7:15 am - 8:45 am
The wedding day will start with the vraham. Vratham is a ceremony performed by both families independently, invoking their family deities and ancestors asking for their blessings. This is akin to an oath taking ceremony, where the families pledge to go through with the ceremony, and honor the vows made during it. The rest of the events will follow the vratham.
9:00 am - 9:15 am
The bride's father intervenes and requests the groom to not go on a pilgrimage. Instead, he offers the bride's hand and promises that she will be his soul mate in performing the Vedic rituals that would guarantee spiritual enlightenment.
9:15 am - 9:45 am
The bride and groom exchange garlands, and are seated on a swing, decorated with flowers and ornaments. The swing is swung back and forth to symbolize the strength that the couple has to find in each other during rocky times. Five ladies wash the bride and groom's feet with milk and throw colored rice balls around them to ward off any evil to the accompaniment of singing.
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Kanyadanam is the bride's father giving her hand to the groom. The bride is offered new clothes by the groom's family to welcome her into the family.
10:45 am - 11:15 am
Mangalya Dharanam is the groom tying the mangalsutra (yellow thread with a gold religious pendant) around the bride's neck. The groom's sisters help him with tying the knots.
11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Sapthapadi are the seven steps of marital vows around the fire. Each step around the fire signifies a vow.
12:00 pm