The anand karaj happens in a gurdwara, in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, and often in the morning. Speak to the gurdwara before anyone else and get its rules in writing. Most expect both partners to be Sikh, set a dress code and ban alcohol and tobacco on the premises. Unless the gurdwara is registered for marriages, the legal marriage is separate. The jaggo, mehndi and reception all take place somewhere else.
The shape of a Sikh wedding week
Customs vary by family and region, and the Punjabi customs sit alongside the religious ceremony rather than inside it. What follows is common practice, not a fixed order, so check with your own family.
Roka, kurmai or chunni
Early ceremonies that formalise the match. In one, the groom's family gives the bride a chunni to welcome her into the family.
Maiyan
Family apply a paste of turmeric and mustard oil (vatna) to the bride and groom, usually at home.
Mehndi
Henna for the bride and guests, with music and food. See our mehndi night planning guide.
Jaggo
Often the night before the wedding. Family carry a decorated pot (gaggar) lit with lamps, sing boliyan and dance late. See jaggo.
Milni and anand karaj
The families meet at the gurdwara for the milni, then the couple take the four laavan around the Guru Granth Sahib. See milni and anand karaj.
Doli
The bride says goodbye to her family and leaves for her new home.
Reception
The party, usually at a banqueting hall or hotel, often the same evening or a day later.
The anand karaj: where and who
The anand karaj is a religious ceremony held before the Guru Granth Sahib. Its four laavan, the hymns sung as the couple walk around it, were composed by Guru Ram Das.
Where. In 2020, Sikh Council UK said: "All Anand Karaj must take place in the Gurdwara, we condemn the transport of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee to inappropriate venues." Wedding media reported in February 2026 that the Akal Takht had restated this through the SGPC in December 2025, naming commercial venues and destination weddings. For planning purposes, the anand karaj happens at a gurdwara, and the party happens somewhere else.
Who. Most UK gurdwaras follow the Sikh Rehat Maryada, the code of conduct issued by the SGPC. Sikh Council UK guidance, agreed by gurdwaras in 2014 and published in 2015, says "only a Sikh in accordance with the Sikh Rehat Maryada definition is allowed to be married" by anand karaj, and that a person of non-Sikh origin who accepts the faith should show this by taking Singh or Kaur in their name. Policies and their application vary between gurdwaras, so speak to yours first, before booking any other vendor.
What gurdwaras ask of couples
Every gurdwara sets its own procedure. As one example, the Ramgarhia Board Gurdwara in Leeds publishes its wedding procedure. It includes:
- booking the anand karaj at the gurdwara office, with its marriage registrar;
- giving notice of intent at the local council, since the anand karaj cannot go ahead without the completed marriage schedule;
- a meeting with the gurdwara's anand karaj team 3 to 4 months before the wedding, to go through the day;
- a signed declaration of the couple's Sikh faith;
- all payments made in full no later than 7 days before, or the gurdwara may cancel;
- a dress code: brides in at least half sleeves with a covered midriff and high neckline, grooms in a dastaar, and head coverings for everyone;
- no alcohol, tobacco, vaping or drugs on the premises, and "NO SINGING, NO DANCING, NO LOUD MUSIC" on arrival;
- no dhol in the car park, and some customs from other traditions, such as the jai mala and sindoor, are not performed there.
Other gurdwaras will differ on detail, but most cover the same ground. Ask yours for its rules in writing and share the parts that affect guests. Your photographer, videographer and dhol players need to see them too.
| What to ask the gurdwara | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which dates and start times are available? | Your reception venue, hair and makeup and transport all work back from this |
| Is the gurdwara registered for marriages? | Tells you whether you need a separate civil ceremony |
| What documents and meetings are required? | Some gurdwaras ask for a declaration of faith or a meeting |
| What is the dress code for the couple and guests? | Put it on your invitations |
| What are the rules on photography and video? | Brief your photographer before the day |
| What does the langar include, and what are the fees or donations? | Budget it, and know the payment deadline |
| Where can the dhol play, and when? | Some gurdwaras don't allow it on the premises |
The legal marriage
Under gov.uk guidance, a religious wedding in England and Wales is legal when it happens in a registered religious building with an authorised person who signs the marriage schedule. Sikh Council UK describes marriage in the UK as a civil act, with the anand karaj "pursued in addition by Sikhs."
In practice:
- If the gurdwara is registered, its registrar or authorised person can complete the legal part on the day. The Leeds gurdwara above lists an optional civil wedding in its order of the day.
- If it isn't, book a civil ceremony at the register office or an approved venue.
- Either way, give notice at least 29 days before, at the register office where you have lived for the past 7 days, and hold the ceremony within 12 months.
This is general information, not legal advice.
The order of the gurdwara morning
Using the Leeds gurdwara's published order as a guide:
- Arrival of the groom's party
- Ardaas and milni
- Morning tea (optional)
- Civil wedding (optional)
- Removal of the groom's kalgi
- Karmai (optional)
- Palla rasam
- The anand karaj, with the four laavan
- Ardaas and hukamnama
- Sagan, the giving of blessings and gifts
- Reception
Other gurdwaras order the morning differently, so ask yours for its own running order.
Plan transport, photography and the reception start time around this. A morning ceremony means a long day, so leave a gap before the reception for the couple and family to rest.
Milni
At the milni, relatives from each side meet in pairs, often in order of seniority, exchange garlands and the bride's family gives shagun. It is joyful, and it can run long with a big family. Agree who meets whom in advance, have garlands and envelopes ready, and give one person the list.
The jaggo
The jaggo is a Punjabi tradition, not a religious rite. It often takes place the night before the wedding. Family carry a decorated gaggar lit with lamps or tealights, sing boliyan and dance, traditionally going from house to house. In a city, a hired hall often works better than a street.
What to plan:
- Venue and finish time. Check curfew and noise limits. Under gov.uk guidance, music at licensed or community premises needs no separate licence only between 8am and 11pm, and only for audiences of up to 500.
- Music. Dhol players, a DJ, or both.
- Safety. Open flames in a crowded hall need the venue's permission. Ask whether LED tealights in the gaggar would suit the venue better.
The reception
The reception is often the largest event: a banqueting hall or hotel, catering, a stage, decor, a DJ and entertainment. It takes place at a separate venue from the gurdwara, and some families serve alcohol there, which gurdwaras do not allow on their premises.
- Read choosing a venue for 500 guests for capacity, kitchens, parking and curfews.
- See Asian wedding catering cost per head for pricing.
- Count your guests per event with the guest count planner.
- Brief your photographer on gurdwara rules using our questions to ask your photographer, and read the deposit and booking checklist before paying anyone.
A planning timeline
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| 12 months | Speak to the gurdwara. Confirm the date, rules and whether it is registered. |
| 10 to 12 months | Book the reception venue, caterer, photographer and videographer. |
| 6 to 9 months | Book the jaggo venue, mehndi artist, dhol players, DJ, hair and makeup, decorator. |
| 3 to 4 months | Meet the gurdwara's anand karaj team. Send invitations with the dress code. |
| 1 to 2 months | Give notice at the register office if you haven't already. Brief vendors on gurdwara rules. |
| 7 days | Pay the gurdwara in full, if that's its rule. Final numbers to caterers. |
For the full list, see our Asian wedding checklist.
Booking your vendors
Give every vendor the same brief: each event, date, venue postcode, guest number and any gurdwara rules that affect them. On Nodus, you can browse vendors, message them and keep quotes and bookings in one place. When you book, you pay a deposit to confirm, then the balance before your event, each paid directly to your vendor through Stripe.
Questions
Sikh bodies say no. Sikh Council UK stated in 2020 that all anand karaj must take place in the gurdwara, and condemned taking the Guru Granth Sahib to hotels and other venues. Plan the ceremony at a gurdwara and hold the reception elsewhere.
Most UK gurdwaras follow the Sikh Rehat Maryada, which says the anand karaj is for Sikhs. Sikh Council UK guidance says a person of non-Sikh origin who accepts the faith should show it by taking Singh or Kaur in their name. Ask your gurdwara about its policy before booking anything else.
Only if the gurdwara is registered for marriages and an authorised person signs the marriage schedule. Otherwise you need a civil ceremony too. Some gurdwaras hold the civil part on the day. Either way, give notice at your register office at least 29 days before.
When the groom's party arrives, relatives from both families meet in pairs, often in order of seniority, exchange garlands and the bride's family gives shagun. At the Ramgarhia Board Gurdwara in Leeds, for example, the milni comes with an ardaas, before tea and the ceremony. Practice varies between families and gurdwaras.
Everyone covers their head and removes their shoes. Gurdwaras usually ask for modest clothing. One Leeds gurdwara asks brides for at least half sleeves and a covered midriff, and grooms to wear a dastaar. Send your gurdwara's dress code with your invitations.
Often the night before the wedding, at home or at a hired venue. Family carry a decorated pot with lamps, sing boliyan and dance. Customs vary by family. Check noise limits and finish times with the venue or your neighbours.
Start planning your wedding
Put the gurdwara date first, then build the week around it. Nodus is free for couples.
Start planning Join the waitlist