Being a multi-cultural society, many different marriage traditions are practiced, which means that whatever the faith, this will be an option – Christian church weddings, both Catholic and Protestant; an authentic Buddhist (or Kandyan) wedding, featuring traditional dancers, drummers – and caparisoned elephants if requested; the Hindu wedding with its many rituals; the lavish Muslim wedding; and a simple customized civil wedding.
Of these, the Buddhist wedding is the most popular way for both Sri Lankans and visitors to get married: the ceremony is mostly held in ballrooms and other such venues in hotels, especially those in the coastal resorts. However, outdoor weddings especially adjacent to the beach – have increased as couples realize the romantic backdrops that are available. What more magical setting could one choose for a public declaration of a lifelong commitment to love?
The Ceremony of Traditional Sri Lankan Weddings
The full traditional ceremony is a service of profound pomp. Rooted in ancient convention and influenced by Buddhist practices and South Indian custom, every gesture and rite in it has meaning. The ceremony begins with the trip to the poruwa platform, escorted by dancers and drummers and followed by relatives and friends. When the time is right, the couple is ushered onto the poruwa, where they remain silent throughout the service, entrusting narration to a master of ceremonies.
He may tell parables illustrating different qualities of love. He may narrate a daughter’s thanks to her mother. He may prompt the groom’s bestowal upon the bride of gifts: a special necklace, a white homecoming cloth that he drapes across her body, and kiri bath (milk rice) that he feeds to her – all of which are promises to care for her in the future.
At the right moment, the master of ceremonies leads the bride and groom to join their little fingers and then water which has been blessed is poured over the entwined hands.
During and after the ceremony, elements of the familiar are customary. Rings may be exchanged. Vows may be spoken by the couple. And, of course, a party, complete with many-tiered cake, usually follows.
Making Arrangements for a Wedding in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankans love celebrations, and weddings in particular inspire families to go to great effort to put on the best ceremony possible. As a result, there is a well-developed and efficient wedding arrangement industry to take care of all necessary aspects, so important for couples from abroad. The majority of foreign couples contemplating weddings in Sri Lanka make arrangements through travel agents and major tour operators, many of which also own hotels. Plans can also be handled directly with major hotels or hotel groups.
Such service providers ensure comprehensive support to assist in the planning of a wedding away from home, including advice on the official paperwork, the explanation of customs, suggestions regarding dress-makers, beauticians and tailors, and the ordering of flowers, cakes, photographers and musicians – and that elephant in attendance if it is wished.
Legal Requirements for a Wedding in Sri Lanka
The most important requirement for future connubial bliss in (and beyond) Sri Lanka is the Certificate of Marriage. A witnessed, non-religious, government document available through a licensed Registrar of Marriages, the certificate is the legal, non-ceremonial recognition of the emotional bond.
The Sri Lankan marriage certificate (in Sinhala) is recognised by many countries, including most Western nations whose travellers frequent Sri Lanka’s shores. However, it must be translated (by a certified agent) into the native language(s) of the bride and groom and both the Sinhala and the translation must be submitted for certification to the Consular Division of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (97A Mahanuga Gardens, Galle Road, open for submissions from 9am to noon) consular division before the procedure is complete (the passports should be presented as well). Some foreign nations also require that a copy of the certified translation be presented to their embassies.
Required for the marriage certificate are a national identity card or passport, birth certificate, and any necessary affidavits (if widowed or divorced, certificates of death or proof of dissolution of previous bonds; otherwise sworn notarised statements of bachelorhood). Organised wedding packages always include management of these formalities, although copies of all documents must be sent ahead no later than 30 days prior to arrival, at which time the originals will be inspected. Do-it-yourselfers should contact the Registrar General Office in Colombo (340 RA de Mel Mawatha) for a list of marriage registrars and certified translators.
Law requires that the foreign affianced must be over 21 years of age and present on Sri Lankan soil for four nights prior to the deliverance of the wedding certificate. Many package deals also require a minimum stay at a hotel.
Some reliable and good tour operators offering weddings in Sri Lanka:
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