Here are just a few reasons everyone should live through an Indian wedding, as I did a couple weeks ago:

1. Food

While there is no particular order in this list, food is by far the MOST important aspect of a wedding. No matter how beautiful and well planned the events are, it all comes down to the quality of food. There is no room for error. So families pull out all the stops to get the absolute best.

Whatcha gon' whatcha gon' do with that dessert? Equally important to the food is the dessert lineup. Gulab jamun, ras malai, jalebi, fruit custard, mousse, cake. And of course, when sweets are shipped in from India or are homemade, you’ve hit the jackpot.

3. Outfits

Since every event has a general color scheme, there are multiple outfit changes throughout the day. Which means a massive pre-wedding shopping spree. Hours in stores and boutiques looking through brightly colored and embroidered saris and salwar kameez. But you will look incredible.

4. Mendhi (henna)

Everyone gets tatted up for weddings. Normally just the girls and ladies of the house get mendhi done, but men are starting to get it done as well. And let me say, getting mendhi done is a dream-come-true for a lazy person. Once you get mendhi, you are rendered useless because you have to let it dry. So you basically get to lie out in the sun and sleep while ordering other people around to do stuff for you.

5. Dancing

Worried about not fitting into those glamorous outfits because of all the incredible food you’re eating? Don’t worry, brown people accounted for than when the traditions of marriage were established. At every event in an Indian wedding, there is music and singing. So this means there is dancing to follow. This is where you work away your food baby and gear up for the next day. And even if dancing isn’t your thing, there’s no escaping it; everyone gets pulled onto the dance floor.

6. Family

When it comes to weddings, all past grudges and bad blood is put aside. It’s about everyone coming together and supporting one another during this auspicious time. And it’s an excuse for everyone to come together and reconnect. Friends and family who haven’t seen each other in decades spend quality time together.

(^first hangout in 10 years)

7. Location

Traditionally, weddings take place at the bride’s home or in her hometown. However, a common trend among weddings is destination weddings where everyone stays in the hotel/resort together and all the functions are held there. So, this can ensure some solid backdrops for pictures.

8. Gifts

Of course, the bride’s family gives gifts to the groom and vice versa. But the sharing goes around. There are small trinkets handed to guests welcoming them to the wedding, during the wedding, and at the reception. Plus at almost every event, the groom is dishing out money, usually to his sisters-in-law. This is a prime opportunity to rake in the ka$h money. I mean, after all, he’s taking their sister, right? There needs to be compensation.

9. Photos

If you don’t get an Instagram post or profile picture, then did you really go to the wedding? There is going to be cameras everyone, so always be photo-ready. This means hair and makeup appointments for days, especially if you’re close family or in the bridal party. Your cheeks are going to be sore by the end of the weekend.

10. Future weddings??

Every mother’s dream is finding her daughter’s/son’s significant other at a wedding. The concept of Indian matrimony is fairly circular; families attend weddings in hopes of discovering their child’s future spouse. This leads to another wedding where another fortunate couple is discovered etc. So it’s important that “those of the marriageable age” bring their A-game to these events.

(^everyone relax, I'm not actually engaged)

In the end, attending an Indian wedding is essentially living a Bollywood movie. The bride and groom look flawless throughout the entire weekend, people meet their soulmates, groups break out into spontaneous dancing, and it’s much longer and more drawn-out than it should be. There are even people running across airport terminals to say goodbye as the plane is boarding (true story). But in the end, it’s 100 percent worth it. So everyone should find the opportunity to experience an Indian wedding to celebrate the union of two people, and their entire extended families.