Whether you are planning a Sikh wedding or attending one as a guest, the vocabulary can be unfamiliar. Here is a plain-English glossary of the key Sikh wedding terms you will hear, what each one means, and where it fits in the celebration.
The Anand Karaj ("blissful union") is the Sikh wedding ceremony, performed at a Gurdwara in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. Its heart is the Laavan — four hymns the couple walks around the Guru Granth Sahib to complete. It is a religious ceremony with specific protocols: covered heads, removed shoes, and seating on the floor.
The Laavan are the four marriage hymns (composed by Guru Ram Das) that form the core of the Anand Karaj. The couple circles the Guru Granth Sahib once for each Laav; completing the fourth seals the marriage. Each hymn reflects a stage of spiritual union.
The baraat is the groom's wedding procession — family and friends arriving (often with music and a dhol player, sometimes the groom on a horse) to be received by the bride's side. It is energetic and celebratory and sets the tone before the ceremony.
The milni ("meeting") is the formal greeting between the two families, usually right after the baraat arrives, where corresponding relatives (e.g. the fathers, the uncles) are introduced and exchange garlands and sometimes gifts.
The choora is the set of red-and-white bangles a Sikh/Punjabi bride wears, traditionally given by her maternal uncle in a pre-wedding ceremony. The kalire are ornate (often gold-toned) danglers tied to the bangles. Both are bridal traditions rather than part of the Gurdwara ceremony itself.
The Big Bang Events helps you find GTA vendors who understand Sikh wedding traditions — from Anand Karaj photography to baraat dhol players and langar-savvy caterers.
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