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Hindu and Catholic ceremony, a French-American wedding celebration

One can be proud of the one who brings faith together, in joy, love and beauty.

The Hindu ceremony for our French-American couple started already at 8 in the morning, with the traditional wedding procession – Baraat – where the bridal couple and their families meet for dance and music. After the procession, all guests were invited to a very elegant and equally colourful Hindu ceremony, held at the 12th-century Château de Vair.

It was remarkably orchestrated already from 4 am marking the beginning of the morning preparations. The morning bridal preparations took place in the historical guest's house named Palais Briau showcasing a lavish staircase, murals, stonework, and pieces of art gathered from the owners' many travels. The preparations started with the bride and bridal party make-up by Mariam and hair styling by Nana n'Hair. About an hour before departure, both families helped each other put on the Saris, the Lehnga for the bride and the Sherwani for the groom, in separate rooms.

The Mandap was beautifully set at one of the classic lounges of the castle where the Hindi ceremony was celebrated. The bridal couple's Prest came all the way from India and has succeeded in creating a real little corner of India under the Mandap perfectly set up by Flore by Benoist in collaboration with Castle Key Destination Weddings, under the instruction of the bride.

The Mandap

After the Baraat, the all-singing all-dancing wedding procession of the groom and his family, our groom reached the front of the castle where the mother of the bride greeted him. Once the Tikaas were received, the Aarti was performed, the Jaymala (Varamal) was done, the groom was brought to the Mandap where the Gau Daan took place and then the beautiful, emotional Hindu ceremony started.

The Vivaha-homa, the sacred fire, or the havan, was lit across from the bride and the groom for the direct invocation to the god Agni, to be the official divine witness of the marriage. The priest offered crushed sandalwood, ghee, herbs, and rice to the fire while reciting Vedic prayers over it.

After the Hindi ceremony, brunch was served to the attendees. The brunch was composed of traditional and tasty Indian food presented in silver platters and served at tables beautifully set at one of the castle's lounges, next to the lounge of the Mandap.