8:15 am
The Baraat, the arrival of the groom, is the wedding procession by which the Groom, family, and friends arrive to the Gurdwara, Sikh Temple, to be greeted by the Bride's family and friends.
9:00 am
Indian or Western Formal. As guests will be seated on the floor for the duration of the ceremony, it is recommended that guests wear pants or long dresses. It is required to cover your head and remove your shoes inside the temple, so you may wish to bring a scarf or bandana, and wear easy to remove shoes. Head coverings will also be provided at the temple for guest's use.
Please make sure that you're vaccinated and boosted. Be respectful of the Gurdwara (Sikh temple) and refrain from drinking any alcohol before or during the Sikh ceremony.
9:00 am
Both families congregate in a large and open area in front of the Gurudwara for the Milni ceremony. Milni is the formal introduction of the key members of both the families with the exchange of garlands. To start of the Milni, the priest first recites a small prayer then calls the names of the corresponding relations from either side, beginning from the eldest. Breakfast and tea will be served in the Langar hall at 9:30 am (after the Milni ceremony).
10:30 am
The Sikh wedding ceremony is known as "Anand Karaj" which means 'Blissful Union." The guests enter into the Main Hall and pay respect to the Guru Granth Sahib (holy scripture) by bowing down (option for non-Sikh guests) and then taking a seat in the room with ladies on the right side and gents on the left.
1. Ardas: Couple and parents only 2. Palla Rasam: Father of the Bride gives away Bride, taking one end of the Palla (groom's scarf) of the groom and handing it to the Bride. 3. Laavan (marriage prayer): The Ragis, or Sikh musicians, recite and sing each verse of the Laavan as the couple to walk around Guru Granth Sahib four times. The four laavan take the bride and groom through a journey that leads to a union with God and the union of a husband and wife. These are both teachings and vows that they take to seal their marriage union. 4. Kirtan: Devotional singing to bless the union. 5. Ardas (Congregational Prayer): All guests are asked to please stand during this prayer. 6. Karah Prashad: A food offering passed out to all guests following the Ardas. Guests may accept the Prashad, sitting, with hands raised and cupped. It is a made with equal portions of whole-wheat flour, clarified butter, and sugar. 7. After the Prashad is distributed, guests may head to the Langar Hall for Lunch.
12:00 pm
Vegetarian meal will be served