Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and offers the perfect destination to have your dream wedding. When it comes to Sri Lankan Weddings, there are many customs which are being practiced from ancient times. Sri Lankan bride usually wears the Sari (Indian Style) or Osari (Kandyan Style) and the groom wears the traditional shirt and the sarong or the “Nilame” suit. However according to your wishes it can be a civil wedding, a Buddhist wedding, a Hindu Wedding, a Muslim wedding or a Christian wedding.

The traditional Buddhist Wedding is a grand celebration. The bride groom is escorted to the wedding reception hall by a group of dancers and drummers.  In Buddhist weddings Poruwa Ceremony is a major event during the wedding. The wedding ceremony takes place on a decorated wooden platform called “Poruwa”. These platforms can be made in various designs according to your preference and colours. There are professionals who are famous to undertake Poruwa decorations. From exchanging the rings to blessings and other rituals all take place when the bride and the groom are standing on the Poruwa. Various rituals such as tying the little fingers of the bride and the groom, the couple worshiping their elders with betel leaf bundles, breaking a fresh coconut to ward off evil spirits and then lighting the oil lamp after getting off from the Poruwa. This ‘Poruwa Siritha’ is a traditional event which has been occuring from 3rd century B.C. There are also different customs for upcountry and low country weddings.

The Hindu Wedding in Sri Lanka follows a different setting with blazes of colour and opulence of gold jewellery and colourful saris. Throughout the ceremony the bride changes into three outfits along with different hair-do’s and jewellery. The Sri Lankan Hindu wedding ceremony lasts for about 3 hours throughout which they do various rituals. The bride and the groom usually walk around the fire 7 times while chanting holy verses. Same as Hindu and Buddhist weddings, Islamic (Muslim) and Christian Weddings also follow different customs and styles. Christian weddings in Sri Lanka are similar to Western weddings. The couple gets married in the church which is beautifully decorated with flowers and other weddings decorations, following which there will be a small reception in a hotel.

The Sri Lankan bride and the groom go in a car decorated with a beautiful posy or other decoration. Accompanying the bride and the bride groom are several other bride’s maids, groomsmen and little maids. There are bridal designers and fashion experts who undertake this whole retinue. From the bride’s maid’s attire to their hairstyle, shoes and posy they will offer their expert advice in selecting the suitable colours, fabric etc.

Sri Lankan weddings are long lasting, and it’s a once-in-lifetime experience for Sri Lankan brides. Therefore everyone prepares for this day months and years ahead.