Telugu weddings are steeped in tradition and are known for their elaborate rituals and customs. Here are some of the key features of a traditional Telugu wedding:

1. Nischitartham: This is the engagement ceremony, where the families of the bride and groom exchange gifts and formalize the engagement.
2. Pendlikoothuru: This is a ceremony where the bride is adorned with turmeric and sandalwood paste by the women in her family, and offered gifts.
3. Snathakam: This is a ceremony where the groom’s sacred thread is changed, signifying his transition from childhood to adulthood.
4. Kashi Yatra: This is a ritual where the groom pretends to leave for Kashi (a holy city) in search of knowledge, and is brought back by the bride’s family.
5. Mangala Snaanam: This is a ritual bath taken by the bride and groom separately on the morning of the wedding day.
6. Gauri Puja: This is a prayer ceremony to the goddess Gauri, who is believed to bring happiness and prosperity to the newlyweds.
7. Kanyadaanam: This is the moment when the bride’s father gives her hand in marriage to the groom, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility for the bride from her father to her husband.
8. Jeelakarra Bellam: This is a ceremony where the bride and groom apply a mixture of cumin and jaggery on each other’s heads, signifying the sweet and bitter aspects of married life.
9. Madhuparkam: This is a ritual where the bride and groom change into traditional wedding attire, with the bride wearing a white sari and the groom a dhoti.
10. Mangalsutra: This is a ceremony where the groom ties a sacred thread (mangalsutra) around the bride’s neck, symbolizing their union.
11. Saptapadi: This is a ritual where the bride and groom take seven vows, while walking around the sacred fire.
12. Grihapravesam: This is the ceremony where the bride is welcomed into the groom’s home, and the couple takes their first steps together as a married couple.

Telugu weddings are known for their rich and colorful attire, with the bride and groom typically dressed in traditional silk clothing. The ceremonies are accompanied by music, dance, and elaborate feasts, and the emphasis is on family and community, with many customs designed to bring the families of the bride and groom together.