How to plan a Sikh wedding in the UK
A Sikh wedding centres on the Anand Karaj, the marriage ceremony held in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib at the Gurdwara. Around it sit a handful of warm, family-led celebrations that build up over the days before.
This guide covers the events couples in the UK usually include, the running order on the day, and how to plan when the ceremony is at a Gurdwara. You can plan all of it, free, in We Do.
The events of a Sikh wedding
Family and regional traditions vary, but couples often plan for:
- Kurmai (engagement) — the two families formally commit, often with an ardaas at the Gurdwara.
- Chunni Chadai — the groom's family welcomes the bride with a chunni (scarf) and gifts.
- Mehndi — henna applied to the bride and her guests.
- Maiyan / Vatna — a turmeric paste blessing at home in the days before.
- Jaggo — a lively night-before celebration with singing and dancing.
- Anand Karaj — the wedding ceremony at the Gurdwara, including the four laava.
- Langar — the community meal served to all guests at the Gurdwara.
- Doli — the bride's emotional farewell.
- Reception — the evening party and dinner.
The Anand Karaj and the milni
On the morning of the wedding the families meet in the milni, a warm greeting between the two sides, often with garlands and breakfast. Everyone then enters the Gurdwara for the Anand Karaj.
The ceremony includes the singing of shabads and the four laava, where the couple circles the Guru Granth Sahib four times. Heads are covered, shoes removed, and the langar that follows is open to every guest. Timings run gently long, so plan the morning without a rush.
A typical running order
Most couples anchor the weekend on the Anand Karaj:
- Days before: Kurmai, Mehndi, Maiyan and Jaggo, mostly at home or a hall.
- Wedding morning: milni, then the Anand Karaj and langar at the Gurdwara.
- Afternoon: the doli farewell.
- Evening: the reception, the largest celebration of the weekend.
How far ahead to plan
Book the Gurdwara and your reception venue early, then the suppliers who cover multi-day weddings. Roughly: venues and Gurdwara 10 to 12 months out, photography and catering soon after, outfits and decor around 6 months, final numbers and seating in the last month. Budgeting per event keeps a multi-day celebration under control.
Common questions
Where does a Sikh wedding ceremony take place?
The Anand Karaj is held at a Gurdwara, in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. Heads are covered and shoes removed, and the langar meal afterwards is open to all guests.
What are the four laava?
The laava are the four hymns sung during the Anand Karaj. The couple circles the Guru Granth Sahib once for each, marking the stages of their union.
What is the milni?
The milni is the warm meeting of the two families on the wedding morning, usually with garlands and breakfast, before everyone enters the Gurdwara.
How long does a Sikh wedding take to plan?
With several events and a Gurdwara booking, most couples start 10 to 12 months ahead. Planning each event's budget separately keeps the whole weekend manageable.
Ready to start?
Plan every event, guest and tradition in one calm place. Free to start, no credit card.
Start planning — free