Traditional Punjabi Wedding

Written by Urabana Weddings

Punjabi Wedding Style combines pre and post-wedding rituals.

The rituals and the dressing standards of Punjabi Weddings have inspired many other Indian communities to give an extravagant touch to their weddings.

Let us find out the traditions and rituals of Punjabi Wedding through this Punjabi wedding style guide.

1) The Roka Ceremony

This is the very first ritual celebration that involves exchanging of gifts (money, clothes, sweets, etc) as “Shagun”. Both the bride’s and groom’s family for each other.

2) Chunni Chadhai Ceremony

The Chunni Chadhai ceremony is celebrated before or on the morning of the engagement ceremony. Here, the bride’s head is covered with an auspicious and sacred dupatta/chunni given by the groom’s family.

This occasion marks the entrance of the bride into her husband-to-be’s family.

3) The Engagement Ceremony (Mangni)

This ceremony takes place a few months before the wedding; marking the official commitment of the couple. It is a grand ceremony where both the couples exchange rings.

4) Sangeet Ceremony

Sangeet ceremony is all about songs, dance and lots of fun!

Earlier it used to be celebrated by only the women of the bride’s family along with some folk music. But, nowadays, it has turned into a gala event, where the groom and his family & other guests are also invited.

Some couples hire professional choreographers to train the couple and their family members for special dance performances.

4) Mehendi Ceremony

A night before the wedding, the hands and feet of the bride are adorned by creating intricated designs with henna. The henna leaves are dried in the sun initially, later mixed with the aromatic oils and herbs to form a paste.

 

This paste is then filled into the cones that make it easier for the Mehendi artist to create beautiful forms on the hands and feet of the bride.

 

Also, all the female members of the family get henna painted on their hands. It is a unique ritual and most people believe that “Darker the colour of henna, Deeper the love groom has for the bride.”

5) Pre-Wedding Rituals

  • Jago

This ritual is performed by the maternal aunt of the groom carrying a kadhai decorated with lamps on her head.

All the other women of the family accompany her singing the folk songs and carry traditional equipment. All the people in Jago visits friends and relatives living nearby.

  • Chuda Ceremony

Chuda (four sets of red and ivory bangles) is the most important marriage symbol of a Punjabi bride. In this ceremony, the bride is made to wear the chuda by her maternal uncle.

The ceremony begins with dipping the chuda in a mixture of milk and rose petals to cleanse it ritualistically.

The brides covers her head with a dupatta or scarf and all the elder members of the family along with maternal uncle bless the bride, and, slowly slip the bangles (chuda) into her hands.

The bride wears this chuda for at least 6 months or 1 year after the marriage depending upon the family tradition.

  • Haldi Ceremony

The aromatic Haldi paste is smeared on the face, hand and feet of bride and groom by their family & friends on the morning of the wedding day.

This paste contains turmeric, sandalwood, rose water and mustard oil. It gives a beautiful glowing skin to both the bride and groom.

6) Wedding Day Ceremonies

  • Sehrabandi Ceremony

This ritual involves the Punjabi groom getting ready for his grand day. The elder male members of the groom’s family tie the turban around his head and put the beautiful Sehra (blessed by the priest) on it too.

  • Ghodi and Baraat

Just like a royal prince, the groom is made to ride a horse (adorned with decorations). The groom mounts a horse and sets off for the wedding venue accompanied by his family and friends on his journey to his bride.

Its the most-awaited and fun event where everybody dances their hearts out to celebrate and welcome the groom’s new life.

  • Milni Ceremony

In this ritual, bride’s family welcomes the groom’s family with a priest performing “ardaas”. Later, both families interact and shower their love on each other.

  • Varmala

In this ritual, both the groom and bride exchange garlands with each other on the stage.

  • Kanyadaan

This ritual is the most sensitive of all. Because, the father of the bride hand overs the responsibility of his daughter to her husband-to-be by tying the dupattas of the bride and the groom.

The groom promises the bride’s father to take care of his wife forever.

  • Anand Karaj

In this ritual, the couple walks around the sacred Guru Granth Sahib Ji for four hymns. Many also know this ritual by the name – Laavan Phere.

  • Joota Chhupai

This is the most popularized ritual and beloved by the sisters of the bride. Because, in this ritual, bride’s sisters hide the groom’s wedding shoes demanding money in return.

The money is seen as an auspicious gift to the bride’s sisters from their new brother-in-law.

7) Post Wedding Rituals

  • Vidaai

This is the saddest moment for all when the bride has to say goodbye to her home and family. The bride throws rice in the backward direction as a gesture showing gratitude to her parents and praying that her family always remain free from any adversity.

  • Paani Barna

Mother of the groom performs this ritual and welcomes the new member of the family. Groom’s family welcomes the bride by another ritual on the threshold of the house, where the groom’s mother encircles the bride with a pitcher of water for seven times.

8) The Reception

This is a fun moment for everyone. The groom’s family organises a party and share happiness with all the friends and relatives. It is all about enjoyment, good food, music etc.

So, these were some of the beautiful traditions of Punjabi weddings. Hope you loved the Punjabi Wedding Style!

Disclaimer: Families have different styles of performing traditions and rituals. The above shared is the major overview of any complete Punjabi wedding.