Arjun & Monika's wedding
Day 1
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Nidadvolu
Day 2
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Nidadvolu
Day 3
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Annavaram
About the hosts
Arjun & Monika's story
My father and his friend were searching for a groom for me when they came across my photo and immediately approved it. Without the usual pelli chupulu, they arranged the engagement.
I met the groom, Arjun, for the first time at the engagement. He was funny and kind, and I later learned he had already seen me in Vizag and rejected all other matches for me.
Arjun, 30, works as a Senior Manager at Dr. Reddy’s in Vizag. Though my father hesitated initially, everything fell into place with God’s grace. At 24, I’m excited to begin this beautiful journey with him.
Day 1Saturday, January 25, 2025Nidadvolu
Starting time (approximately): 9:30 AM
Venue and host contact details will be disclosed upon booking.
Bride Ritual
Pellikuthuru (Bride's Ritual)
Before the wedding, the bride undergoes a purification ceremony called Pellikuthuru, where she is bathed with turmeric and other herbs by close family members. This is believed to cleanse and beautify the bride for her new life.
The bride's family also conducts a small pooja for her well-being and to ward off any evil influences.
Day 2Sunday, January 26, 2025Nidadvolu
Starting time (approximately): 10:00 AM
Venue and host contact details will be disclosed upon booking.
Haldi and mehandi
The Haldi Ceremony is a joyous ritual where turmeric paste is applied to the bride's face, hands, and feet by family members. Dressed in yellow, the bride sits on a stool while married women lead the ceremony, accompanied by traditional songs. Haldi symbolizes purification, protection, and glowing skin, preparing her for the wedding.
The Mehendi Ceremony is a vibrant celebration where intricate henna designs are applied to the bride's hands and feet, often hiding the groom’s name in the patterns. Female relatives and friends also get mehendi applied. The bride wears colorful attire, accessorized with floral or gold jewelry, as the event features music, dance, and games. Mehendi represents love, happiness, and prosperity, with its darker color symbolizing a strong bond between the couple.
These rituals are essential in traditional weddings, celebrating the bride’s transition into married life.
February 2nd -receiption day
A traditional Indian wedding reception is a grand celebration held after the wedding, marking the beginning of the couple’s new life together. It typically takes place in a beautifully decorated venue, such as a banquet hall, with flowers, lights, and cultural motifs. The event starts with speeches from both families, thanking the guests and offering blessings for the couple's future. The bride and groom make a grand entrance, followed by cake cutting, which symbolizes their unity. Traditional dances and music, often including regional dances like Garba or Bhangra, add to the celebration. A lavish meal featuring multiple courses and regional specialties is served to guests. The evening concludes with the couple receiving gifts and blessings from the guests, followed by a farewell, marking the start of their married life. The reception is a joyous occasion that highlights family, love, and cultural traditions.
Day 3Thursday, January 30, 2025Annavaram
Starting time (approximately): 9:00 PM
Venue and host contact details will be disclosed upon booking.
Wedding
A traditional Andhra Pradesh wedding is a vibrant and rich celebration with several key rituals:
Wedding Day Rituals:
Baraat: The groom arrives with a procession.
Kanyadaan: The bride’s father gives her hand to the groom, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility.
Mangalsutra & Sindoor: The groom ties the sacred thread and applies sindoor to mark the bride as married.
Saptapadi: The couple takes seven vows around the sacred fire.
Traditional rituals, including music, dance, and feasts, make the wedding a joyful and significant event in Andhra Pradesh.