The Punjabi wedding is one of the most celebrated milestones in a person’s life, as it is historically regarded as the joining of two families and the beginning of a new one. The groom’s family would prepare to welcome the new bride into their family, while the bride’s family would prepare for her to leave her ancestral home. In the Sikh faith, the couple not only commits to one another, but they commit to begin their married life in devotion to Waheguru (the Punjabi word for “God”). Because of the many cultural and religious traditions to prepare and celebrate this union, Punjabi weddings are typically multi-day affairs with plenty of food, music, and entertainment for guests. Below are descriptions to each of the events we’ll be celebrating at our wedding so all of our guests can participate in these treasured rituals.
In Punjabi, “choora” refers to the bangles that the bride wears on her wedding day. The choora are meant to symbolize the bride’s prosperity and are meant to bring her good fortune in her new married life. The choora are purified in a diluted mixture of milk, water, and rose petals before they are placed on the bride. The bride’s maternal uncle (mamaji) typically places the choora on the bride. Traditionally, this ritual is done on the morning of the wedding and the bride is not supposed to remove her choora (they would eventually break off through wear and tear). For this ceremony, Aryanna will be joined by her family with her brother, Aneil, placing the choora on her arms. She will then put on her kaleera — another piece of bridal jewelry with its own fascinating history — and participate in a Punjabi version of throwing the wedding bouquet. Aryanna will stand over unmarried guests who wish to participate and shake her kaleera, hoping a small piece will break off. The person who receives a piece of her kaleera is considered lucky and the next to be married.
Like the choora ceremony, the haldi ceremony is a beautifying ritual meant to send the bride and groom down the aisle looking their best. Also known as turmeric, the root’s active ingredient (curcumin) boasts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that give the skin a golden glow. Guests take turns applying a mixture of turmeric powder, water, oil, and flour on the skin of the bridal couple while offering their well wishes. A vibrant and playful ceremony, the haldi often concludes with the couple covered in turmeric, after which the guests douse them in water.
While this may seem overwhelming for guests who are used to a single-day wedding, it’s important to remember that being a guest at a Punjabi wedding is an experience unto itself. There is a Sanskrit expression that translates to “the guest is God”, which reflects the culture of hospitality engrained into South Asian weddings. While there is a lot of preparation required for guests, we can guarantee that our wedding will be an unforgettable moment that we hope you cherish for a lifetime.