Stealing the Groom's Shoes at Indian Weddings

Stealing the groom’s shoes at Indian weddings is an age old tradition. It’s a game – played between two teams – the bride’s side and the groom’s side. Traditionally Indian weddings were arranged between two families. Often the bride and groom, or the couple, had never spoken to each other, or very little. Games were incorporated throughout Indian wedding celebrations to have fun while bringing the couple as well as their families together and get to know each other….literally. They’re like the original icebreakers!

These games are still relevant today. One, they’re fun and two, they still serve their purpose of bringing the families and friends of both sides, together.

Joote Churaana and Joote Chupai

(stealing the groom’s shoes at Indian weddings…and hiding them)

This is one most people are very familiar with. This game pits each side (bride and groom/the couple) against each other. As the groom enters the mandap, the cousins and friends on both sides, jump into ‘battle’ to grab the shoes and hide them from the other side. If the bride’s side wins they won’t give the groom his shoes back without (sweet) payment!