Before the wedding week
- Rokaਰੋਕਾ
- The families formally accept the match and 'stop' looking for other proposals. Often a small gathering with gifts, sweets and blessings.
- Chunni chadanaਚੁੰਨੀ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਉਣਾ
- The groom's mother or female relatives drape a red chunni (scarf) over the bride's head, welcoming her into the family. Often combined with a ring exchange.
- Shagun / Sagaiਸ਼ਗਨ
- The engagement, where gifts and blessings are exchanged between the families.
The wedding week, at home
- Mehndiਮਹਿੰਦੀ
- Henna is applied to the bride's hands and feet while the women of the family sing and dance.
- Maiyan / Vatnaਮਾਈਆਂ / ਵਟਣਾ
- A paste of turmeric, flour and oil is rubbed on the bride and groom at their own homes for luck and a glow before the wedding.
- Ladies sangeetਸੰਗੀਤ
- An evening of music, giddha and boliyan (short folk couplets), traditionally among the women of the family.
- Jaagoਜਾਗੋ
- Meaning 'wake up'. Relatives dance through the streets carrying a decorated brass pot (gaggar) topped with lit lamps, singing boliyan to announce the wedding to the neighbourhood.
The wedding day
- Chooda & kaleereਚੂੜਾ / ਕਲੀਰੇ
- The bride's maternal uncle (mama) gives her red and ivory bangles (chooda); friends tie golden kaleere to them.
- Sehra bandiਸਿਹਰਾ ਬੰਦੀ
- A sehra (veil of flowers or pearls) is tied on the groom's turban before he leaves with the baraat.
- Milniਮਿਲਨੀ
- Male relatives of both families meet in pairs (fathers, uncles, grandfathers) and exchange garlands and embraces.
- Anand Karajਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ
- The Sikh marriage ceremony: the couple walks around Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji four times as the four Laavan are sung.
- Doliਡੋਲੀ
- The bride's emotional farewell from her family home.
- Reception
- An evening celebration with dinner, speeches and dancing, usually the biggest guest list of the week.
Which functions need an invitation?
Families usually send one invitation that lists every function, then let guests RSVP to the ones they're invited to. A typical split looks like this:
| Function | Who's invited | Invitation |
|---|---|---|
| Roka / Chunni | Close family | Phone call or small invitation |
| Mehndi / Sangeet / Jaago | Family and close friends | Yes, often its own link |
| Milni & Anand Karaj | Everyone | Yes |
| Reception | Everyone, often the largest list | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
What is the order of Punjabi wedding functions?
Roka, chunni/shagun, mehndi, maiyan, ladies sangeet and jaago, chooda and sehra bandi, milni, Anand Karaj (or pheras), doli, then the reception.
What happens at a jaago?
Relatives dance through the neighbourhood at night carrying a decorated brass pot of lit lamps, singing boliyan to 'wake up' the street and announce the wedding.
What is a milni?
At a milni, male relatives of the two families meet in matched pairs and exchange garlands and embraces before the Anand Karaj.
Ivory Gate
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