This event is a mix of both American and Punjabi culture. Just like a traditional engagement party, there is gonna be food, drinks, and of course lots of dancing! For the punjabi side, we decided to incorporate a shagun (blessing) and chunni ceremony. This symbolizes the couples family becoming one and giving the new couple our best wishes and blessings.
Yes! Shagun refers to auspicious gifts (money, sweets, clothes, jewelry, etc). If you are not from the immediate family, many just give a decorative envelope with money. In Punjabi culture, it is auspicious to always give a extra $1 bill with your gift. The extra $1 is a symbol of continuity, signifying a lasting bond, prosperity, and a new beginning. This extra amount makes the total sum odd, which cannot be divided, representing a union that stays together and thrives. The extra dollar represents a promise that the relationship will continue, often interpreted as "we will meet again". So if you give $100, make it $101 to give it that extra luck!
Post roka ceremony, no blessed event can ever kickstart without the quintessential Punjabi ritual of the shagun ceremony. The ceremony begins when the groom’s family makes their way to her home (where it is traditionally held) and shower both the bride and groom with gifts including cash, jewellery, sweets, clothes, make-up, etc.
The Chunni Ceremony is an intimate and beautiful tradition where the groom’s family formally accepts the bride as part of their family. This symbolizes love, respect, and the blessing of the union. Rich with cultural heritage, the Chunni Ceremony is a heartwarming event filled with joyous moments, emotional gestures, and vibrant customs. It usually takes place after the Roka, another pre-wedding ritual where the families formally agree to the union. While the Roka signifies the confirmation of the wedding, the Chunni Ceremony adds an emotional and cultural layer by emphasising the bride’s acceptance into the groom’s family. One of the most important moments in the ceremony is when the groom’s mother drapes the chunni (long decorative scarf) over the bride’s head. This gesture represents the family’s acceptance and the bride’s transition into a new chapter of her life. After the chunni is placed, the bride is gifted with more items, including jewellery, clothing, and sometimes a dress, signifying wealth and goodwill. The groom’s family also offers sweets and fruits, symbolising the wish for a prosperous future. This part of the ritual signifies the formal meeting of the couple in the presence of their families, marking an important step toward the wedding day.
Punjabis are extravagant especially when it comes to our outfits. For the girls, we love to wear floor length lehengas with huge cancans and the more sparkle the better. There are lots of websites to purchase traditional indian wear such as lashkaraa.com, cbazaar.com, pernia's pop up shop. If you want to go for western wear, we would recommend formal gowns and dress, and don't worry about outshining the couple. The bigger the better!
Don't worry, we are here to answer! Feel free to reach out to Jaspreet at 781-308-1896 or Cameron at 508-505-8895!