11:00 am
A brief speech is addressed to the couple explaining the significance and obligation of the marriage. The couple is then asked to honor their vows by bowing together before Guru Granth Sahib. Then, the bride’s father places one end of a scarf in the groom’s hand, passing it over the shoulder and placing the other end in the bride’s hand. This is called the palla rasam and can be thought of as similar to the custom of the bride’s father giving the bride away. After the palla rasam, the lavan will begin.
11:00 am
Lavan, the four hymns of “Laav,” are the essential part of the Sikh marriage ceremony (refer to FAQs to learn more about Lavan). The first laav describes the preparation and justification for the state of marriage. It teaches that spiritual growth is an integral part of the married life. The second laav conveys the awakening feelings of love a bride has when leaving her former life and beginning a new life in partnership with her husband and Waheguru (God). The third laav is the stage of spiritual advancement where divine love gains priority over worldly love. The fourth and final laav describes a spiritual union of love and devotion where no feeling of separation is possible between the bride and groom, as well as the soul and Waheguru. Upon completion of the fourth laav, the bride and groom are considered to be husband and wife.
2:00 pm
Wear Indian attire if possible. Otherwise, Garden Attire: Wear sundresses, floral prints, etc.
All the female guests of the bride/groom are invited to take part in this tradition where henna is applied to their hands in various designs. The bride’s henna, though, is usually very detailed and more than the other ladies' henna. It is applied to her hands and feet to indicate that she is the bride. Once the henna is applied, it is let to dry after which a sugar mixture sealant is applied to deepen the colour once the dried off henna is scrapped off. Avoiding water and heat is the main factor to deepen the colour.
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Wear punjabi traditional attire. Otherwise, Garden Attire: Wear sundresses, floral prints, khakis, etc (Be Colorful)
Literally translating to ‘Wake up’, Jago is a tradition where the relatives of the bride and groom would go around the village dancing and singing with decorated pots with diyas on them. This was a way to invite all the villagers to the wedding in older times. These days, Jago is a collaborated event with Sangeet night. The bride and groom and all their relatives and friends usually dress up in traditional Punjabi attire. The purpose of the Jago is to make noise and party - Pots carried on the heads. Long decorated bamboo sticks are banged on the floor and a chaj (bamboo tray) is hit until it breaks. As they reach the dance floor, the maternal and paternal sides of the families join in to sing lighthearted folk songs to each other. The night carries on with singing and dancing, then concludes with dinner.
12:00 pm
Wear Indian attire if possible. Otherwise, Garden Attire: Wear sundresses, floral prints, etc.
The Maiyan is a cleansing ceremony performed to purify the bride and the groom before their wedding. A design (rangoli) is first made on the ground using colored powder. The bride and groom sit near the rangoli. A red fabric (chunni) is held over the bride and groom by women from each corner. The bride and groom sit down holding a decorative tray filled with Maiyan essentials used for the ritual. A scented turmeric dough mix (vatna) is applied to the bride and groom’s face, hands, and feet by the guests. Red thread (gaaney) is handed out to all the ladies. The couple leaves holding the tray. Both mothers step over the rangoli seven times. They mix water into the rangoli powder, forming a paste. Traditionally, a handprint of the paste is applied to the front of the home, indicating a wedding is taking place. We will instead capture the handprint on a piece of canvas.
4:00 pm
Wear Indian attire if possible. Otherwise, Garden Attire: Wear sundresses, floral prints, etc.
The bride sits in a designated area where she is surrounded by her maternal uncles and aunts. Placed in front of her is a big, deep tray filled with milk and water. The maternal uncles open a set of the wedding bangles (choora) and place them in the mixture. Then, turn by turn, each maternal uncle places the bangles on the bride until she has a set on each hand.
8:00 am
Groom side attire color: Any shade of pastel blue (GOOGLE IT) LOL Photographer/Videographers will be present to capture all the details.
The groom is given a kirpan (sword) which he holds the entire day to symbolize that he will protect his wife to be throughout their marriage. This tradition was born out of necessity during the Mughal rule on India. During this time, brides were kidnapped during the wedding ceremonies and the groom had to carry a sword to protect her and her honor. The groom’s sisters will then drape a palla(shawl) across his shoulders. The palla is a crucial element of the marriage ceremony at the Gurudwara. After this, the groom’s sister-in-laws put(fake it/ pretend) surma (kohl/black liner) on the groom’s eye line to deter any “evil eyes”. Finally, the sisters then come back to pin the sehra (decorative bead strings) on his turban and pin a kalgi (majestic jewel) on the turban in the middle. The groom then leaves his room and moves to the ceremony area.
8:00 am
The bride and her family and friends must be done getting ready by 8 am, and then get together for pictures. Once the pictures are done, the bride and the family will head to the ceremony area.
9:00 am
Once the groom leaves his room, the festivities will commence. The groom’s family and friends will join a festive procession (baraat) to the designated ceremony area. The bride’s friends and family will greet them and welcome them to the ceremony area. The groom is on a horse for the first part of this procession and is accompanied by a dhol (Indian drum) player. As the group moves closer to the ceremony area, they stop dancing and simply walks towards the entry out of respect for the Gurdwara.
9:30 am
The baraat is received by the bride’s family and guests near the designated ceremony area. The bride’s sisters and close friends would be in front of the bride's side holding a red ribbon from one end to the other of the entrance gate which the groom would have to cut. He will not be given the scissors up until he or his father place an amount of money. This amount could be trivial, but the sisters often take this opportunity to tease their brother-in-law-to-be, asking for a larger amount. During this, the bride is secluded until the main ceremony.
9:45 am
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, members of both families formally unify in a ceremony called the Milni. A Sikh priest will read a small prayer, during which time everyone is asked to remain quiet, stand with their hands together, and bow their heads slightly. After the priest has finished the prayer, the Milni will commence. Members of both families will “meet” in the center of the group with their counterparts from the other family. For example, the groom’s father and bride’s father will meet. The pair will exchange garlands as well along with a handshake or hug, signifying the budding relationship between the families. Each pair will take a photo. On the day prior to the wedding, we will announce the names of those doing the Milni. Following the Milni, both families will join each other for breakfast.
10:00 am
Let's get some food/snacks in! It's been a long morning already by this point. lol
11:00 am
Following breakfast, all relatives and guests are seated in the ceremony area for the Anand Karaj (wedding ceremony). The priests will be singing hymns as everyone enters and performs matha tek (please refer to FAQs for instructions). Once everyone is seated, the groom will be seated before the Guru Granth Sahib. Then, the bridesmaids, the bride’s immediate family, and the bride will enter. The bride will take her place to the left of the groom. After the hymns are complete, the couple and their parents are asked to stand while the rest of the congregation remains seated. The bride and groom will hold a rumalla, a silk decorated cover, to pay respect to the holy book. A prayer called Ardaas is recited, invoking God’s blessings for the proposed marriage and asking His grace on the union of the couple. This connotes the consent of the bride, the groom, and their parents. The couple and their parents then take their seats and another short hymn is sung.
Fri, Feb 3, 2023, 11:00 am - Sat, Feb 4, 2023, 12:30 am
The ceremony is concluded with the customary singing of the six stanzas of the Anand Sahib (Song of Bliss). Next, the congregation stands up for the final Ardaas of the marriage. After Ardaas, the Guru Granth Sahib is opened to a random page and the hymn is read out as the day’s instruction (Hukamnama) from the Guru. Karah parshad (ceremonial sweet) is then distributed to everyone to mark the formal conclusion of the ceremony. When given parshad, hold out both hands to accept it. We ask that parshad not be thrown away. After the ceremony, langar (a vegetarian lunch) will be served. During lunch, guests will often line up to have their photos taken with the couple.
2:00 pm
After lunch, the parents of the bride give their blessings to the couple. Traditionally, the couple would head to the bride’s house for this ceremony. When the couple is leaving the bride’s house, a bowl of rice is held in front of the bride which she takes a handful to throw behind her, over her head. This declares that the bride is leaving her paternal home and taking nothing with her. As they are walking to the wedding car, each relative of the bride takes turns to bid her farewell and wish her luck for the new chapter of her life. Once the car starts to move, the brothers of the bride push the car for a little distance. In older times, the bride would be carried by her brothers in a litter (palanquin) to her new home.
2:30 pm
This may/may not happen since it's happening at the resort, not at home.
As the newlywed couple arrives at the groom’s house, his mother waits at the door to welcome her daughter-in-law and son holding a bowl (garvi) of half water and half milk. She moves the garvi clockwise seven times and attempts to take a sip after every turn while the groom playfully tries to stop her. After the seventh turn, he lets her drink it. This is a way of blessing the bride and groom. Then, the mother pours a bit of oil on either side of the door at the bottom. It symbolizes the happiness in the wedding house with the arrival of a new family member and removes any “evil eye” from the couple before they step inside. Then, games are played and the party continues.
6:00 pm
Wear floor-length gowns or formal cocktail dresses. Suits for men.
Let's get this party started!!!