Types of Indian Weddings
As per the vedas there are four stages in a mans life viz. Brahmachari (student), Grihasta (Householder) Vanaprasta (forest dweller or Hermit in semi retirement) Sannyasi (the renounced one in full retirement) and the responsibility (Dharma) of each is different.
1.Brahma Marriage
Once a boy has completed his Brahmacharya (studenthood), his parents approach the parents of a girl belonging to a good family and ask them to give their daughter in marriage to their son, as a gift, of their daughter (kanyadana), to their son. A marriage arranged in this manner is Brahma. In this the girl's family does not give any dowry in any form to the boy's family. There is no "commercial transaction" and the goal of a brahma marriage is the dharmic advancement of two families.
2.Daiva Marriage
After waiting a resonable priod for a young man to turn up and ask for their daughter's hand. The parents of the girl, Marry their daughter a rtvik (priest) during a sacrifice is called daiva.This type of marriage is considered inferior to brahma. In the sastras womanhood is elevated in that it is the groom's family that has to seeking bride for their son.The Daiva sanctifies 14 generations ie. a son born of a daivya marriage rescues from hell fourteen generations of his ancestors on both his paternal & maternal side.
3.Arsha Marriage
The third form, "arsha"suggests that it is concerned with the rishis, sages. In arsha the bride is given in exchange for two cows received from the groom.According to the sastras, in marriages of noble kind there is no place for money or anything smacking of a business transactionhis compares with the previous two forrms a mere six generations are said to be sanctified by the arsha marriage.
4.Prajapatya Marriage
In prajapatya there is no trading and kanyadana is a part of it as in the brahma ceremony. But from the name prajapatya it must be inferred that the bride's menarche is imminent and that a child must be begotten soon after the marriage.
5.Gandharva Marriage
Bridegroom and bride marries secretly without the knowledge of their parents. This was considered inferior, because it was considered to be a result of lustful impulses. The very mention of it calls to mind Sakuntala and Dusyanta.The gandharva type is the "love marriage".
6.Asura Marriage
In the asura type the groom is in no way a match for the girl but the bridegroom voluntarily gave as much wealth as he can afford to the bride's relatives. This was not in accordance with the injunctions of the scriptures because it was like buying the bride, which was prohibited .
7.Rakshasa Marriage
In the raksasa form the groom battles with the girl's family, overcomes them and carries her away and then persuades her to marry. This was considered inferio.It was in this manner that Paramatman married Rukmini.
8.Paishacha Marriage
The eighth and last is paisaca. In paisaca the girl's wish does not count, nor is any money or material given to her parents. Men would marry a woman, whom he had seduced while she was asleep, intoxicated or insane. Or She is seized against her wish and her family antagonised.This was prohibited later.