---
title: "Hindu wedding events explained: haldi, mehndi, sangeet and who to invite"
description: "What happens at each Hindu wedding event, from roka and haldi to mehndi, sangeet, garba, the pheras and the reception, who to invite to each, what to wear, and wording to copy."
url: https://ourguestlist.co.uk/guides/hindu-wedding-events
site: Our Guest List
---
# Hindu wedding events explained: haldi, mehndi, sangeet and who to invite

_Updated 2026-10-30_

**The short answer.** A Hindu wedding is usually several events over a few days. The haldi covers the couple in turmeric paste, the mehndi decorates the bride's hands with henna, and the sangeet is a night of music and dancing. Then comes the wedding itself, built around the pheras round the sacred fire, and a reception. Each event has its own guests, timing and dress.

## What happens at each event of a Hindu wedding?

These are the events most UK Hindu weddings have, in the order they usually come. Not every family holds all of them, several are often combined, and the names change from one community to the next.

| Event | What happens | Who is usually invited | What to wear |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Roka or sagai (engagement) | The families formally agree the match. At the sagai the couple exchange rings, with blessings and gifts. | Both families and close friends | Smart Indian or formal wear |
| Ganesh puja | Prayers to Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, so the celebrations begin well. Often at home with a priest. | Close family | Traditional, modest clothes |
| Haldi or pithi | Family rub a paste of turmeric, oil and water onto the couple's face, arms and feet, for luck and a glow on the day. | Close family and friends, each side at their own home | Yellow, and clothes that can get stained |
| Mehndi | A henna artist draws patterns on the bride's hands and feet. Guests often have a design too, with food and music. | Women of the family, close friends, often everyone close | Bright colours, green and orange are popular |
| Sangeet | An evening of music and dance. Each side performs a routine, there is a DJ or band, and dinner. | Family and friends, often a bigger list than the mehndi | Bright, dressy Indian wear |
| Garba or raas | Gujarati folk dancing in circles. Raas is danced with pairs of decorated sticks called dandiya. | Family and friends | Chaniya choli or kurta, comfortable shoes |
| The wedding ceremony | The baraat, the jaimala, the kanyadaan, the pheras and saptapadi round the sacred fire, then the vidaai. | The widest list after the reception | Formal Indian wear; many families ask guests to avoid white, black and bridal red |
| Reception | A party for the newly married couple, often hosted by the groom's family, with dinner and dancing. | Everyone, often the biggest list | Indian or Western evening wear |

If you are writing invitations for these, the [Asian wedding invitations guide](/guides/asian-wedding-invitations) compares Hindu, Sikh and Muslim weddings side by side. This one goes deeper into the Hindu events.

## What happens during the wedding ceremony itself?

The ceremony is led by a priest, usually under a decorated canopy called a mandap, and it starts at a time chosen for luck.

1. **Baraat:** the groom arrives with his family and friends in a procession, often with a dhol drummer and dancing, sometimes on a horse.
2. **Milni and welcome:** the bride's family greet the groom's family. In Punjabi families the relatives meet in pairs and swap garlands.
3. **Jaimala or varmala:** the bride and groom place garlands of flowers round each other's necks.
4. **Kanyadaan:** the bride's parents give their daughter's hand to the groom.
5. **Pheras and saptapadi:** the couple walk round the sacred fire (seven rounds in many families, four in Gujarati ones) and take seven steps together, each one a vow. This is the moment they are married.
6. **Sindoor and mangalsutra:** in many families the groom puts red powder in the bride's hair parting and ties a sacred necklace.
7. **Vidaai:** the bride's tearful farewell to her family as she leaves with the groom's.

## How do Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil and Bengali weddings differ?

The shape is shared, and the details are each community's own. These are common differences, not rules.

- **Gujarati:** the haldi is called pithi, a garba night is common, and the mameru is when the bride's maternal uncle brings gifts.
- **Punjabi Hindu:** a big sangeet, the chooda ceremony when the bride is given red and white bangles, and a lively baraat with the milni.
- **Tamil:** the engagement is the nichayathartham, the wedding is often early in the morning, and the oonjal sets the couple on a swing.
- **Bengali:** the haldi is the gaye holud, the wedding is often in the evening or at night, and the bou bhaat is a meal at the groom's family home afterwards.

## How do you decide who to invite to each event?

Start from the smallest event and work out. The ganesh puja and the haldi are usually close family at home, the mehndi and sangeet add friends, and the wedding and reception are where the list reaches the hundreds.

- **Agree it with both families first.** Some events are hosted by the bride's side, some by the groom's, and each side has its own aunties to count.
- **Keep one list of people** with a tick against each event, whichever family is hosting it, so the cousins both sides know are counted once.
- **Think in households.** "The Shah family" may be three people or nine. Name who the invitation is for, or set how many it covers.
- **Reception-only guests are normal.** Colleagues and wider friends are often asked to the reception alone, and that is not a slight.

> **Tip:** Decide children and plus-ones per event. A sangeet full of cousins' children is lovely; the same children through a long ceremony in a hot hall is a different question.

## What should each event's invitation say?

- **Who is inviting them.** The bride's parents for their events, the groom's for theirs, or both families together.
- **Date, time and venue for that event only.** For the ceremony, say when to arrive and that the muhurat, the lucky time the priest has chosen, is when the couple marry, so guests come early.
- **What to wear:** yellow for the haldi, bright colours for the mehndi and sangeet, formal Indian wear for the wedding, and comfortable shoes for garba.
- **Food:** many Hindu weddings are vegetarian throughout, and many serve no alcohol, at least at the ceremony. Say what is served at each event, and ask about allergies and Jain or vegan diets.
- **How to reply,** to each event separately, and by when.

## Hindu wedding invitation wording to copy

**From the bride's parents**

> Shri Ganeshaya Namah. With the blessings of Lord Ganesh and our elders, Mr and Mrs Patel request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter Anjali with Vikram, son of Mr and Mrs Mehta. Please find the details of each event and reply here: ourguestlist.co.uk/i/your-link

**For the sangeet**

> Namaste Masi! Please join us for a night of music, dancing and dinner at Anjali and Vikram's sangeet. Wear your brightest colours and bring your dancing shoes. Everything is here, and you can reply for the whole family: ourguestlist.co.uk/i/your-link

**From the couple, for a friend**

> Hi Sam! Vikram and I would love you at our mehndi, sangeet and wedding. Your invite has the dates, venues and what to wear for each one, so you can reply to each: ourguestlist.co.uk/i/your-link

**For guests invited to the reception only**

> Dear Claire and Tom, the Patel and Mehta families would be delighted if you could join us at the reception to celebrate Anjali and Vikram's marriage. The time, venue and dress code are here: ourguestlist.co.uk/i/your-link

## When should you send Hindu wedding invitations?

Guests booking leave for several days need more notice than for a single day, so follow the timeline for a wedding over a weekend.

| When | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| First | Fix the muhurat with your priest, then book venues around it |
| 8 to 10 months before | Send save the dates naming every day guests should keep free |
| 10 to 12 weeks before | Send each guest an invitation listing only their events |
| 4 to 6 weeks before | Your reply-by date |
| 2 or 3 days after the reply-by date | Remind anybody who has not answered every event |
| 2 to 3 weeks before | Give each caterer and venue that event's headcount and dietary list |

Relatives in India, Kenya or Sri Lanka may need a UK visa, so send them the save the date as early as you can, and their invitation with everybody else's, ten to twelve weeks before.

## How to do it with Our Guest List

1. **Add every event.** The ganesh puja, haldi, mehndi, sangeet, wedding and reception, each with its own date, time, venue and dress code.
2. **Add your guests.** Paste each family's list, bring people in from your phone's contacts, or type them. Put each household on one invitation.
3. **Choose their events.** Open a guest and press Choose their events. Their invitation shows only the ones you tick.
4. **Send on WhatsApp.** Each guest gets their own message from your own phone, and answers each event on their own link.
5. **Read the numbers.** Home shows the replies for every event, and the export gives each one's headcount with the dietary notes for the caterer.
6. **Check names at the door.** Turn on door check-in, and whoever is on the door can see who is invited to which event.

The free plan covers 50 guests and two events. Most Hindu weddings have more, so Tailored, a one-off £65, gives you 400 guests, every event, and lets both families plan on the same list together. Bespoke, £195, has no guest limit.

## Questions people ask

### What is the difference between mehndi and sangeet?

The mehndi is when henna is drawn on the bride's hands and feet, usually a relaxed afternoon or evening with close family and friends. The sangeet is a night of music and dance, with performances from both families. Many families now hold them on the same evening.

### What is a haldi ceremony?

The haldi, called pithi in Gujarati families, is when relatives rub turmeric paste onto the bride and groom for luck and a glow before the wedding. Each side usually holds its own at home, guests wear yellow, and clothes can get stained.

### Do all guests attend every event of a Hindu wedding?

No. The smaller events, like the ganesh puja and haldi, are usually for close family, the mehndi and sangeet add friends, and the wedding and reception are for the widest list. Each guest should be told which events are theirs.

### What should I not wear to a Hindu wedding?

Many families ask guests to avoid white, which can be worn for mourning, black, and the bright red the bride usually wears. Cover your shoulders for the ceremony, and expect to take your shoes off if it is held in a temple.

### What is the muhurat at a Hindu wedding?

The muhurat is the lucky time a priest chooses from the couple's horoscopes for the most important part of the ceremony. The wedding is planned around it, so it may be early in the morning, and guests should arrive in good time.

## Send yours with Our Guest List

Each guest gets their own invitation on WhatsApp or iMessage and answers every event separately. [Create your free wedding invitation](https://ourguestlist.co.uk/start). Your first 50 guests are free. No payment details needed.

## More guides

- [Asian wedding invitations for every function, from mehndi to walima](https://ourguestlist.co.uk/guides/asian-wedding-invitations.md)
- [Planning a multi-day wedding: the to-do list and the guest list](https://ourguestlist.co.uk/guides/multi-day-wedding-guest-list.md)
- [Inviting wedding guests from abroad: visas, time zones and phone numbers](https://ourguestlist.co.uk/guides/inviting-wedding-guests-from-abroad.md)
- [Wedding invitation wording for every kind of family](https://ourguestlist.co.uk/guides/wedding-invitation-wording.md)