Parsi weddings

All white, a loop of thread around the couple, and one last chance to refuse.

Before the wedding

1
Rupia Peravanu
Women from the groom's house visit the bride with a silver tray and are greeted at the door with a simple aarti.
2
Adravann
The betrothal. Rings and gifts are exchanged, and the bride is given a sari and red bangles.
3
Mandav Saro
Prayers at each house, three or four days before, for a wedding without hindrance.
4
Aderni
The bride receives red glass bangles and jewellery. The couple do not meet again until the wedding.

5
Nahn
A sacred bath before the groom dresses in his white dugli and pagri, and the bride in a white sari.
6
Consent
The couple sit either side of a white cloth, and the priest asks if they consent. It is the last chance to refuse.
7
Haathevaro
Their hands are tied with a white dhaga, and another loop encloses them both in a circle.
8
Tan-dorosti
A prayer for good health, while rice and rose petals are sprinkled over the couple.
9
Parsi Bhonu
The traditional wedding feast, served on banana leaves.

10
Varona
On the eighth day, the garlands and items from the mandav saro are put into a river or the sea, and the bride first visits her parents.

Every family does things a little differently, so treat this as a guide rather than a rule. Your elders will have the last word.

We can bring the priests, the musicians, the mehndi and the sweets, wherever you marry.

Next guide

Sikh weddings