The wedding ceremony will take place in a Gurdwara, which is a sacred space. Please dress in a way that’s modest and formal—think elegant and celebratory, but also mindful of the setting. Avoid short skirts, low necklines, and anything you're not comfortable sitting "criss-cross apple-sauce" in. Head coverings are required for everyone. Scarves and handkerchiefs will be available at the entrance if you don’t have your own. You’ll need to remove your shoes before entering, so bring easy-to-slip-off shoes. You’re welcome to wear traditional Indian attire (like a salwar kameez, lehenga, or kurta), or modest Western formalwear (like a long dress, jumpsuit, or suit).
We deeply respect the beliefs and comfort levels of all our loved ones, and we completely understand if participating in this part of the celebration isn’t the right fit for you. Because the ceremony takes place in a Gurdwara, head coverings and removing shoes are required for all guests. If these practices don’t feel comfortable for you, we kindly ask that you sit this part out and join us for the other celebrations instead. We’ll be so grateful to celebrate with you in any way you feel comfortable.
We’re so excited for you to join us in celebrating with traditional Indian attire! If you don’t already own something, here are a few great places to shop: Sai's Boutique – If you prefer to go in person, Sai's Boutique (https://saisboutique.com/) is offering a discount to customers - just let them know you're a guest at our wedding! Let them know if you have a preferred style and budget; they would be happy to help! *Please note that if you order online, the prices and delivery times will be impacted by tariffs. You may be asked to pay an additional fee on delivery if tariffs change. Kalki Fashion – Kalki (https://www.kalkifashion.com/) is an online retailer with options for the whole family! Each outfit is customized, so leave time for production & shipment! Aza – Aza (https://www.azafashions.com/) is an online retailer with options for the whole family! Clothing can be customized, as needed. Need help picking something out? Feel free to reach out — we’re happy to help! And if Indian attire isn’t your thing, Western formal wear is absolutely welcome!
In the Gurdwara, we ask that you refrain from photography during the formal ceremony. We will offer a QR code that you can scan to see the professional photos from the events. Photos are welcome at other events!
Our wedding reception will not be taking place on the same day as our ceremony. After the ceremony, we will come together for Lungar, a simple community-style lunch. All items served will be vegetarian and no alcohol will be served.
Our wedding ceremony will be a traditional Sikh wedding, known as an Anand Karaj, which means “blissful union.” It will take place in a Gurdwara, the Sikh house of worship, and will be rooted in spiritual equality, connection, and community. The ceremony is peaceful, musical, and focused less on spectacle and more on spiritual commitment. As you enter the Gurdwara there will be men's and women's sides, you will remove your shoes (there are cubbies), wash your hands, and cover your head (we will have cloths provided if you do not have one). Guests will enter at the center of the room, and sit on the floor (women on the left side of the room, men on the right) during the ceremony, so wear what is comfortable (chairs will be available for those who need them). The bride and groom will sit at the front of the room, near the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy scripture), which is central to the ceremony. The ceremony centers around the Lavaan—four sacred hymns that represent the spiritual stages of love and marriage. With each hymn, the couple walks in a circle around the Guru Granth Sahib, symbolizing their journey together. Live music (kirtan) will be played throughout the ceremony by musicians, creating a reflective and soulful atmosphere. In the second half of the ceremony, there will be a portion where everyone will be asked to stand for a short prayer, and then sit back down. This will be repeated a few times. At the end of the ceremony, you’ll be offered Karah Prasad, a sweet, warm semolina wheat-based offering (made of wheat flour, sugar, clarified butter, and water) that is blessed and shared equally among everyone. You accept the prasad with both hands, if you cannot eat it, indicate that you would like a small offering (tiny symbol with finger and thumb), accept, and give it to someone nearby. The ceremony typically lasts about an hour, followed by a simple, community-style vegetarian meal called Langar, which everyone is invited to enjoy.
The reception will be a formal, event, and we invite you to lean in to getting dressed up! Come ready to eat, drink, dance, and mingle. ALL colors are welcome, and please don't worry about "out-dressing the bride" - be bold and have a blast.
Please mark on your RSVP with any dietary restrictions. The bride and groom will reach out and let you know what is safe for you to eat at wedding events. Items will be clearly labeled with the name of food and we will do our best to ensure no cross contamination. If you have additional concerns, please reach out to the bride and groom at singhnlutes@gmail.com. We'll do our best to make sure that accommodations are made and make our planner/caterers aware of any need for accommodation.
No meat will be served at the post-wedding ceremony Lungar. At the reception, meat will be served but vegetarian options will be available.