Core wedding stages. Kalyanam marriage, nichayathartham engagement where they exchange thambulam. Pathirigai invitation now WhatsApp? Still paper with Pillaiyar image.

Bride groom and fun. Manamagan groom, manamagal bride. Oonjal swing where couple sits and relatives sing.

Ritual flow:

• Nichayathartham: both families meet, exchange plates.
• Kalyanam day morning muhurtham – exact time astrology.
• Kanyadhanam father gives daughter.
• Thaali kattaradhu – groom ties thali three knots around bride neck, each knot family? Actually first two groom, third groom’s sister?
• Ezhu adi – couple walks seven steps around fire taking vows.
• Nalangu – fun night before? Evening games, bride groom find ring in water, etc.

Pronunciation Tips:

• Kalyanam – kal-yaa-nam wedding long yaa.
• Nichayathartham – long ni-chaya-thaar-tham formal.
• Muhurtham – mu-hoor-tham auspicious time long oo.
• Thaali – thaa-li mangalsutra long aa.
• Nalangu – na-lan-gu fun game.

Common Mistakes:

• Calling thali as tali only – thali is thali? Thaali double a.
• Confusing koorai selai bride’s first saree given by groom family vs usual selai?
• Metti toe ring only married women wear – don’t gift to unmarried? Actually only after marriage.
• Mama meaning father-in-law after wedding – groom calls bride father mama not uncle.

Cultural Note: Tamil weddings pure veg? Many Saivam but some asaivam? Brahmin pure veg, others non-veg reception? Mostly veg for ritual day, non-veg reception next day? No alcohol. Bride wears 9 yard madisar? Actually Brahmin 9 yard koorai. Iyer vs Mudhaliyar differences but core similar. Wedding invitation includes both family names and deity. Today love marriage? Kaadhal kalyanam still family need convince.

Practice:

1. Invite: Kalyanathukku vaanga!
2. Muhurtham: Muhurtham eppo?
3. Groom: Manamagan yaar? Who groom?
4. Thali: Thaali kattrathu – tying thali ritual.
5. Feast: Virundhukku vaanga.