Saying ‘i do’ the traditional way in goa

Saying ‘I do’ the traditional way in Goa In the early days, Catholic weddings in Goa involved many traditional customs and ceremonies.

A mediator known as a 'Mali' or 'Raibari' used to arrange marriages by taking the proposal to the boy or the girl's family. These days very few marriages are arranged in this manner, today everyone is involved in decision-making and even the boy and girl have the right to consent.

After the decision is made, a promise called 'Utor' is taken by both families wherein they discuss details of the wedding which also includes dowry to be gifted to the bridegroom.

The engagement ceremony is traditionally at the bride’s place and starts with the exchange of rings in the presence of family members, priests, relatives and friends. The bridegroom's ring is placed in a special box where the bride's parents are required to put the dowry money. This is then counted by an elderly family member who is known as 'yezman'. Once this ceremony is over, the preparations for the wedding begin. Relatives of both, the bride and the groom go shopping together on a particular day to buy cloth for the bridal gown, the 'saddo' and the dress material for the bride to wear on the next day of the wedding.

The traditions begin two or three days prior to the wedding with the to-be-bride seen wearing her green & yellow ‘chuddo’ (bangles). Traditionally, after wearing these bangles, the to-bebride is not allowed to step out of the house till the day of her marriage. The following day is the ‘roce’ ceremony which is celebrated at both, the girl and the boy’s place. During the ceremony, the bride and groom are showered with coconut juice on their head as a sign of blessing. Lately people have been using eggs, tomatoes and a combination of various edible items to make the event a fun-filled experience. The dowry which includes ‘vojjem’ and trousseau of the bride isthen sent to the groom’s place two or three days prior to the wedding.

Crackers are ignited to symbolise the beginning of all traditions.

On the wedding day, a very close relative of the groom who is supposed to help the bride to dress up, comes to her house with the wedding dress and other items required for the marriage. Before going to the Church all close relatives and friends bless the bride and the groom in their house. The decorated wedding car comes to pick up the bride from her home after reaching the groom to the Church. At the Church, the couple take the wedding vows and the priest then pronounce them husband and wife. On returning from the Church, the newly wedded couple comes to the groom's house and the groom's parent sputa gold chain around the bride's neck and the 'saddo' on her shoulder. The bride's family then assembles on one side and the groom’s family on the other. Prayers are offered to God and later some of the bride's relatives cross the 'xim', a border which is made using wine and formally invite the couple to the bride's house the next day which is called 'apovnemn'. For the 'apovnemn', a close relative of the bride comes to take the newly wedded couple to the bride’s place. The bride dresses up in a red dress with a flower on her hair and takes along some bananas covered with a white handkerchief to her house. The bride’s parents welcome the happy couple with ‘dhoop’ (incense). After a short prayer, the bride’s mother puts a gold chain around her son-in-law’s neck and a ‘saddo’ on her daughter’s shoulder. The ceremony is followed by a formal dinner or lunch. The married couple then stays over for the night at the bride’s house. The wedding celebrations conclude on a happy note. Hard Rock Hotel Goa offers rocking holiday and wedding events, the first resort of its kind wedding hotel in India. Situated in the heart of Calangute just minutes from a number of famed beaches, our Goa resort is a complete entertainment destination.