Thesis: Indian marriages follow three major steps.

Preview: First, there is a hand-painting function the night before the marriage. Next, the actual wedding ceremony takes place. Finally, there is a reception to conclude the marriage.

Sources: Some of my information comes from a book by Carolyn Mordecai named Weddings, Dating, & Love Customs of Cultures Worldwide, Including Royalty and from an article on a website titled The Marriage Ceremony off of www.vivaaha.org.

I. First of all, a hand-painting ceremony called the Mahendi function takes place.

A The bride's family lavishly puts together a fun gathering for the bride, her friends, and sisters. The main idea of the function is to put henna on the girls' hands so they can look decorated for the wedding. Henna is a herbal dye that is put on the body. It dyes the skin and the color remains for up to three weeks.

2 This happens until every single person has wished many happy returns to the couple.

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C As in any marriage, the time comes for the father to give his daughter away. In Christian marriages, the father walks the bride down the aisle and hands her over to her soon-to-be husband. According to www.vivaaha.org, in an Indian wedding, the father spills water out of a vessel. This symbolizes him giving away his daughter to the groom.

1 So, you try to make your way through the house and to a television. But, about what seems to be a million people, stop you along the way. You smile because you have to and try not to cringe while they plant big, wet kisses on your face.

2 The bride and groom step on top of a stone after every round they make about the fire. This symbolizes the hope that their love will be as solid as the stone they are standing upon.

D Then, the garments worn by the bride and groom are knotted together. This occurs in hope that the bride and groom will always be close with one another. They exchange garlands and rings.

A First, the groom and his family arrive at the wedding place and are greeted by the bride's family. In a procession, they all head to the marriage hall.

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Approximate Word count = 1197
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)