Indian Sikh Wedding

Can we all agree that Indian weddings are some of the most adventure-packed celebrations around?

From pre-wedding events to a fun-filled wedding day timeline, an epic Indian Sikh wedding never ceases to amaze! The colors, music, dance, food, and magical atmosphere make an event that is extremely difficult to leave and even harder to forget. Dive into this article to learn all about the way these ceremonies work, right from the moment the groom arrives, down to the very last congratulatory meal for the couple.

We are sure that you’ll love what you see!

Indian Sikh Wedding Day Timeline

Sheryl & Ket's Sikh Wedding at Nishkam Seva Gurdwara Sahib in Glendale, Arizona by SkyPoint Productions.

Event & Wedding Planner Tanu Verma by The Wedding Troupe

Getting Ready (Bride and Groom Preparations)

No matter the culture, preparation of the bride and groom for any wedding ceremony takes a large chunk of time! Making sure that each of the outfits is perfect without a single thread out of place can be quite daunting, and once you throw in the couple’s wedding party, it’s no wonder participants get up at the break of dawn to get started.

During this time, the bride and groom will be separated and in their own residences. While settled in at their location of choice and surrounded by their wedding party, each individual will begin to prepare for the big day ahead!

The Groom

For our grooms who follow traditional Sikh attire on their wedding day, the outfit is typically comprised of a kurta (usually white) which is then covered by an achkan (or a large overcoat) in the color of their choice (although red is the most auspicious). This coat is usually made with wonderful fabrics like silk or brocade. Some grooms like to switch things up a little and instead of the achkan, they may choose to instead use a sherwanis, which is more similar to a Western-style frock coat. Either option is stunning- with elaborate bead and thread work- and looks perfect paired with a comfortable churidar pajama pant. To round off the outfit, mojri (or an embellished slipper) decorates his feet while a turban rests upon his head. Traditionally, the fabric used for the turban is pink, but any color can be chosen. A beard is required in the Sikh faith and is (of course) groomed to perfection for the big event!

After he is dressed, traditionally the groom will be given a sword( or kirpan) that he will then hold throughout the entire day. This is to represent the protection of his new wife and their marriage to come. The groom’s sisters will then present him with a palla (a rectangular piece of woven cloth) and drape it across his shoulders. This important piece of clothing will be crucial later during the wedding ceremony. Final touches of kohl (to ward off evil eyes), sehra (decorative beads strung from the turban to ward off evil), and the kalgi (a beautiful jewel pinned to the middle of the turban) are applied and the groom is ready to leave for the ceremony.

The Bride

If you’ve ever seen pictures related to an Indian Sikh wedding (or have attended one yourself) you may be familiar with just how elaborate the attire is. Beautiful colors, embroidery, henna, jewelry, and more decorate the bride and her ladies as they get ready for the glorious day!

For the bride, traditional attire consists of a breathtaking red set of salwar kameez. After showering for the day and preparing her hair, the bride will don this highly decorated outfit paired with an intricate headscarf (or dupatta), elaborate jewelry (including bangles, earrings, necklaces, rings, etc.), and of course, detailed henna designs. Comfy, gorgeous slippers or heels will grace her feet and colorful makeup adds to her naturally beautiful facial features. Some brides may decide to keep the ceremony attire with the traditional red, but veer into a different color lehenga for the reception or post-wedding photos. Whatever the case may be, there is no doubt that in an Indian wedding, the bride gives any sunset a run for its money!

The bride is then taken to the Gurudwara by car and is typically first to arrive. This is done with the intent of creating enough time for her to get settled into a room and remain out of sight until the ceremony.

The Wedding Party

When traditional attire is required, the bridesmaids will most likely wear colorful lehengas that match the bride’s themes, while the groomsmen are encouraged to wear sherwani with a comfortable pajama pant. For those couples that are going for a more modern vibe, the outfit choices are purely up to them.

Perhaps for men, the best outfit option may be a traditional suite in fun, bright colors. For women, light, flowy dresses are always a great choice to pair with Sikh wedding decorations and the colors can vary depending on the bride’s choice. Accessories will most likely be up to the wearer’s discretion, but when it comes to shoes, wear something comfortable as dancing is sure to happen!

Breakfast (First Look)

While entirely optional, some couples may find it fun to incorporate a joint breakfast early on in the wedding day schedule. This could be with family or it may just include those within the wedding party. Either way, for those who go this route, it can be the perfect opportunity to snag first-look photos and wedding party poses as the chaos of the day hasn’t quite begun! Once this has been completed (or skipped), the rest of the wedding day ceremonies can take place as everyone should be gorgeous and ready to go.

Processional or Baraat (Journey to the Ceremony)

Once the groom has been dressed and properly equipped with his sword and accessories, he must make a trip to the wedding location! This first ceremony is known as the baraat, and it is when the groom makes his way to the Gurudwara where the wedding will take place.

While this journey was traditionally made on a mare, in more recent times a groom will just take a vehicle to the venue. Before actually entering the location, however, a decorated mare will ten be provided for him to mount and ride in the rest of the way. Accompanied by celebratory music, dance, family, and friends, this colorful and exciting event is a great way to kick off the wedding ceremonies with a bang!

Milni (Welcome of the Groom)

Upon reaching the end of his baraat, the groom will be welcomed at the venue by the bride’s family. A bright red ribbon held by members of the family will be used as a barrier to the groom and only once he (or his father) pays the toll of a few coins dropped into a cup will he receive the scissors needed to cut it! This is a fun tradition where sisters get the opportunity to tease their brother-in-law for a larger amount of money than he may want to give.

Once the ribbon has been snipped, hymns are sung and hugs are exchanged as each of the members participating in the baraat is introduced and presented with a garland by those representing the bride. The symbolism behind this lovely ceremony simply represents a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the groom as he arrives to not only claim his bride but enter into a new family as well.

If breakfast was not had at a previous time, it is traditionally provided after the Milni and before the ceremony officially starts.

Gurudwara- Sikh Temple (Location)

Most traditional Indian Sikh weddings take place at a Gurudwara, which is a Sikh temple whose name means “the residence of the Guru” or “the door that leads to the Guru”. This holy place is used for spiritual gatherings and ceremonies as well as a location that works to provide food, shelter, and comfort to those who need it most. Holding an Indian wedding at a Gurudwara is extremely special and adds even more meaning to the joining of two individuals.

The wedding ceremony will typically take place at the Gurudwara either mid-morning or early afternoon. Family members enter the location and after paying respects to the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy text of Sikhism), will proceed to take their seats- men on the right side of the room and ladies on the left.

When the groom and his parents arrive behind their guests, the groom will position himself in front of the Guru Granth Sahib and the Amritdhari Sikh (any individual who has taken part in the Amrit Initiation in Sikhism) as he waits for his bride to arrive. Setting close behind him will be his supporters and sisters who have the important task of removing his sehra and kalgi.

Decoration of the Gurudwara

As we’ve come to discover, the beauty of an Indian wedding is definitely in all the little details! This also goes for the venue decorations. Typically, the Gurudwara can be decorated as lavishly or simply as the couple desires. The altar where the ceremony takes place may have a lavish rug sprinkled with flower petals to bring color into the room and if any additional decoration is desired, sometimes flower garlands or sheer cloth will be draped from the pillars for a romantic effect.

Grand Entry (Here Comes the Bride)

After the groom and his party has been situated, it is finally time for the bride’s arrival. While at one time it was traditional for just the bride’s brothers to escort her down the aisle, more modern times allow for her parents to accompany her as well. With all this love and support surrounding her, the bride makes her way to join her groom in front of the holy text. Her supporters and sisters will also sit behind her just as the groom’s had done and now, with the groom on the right and the bride on the left, everyone is ready for the wedding ceremony to begin.

Anand Karaj (Blissful Union)

To begin the official Sikh wedding ceremony, the priest will ask for the parents of the couple and the bride and groom to stand for ardaas (prayers).

Part 1- The Palla Rasma

Everyone else is allowed to remain seated while the prayer is said and once it has concluded, the bride’s father is asked to come up front. At this point, he has the honor of performing the palla rasma, which is when one end of the groom’s palla is either held by or tied to the bride’s hand. This important ceremony is a symbolization of the father giving away his daughter to the care of her husband-to-be.

The importance of marriage is explained to the couple by the priest, along with the duties that should be upheld by each individual to make the relationship work as a whole. The couple then bows before the holy text and are ready to take the vows of marriage, known as the lavaas.

Part 2- The Lavaan Pheras

Next, it is time for the brothers of the bride (should she have any) to support their sister during the ceremony. At the time of the Lavaan Pheras, the brothers will stand around the altar with the holy text in the middle. As the priest recites the lavaas (or hymns) the bride and groom reflect on each of the four verses, picturing the journey that leads to a union with God and each other. These teachings and vows are extremely important for the prosperity of a Sikh wedding.

After the four hymns have been completed, the bride and groom will get to their feet and begin walking clockwise around the altar. At this time, the brothers will take turns holding their sister and guiding her while the groom leads, representing their support for her no matter what the future may hold.

Once this ceremony is concluded, a final hymn is sung and another ardaas is offered by all who are gathered there to officially mark the union. This concludes the ceremony and the couple are finally wed! But before everyone leaves the Gurudwara, a final tradition is held. All the guests and everyone within the wedding party sits down once more while the parents of both the bride and groom put a garland around the couple and present them with money as a blessing (known as shagun). Anyone else in the crowd is welcome to participate as well to send the couple off with a good head start!

The priest would mark the end of this ceremony by announcing that Karah Prasad (whole wheat flour halva) will be distributed for everyone to enjoy before heading to lunch.

Wedding Lunch and Roti (The First Meal)

Although the official wedding ceremony is finished, that doesn’t mean the festivities are over.

Far from it!

The newly married couple will lead their family and friends to the Gurudwara’s congregational hall where a delicious vegetarian meal will be served for everyone to enjoy. During this meal, the ceremony of roti takes place. This is known as the bride’s first meal as a married woman and is extremely special as her in-laws welcome her into the family with a cloth-covered platter that contains food along with some cash. Once received by the bride, she can share the tradition with her husband and dig into the amazing dishes together!

Doli (The Departure)

The final ritual of an Indian Sikh wedding is a sweet- and very emotional- moment.

After the sada suhagan has concluded, everyone will transition to the home of the bride’s parents. This ceremony marks the moment when the bride leaves her family’s home to live with her now-husband. While at the house, the bride and groom sit with the bride’s family in the living room and snack on some sweets while the bride’s parents present them with a gift (oftentimes a watch). Due to the nature of this ceremony and how it is so special to the bride’s family, the groom’s family typically does not participate.

During the doli (or departure of the bride to her new home)- which is named after the wooden palanquin that used to carry women in traditional times- the bride will throw a handful of rice over her shoulder and above her head into her mother’s open hands. As can be imagined, this act of wishing the bride’s parents eternal happiness and thanks for raising her is extremely emotional and beautiful!

Tears will definitely be seen during the doli, but they will be happy ones as the bride and groom hop into their extravagantly decorated car and speed off towards their new life together. As a sign of prosperity and well-wishes, the groom's father typically throws change in front of the car as it drives away.

Paani Varna (Welcome of the Couple)

At the groom’s house, the couple will be welcomed by the groom’s mother standing at the front door. Holding a garvi that is filled with half milk and half water, the groom’s mother would then move the garvi clockwise in front of the couple, playfully trying to take a sip of the mixture each time it passes her. The groom will keep her from taking a sip until she tries a seventh time! At this point, she can take a drink and the couple is blessed. A bit of oil will be poured on either bottom side of the door, completing the paani varna.

Once the couple is inside, they’re given a glass of milk and some snacks to share as sharing is a way to increase love in the relationship. This fun and mischievous ceremony is a great way to round off the wedding rituals and represent the family’s feelings of happiness towards the marriage. While the official ceremonies are completed at this point, it wouldn’t be an Indian wedding without ending the week in a grand celebration!

Sadaa Suhagan (Reception Change)

After lunch, it’s time to get a new outfit! The bride will pull out the beautiful dress given to her by the groom’s side of the family during the pre-wedding celebrations along with its specific accessories. Once she has changed, there is an opportunity for elders of each family to present the bride with money and the blessing of sada suhagan, which wishes luck upon the bride in hopes she will never have to experience being a widow.

Reception

In the past, since the groom’s family and guests were typically the ones who traveled to the wedding location, it was traditional for the bride’s family to host a reception meal at their home. The event was typically small and simply hosted to enjoy time with the couple. But today, the reception celebration has certainly grown into something much more!

While couples still enjoy time with their family and friends, the wedding reception is now usually held in a much larger location than the bride’s home, where dancing and live bands can be hosted without a problem. This grand celebration is typically started with a cocktail hour that then proceeds into the more modern timeline of toasts, speeches, and performances. Once any last-minute formalities are given, it’s time to push back the tables and dance the night away- thus ending the wedding ceremonies and beginning a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness!