Bengali Pre-Wedding Rituals
The pre-wedding rituals of the Bengali wedding marks the beginning of the grand wedding ceremony. Starting with "Aashirwad", this ritual is the conformation of marriage alliance that is performed few days prior to the wedding. An "alpana" along with a small banana tree is placed at the entrance of the house. Under the tree a copper vessel called "mangol ghot" is placed. A "Vridhi Puja" is conducted for offering worship to the ancestors of Bride and Groom. Then the bride`s family gives a grand rich supper known as "Ai Buro Bhaat", the night before the wedding.

"Dhodhi Mangal" is a ceremony performed at both bride and groom`s houses at the dawn in a nearby pond. They invite the Goddess Ganga for the wedding. Then comes the "Gaye Holud" ceremony in which a paste of turmeric is applied to her body.

Bengali Post-Wedding Rituals
The post wedding rituals of a Bengali wedding are also colourful. The "Grihapravesh" of the couple occurs when they come to the doorstep and the groom`s mother does aarti of the couple. The couple gives sugar to all present and they have to take names in verses several times. Finally, a wedding reception, like most other Indian weddings is held by the groom"s side as a mark of welcoming the new family member.

Costumes in Bengali Wedding
The bride adorns herself in all her bridal finery. Her hair is tied into a bun and covered with a veil. A mukut is placed on her head. After her bridal makeover, a design of the mukut is traced on her face using the chandan paste.

The bridegrooms in Bengali wedding wear a silk Dhoti and Kurta, along with topor, which is a paper and shoal conical hat. However, while performing the marriage rituals the groom drapes a silk cloth around his body known as the "jor". The end of this cloth is tied to the anchal of the bride"s saree.