Attending a Tamil Wedding

If you are a visitor to a Tamil friends Wedding, read this.
Some of the Tamil speaking People may come from different Religions. But they have their traditions in common. If you are attending a Tamil's church wedding,You may wear Tuxedo in Dark color. It is most welcomed by your guest. While Tamil Hindu Marriage may take place in Bride's home, Temple, Wedding hall or in a Hotel. Wherever the marriage takes place, the place is looked upon as a holy place. As the marriage ceremony looks the bride as Bharvathi and Bride groom Lord as Shiva, till to the end of the Wedding ceremony. When they Invite you, it's better to ask them about the dress code. If the marriage takes place in a Hotel, You can wear a Coat with a Long tie or a Tuxedo suite.If you have Indian Sharwani, Kurtha like dress, it will look good at the function. It's not recommended to wear Coat, or tuxedo suite at the Hindu weddings in Temples as they are attended by other unknown worshipers. Don't go in to the temple with your foot wear or cap.

What are the things to take care in the wedding halls.

At the entrance you will be offered Sandal wood paste, Just touch it with your finger and put it on your forehead or walk with that and rub it with your both hands.

Sniffing.
Tamils don't like sniffing when a Good thing is going to Take place.
Ladies hair do opened in the air is not accepted at the wedding hall. It Must be done in good style (hair do), if possible with flowers or decorations.

No Smoking.
Vegetarian food only will be served.Non veg is strictly not allowed in the Hindu Tamil weddings.So, don't ask for them to be served.
Don't reject any short eats or Drinks which is offered to you. If you don't like it also take it and keep it next to you.

When they bring Saree and the "Thale" on a plate to you, Just touch it and Bless it.

They may give you flowers in a try, pick little and keep it, When the "Thali" is offered by the bridegroom on the bride's neck you can throw the flowers at the couples along with the others.

When people start to bless the newly married couple, you too can do that.Take the yellow rice with both hands from the tray and put it on head, shoulder and the knee for both of them.

Hold your both palms together in front of your Chest and bow your head little forward to greet them.

Kissing the Bride is a bad gesture.

Don't go to the "manvarai" (Wedding stage) with your foot wear.
It will be little bit of noisy made with the Traditional "Melam or thavil" (Drums), To prevent Bad words going to the ear of the couples, Ignore it.

If they offer you Beetle for chewing, Take care not to add Tobacco, as it will make dizzy for the first time users.

If the wedding happens in bride's home, When they are ready to serve food, they will give you a brass "chembu" (Jug) with water, wash your hands and give the "Chembu" to next visitor or just keep next to the water Barrel

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