The Mehndi ceremony is a vibrant pre-wedding ritual. Held a day or two before the wedding, it marks the beginning of festivities and is a joyous occasion filled with music, dance, and intricate henna designs are painted on the palms and feet of the bride and palms of her female friends and family. In the Hindu tradition, mehndi is part of the Solah Shringar, or sixteen bridal adornments, for the beautification of the bride from head to toe at the time of the wedding. The event will have fun cocktails, dancing, dhol (music), Indian snacks, and henna stations.
Mehndi is believed to bring good luck, fertility, and prosperity to the bride and groom's married life. The application of henna is considered a sign of auspiciousness.
Haldi
The Haldi ceremony is a pre-wedding Hindu ritual where a paste made from turmeric (haldi), sandalwood, and rosewater is applied to the bride and groom's face and body by their family and friends. It usually takes place a day or two before the wedding.The Haldi paste is believed to purify the body, ward off evil spirits. We will use flower petals to shower blessings instead of the paste, on the bride and groom's request at the Mehndi event
Chooda
The Chooda ceremony is a traditional pre-wedding ritual, especially in Punjabi and North Indian weddings. The bride’s maternal uncle and aunt gift her a set of red and white bangles (traditionally made of ivory or plastic) called Chooda.
It is held on the morning of the wedding day or a day before. The bangles are first purified in a mixture of milk and rose water. The maternal uncle places the bangles on the bride’s wrists while the family blesses her. The Chooda is traditionally worn for at least 40 days to a year after the wedding. It marks the bride’s transition from maidenhood to married life and is believed to bring good luck and protection to the couple. This event will be a private ceremony at the Malik household leading up to the wedding (TBD).
Kaleere
Kaleere are traditional bridal ornaments worn by Punjabi brides. These umbrella-shaped, beaten metal hangings are tied to the bride’s bangles, usually by her sisters and friends, during a pre-wedding ceremony called the Chooda ceremony.
Kaleere symbolize good wishes, blessings, and protection for the bride on her new journey. Their shape represents prosperity and fertility.It’s a fun and emotional ritual that signifies sisterhood. The bride shakes her kaleere over the heads of unmarried girls—if one falls, it's believed that girl will be the next to marry...like catching the bridal bouquet.
Sangeet
The most FUN wedding event! This will follow the Christian wedding. “Sangeet” means music but when it is used in reference to an Indian wedding event, it translates to “Music Night.” This musical night is a celebration of the union of the couple and both families. Both the Groom and Bride’s sides bring their “A” game to the party. This celebration includes rehearsed dances performed by relatives and friends of the Bride and Groom, an open bar & dance floor to showcase everyone’s moves. It's an opportunity to be your lively best to English, Spanish, Bollywood & Punjabi music for a fun evening!
Baraat
A Baraat is the groom’s procession into the wedding ceremony.
Traditionally the groom would travel days to his bride’s home. Nowadays, the baaraat is condensed to a short period of celebratory dancing as the groom approaches the wedding venue. The Groom would arrive on an adorned white horse, but now the groom arrives in a decorated car that drives in alongside his dancing friends and family.
Milni
Literally means "meeting" and involves the ceremonial greeting and introduction of the bride’s and groom’s families, especially male elders.When the Baraat reaches the wedding venue relatives from both sides (like fathers, cousins, grandparents, aunts) formally meet, exchange garlands and hug each other.
It is the coming together of two families with love, mutual respect, and the establishment of a new bond that sets a warm tone of hospitality for the wedding ceremony.
Jaimala
The commencement of the Hindu wedding is marked by the Jaimala, where the bride and groom exchange floral garlands.
The exchange of garlands means mutual acceptance, respect, and the beginning of their life together as partners. Mala is the Hindi word for garland.
Phere
Phere, the most important part of the Hindu wedding are seven sacred rounds taken by the bride and groom around the holy fire (Agni) with Vedic chants by the priest.
Each round, or phera, represents a vow made by the couple to support, respect, and remain faithful to each other throughout life. The fire is considered a divine witness, and these vows form the spiritual and legal foundation of the marriage in Hindu tradition.
Joota Chupai
A fun and playful ritual where the bride’s sisters and friends hide the groom’s shoes that he takes off during the wedding ceremony.
This light-hearted tradition adds humor and bonding to the wedding. Its banter establishes a friendly relationship between the families. And gives the bride’s side a chance to tease the groom, often in exchange for money or gifts to return the shoes.
Sindoor
Sindoor is a red or vermilion powder that the groom applies to the parting of the bride’s hair during a Hindu wedding ceremony.
Applying sindoor symbolizes the bride’s marital status and marks her as a married woman and represents the groom’s commitment and blessings for her long life and well-being. This ritual is a deeply sacred moment, signifying the sanctity and permanence of the marriage.
