurtham,’ and set by an astrologer to promote peace and prosperity.
• Nischayam: A formal ceremony wherein gifts are exchanged between the two families in the presence of relatives and friends to announce and strengthen the bond itself. 
• Mehendi Ceremony: This, originally a North Indian tradition, has now carved its own space in Kerala in the form of Mehendi ceremonies, wherein the bride is adorned with intricate designs of henna on her hands and feet.

Christian Traditions

• Manassammatham: A formal agreement where the couple declares an intention to marry in the presence of the church congregation.
• Betrothal Ceremony: Another name for this is ‘Mothiram Maattal,’ in which the couple exchanges rings blessed by the priest, symbolizing commitment.

Muslim Traditions

• Nikah Agreement: The groom’s family proposes, and both families discuss the terms with respect to marriage, chiefly about Mahr.
• Mappilappattu: A cheerful celebration of Mappilappattu and Mehendi is celebrated with songs and the bride receiving Mehendi along with immediate female family members. 

The Grand Wedding Day

Hindu Rituals

Kanyadaanam: The father of the bride gives away his daughter to the groom as a symbol of transferring responsibility. 

Thalikettu (Thaali Kettu): The groom ties a special thread / sacred necklace known as ‘thaali’ around the bride’s neck with the divine intention to ward off evil. 

Sadhya: A lavish vegetarian meal served on banana leaves with rounds of traditional dishes.

Christian Rituals

• Church Ceremony: In a church service led by a priest, the couple exchange vows and rings. 

• Minnukettu: Upon tying a ‘minnu’ (small pendant) around the bride with the ‘mantrakodi’ (blessed saree) threads, the groom marries her.

• Reception: A celebration animated with joy with music, dance, and gala feasting, which enlivens both families to celebrate.

Muslim Rituals

• Nikah: The marriage contract is signed in the presence of the Qazi and witnesses.
• Mahr: Payment of the Mahr solemnly as agreed upon during discussions before the wedding. 
• Walima: Walima is a wedding and usually the last official ceremony and gathering hosted by the groom’s family to celebrate the marital union with relatives and friends.

Wedding Attire: Tradition vs. Modern Trends

• Hindu Brides: Most traditional is the Kasavu saree, but there are gorgeous silk sarees in lively colors.
• Christian Brides: Most Christian brides prefer white bridal gowns, although white or pastel sarees, reflecting cultural heritage are also favored.
• Muslim Brides: mostly Muslim brides prefer lehengas and shararas or even sarees decorated with heavy embroidery plus some stylistic distortion adopting Indo-Western trends.

Groom’s Attire

Hindu Grooms: Traditionally, a Kasavu mundu combined with a silk or cotton shirt is worn by the Hindu grooms; others wear embroidered sherwanis.

Christian Grooms: Most of the Christian grooms wear western-style suits or tuxedos; some are combined with Kerala-style dhotis for a pre-wedding ritual.

Muslim Grooms: Muslim grooms inclines towards dorning sherwanis or kurta pajamas with intricate embroidery and a bold color for royal touch.

Modern Influences on Kerala Weddings

While, of course, Kerala weddings are still steeped in traditional practices, couples have also embraced modern trends and blended modern elements with traditional ones. As the times have changed, couples are personalizing their weddings even further, making them more lavish, more unique and more a reflection of themselves and their personalities.

Destination Weddings in Exotic Locations

Now the major trend in Kerala weddings is destination weddings. Gone are the days when couples had their traditional temple or church ceremonies; now, it is more or less the luxury resorts, houseboats on the backwaters, and beachside locations like Kovalam or Varkala. Such weddings capture the essence of Kerala and would give a fairy-tale experience, not just to the bride and groom but also to all their guests.

Pre-Wedding Shoots & Personalized Photography

Wedding photography was once limited to the major ceremony. However, today, couples will leave no stone unturned regarding pre-wedding shoots, whether it’s shooting in romantic locations like the tea gardens of Munnar or the heritage streets of Fort Kochi. Now, aerial shots, a cinematographic-style wedding video, or a documentary kind of storytelling, are a part and parcel of the industry, where memories are perfectly captured. 

Fusion Weddings: Tradition Meets Modernity

Interfaith and cross-culture weddings are becoming common and with that are the fusion weddings, which are inspired by many traditions. The bride may wear a Kasavu saree at a part of the wedding, whereas a tuxedo suit may be worn by the groom during the wedding reception. Traditions are combined so that both families can abide by their faith and their traditions are blended into traditional and contemporary.

Grand Receptions with Entertainment & DJs

In contrast to the close family-oriented receptions of yesteryears, contemporary Kerala weddings now include bigtime celebrations with live bands, DJs, choreographed dance performances, and celebrity appearances. Extravagant banquet halls, LED-lit stages, and fireworks have become trends, mak

ing wedding receptions eternal parties.

Live Streaming for Global Guests

With relatives and friends being geographically scattered around the globe, live streaming has become a common feature in many Kerala weddings, enabling loved ones far away to join the celebration virtually. Live streaming of high-definition videos allows even those who cannot attend in person to see the vows, rituals, and celebrations live.

Maritus’ Offerings

You now know about Kerala wedding traditions, but what about how you can have a seamless wedding experience? Planning a wedding is no easy task, and that’s where Maritus comes in. Having an experience of more than two decades, we are well aware of the Keralan cultures and that gives us an art of merging those cultures and traditions with modern aesthetics. We have had weddings that are the epitome of made in heaven culture blended with modernity. Whether you are planning a cozy event or a grand celebration, we’ve got it covered with the utmost precision and professionalism. For one, we’ve produced all sorts of weddings, including celebrity and destination weddings so we know a thing or two about what we do. 

With Maritus on board, all you need to do is focus on looking your best on your big day—we’ll take care of the rest. Let us craft your perfect wedding.