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South Asian Weddings
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Sri Lankan Traditions

trueleo818trueleo818
500 Comments
in South Asian Weddings
Im such a newbie. I dont know ANYTHING about the Sri Lankan traditions and the culture. Im going there in July to meet the family and friends and to plan our wedding. My FI doesnt really know much and his mom and I have different schedules so we cant really sit down and talk about it. =( Can ANYONE please tell me some key points? like, what to expect and what not? I'm sure that I'll learn a lot during my trip, but it would be great to know a few things before i head there.

pleeaaseee!
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Re: Sri Lankan Traditions

  • HinajHinaj member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Sorry I don't know, but have you tried googling it.  It might be too general, but if nothing else its a place to start.
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  • trueleo818trueleo818
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    yeah, i googled it. very interesting. but its just general info. not the ones im looking for but it got me started. its a buddhist wedding minus the monks. is that bad?
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  • HinajHinaj member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Have you talked to his family members, or have him talked to his family to get some ideas??  Maybe you can ask when you visit in July. 
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  • Lil_miss_shaLil_miss_sha
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I can help!

    My FI is Sri Lankan.  We're having 2 ceremonies - a Hindu one in the morning and a Sinhalese (Sri Lankan Buddhist) ceremony in the evening.  If you want, I can send you our Poruwa ceremony programs so you can get an idea of what it'll be like. 

    Just to give you an idea, the Poruwa is a dais similar to the mandap under which Hindu ceremonies are performed.  The officiant is usually a family elder or friend who happens to know all the ashtakas or sacred words.  A monk rarely officiates.  The bride generally wears a white sari with veil.  For instance, I'm wearing a white sari with a bird cage veil.  My soon-to-be MIL wore a white lace sari with a cathedral veil.  FI is wearing a tux.

    If you have any specific questions let me know!  I went to SL in November and had a great time!  I'm sure you will too!
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  • SonaliPopSonaliPop member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I wish I had information for you, but, I'd say, google it. It sounds beautiful.

    I would love to see Sri Lanka. Enjoy all this planning, it will be worth it.
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  • trueleo818trueleo818
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_south-asian-weddings_sri-lankan-traditions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:430Discussion:b1299fca-b211-4b63-9842-af0c4eb4ae31Post:762de5a6-89d5-4b75-bfaa-ef4ed8f5b59e">Re: Sri Lankan Traditions</a>:
    [QUOTE]I can help! My FI is Sri Lankan.  We're having 2 ceremonies - a Hindu one in the morning and a Sinhalese (Sri Lankan Buddhist) ceremony in the evening.  If you want, I can send you our Poruwa ceremony programs so you can get an idea of what it'll be like.  Just to give you an idea, the Poruwa is a dais similar to the mandap under which Hindu ceremonies are performed.  The officiant is usually a family elder or friend who happens to know all the ashtakas or sacred words.  A monk rarely officiates.  The bride generally wears a white sari with veil.  For instance, I'm wearing a white sari with a bird cage veil.  My soon-to-be MIL wore a white lace sari with a cathedral veil.  FI is wearing a tux. If you have any specific questions let me know!  I went to SL in November and had a great time!  I'm sure you will too!
    Posted by Lil_miss_sha[/QUOTE]


    AAAAAHHHH!!! YOU ARE A LIFE SAVE!!!! YES, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SEND ME ANY INFO OR ANYTHING THAT'LL GIVE ME AN IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW THINGS WORK! MY FI AND I ARE BOTH BUDDHIST AND OUR U.S. WEDDING WON'T HAVE ANY MONKS AND IDK WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE SINHALESE WEDDING.
    Report Reply
  • Lil_miss_shaLil_miss_sha
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Sure no problem!  Email me at lilmisssha@gmail.com...  I'll send you our Poruwa ceremony program...  It goes into some pretty good details for the ceremony. 

    We're having an uncle from the community who knows all the ashtakas officiate.  I once went to a wedding ceremony (not really Sinhalese) where a monk officiated and FI thought it was the oddest thing.  I think it's normal for a family member or close uncle to preside over the ceremony.  Check out the program and if you have any questions, let me know!
    Report Reply
  • trueleo818trueleo818
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_south-asian-weddings_sri-lankan-traditions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:430Discussion:b1299fca-b211-4b63-9842-af0c4eb4ae31Post:753957a1-262e-4875-bc60-910d807c1d7b">Re: Sri Lankan Traditions</a>:
    [QUOTE]Sure no problem!  Email me at lilmisssha@gmail.com...  I'll send you our Poruwa ceremony program...  It goes into some pretty good details for the ceremony.  We're having an uncle from the community who knows all the ashtakas officiate.  I once went to a wedding ceremony (not really Sinhalese) where a monk officiated and FI thought it was the oddest thing.  I think it's normal for a family member or close uncle to preside over the ceremony.  Check out the program and if you have any questions, let me know!
    Posted by Lil_miss_sha[/QUOTE]



    Hey,
    I sent you an email, hope you got it!
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  • kingofpopkingofpop
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hey I am Sri Lankan and I can give you some tips on how I am incorporating traditions into the ceremony and decor. E-mail me at nilani111@hotmail.com
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