Guides
Everything we explain on first calls, written down
Short answers for couples planning a wedding in India, and for the guests flying in.
Updated Kalyan Co Planning Team
Marrying in India from abroad
International
Getting married in India as a foreigner: the legal options, explained
Can foreigners legally marry in India? The Special Marriage Act, the 30-day rules, documents, and why most couples marry at home and celebrate in India.
6 min read
International
Planning a wedding in India from abroad: a 12-month timeline
A month-by-month plan for couples abroad planning a destination wedding in India: venue, save-the-dates, visas, guests, and the week itself.
5 min read
International
First time at an Indian wedding? A guide for guests from abroad
What to wear, what to expect and how to join in at an Indian wedding: a friendly guide for guests travelling to India for the first time.
5 min read
Planning
Planning
Fusion weddings in India: how to blend two cultures beautifully
How couples from abroad combine Western and Indian wedding traditions in India: what to borrow, what to keep, and how to do it respectfully.
5 min read
Planning
The best time for a wedding in India, region by region
When to get married in India: the wedding season by destination, what the monsoon means for your plans, and the months that cost less.
4 min read
Ceremonies and traditions
Ceremonies
The Kerala Hindu wedding: rituals, timing and what to expect
A clear guide to the Kerala Hindu wedding: the muhurtham, thalikettu, pudavakoda, the lamp and the sadya, and how the day is usually run.
5 min read
Ceremonies
The Kerala Christian wedding: minnu, manthrakodi and the church
How a Kerala Christian wedding works: the manasammatham, madhuram vekkal, the church ceremony with the minnu and manthrakodi, and the reception.
5 min read
Ceremonies
The Kerala Muslim wedding: nikah, mylanchi and the Malabar feast
A guide to Kerala Muslim weddings: the mylanchi henna night and oppana, the nikah and mahr, and the famous Malabar wedding feast.
4 min read
Kerala weddings of three faiths, side by side
| Aspect | Hindu | Christian | Muslim |
|---|---|---|---|
| The ceremony | The groom ties the thali around the bride’s neck at the muhurtham, the auspicious time | Vows in church, then the groom ties the minnu and drapes the manthrakodi over the bride | The nikah: a marriage contract agreed before an officiant and witnesses, with the mahr gift to the bride |
| Where | A temple, kalyana mandapam, family home or resort | A church, with the reception at a hall or resort | A mosque or family venue, with the reception after |
| Before the day | No days of rituals in most communities | Manasammatham (betrothal in church) and madhuram vekkal (sweets) | Mylanchi, the henna night, often with oppana songs |
| The feast | A vegetarian sadya on banana leaves | Often meat and fish, such as appam with stew, or biriyani | Malabar biriyani; the groom’s family hosts the walima |
| Usually avoided | The month of Karkidakam, in many families | Lent, in most churches | Ramadan |
Customs vary between communities and families. We also plan interfaith and fusion weddings and civil weddings under the Special Marriage Act.
Tell us about your wedding
Where you live, roughly when, and how many guests. A planner replies within a few hours, in your time zone.