A Punjabi wedding invitation usually opens with Ik Onkar for Sikh families or a Ganesh invocation for Hindu Punjabi families, names the hosts and the couple, and then lists a long run of functions, often from the mehndi and jaggo to the wedding and the reception. Because Punjabi weddings are famous for their functions, the most useful thing the invitation can do is make the schedule easy to follow. Samples in English and Punjabi are below.
For the Sikh wedding ceremony itself, the Anand Karaj, a separate guide covers the gurdwara-specific details. This one is about the invitation as a whole.
The functions families list
Not every family holds every function, and the order varies. These are the ones you'll see most often on Punjabi invitations:
| Function | What happens |
|---|---|
| Roka or chunni chadai | The families formally agree to the match; the groom's family drapes a red chunni on the bride |
| Mehndi and sangeet | Henna, songs and dancing, often with dholki |
| Jaggo | The night before the wedding, women of the family carry a decorated pot with lit lamps and dance through the neighbourhood |
| Maiyan or vatna | Turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom at their homes |
| Chooda | The bride's maternal uncle gives her the red and white wedding bangles; kaleere are tied to them |
| Sehrabandi and ghodi | The groom's sehra is tied and he rides out on a mare with the baraat |
| Milni | Relatives of the two families meet and embrace, one pair at a time |
| The wedding | Lavan in the gurdwara for Sikh families, or pheras for Hindu families |
| Doli | The bride's farewell from her family |
| Reception | Often hosted by the groom's family |
How the invitation is laid out
- The invocation. ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ (Ik Onkar Satgur Prasad) for Sikh families; Shri Ganeshay Namah for many Hindu Punjabi families.
- The hosts, usually the parents, often with the grandparents' blessings.
- The couple, with both sets of parents.
- The main ceremony, with the date, time and venue.
- The schedule of functions, often on a separate page or an insert.
- RSVP contacts, and frequently a light closing line from the cousins.
English wording
The names, dates and places below are examples.
With the blessings of Waheguru
Mrs. Harpreet and Mr. Gurinder Singh Sandhu
request the pleasure of your company
at the wedding of their daughter
Simran
with
Arjun
son of Mrs. Neelam and Mr. Rajiv Malhotra
Saturday, 12 December 2026
Anand Karaj at 10 am, Gurdwara Sahib, Sector 34, Chandigarh
Lunch to follow
Mehndi and sangeet: Thursday, 10 December, 6 pm
Jaggo: Friday, 11 December, 9 pm
Chooda and maiyan: Saturday, 12 December, 7 am, at home
Anand Karaj: Saturday, 12 December, 10 am
Doli: Saturday, 12 December, 4 pm
Reception: Sunday, 13 December, 7:30 pm
Punjabi wording
Punjabi invitations are written in Gurmukhi. The sample below is a simple, common form; have a Punjabi reader in the family check names and spellings before you share.
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ
ਸ਼ੁਭ ਵਿਆਹ
ਸਾਡੀ ਸਪੁੱਤਰੀ ਸਿਮਰਨ
ਅਤੇ ਅਰਜੁਨ ਦੇ ਸ਼ੁਭ ਵਿਆਹ ਦੇ ਮੌਕੇ ਤੇ
ਆਪ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਸਮੇਤ ਹਾਰਦਿਕ ਸੱਦਾ ਹੈ।
ਸ਼ਨੀਵਾਰ, 12 ਦਸੰਬਰ 2026
ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ਸੈਕਟਰ 34, ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ
The cousins' line
Many Punjabi invitations end with a cheerful line from the younger cousins, the Punjabi cousin of the Hindi bal manuhar: “Saade veer di shaadi te zaroor aana” (do come to our brother's wedding). It suits the spirit of the wedding and gives the invitation a voice beyond the parents'.
Dress codes by function
Punjabi families often set a loose colour or style for each function, and the invitation is the place to say it: bright greens, yellows and pinks for the mehndi and jaggo, pastels or white for a day ceremony at the gurdwara, jewel tones or evening wear for the reception. A single line under each function is enough: “Jaggo: bright colours, comfortable shoes.”
Practical details guests appreciate
- For the gurdwara: a note that heads must be covered, and that shoes are left outside.
- For the jaggo: the start time and the route or meeting point, since it moves.
- For the baraat: where and when the groom's party gathers, if guests are joining it.
- Dress codes for the mehndi and sangeet, if you have them.
- One contact per side who can answer questions during the wedding days.
A daily schedule
Punjabi weddings often have more functions than guests can track. Send a short schedule message the evening before each day, so nobody turns up for the jaggo at the time of the milni.
Related guides
The mehndi wording guide and the haldi wording guide have samples for the functions, and the Indian wedding invitation guide covers timing and guest lists. For other regions, see the Marathi lagna patrika and the rest of weddings across India. Designs with room for a long schedule are among the wedding templates.
Questions people ask
How does a Sikh wedding invitation begin?
Usually with ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ (Ik Onkar Satgur Prasad), or a line such as “With the blessings of Waheguru”. Hindu Punjabi families often begin with Shri Ganeshay Namah.
What is a jaggo?
A celebration the night before the wedding, when women of the family carry a decorated pot with lit lamps and dance through the neighbourhood with songs.
What is the chooda ceremony?
On the wedding morning, the bride's maternal uncle gives her the red and white wedding bangles, the chooda, and family members tie kaleere to them.
Should the invitation be in Punjabi or English?
Many families use both: Gurmukhi for relatives and English for friends and colleagues. A digital invitation can give each language its own page.
Filed under Weddings across India
Written by ShubhLink Editorial Team
The team behind ShubhLink's invitation templates and ShubhLink AI. We write down what families ask us most, and check each guide before it goes live.