The Anand Karaj (Sikh Wedding Ceremony) will take place at the Gurdwara (Sikh Temple). When entering the Gurdwara, guests must remove their shoes and cover their heads. Many Indian outfits for women come with a dupatta (shawl) that women use to cover their heads inside the temple.

For ladies who prefer to wear Western clothes, please bring a scarf or shawl that can be worn over their heads.

Men wear either a turban or a bandana/handkerchief. Bandanas will be provided at the temple for all to wear.

Indian weddings are traditionally very colorful. Red is typically avoided since this is the color the bride traditionally wears, but every other color is fully acceptable for guests! Color is encouraged as we are having a bright summer wedding in beautiful sunny Southern California.

For the Gurdwara (or temple), outfits should be modest and cover the legs up to the ankles and cover the upper body and shoulders.

For Sikh weddings, guests sit on the floor cross-legged, so you’ll want to be sure that your attire isn’t too tight or too short to allow you to sit cross-legged for an extended period of time (approximately 1 hour). Sitting on the floor is a practice in grounding oneself and humility. Benches are available for the elderly and disabled, who are physically unable to sit on the floor. You can adjust for comfort in your seated position, an important thing to note is to make sure your feet are directed away from the altar at the front.

Donating a small amount (typically $1 - $5) is customary upon entering the Gurdwara.

Upon entering the Gurdwara, there is a shoe room with cubbies where you can leave your shoes. Sinks are available to wash your hands after removing and storing your shoes. A light breakfast will be served before the wedding ceremony. The groom's side arrives after the bride's side. They are welcomed with a short standing prayer at the entrance to the Gurdwara. The wedding ceremony will take place on the second floor, an elevator is available for those who need it. The congregation is seated by gender and guests are welcome to sit where they feel comfortable and appropriate for themselves. When you first walk in, you can walk to the front where the altar is, place your donation and bow. Sikhs bow by kneeling and touching their heads to the floor. They then take a seat for the ceremony. The groom is seated first and then the bride walks in with her family. The guests do not stand for her entrance. She comes in and bows and sits next to the groom at the front. The granthi (Sikh officiant) will begin the ceremony in Punjabi. The bride and groom will walk around the altar four times as part of their nuptials. Towards the end of the ceremony, there will be a standing prayer. There will then be pogh/halwa given out. This is a sweet pastry made of dough, sugar, and butter. You receive this by putting both your hands together and the granthi comes around and serves it as you sit, directly into your cupped hands.

This marks the end of the wedding ceremony. Guests are welcome to get up and mingle and make their way to langar (lunch). It is typical to congratulate everyone after the ceremony. Punjabis believe in sharing joy and community so while congratulations are certainly welcome to the bride, groom, and their parents, it is common practice to simply congratulate everyone you talk to after the ceremony. This is similar to El Signo de Paz after Catholic mass ceremonies. Instead of shaking hands, Indians greet people by placing their hands together as in prayer. Punjabis may say "Vadaiyan" or "Mubarak" (congratulations) and the recipient would answer "Sava Vadaiyan" or "Sava Mubarak" (1.25 times the congratulations!) as in "I compound the congratulations back to you!" Guests can then make their way downstairs to langar.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom will sit for the shagun ceremony. Here, family guests may come give small cash gifts to them if they wish to do so. We ask that any larger gifts please be given in envelopes. Another opportunity to give a gift will be at the reception.

Following the ceremony, there will be a light lunch at the end. Meals at Sikh Gurdwaras are part of langar, a pillar of the Sikh faith. Here, everyone is welcome to receive food and sit in community together to enjoy the food.

Lunch is the last program of the wedding day.

Salwar kameez (Long shirt with trousers)

Sharara Suits (shirt with flared pants)

Garara Suits (shirt with pants that flare at the knee)

Pant Suits (shirt with straight pants)

Patiala Suits (shirt with pants with folds)

Palazzo Suits (shirt with loose straight pants)

Lehengas (long skirt and top) and Saris are also acceptable to wear, but most often people wear one of the above styles.

If you choose to wear Western attire, long skirts, dresses, and pants are all fine. Please remember to bring a scarf or shawl to cover your head and ensure that your outfit will be comfortable to sit cross-legged in. Attire should cover knees and be ankle-length and cover the shoulders.

Indian men typically wear a kurta pajama or a standard Western Suit.

If you are using one of these sites, be sure to give plenty of time for shipping, returns, etc. We recommend at least 3 months from the date of the event.

The House of Indya: houseofindya.com

Trendia: trendia.co/

Kalki Fashion: kalkifashion.com

Cbazzar: cbazaar.com

Amazon: amazon.com

Etsy: etsy.com

Disclaimer: We have not tried the above sites ourselves, but have heard good things via word of mouth