What is the Garland or Lasso Ceremony?

Whilst it may appear the Garland and Lasso Ceremonies look very similar when performed at a wedding, they subtly different in how they are performed and have very different spiritual and cultural roots.

The Garland or Varmala Ceremony is a Hindu Indian wedding tradition. In this mini-ritual, usually performed early on within the longer wedding ceremony, the bride and groom exchange vibrantly coloured and beautifully smelling floral garlands or “Varmala”. Similar to an exchange of rings, they are an outward sign of the couple’s commitment to each other. It symbolises their consent to marry.

Sometimes, parents of the bride and groom place the garland around the new spouse’s neck to symbolise also that the wedding is the joining of two families. Whilst very popular in Hindu weddings, non-Hindus can still enjoy incorporating the Garland Ceremony in their modern wedding ceremony. It is a gorgeous way to add colour to your day or to honour family tradition and cultural heritage.

The Lasso Ceremony also often uses a floral garland but it is singular and much longer. Sometimes a cord of rope or rosary beads are used. The Lasso Ceremony is a Catholic wedding tradition. The single lasso is placed in a figure of eight (the sign of infinity) around the couple’s necks as an outward sign of their commitment to the endless bond of marriage. Just like the Garland Ceremony, parents or friends are sometimes involved in placing the Lasso around the couple, to demonstrate their support for the union. The Lasso Ceremony is very popular in Mexico and the Philippines and in Hispanic and Filipino communities around the world.

You do not have to have Hindu or Catholic heritage to incorporate either of the Garland or Lasso ceremony into your wedding. One of the delights of a celebrant-led wedding is that you can having anything in your wedding ceremony. It is your wedding, in your location, done your way.