Indian Christian wedding invitations: banns, Roce, and what to write
Indian Christian weddings vary more than most people expect, because the communities arrived at Christianity by very different routes. A Goan Catholic wedding, a Mangalorean one and a Kerala Syrian Christian one share a church service and almost nothing else.
This page covers the parts common to all of them, the pre wedding ceremonies that surprise people, and wording for the invitation.
Banns, and why they affect your timeline
In most Catholic and many Protestant parishes, the banns of marriage are announced in church on three Sundays before the wedding. It is a public notice giving anyone with a valid objection the chance to raise it.
Practically, this means the parish needs to know well in advance, and most also require pre marital counselling, which can run over several sessions across weeks.
Book the church before you book anything else. Couples routinely fix a hall and a caterer and then find the parish cannot accommodate the date. Ask the parish office about banns, counselling and the required documents on your first visit.
Roce and Chuddo
In Goan and Mangalorean Catholic families, the day before the wedding brings the Roce. Coconut milk is applied to the bride and groom, separately, at their own homes, by their parents and by married relatives. It is a cleansing and a blessing, and it is the last thing done to them as unmarried people. If it looks like a Haldi, that is because the impulse behind it is the same.
In Mangalorean Catholic families the bride is also given the Chuddo, sets of red and green glass bangles, put on by a married woman from the family. The green stands for fertility and life.
Kerala Syrian Christian weddings have their own distinct elements: the Minnu, a small gold pendant on a thread taken from the groom's mundu, is tied around the bride's neck, and the Manthrakodi, a silk saree, is placed over her head by the groom.
The service and what follows
- The entranceThe bride is walked in, traditionally by her father, and given to the groom at the altar.
- Readings and homilyScripture readings, often chosen by the couple, and a short sermon.
- The vowsSaid aloud to each other, before the priest and the congregation.
- RingsBlessed and exchanged. In some traditions a lasso or veil is placed over the couple.
- Nuptial MassIn Catholic weddings, the full Mass with Holy Communion. This adds around forty minutes.
- Signing the registerThe legal moment, with witnesses.
- ReceptionSpeeches, the first dance, the cake and the toast.
Christian wedding invitation wording you can copy
Copy any of these and change the names, dates and places. They are written to be read out loud, so they sound right on a phone screen too.
Mr and Mrs [Surname]
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
[Name]
to
[Name]
son of Mr and Mrs [Surname]
on [Day, Date] at [Time]
at [Church name and address]
Reception to follow at [Venue].
"Love is patient, love is kind."
1 Corinthians 13:4
With joy and with the blessing of God, we invite you to the wedding of
[Name] and [Name]
Nuptial Mass · [Day, Date] · [Time]
[Church]
Reception · [Time] · [Venue]
We are getting married, and we would love you there.
[Name] and [Name]
[Day, Date]
Church service at [Time], [Church]
Dinner and dancing from [Time], [Venue]
All the details are on this link.
Roce for [Name]
[Day, Date] · [Time]
[Address]
Family and close friends. Wear something you do not mind getting coconut milk on.
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Questions people actually ask
What are the banns of marriage?
A public announcement made in church on three Sundays before the wedding, giving anyone with a valid objection a chance to raise it. Most parishes require them, so speak to the parish office early.
What is a Roce ceremony?
A Goan and Mangalorean Catholic ceremony the day before the wedding, where coconut milk is applied to the bride and groom at their own homes by their parents and married relatives. It is a blessing and the last thing done to them as unmarried people.
What is the Chuddo?
Sets of red and green glass bangles given to a Mangalorean Catholic bride and put on by a married woman of the family. Green represents fertility and new life.
How is a Syrian Christian wedding different?
The Minnu, a small gold pendant on a thread drawn from the groom's mundu, is tied around the bride's neck, and the Manthrakodi, a silk saree, is placed over her head. The service follows the Syrian liturgical tradition.
Should we mention the Nuptial Mass on the invitation?
Yes. It adds around forty minutes to the service, and non Christian guests appreciate knowing what to expect and that they are not expected to take Communion.