Punjabi wedding traditions and ceremonies are traditionally conducted in Punjabi and are a strong reflection of Punjabi culture.
The actual religious marriage ceremony differs – among Sikhs, the weddings are conducted in Punjabi; among Hindus, the ceremony is conducted in Sanskrit; and among Muslims, in Arabic. There are commonalities in ritual, song, dance, food, and dress. The Punjabi wedding has many rituals and ceremonies that have evolved since traditional times, including many famous Punjabi dances.
Important wedding songs
Songs of the bridegroom’s side
- Mangane di geet: sung at the time of engagement
- Maneve de gaon: songs sung to welcome the bridegroom
- Gharouli de geet: sung while filling the pitcher(gharouli) for Bride/Bridegroom’s bath before the wedding
- Chounki charanvele de geet: songs sung when the bridegroom sits on the chounki wooden bathing seat
- Sohhle: songs of happiness and joy
- Ghoriyaan: sung at the time of riding to the bride’s house
- Sehra: sung at the time of tying the bridegrooms flower-veil
- Kangana: sung when the bride and bridegroom enter the house together for the first time.
Songs of the bride’s side
- Suhag: which is sung by the bride in praise of her parents and the happy days of her childhood and in anticipation of happy days ahead.
- Jaggo: procession song to call the neighbours to the wedding.
- Churra charan vele da geet: sung when the chura, ceremonial bangles are worn by the bride.
- Janj: sung when the janj, marriage procession, is to be greeted.
- Milni: sung at the ritual introduction of the two sides.
- Ghenne de geet: sung when the bride is adorned with jewels.
- Siftan: song in praise of the bridegroom
- Chhandh: evolved from poetry, songs of joy.
Sitthniyan (crude, teasing songs)
- Song sung when the bridegroom’s procession is being welcomed.
- Song sung when the wari, or gifts from the bridegroom’s side, are being exhibited.
- Song sung when the groom’s party sits down to the meal.
- Song sung when the daaj, dowry or the bridal gifts, are being displayed.
Others
- Lavan Phere :sung at the time of the actual wedding ritual.
- Maiya :sung when the girl is preparing for the wedding and is bathed by the women at home. It goes for both men and women.
- Vedi de geet : sung while erecting the marriage pandal.
- Khatt: sung at the time the maternal grandparents present gifts to the bride on an overturned tokra, or basket.
- Pani vaarna: welcoming the bride to her new home.
- Bidaigi: sung when the bride is being sent off in the doli.
- Ghughrian: sung when the doli arrives at the groom s house.
- Shahana: sung by mirasis in praise of the bridegroom.
- Til Methre: sung while welcoming the bride and orienting her to the family.
- Pattal: song sung before meal.
