Emma & James
Ceremony
The Bentota Beach hotel in the seaside town of Bentota, Sri Lanka, is a preferred wedding destination for many couples, mostly from Europe. They flock to Bentota for a dream-like, exotic ceremony. Taking vows in an idyllic ambience enhanced by the sea, sun and sand is a fairytale experience.
The Poruwa is a decorated marriage platform which is used for the bride and the groom to stand on until the traditional wedding ceremony is completed. According to Sinhala rites and customs, the platform is prepared by covering it with a clean white cloth and placing rice, five kinds of medicinal herbs, a coconut and a few coins to bring prosperity to the couple. Four pots, upon which four lamps are lit, are placed on the four corners of the Poruwa. The lamps are lit before the ceremony to invoke the blessings of the gods in charge of the four zones. The Master of Ceremonies or the Gurunnanse presides over the ceremony.
Kandyan drummers herald the ceremony at the Bentota beach as the bridesmaids watch
Traditionally, the groom is escorted to the right side of the Poruwa and the bride to the left. With the reciting of the Ashtakas or euologies, blessings are invoked upon the couple. After that, seven betel leaves are dropped on the dais to symbolise unity, cooperation and friendship. The little finger of the right hand of the bride and left hand of the groom are tied together with a blessed thread and water is sprinkled on the hand to denote oneness. Four girls wearing traditional half sarees sing the jayamangala gatha or auspicious songs, invoking health, wealth, prosperity and happiness upon the couple. This is followed by the exchange of rings and the couple is led to the Poruwa, each of them putting the right foot forward. Beating of drums by the Magul bera or Kandyan drummers is an auspicious way to herald every important occasion. These drummers accompany the couple to the dais and each important step in the ceremony is marked by the beating of drums.
There is also champagne and cutting of the cake after the Buddhist ceremony. The newly-weds are usually given a holiday in Maldives by the hotel.
Kandyan drummers herald the ceremony at the Bentota beach as the bridesmaids watch
Traditionally, the groom is escorted to the right side of the Poruwa and the bride to the left. With the reciting of the Ashtakas or euologies, blessings are invoked upon the couple. After that, seven betel leaves are dropped on the dais to symbolise unity, cooperation and friendship. The little finger of the right hand of the bride and left hand of the groom are tied together with a blessed thread and water is sprinkled on the hand to denote oneness. Four girls wearing traditional half sarees sing the jayamangala gatha or auspicious songs, invoking health, wealth, prosperity and happiness upon the couple. This is followed by the exchange of rings and the couple is led to the Poruwa, each of them putting the right foot forward. Beating of drums by the Magul bera or Kandyan drummers is an auspicious way to herald every important occasion. These drummers accompany the couple to the dais and each important step in the ceremony is marked by the beating of drums.
There is also champagne and cutting of the cake after the Buddhist ceremony. The newly-weds are usually given a holiday in Maldives by the hotel.