A Sikh wedding is a colourful, vibrant and joyous event. The ceremony is known as Anand Karaj, or ‘Blissful Union’ and is a celebration of two becoming one.
The ceremony starts with the granthi offering Ardaas or a short prayer to the bride and groom. They are then presented with a ring, kara (steel bangle) and kripan (a small knife).
Roka Ceremony
The Roka Ceremony is the first step into a new journey for the bride and groom. The ceremony is held at the home of the bride or at a venue as per the requirements.
It is an important part of the Sikh wedding and signifies the decision of the families to set their daughters’ hand in marriage. This sikh custom is generally performed in the presence of the parents and close relatives.
During this ceremony, the boy and girl are done tilak on their forehead with a paste of roli (sacred thread) and rice. They are also adorned with red chunnis and gifts are exchanged between the two families.
Another important ceremony is Milni, which literally means “introductions”. During this ritual, both the eldest chachas (brothers) of the groom and the bride’s family visit each other with garlands. Gifts, such as cash and clothes, are given out.
Milni
In the Sikh wedding rituals, the Milni is a ceremony where both families meet. During this time, senior men (usually in descending order by age) from each side of the bride and groom exchange flower garlands and gifts like cash, clothes, etc.
In a Sikh wedding, the Milni is a great way to celebrate the families coming together and helps everyone get to know each other better. It also ensures that all of the important people are there to witness the bride and groom’s wedding.
The Milni is usually a short ceremony, but it’s important to capture it well in your sikh wedding photography as it is a wonderful way to honour your extended family members and help them get to know each other better.
After the Milni, the families meet one-at-a-time for a series of introductions and exchanges. This is a wonderful opportunity for your photographer to capture different angles and perspectives that will tell the story of your wedding day perfectly.
Sangeet
Sangeet is the night before the wedding where family and friends come together to enjoy a meal, dance, and catch up on the excitement of the wedding weekend. This is an important event for Sikh couples as it marks the beginning of the celebrations that follow.
The sangeet ceremony mainly focuses on the bride and groom, but it can be attended by men as well. There are some strict rules and traditions for this event, but you can still have a good time with your friends and relatives.
Traditionally, sangeet events would take place for up to ten days prior to the wedding but today it is a one-night party. It is a fun-filled and exciting event that is a perfect way to get to know the bride and groom.
The Sangeet is one of the most popular and celebrated pre-wedding ceremonies in Sikh culture. It is a beautiful way for the two families to get to know each other in a less formal setting.
Mehndi
A Mehndi ceremony is an essential part of any Sikh wedding. In the tradition, the bride and her friends are invited to get henna designs applied on their hands and feet.
A typical Mehndi ceremony will take between 3-6 hours for full hand mehndi and between 2-4 hours for foot mehndi. The time taken depends on how elaborate the design is and how much of it the bride wants done.
Henna is a natural dye that can be purchased in stores, but some people prefer to use a traditional method of applying henna to their hands and feet. This way, they are able to create deeper, richer colors.
As for sikh wedding photography, it is important to capture the mehndi artists in action. Try to position your camera so that you can see the mehndi patterns from an upward angle and also try to photograph the bride’s hands with her jewelry in the background.
