Goa is a very small state on the West Coast of India. It has about a 30% Christian population and we are part of that 30%. There are many traditions and customs associated with weddings in Goa. I only know a few of them and we will be following only some of the customs.
Some Customs
It is a common practise for the bride to get a trousseau ready. She takes with her several items viz. a cupboard, utensils, towels, pillowcases, bedsheets, handkerchiefs, nightgowns etc..
In the earlier days, both the families before the wedding, had a ritual meal in honour of the ancestors, where all the friends and family were present. Nowadays, however, modern Catholic houses organise a meal for the poor instead.
A couple of days before the wedding is the "ceremony of bangles". A bangle seller is brought in, and with friends and family around, the bride is made to wear 30 green and red bangles, 15 on each hand. Green stands for fertility and red for a married life. In earlier days, married women had to wear glass bangles throughout their life until the death of their husband.
The bridegroom's family has the privilege of asking for an "ojem". This a gift of several Goan sweets and bananas, from the bride's family. These are later distributed to neighbours and relatives.
Before proceeding to the church the bride and groom receive blessings from their family and neighbours.
The day after the wedding, the new son-in-law is invited for lunch at his in-laws house. The party includes the bridal couple and their relatives and friends.
I have been surfing the internet the past few months for hints on how things are done here in the U.S. and how it differs from the Christian weddings in Goa... well here's how things are done at a Catholic wedding in Goa. This is not meant to be a suggestion for how things should be done but merely gleaned from observing a few weddings in Goa...
The Ceremony
The ceremony is always conducted in a church or chapel.
Guests are ushered to pews or may even sit wherever they want in the church.
Wedding music - the prelude - is played.
Grandparents and other honored guests are ushered down the aisle just before the main processional begins.
Parents are part of the processional, and each set walks down the aisle, one with their daughter, the bride, between them, and the other with their son, the groom.
After a pause, the music selected for the processional begins.
The priest enters the sanctuary.
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen enter.
Flower girl(s) and ring bearer(s) immediately precede the bridal couple.
The Groom walks down the aisle, accompanied by his parents.
The bride walks down the aisle, accompanied by her parents.
There is usually a full mass where the Wedding vows and rings are exchanged.
Accompanied by recessional music, the married couple comes back down the aisle followed by attendants and family members.
A receiving line may be held as guests leave the church.
The Reception
The wedding couple is introduced at the reception by the master of ceremonies.
The bride and the groom enter the reception site, followed by the wedding party and parents.
Confetti is tossed as the bridal couple moves around the dance floor.
The wedding cake is cut by the bride and groom, who may feed a piece to each other. The wedding cake is not served at the wedding but is distributed to family members after the wedding.
The Wedding toast follows which is usually offered by an esteemed friend or relative of the bride or groom.
This is followed by a thank you speech by the bridegroom or bride.
The wedding march follows, started by the bridal party following which the guest join in.
By the end of the march, the guests form a circle around the bride and groom
The wedding couple's first dance takes place.
In between sets drinks and hor d'ouveres are served.
Wedding food is served after around the third dance set.
The last dance set is followed by a game in which the groom and bride are seperated in two groups - the bride with the men and the groom with the ladies. The object is for the couple to come together for the final kiss.
