Haldi Ceremony: Rituals, Outfits, Decor & More- A Complete Guide
BY Apoorva | 13 Mar, 2024 | 1389 views | 7 min read
Immersed in the deep-rooted Indian culture of Indian weddings, the Haldi ceremony stands out as a joyous and lively pre-wedding ritual. Every culture in Indian weddings has its own version of Haldi that happens before the wedding day. Most weddings have The ceremonial application of turmeric and sandalwood paste on the couple's bodies carries profound symbolism, representing purity and serving as a protective barrier against malevolent forces.
Image via Athiya and Rahul
A South Indian haldi ceremony has a mangalsnanam involved after the haldi application, which is a holy bath. In a haldi ceremony, Muslims use honey along with lemon for the haldi application. Rooted in tradition, this age-old practice holds immense significance within the grand festivities of an Indian wedding, marking the inception of a new and cherished chapter in the couple's life.
If you're a bride seeking a comprehensive guide to the exact traditions and rituals of an Indian wedding, your quest ends here! We delve into every aspect of Haldi functions, covering rituals, outfits, decorations, and much more.
What Is A Haldi Ceremony?
Image via House On The Clouds
A haldi ceremony is a pre-wedding ceremony in Indian weddings where the bride and groom apply a paste of turmeric, sandalwood powder and rose water for a cleansing ritual. Ubtan for the haldi ceremony is also used in certain cultures. It is usually done one day before the wedding or on the morning of the wedding. Tradition states that once this ritual is done, the bride and groom can only step out for the wedding!
And you know what is the most heartwarming part of this haldi ceremony? All the family members and friends get a chance to join in the joy and apply haldi to the couple. Now, here's the fun part – imagine everyone showcasing their amazing dance moves, the lively Bollywood tunes playing, and the rhythmic beats of the dhol making the whole ceremony even more delightful! It's a celebration full of love, tradition, and lots of happy moments!
Here are Fool-Proof Ways To Make Your Haldi More Fun!
Also, Latest Haldi Songs Playlist For This Wedding Season
The Significance Of A Bridal Haldi Ceremony
Image via Mehandi & Shivam
Using turmeric and sandalwood is like giving your skin a boost because they're good at fighting inflammation and germs. So, if you put on this haldi paste a day before your wedding, your skin is going to glow on the wedding day! Depending on different cultures, different ways of making the haldi paste are used.
Most people mix in rosewater, milk, and other oils with the paste to keep their skin nice and moisturized. Some also use honey to add that zing of shine. When the paste dries up and you wash it off, it works like a scrub, getting rid of dead skin cells and making your skin shine naturally. What's cool about the turmeric paste is that it's made from natural stuff!
While most brides adhere to a strict skincare regime before the big day, it's advisable to check with your dermatologist on the application of haldi before the big day. Most dermats will ask you to apply a layer of good old cold cream/thick layer of moisturizer before application so that it doesn’t stain the skin.
Here is the 101 on how to maintain the glow and get rid of any haldi stains!
What To Wear For Your Haldi Ceremony?
Image via Suchita and Nisarg
Traditionally there are two haldi ceremonies – one bridal haldi ceremony and one groom haldi ceremony at their respective houses. But now it’s one big party together so that everyone enjoys.
Here are some of the most fun and coolest groom shots from the groom haldi ceremony
While you can wear amazing outfits for your pre-wedding, keep in mind that a haldi can turn into a Holi party quite quickly. Wear something that you would be ok with staining. Most groom haldi ceremonies involve tearing the groom's clothes, as some rituals ask for that!
You can experiment with fun silhouettes and cuts for your haldi ceremony. You don’t need to stick to only yellow either. Here are couples who ditched the traditional yellow for their haldis!
For brides, monotone sarees can look so stunning too. We always recommend brides opt for solid colours so that the haldi looks prettier!
You can also check out these prettiest real brides who wore the most stunning Haldi outfits!
Makeup and Bridal Hairstyles For Haldi
Image via Doll You Up By S
Keep it simple and fun for haldi makeup looks. You are going to be smeared in Haldi, so you don’t want something completely done up, but you don’t want a bare face too. For hairstyles, you can experiment with different fun styles, like braids or even lots of flowers in the hair!
Looking for inspiration? Check out these gorgeous new floral braids that we love!
Décor For The Haldi Ceremony
Image via Athiya and Rahul
This is one event where you can have fun with colours. While yellow is a pre-dominant colour in most haldis, we would recommend not stopping at yellow. Mix in vibrant hues to add energy and positivity to the atmosphere. You can opt for marigold flowers, which are considered auspicious in Indian culture. Use fresh flowers in vibrant colours to create beautiful garlands and arrangements. If you are worried about how you will manage all this, pick our exclusive WMG Décor packages and say goodbye to all Haldi decoration woes.
Urlis are a huge hit when it comes to seating for the bride and groom for Haldis. They are also practical because the haldi and water mess is restricted to the urlis. Include traditional Indian elements like diyas (oil lamps), brass utensils, and clay pots. Use terracotta or wooden elements for a rustic touch.
Here are some sunshine-themed haldi décor ideas that we are loving! If you are looking for something that is budget-friendly, we have that too - #BudgetBrides: Amazing New Haldi Décor Ideas Within 25K!
Always set up a dedicated station for the Haldi application with bowls of turmeric paste. Decorate the station with floral arrangements and traditional elements. Remember, the key to a beautiful Haldi ceremony decor lies in the fusion of traditional elements, vibrant colours, and a warm, inviting atmosphere that reflects the joyous celebration of love.
Check out the Amazing Things You Can Buy For Your Haldi On Amazon!
For all those South Indian haldi ceremony, check out Cool Pellikuthru Decor Ideas To Make Your Haldi Ceremony Memorable
Favours For Haldi Ceremony
While very similar to the mehendi favours, you can present some Haldi-relevant favours for guests on display, which doubles up as decor too!
Find out some Amazing yet affordable Haldi favour ideas for guests!
Photography For Haldi Ceremony
Image via Vivek Krishnan Photography
The Haldi wedding ceremony always has the best opportunities for amazing candid photos so don’t let that go! As the turmeric and sandalwood paste is playfully applied to the couple, each candid shot becomes a canvas of emotions – from laughter and excitement to subtle moments of reflection. The close-ups of the turmeric paste being lovingly applied, the intricate patterns of floral decorations, and the raw emotions shared among family and friends create for fun candids.
The result is a collection of photographs that not only document the ceremony but also encapsulate the cultural richness, joy, and love that define this beautiful tradition in Indian weddings. Each photograph becomes a timeless memory, preserving the essence of the Haldi ceremony for the couple to cherish for a lifetime.
Here are some amazing photo ideas for your haldi ceremony.
If you are looking for inspiration on the yellowest and coolest haldi photos, we have that too for you!
Also - Our Favourite Haldi Photos Of All Times!
Tips To Remember For Your Haldi Wedding Ceremony
- Check with the venue if they are ok with Haldi being a part of the event. You don’t want the venue to charge you a hefty fine for stains after the event.
- Have multiple bathroom facilities for guests to change, in case it turns into a big Holi party. If possible, have towels and cloth napkins handy too.
- Never apply only haldi paste on your face. If you are doing it for the first time, it may cause a reaction. Mix sandalwood or ubtan powder with haldi powder, always!
For brides who are looking for great designer outfits, here are Under-The-Radar Indianwear Designers We Are Loving For Mehendis And Haldi!
