Traditional Goan Catholic Wedding Blog

  Portonnem (Second day) After the wedding ceremony comes the Appounem or also called Portonnem . In this tradition , the bride’s family invites the groom’s family over to their house. The bride wears a bright red dress or saree. The bridal couple is welcomed by the bride’s mother , she puts a gold bracelet on his wrist ,then taken to the altar where they have to kneel down for a short prayer. The groom has to place some money under the cushion. This money is taken by the lady who has put the mat ready for them .  The groom parents get the saddo which was to be given to the bride on the second day . They place the saddo on the bride’s shoulder . The night is filled with dance, games and lots of entertainment.  Lastly after the second day , the next day when the newly married couple returns to grooms house. Before leaving they untie the knot of the matov of chuttacho . The matov is dismantled at the bride’s house. In the same way the matov at the groom’s house is dismantle...

Resper (Nuptials) On the wedding day, a close relative of the groom who is supposed to help the bride dress up comes to her house with the wedding dress and other items. Before going to the church all close relatives and friends bless the bride and the groom in their respective homes. The wedding car comes to pick up the bride after reaching the groom to church. Here at the nuptials the couple declare the wedding vows , exchange of wedding rings and the priest then announces them as husband and wife.  After on their return from church , the newly married couple comes to the groom house and the groom’s mother puts a gold chain on the bride’s neck and places a ‘saddo’ on her shoulder. Prayer is recited and a hymn is sung .  Then they go for a wedding photo shoot with the entourage. Reception This is followed by a grand reception . The party includes everything from the couple’s first wedding dance, wedding march,  to wedding cake cutting, to raising a toast . The night is q...

Vojem Vojem means the sweets items prepared by the bride’s and groom’s family at their respective homes . The Vojem consists of Goan sweet ‘Bol’ made of wheat , flour, jaggery and coconut. Doce and bananas too . There are two types of vojems, the main one being the fullache vojem presented when the dennem is handed over to the groom. It consist of two big tray of Doce which is decorated by the bride herself. Other vojem is the hankechem ojem, which is given to the Bride’s family on second day it is when the bride and groom comes at bride’s place to stay. The vojem consists of bols, Doce, neureos. Later which are distributed to the neighbours, relatives and ward people as a token to mention thank you for all the support during the marriage time. 

The Roce Ceremony  Roce ceremony is where, Bride and the groom each at their respective houses are anointed with coconut milk by their parents, relatives, neighbors and friends. It is done two days prior to the wedding. This ceremony symbolises the purification beginning of new life. The coconut milk is used and is said to cleanse or purify the couple before wedding which also signifies the end of their spinsterhood and bachelorhood. The ceremony commences with a prayer followed by a hymn. Bride enters with her parents and also the bridesmaids and bestmen. The coconut milk is poured even on the bridesmaids and bestmen. The bride and groom at their respective houses are made to sit in the  ‘matov’ (pandal) . Relatives and neighbors are invited over to apply the Roce .  When the people apply Roce to the bride have a lot of fun as they break eggs on the couple heads. Lastly the entourage pour the remaining Roce over the head of the groom and bride . Some come with beer and m...

  Bikrea Jevon  A Tradition where a meal is served to some people in honour of the family’s ancestors and deceased known as ‘ Bikreache jevon’ , where in the Bride’s and Groom’s family in their respective homes serve a meal to the people they have invited. This is wiped out honour of the ancestors of the Bride’s and groom’s family. Also In honour of the departed souls of the house  .  The families prepare a large quantity of simple home food, The poor people of the village are invited at bride’s and grooms place respectively. They start the ceremony by saying a rosary and a prayer with the bride present.  Bikrea Jevon comprises of Goan traditional food that is rice, dry prawns curry(Samarachi koddi cooked with mango sol)  Also a Goan sweet made of wheat and sugar cooked in coconut juice known as ‘Soj’ is served after the jevon .  Lastly all people who were invited step forward to shower their blessings on the bride and groom. 

  Dennem  ‘Dennem’ Also known as Dowry. In this Goan wedding tradition the bride’s family offers household essentials that might be useful to the bride after marriage. Dennem in kind which is given to the bride delivered to the groom’s house. From the Jewellery, Clothes to Furniture and Kitchenware , Electronics. It is all arranged in a truck or pickup (Vehicle) , the family of the bride go separately with the car. The Dennem is left at 3:00 pm sharp on the Roce day itself. Once the Dennem is left from the bride’s house,  tons of crackers are lighted. A Family member is given the responsibility of the jewellery. With the Dennem the Ojem also goes with some elder. After reaching at groom’s place , the jewellery is kept open on a table for dakvon (to see) . After that a prayer and ladain is recited.The bride’s family who came over at groom’s house with the dennem bestow their blessings on him.  Lastly the bride’s family are served with snacks and drinks. 

The Doce Ceremony  Doce a traditional Goan sweet. For weddings in Goa there is a tradition where the Doce is prepared at bride’s house and groom’s house respectively. At bride’s house nearly 15kg Doce is prepared and groom’s is 8-10 kg.  Family, relatives and friends and neighbours join together in the making of the Doce and help to prepare the same . Also in some families there are some ladies around 3-4 are called to do the Doce where they do all the work and they get paid . People recite the Goan mandos, other holy verses and bestow blessings on the bride & groom. Traditionally the Doce is cooked above the firewood. Before putting the “coopro” on the firewood . An image of Mother Mary is being kept at the place where the Doce will be prepared. Bride keeps some money before the image .Then a prayer is recited by the elder in the family and the first “ chado” is done by the bride. That is blending. Firstly, the main ingredients are Boiled gram dal, grated coconut, sugar, ...

“Saddo” is a beautiful ceremony cutting of the cloth. A Saddo is a red and white flowery dress to be worn by the bride in the house after the wedding. The dress is given by her own family that is her uncle. The Saddo is cut next day after chuddo ceremony . A statue of the village church patron St.Francis .Xavier is placed on the table where the dress cloth is kept and the tailor at their house cut two tiny length piece of cloth and placed infront of the statue. The family prays and a hymn is sung ‘Devan Tujer Axirvad Galum’ Then each relative, neighbour after the prayer walks up to the spot where lies the statue if St.Francis.Xavier and lays his or her offerings of money before the image. Lastly some sweets are distributed to the people present. The money collected near the statue is taken by the tailor.  The saddo is given to the bride at the end of the reception, placed on the bride’s shoulder. Also another saddo is given by the groom’s family as well. They get it on second day a...

The first tradition that is must for a Goan wedding is “Chuddo”. It is celebrated from Bride’s side. This tradition is associated with the bangles bought for the bride. In the Goan Wedding Culture, Bangles are important bridal accessory . It is a custom where the bride wears bangles that are of a particular colour and design and are called “Chuddo”. Wearing chuddo by the bride symbolises a good happy married life.  They are usually purchased from the local bangle seller known as “Kakonkar” who is often invited at home to do the fitting . The bangles are made of glass and are very delicate. The bride has to take care of them and see to that no bangle is broken till her wedding. Bride is not expected to do any work due to this. The ceremony is held at the bride’s maternal Uncle’s house who is supposed to invite her for lunch. The first bangle is fitted by the uncle of the bride.  For the ceremony to go ahead, the rest of the bangles are fitted onto the wrists of the bride to be ...

A big fat Goan wedding  Goan Wedding Traditions differ from each village to the other, Some believe some not. It’s purely an individual choice. The whole intention being to celebrate the big day with great promp and joy, safe and sound. The whole motto of being in strengthening the family ties and building bonds of togetherness. That is how amazing our big fat Goan weddings are! The Goan Catholic Wedding involves many customs and traditions that captures the happiest times of Goan people. Today Christians still practice their old customs and traditions. Culture and Traditions run deep in Goan Blood. The Goan Catholic weddings are popular in months of January,April,May and December.  Bride along with her bridesmaids. There are various ceremonies, that are followed in a Goan Catholic Wedding. The wedding is not just a day celebration , it is a 5-6 day’s celebration. The couple along with the family make the plans and preparations at least a year in advance. Also a lot of money n...