Sparkling lights all around, all latest crackers being burnt, a DJ playing all the famous numbers, lots of variety of dishes to eat.... No! I am not talking about any festival going on. What I am talking about is a BIG FAT PUNJABI WEDDING. Here I say welcome to Punjab!!! Punjabi’s known for their zestful and vivacious way of living, and obviously the folk dance bhangra – the most important one. When it comes to a wedding in the family, then it’s nothing less than a celebration.

Punjabi wedding is known for the traditions, music, alcohol, non-vegetarian food served. So here I take u through the course of wedding functions. First function that comes is the roka, where the parents announce that their search for the suitable match for their child has come to an end.

Then is the ring ceremony where in the couple exchanges rings and both stand officially engaged. After this day, is the function called sangeet which is all about dance and fun. These days the trend of hiring DJs is in and it has become a status symbol. This is followed by mehndi which is held especially for the application of mehndi to the female members of the family of girl/boy and on the hands and feet of the girl.

Then the final countdown starts. In the early morning a paste of turmeric and flour, batna, is applied on the bride/bridegroom’s face, hands, arms and legs. Then the bride is made to wear the chura, red and white ivory bangles, and then her relatives tie kalira (jingles) with the chura. And at the groom’s end is the event of sehrabandi, where in the mother tie the sehra on the groom’s turban.

At the venue, the bride’s family welcomes the groom and his family, baraat, which is followed by the pheras around the sacred fire. And then finally the bride takes her tearful farewell from her father’s house, and they stand “happily married”.