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After the weddingWedding Reception in India: Traditions and Planning Tips
The reception is the party that introduces the newly married couple to the wider circle of family, friends and colleagues, usually hosted by the groom's family after the wedding.
What is a wedding reception?
A reception is a celebration held after the religious or legal ceremony to present the couple as husband and wife. Unlike the rites, it has no fixed ritual content: guests greet and bless the couple, give gifts, take photographs and share a meal. In India it is often the largest event of the wedding for the groom's side, and the one most likely to include colleagues, neighbours and acquaintances.
Where it comes from
Many Indian traditions have a feast hosted by the groom's family after the bride arrives. The Bengali bou bhaat, where the bride serves rice to her in-laws and is introduced to relatives, is one clear example. Over time, especially in cities, the formal Western-style reception — a stage, a receiving line, a buffet and music — has blended with these older customs.
Who does what
- Traditionally the groom's family hosts, though many couples now hold a joint reception or host it themselves.
- The couple usually stand or sit on a stage, greeting guests who come up to bless them, give gifts and pose for photographs.
- Elders may be invited to give a short blessing, and friends sometimes make toasts or speeches.
- A first dance, cake cutting or performances are optional extras, increasingly popular in urban weddings.
When it happens
The reception usually follows the griha pravesh and may come a day after the wedding or several weeks later, especially if the couple's families live in different cities. Some families hold it on the wedding evening itself, before or after the main rites, when the muhurat is late at night. It is often followed by mooh dikhai in North Indian homes, if not done earlier, and by the pag phera.
Regional variations
- Bengali families hold bou bhaat and then the phool sajja (flower-bedecked bed) that night; see the Bengali wedding guide.
- In Tamil Nadu, the reception is often held on the evening before the muhurtham, so that guests can meet the couple before the early-morning ceremony.
- In Kerala, a reception is common, especially when the wedding itself was held in a temple with limited space.
- Many couples who have a court or registered marriage hold a reception as their main celebration; see our guide to marriage registration.
Practical tips for families today
- Decide who is invited to the reception versus the wedding; it is common to invite a wider circle to the reception only.
- Allow time for the receiving line. With many guests, the couple can spend hours on stage, so plan breaks, water and a chance for them to eat.
- If both families are hosting separate receptions in different cities, coordinate dates so elders can attend both.
- Keep the gift-receiving process organised — designate a trusted relative to collect envelopes and keep a list.
- Use one consistent couple hashtag across all the events so photos are easy to find later.
- Prepare a short thank-you message for guests. Our wishes collection has ideas for return notes.
Common questions
Is a reception compulsory? No. It is a social event, and many couples skip it, merge it with the wedding or keep it small. Should the bride change her outfit? Many brides wear a lighter lehenga, gown or sari for the reception, but there is no rule.
Fixing the date?
The muhurat calendar lists every auspicious wedding date month by month, with the hours each one holds.
Wedding muhurat calendar Match kundlis freeQuestions people ask
Who traditionally hosts the reception in India?
Usually the groom's family, though joint receptions and couple-hosted receptions are increasingly common.
Is the reception held before or after the wedding?
Most often after, from the next day to several weeks later. In some South Indian weddings it is held the evening before the early muhurtham.
What is bou bhaat?
It is a Bengali post-wedding feast at the groom's home, where the bride serves rice to her in-laws and is formally introduced.
Do couples who register their marriage hold a reception?
Many do. A reception is a common way to celebrate with family and friends after a court or registered marriage.
Wedding traditions
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