Schedule

Haldi

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cocktail or smart casual attire is perfectly fine; feel free to wear traditional Punjabi clothing.

The Haldi ceremony is a pre-wedding Punjabi tradition held to bless the bride and groom before their wedding day. During the ceremony, close family members apply a paste made from turmeric (haldi), herbs, and oils to the couple’s skin. This ritual symbolizes purity, protection, prosperity, and happiness, and is believed to bring good fortune and a natural glow as the couple begins their married life together. The ceremony is intimate, joyful, and filled with music, laughter, and loving blessings from family elders. It’s a beautiful blend of spirituality and celebration—honoring family, faith, and new beginnings.

Garden Ceremony & Reception

5:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Guests are encouraged to wear cocktail attire.

Schedule: 5:30 PM Garden Ceremony Richard D. Wood Formal Garden 6 PM Cocktail Hour The Sutphin Fountain Room 7:15 PM to 11 PM Dinner & Reception Randolph H. Deer Events Pavilion Our wedding ceremony will take place at Newfields Gardens in Indianapolis, surrounded by the natural beauty of the gardens. The ceremony will follow a traditional Christian format, which includes meaningful readings, prayer, the exchange of vows, and the sharing of rings as we make our commitment to one another. A cocktail hour will follow the ceremony; then, we'll dance the night away! We are grateful to gather with family and friends in such a peaceful setting to witness and share in this important day.

Mehndi

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Pastels are encouraged. Feel free to wear traditional Punjabi clothing or casual attire.

We are excited to host a tea-party–themed mehndi celebration in our backyard as a joyful gathering with family and friends. This event is inspired by Punjabi wedding traditions and centers around the application of henna, a form of temporary body art that symbolizes joy, beauty, and new beginnings. Guests are welcome to relax, enjoy refreshments, and take part in the henna experience if they wish. The afternoon will be unhurried and social, with space to visit, laugh, and celebrate together.

Anand Karaj

10:00 am

For the Anand Karaj, guests are asked to wear modest, respectful attire with shoulders and legs covered. Head coverings are required for all guests (scarves are provided). Shoes must be removed while entering the Gurudwara and left in the designated shoe area in the front. Traditional Punjabi attire is welcome but not required; formal or semi-formal clothing is appropriate.

10 AM Barat Arrival and Milni 11:30 AM Anand Karaj 1 PM Lunch The Baarat is the groom’s celebratory arrival to the wedding venue. The Milni takes place after the Baraat. During the Milni, key members of the bride’s and groom’s families formally greet one another, exchange garlands, and share embraces as a sign of mutual respect, equality, and unity. The Anand Karaj, meaning “blissful union,” is the traditional Sikh wedding ceremony. It is a sacred ceremony that takes place in the presence of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji , the holy scripture of Sikhism and the final, living, and eternal Guru. During the ceremony, the couple walks together around the Guru Granth Sahib Ji four times (four Laavan) accompanied by hymns (shabads) which provide the couple spiritual guidance for their life together and unites them into one soul. The Anand Karaj is deeply meaningful yet welcoming, and guests of all backgrounds are invited to witness and share in the joy of the union.