Sikh Wedding Ceremony – Order of Service and Order of Events
Introduction
Etiquette at the Gurdwara
Remove your shoes and cover your head
Bow and touch your forehead to the ground when you enter the hall
Sit on the floor with the ‘Sangat’ (the congregation)
Do not point your feet in the direction of Guru Granth Sahib
Stand up during Ardaas (prayer to God)
When offered the prasaad (at the end of the service), accept with both hands together
Baraat Arrival & Milni
Gurpal arrives at the venue with his family and friends, singing and dancing around him
The Milni is the start of the ceremony and will take place outside the Gurdwara.
Sharons family welcomes the baraat and a short prayer (Ardaas) is recited.
The two families exchange garlands as a symbol of them joining.
Anand Karaj & Kirtan
Gurpal will come forward and be seated facing the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Sharon will enter escorted by her family and will be seated next to Gurpal.
During this time, the Sikh religious musicians (Raagi) will be
singing traditional hymns (Kirtan)
Ardas – Prayers
An ardas is a traditional prayer that is done before any significant event.
Sharon & Gurpal and their families will stand as the Raagi’s recite the
hymn invoking the blessings of the Almighty and giving thanks for those
blessings already bestowed. This symbolises the consent of the bride,
groom and their parents in the presence of family and friends.
Palle Di Rasam
Sharons father will symbolically ‘join’ Sharon and Gurpal by placing one end of
Gurpals scarf (palla) over his shoulder and into Sharons hand.
This signifies the fathers blessings to the couple as he gives his daughter away.
Laavan – The Four Wedding Rounds
Laavan literally means ‘circling’, describes marriage as a rite of passage into
higher and higher circles of existence. Sharon and Gurpal circle around Sri Guru Granth Sahib four
times, with each nuptial round (Lav), the couple vows to be together – mind, body and soul.
Sharons brothers, her protectors, guide her along the process.
First
The promise to love forever and let go of the past
Second
The promise to be devoted completely to one another
Third
The promise to be faithful to one another
Fourth
The promise to be together and united with god
Ardas & Prashad
After the Lavaan, other hymns are sung that express the overwhelming joy of
experiencing union with God. They are followed by the Ardas in which all
guests take part. The Karah Prashad is distributed to the entire congregation.
Sagar & Langar
At the end of the ceremony, family and friends line up behind
Sharon and Gurpal to congratulate them. Afterwards, everyone
shares a traditional meal in the langar hall.
Thanks
On behalf of both our families,
we thank you from the bottom of our hearts
for joining us on our special day
Love from Gurpal & Sharon
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