The most auspicious date for marriage is selected to make the married life of the bride and groom happy. As it is exciting for the bridal couple to have a wedding, it is equally important to know when you can have it. Below are the auspicious wedding dates for 2011.

January 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30
(16th and 29th is Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)

February 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 ,12 ,13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27
(14th is Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)

March 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 ,11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26 ,27, 29, 30, 31
(30th is Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)

April 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 22, 24, 25, 27, 30
(14th is Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)

May 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30
(13th and 28th is Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)

June 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29
(12th is Nirjala Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)

July 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28
(11th and 26th is Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)

August 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 24, 31

September 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 28, 29
(8th is Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)
September 13th – September 27th Pitr Paksha (Weddings are NOT performed in this period)

October 7, 8, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 29, 30,
(7th and 23rd is Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)

November 3, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 21, 23, 27
(21th is Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)

December 1, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 17, 18, 25
(6th is Ekadashi so the wedding food must be non-grain)

Source: The Hindu Maha Sabha

The Tamilian community is fairly large and Tamilian weddings are usually well attended by close as well as distant relatives. Read the full story

The Gujarati community reflects unbounded enthusiasm in the affairs of matrimonial alliance. Their weddings are organised on a grand scale and their rituals are very colourful. It is important to note that like all Indian communities, there maybe a slight differentiation in matrimonials and rituals performed amongst different Gujarati sects like the Gujarati Patels and Gujarati Naagar Brahmins. However, the difference is negligible.

It is interesting to note that unlike most Indian communities where dowry plays a vital role, the Gujaratis have proved to be quite progressive. In case of the Naagar Brahmins, their girls are often married off with no expectations of wealth from the in-laws side. This is called kanku-kanya, meaning that the bride is welcome only with a vermilion mark on her forehead.
Read the full story

Muslim wedding ceremonies are celebrated in grandeur. Muslim weddings, known as ‘Nikaah’ in Urdu, can take place at any convenient time, because there is nothing like muhurat (the auspicious time) for the Muslims. Traditionally, the Muslim wedding is held at either the bride or the groom’s home. Read the full story

The majority of the wedding ceremony will take place in a Mandap (the four-pole  canopy at centre stage). The sacred fire in the Mandap symbolises not only the illumination of the mind, knowledge and happiness but is also a clean and pure witness to the ceremony as it progresses. Read the full story