8 Sikh Wedding Traditions You Must Know About

Often times, Sikh weddings are confused with Hindu and Muslim wedding traditions because they overlap in some cultural events. A celebration that honors both heritage and personal choice. Many aspects of a Sikh wedding focus on interpersonal moments between family members and the couple and ultimately reflect what really matters in life.

To learn more about Sikh wedding traditions, we asked experts Dr. Consulted with Simran Jeet Singh and Lakhpreet Kaur. Singh explains, “Sikhi is a separate religious tradition with its own practices that take place in a wedding ceremony.”

Meet the expert

• Dr. Simran Jeet Singh is a Sikh religious scholar, 2020 Senior Fellow of the Sikh Coalition and has previously spoken at the White House and the Pentagon.
• Lakhpreet Kaur is the founder of Kaur Life, a nonprofit online media company that empowers young Kaurs, or Sikh identifying women.

The Anand Karaj, the Sikh religious wedding ceremony, carries a variety of traditions for close family members, while the reception and other cultural events are larger celebrations that can complement the marriage ceremony. “The Anand Karaj brings a kind of bond between the new couple and the guru to make a mutual promise that this is the lifestyle they want to live together,” adds Dr. Singh added.

Although most South Asian weddings also include a sangeet, Sikh weddings do not require them, but usually take place since most Sikhs are Punjabi. “People can have their own twists and turns based on personal preference where a few things are missing or added, but the core pieces will be standard.”

FAQ

• “No gifts are normally expected at the Anand Karaj religious ceremony itself. The best time to give presents is at reception, ”says Dr. Singh. It is recommended that you check the registry and purchase something that the couple actually needs or wants. A second option is to give cash.

• “Most weddings in South Asia are multi-day affairs,” says Dr. Singh. It really depends on how long the couple would like the wedding ceremony to go on along with the reception. Usually the Anand Karaj takes around two to three hours. However, the couple may include other celebrations that are not required for a traditional Sikh wedding.

• Dr. Singh recommends that participants wear trousers or long dresses. “Everyone will sit on the floor throughout the ceremony, so you want to be comfortable and prepared to sit for a long time.” It is also helpful to bring a scarf or head covering as this is required to keep the head in gurdwara (Temple) to cover.

• “No. Usually that is [couple] Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred book of the Sikhs, will be circled four times. The symbolic meaning of this is that the life of a Sikh revolves around the guru and all Sikhs are taught to see the guru as the center of their lives, ”explains Dr. Singh.

• “The wedding ceremony will have langar, a traditional vegetarian meal,” says Dr. Singh. Langar is crucial to the Gurdwara experience, but wedding events will include richer and more traditional Punjabi dishes. Traditionally the food was prepared by the Gurdwara community, but now it is customary for people to serve the food afterwards. While spirits and meat shouldn’t technically be included at a Sikh wedding, couples can take these items with them at reception or other events.

Read on for the main traditions during Anand Karaj’s wedding ceremony and some of Punjabi’s cultural wedding rituals.