Outline of a Traditional India Hindu Wedding

Baraagaman:

Upon their arrival, the Groom, his family, and friends are given a traditional welcome by the Bride's family. A special music, played on the Sehnai, (which looks like a seashell with a hole in one end), announces the arrival of the Groom. The Bride's mother and the women of the Bride's family then give a ritual welcome to the Groom.

Malabadal & Shubhdrishti:

The Bride is ushered to the wedding area by her brothers/uncles, where she circles around the groom seven times. The Bride and Groom stand face-to-face and finally look at each other to indicate their consent to the union. They exchange flower garlands back and forth three times as a promise to respect each other forever.

Sankalp & Shantipath:

Together the couple then approaches the Mandap (altar). The priest begins by reciting scriptural passages from the Vedas.  He sanctifies the ceremonial area with prayers to Lord Ganesha and Devi Gauri to ward off evil and request well-being and prosperity for the couple. Varuna, the Lord of Water, is offered prayers for the purification of all exterior and interior spaces.  Prayers to the Sun, the Moon, the Earth, the Planets, the Sky, and other celestial bodies ask for protection and benediction during the ceremony.

Kanyadaan:

At the altar, the Bride's parents houour the Groom with a drink made of honey, yoghurt, saffron and ghee to energize his body and mind; and bestow on his various gifts, including a silk shawl.  The Groom wears the shawl to show respect to the Bride's parents, who then take their vows and commit their daughter to the Groom.  The Groom affirms the commitment and accepts her.

Havan-Homa:

The sacred flame is now lit to commence the ceremony. Agni, the Lord of Fire, who is the greatest purifier, is invoked to act as witness to the sacred union.  The sacred vows are made with the fire as witness.  The Groom promises to love and remain devoted to his wife for his entire life. The Bride joins the Groom in promising to pursue the four ends of human existence -- Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (love and pleasure), and Moksha (spiritual liberation).

Shilarohana:

The Bride symbolically places her foot on a rock as she promises to be firm as a rock in her love and fortitude.

Gathabandhana:

The priest binds the Bride and Groom with a symbolic knot to signify their eternal commitment to one another. The Groom places the Mangalsutra (sacred necklace) around the Bride's neck, assuring her protection from any calamity.

Laja-Homa:

The couple circles around the fire to solemnize their vows. Jointly, they offer puffed rice into the Homa (sacred fire), praying for their long life and happiness.

Saptapadi:

The Groom asks his Bride to take seven steps together with him, symbolizing nourishment, strength (physical, mental and spiritual), prosperity (through righteous means), harmony and happiness, progeny and abundance in life, enrichment, and lifelong companionship. This reflects the beginning of their journey together through life, with God as their guide.

Sindoordaan:

The Groom places a Sindoor (vermillion) mark on the Bride's forehead.  The couple then exchanges wedding bands symbolizing their married status.  They offer sweets to one another as an expression of love and affection.

Aashirvaad & Vidai:

The ceremony ends with the blessings from the priest and the parents of the Bride and the Groom.  The couple then seeks blessings from all guests at the ceremony, and departs from the altar.

It is not unusual for the Hindi wedding ceremony to take a couple of hours to perform.

The Salt Ceremony, as explained to me as I photographed it:

Between the wedding and reception, the Bride is paired individually with each of the Groom's family members over a bowl of salt. A coin is placed in the bowl of salt and each of the paired people sift a handful of salt back and forth into each other's cupped hands several times. This is to show that the Bride is accepted as part of the Groom's family by that individual family member. The coin represents that money issues shall never come between the two. Each coin is removed and set aside, later to be given to the priest for special blessings.