Planning the wedding · 7 subtopics: Cultural & religious weddings

South Asian, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Chinese, African, Latin American and interfaith weddings — the events, rituals and how to blend traditions with respect.

A bride in a red lehenga holding hands with a groom in a white sherwani

South Asian weddings

Mehndi, sangeet, haldi, baraat, the ceremony and the reception — often across several days, and different in every family.

Several events over a few days
Bright colors; red is often the bride’s
Cash gifts are common
Explain events on your website

Indian weddings Pakistani and Muslim weddings Sikh weddings Guests new to the tradition

Open south asian weddings

Jewish weddings

The ketubah signing, the chuppah, the seven blessings, breaking the glass and the hora — with variations across denominations.

Talk to your rabbi early
Ketubah signed before the ceremony
Families often walk together
The hora at the reception

Open jewish weddings

Church and Christian weddings

Many churches require preparation, set ceremony rules and have their own musicians and photography guidelines.

Book the church and officiant early
Ask about preparation classes
Check photography and music rules
Readings and hymns

Open church and christian weddings

Chinese and East Asian weddings

Tea ceremonies, door games and multiple outfit changes are common, with red and gold for luck.

Tea ceremony with elders
Door games on the morning
Red and gold for luck
Banquet-style receptions

Open chinese and east asian weddings

African and diaspora weddings

Traditional ceremonies such as introductions and engagement ceremonies, vibrant attire, money spraying and joyful dancing.

Traditional and white weddings
Coordinated family fabrics
Money spraying traditions
Plan for large guest lists

Open african and diaspora weddings

Latin American weddings

Padrinos and madrinas, the lazo and the arras, and long, joyful receptions.

Padrinos sponsor parts of the wedding
The lazo and arras rituals
Mariachi or live music
Late-night food

Open latin american weddings

Interfaith and multicultural weddings

Choose what matters most from each tradition, find officiants who welcome both, and explain rituals to guests.

Ask each family what matters and why
Co-officiants or two ceremonies
A program explaining rituals
Respect religious requirements

Open interfaith and multicultural weddings

Guests seated for an outdoor garden ceremony under the trees

The full guideCeremony & traditions: The ceremony: the part that makes it a wedding.Order of ceremony and processional, writing vows, readings, unity rituals, choosing an officiant, first looks, unplugged ceremonies and traditions from many cultures.

Articles on cultural weddings.

Showers, parties & weekend4 min read

A guide to South Asian wedding events, for couples and guests

Mehndi, sangeet, dholki, haldi and mayun, baraat, nikah, pheras, anand karaj, walima and reception — what happens, what to wear and how to join in.

Free tools for cultural weddings

Wedding day timeline builderGuest count & cost calculator

Vows, Toasts & Ceremony Kit

Every word for the big day, in one kit.

Write vows you’ll be proud to say, plan a ceremony that sounds like you, and give every speaker the words they need. Printable, and editable in Word.

20 ceremony scripts
10 vow templates
14 readings
10 toasts

From$28.50~~$57~~Choose your version Look inside first

Three versions: choose yours on Gumroad. Instant download.

The Vows, Toasts & Ceremony Kit cover, shown with product mockups