Goan Weddings

Goan Weddings 

Culture and tradition run deep in Goan blood. Goan weddings aren’t just a day’s celebration, they spread over 4-5 days. Goans definitely take every celebration especially weddings very seriously! 

The months of April, May and December witness a number of weddings in Goa.

A Goan wedding is a big celebration.

Here are some of the traditions that are followed during a big fat Goan wedding.

The first tradition that is a must for a Goan wedding is ‘Chuddo’

In the Goan wedding culture, bangles are an important bridal accessory. It is a custom where the Goan bride has to wear the best bangles possible. These bangles of a particular colour and design are called ‘chuddo’. They are usually purchased from the regular/local bangle-seller of the village, known as the volar or kankonkar who is often invited over to the home. The bangles are made of glass and very delicate.

This ceremony is usually performed at the house of the maternal uncle of the bride. These bangles represent the married life and hence if her husband passes away or dies then the woman is made to break her bangles over the coffin and the pieces thrown in. The number and colour of the bangles differ from village to village.

For the ceremony, the bangles are fitted onto the wrists of the bride-to-be by the volar. Relatives take the opportunity and get some bangles for themselves as well.

The family offers money as a token of blessing and is kept in a tray placed near the bangle-seller. The chuddo ceremony is common among the Hindus and Christians of Goa.

Also, the bride receives gifts from relatives and wears the ceremonial bangles, eight to nine in number on her right wrist and seven to eight on her left.

The second tradition is a ritual called ‘Ros’

This is the anointing ceremony where both the bride and the groom are anointed with coconut milk by their parents, relatives, neighbours and friends in their respective houses.

This is usually done 2 to 3 days prior to the wedding. This ceremony symbolizes the beginning of new life. The coconut milk is used and is said to cleanse or purify the couple before the wedding, which also signifies the end of their single lives.

The ones anointing the couple have a lot of fun as they get to break eggs on the couple’s heads and throw coins or cash into the bowls which are later given to the maids that helped in the preparations.

‘Bhuim Jevon’

This is a meal in honour of the family’s ancestors known as ‘bikaraimche jevon’. This meal is for the beggars and poor people in and around the village. There are many such traditions like this which are not carried out today.

‘Opsun divnchem’ or ‘Oopsun’

The tradition where the bride is formally given away by the father or the guardian of the bride.

The Wedding Day

On the wedding day, a close relative of the groom who is supposed to help the bride dress up comes to her house with the wedding dress and other items. Before going to the church all close relatives and friends bless the bride and the groom in their respective residences. The wedding car comes to pick the bride after reaching the groom to the church. Here at the nuptials the couple declare the wedding vows and the priest then pronounces them man and wife. 

After this on their return from church, the newly wedded couple comes to the groom's house and the groom's mother puts a gold chain on the bride's neck and places the 'saddo' on her shoulder. Prayers are recited or sung

They then proceed to the venue for the reception where the wedding cake is cut and all dancing and merrymaking takes place with food and drinks being served. A toast is also raised for the happiness and prosperity of the married couple.

After the wedding ceremony comes the ‘Appoune’ or ‘Porthopon’.

In this tradition, the bride’s family invites the groom’s family over to their house usually the next day of the wedding. The bride wears a bright red saree or dress called ‘Saddo’.

It starts with the pre-wedding tradition, then the day the bride and groom get hitched, ‘second day’ and there’s surely more.

There are many traditional customs that take place in the span of these 4 to 5 days, they might be small traditions but they are critical because they have a big meaning to them.

All these traditions are carried out with the whole family from both the bride’s side as well as the groom’s side. Making it a family affair and strengthening the familial ties. Enjoying every bit of the wedding from start to finish. That is how amazing our big fat Goan weddings are!