A glimpse of Sri Lanka wedding Buddhist customs and your own wedding day the traditional Sri Lankan way

Sri Lankan Buddhist wedding customs

If marriages are made in heaven, nowhere is this more true than in Sri Lanka where the traditional Buddhist wedding depends on the alignment of stars and planets. The proposal goes with the suitor's horoscope and only if this is compatible with the prospective bride's is the match agreed upon.

Wedding rings are exchanged and astrologically auspicious times are decided upon for the wedding day. Among the more sophisticated urban society, the couple may be married at a hotel.

In a village wedding, according to traditional Buddhist custom, a marquee is created and decorated gaily with buntings, coloured paper and flowers.

Inside, the Puruwa, the ceremonial wedding platform, is set in front of an artfully decorated backdrop reflecting Buddhist religious and cultural motifs - a triumph of village artistry.

The bride and bridegroom arrive at their prescribed auspicious times for the wedding and a beautiful exchange of vows to confirm their union proceeds, witnessed by the three elements of earth, wind and fire.

Civil Wedding

The most common choice of recent past. This legal ceremony is simple and private with the warm and friendly staff, the sound of the ocean and the beat of local drummers and dancers.