Indian wedding events: a planning guide for each one
A South Asian wedding is a series of events. Each guide below covers a single function, from the roka and haldi to the baraat, ceremony, reception and walima: what it is, when it falls, who usually comes, a planning checklist and RSVP tips. For the full sequence, see Indian wedding events in order.
Event guides
Roka and engagement
Also: Sagai, Mangni, Ring ceremony
The families agree, the couple exchanges rings, and wedding planning officially starts.
Read the guideHaldi
Also: Pithi, Gaye holud, Mayun
Turmeric paste, close family and a lot of yellow, usually the day before or morning of the wedding.
Read the guideMehndi
Also: Mehendi, Henna night
Henna for the bride, music and food for close family, usually one to three days before the wedding.
Read the guideGarba and raas
Also: Dandiya night, Raas garba
A Gujarati night of circle dancing and dandiya, often one of the liveliest events of the weekend.
Read the guideBaraat
Also: Groom's procession, Barat
The groom arrives with dancing family and friends, and the bride's family welcomes them in.
Read the guideWedding ceremony
Also: Pheras, Anand Karaj, Nikah, Shaadi
The religious ceremony itself: mandap and pheras, Anand Karaj or nikah, with most of the guest list there.
Read the guideReception
Also: Wedding reception, Wedding party
The biggest party of the weekend: entrances, speeches, dinner and dancing for the whole guest list.
Read the guideWalima
Also: Valima, Walimah
The groom's family hosts a feast after the nikah, often the final big event of a Muslim wedding.
Read the guideSangeet
Our full sangeet planning guide covers the run of show, guest list and budget.
Read the articleMehndi and sangeet on one night
How to combine the two into one evening, with a timeline and tips.
Read the article
Each event at a glance
Typical timing and guest counts. Families vary, so use these as a starting point. Ranges are what we see families plan for, not survey data.
| Event | When | Typical guests | Hosted by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roka and engagement | Weeks to months before the wedding | Roka often 15 to 50; engagement often 50 to 200 | Usually the bride's family hosts the roka; engagement hosting varies |
| Haldi | Usually the day before the wedding or that morning | Often 20 to 80 close family and friends | Each family, often separately at its own home |
| Mehndi | Usually 1 to 3 days before the wedding | Often 50 to 150, mostly close family and friends | Traditionally the bride's family; many couples now share it |
| Garba and raas | Usually 1 or 2 nights before the wedding | Often 100 to 300 or more | Either family, or both together |
| Baraat | The wedding day, just before the ceremony | The groom's side, often 50 to 200 people | The groom's family, with the bride's family receiving |
| Wedding ceremony | The wedding day, often morning or midday; the muhurat may set the time | Most of the guest list, often 150 to 400 | Traditionally the bride's family |
| Reception | The evening of the wedding or the next day | Usually the largest list, often 200 to 400 or more | Varies: the bride's family, the groom's family or both |
| Walima | After the nikah and rukhsati, often the next day or within a few days | Often 150 to 400, sometimes more | The groom's family |
Plan across all your events
- Indian wedding budget calculatorPrice each event from its own guest count, catering, venue and decor.
- One RSVP per eventHow to collect separate replies for each event without confusing guests.
- Guest list template by eventA guest list layout with an invite column for every event.
- Wedding day timelineAn hour-by-hour sample schedule for the ceremony day and reception.
- Wedding RSVP deadline calculatorThe latest safe RSVP-by date for a multi-day wedding.
- Catering headcount calculatorTurn each event's yes count into plates by diet.
Wedding event questions
Which wedding events need their own guest list?
Usually all of them. The roka, haldi and mehndi are often close family, the garba or sangeet is bigger, and the ceremony and reception include most guests. A separate list and RSVP for each event gives your caterer and venue a real number.
Which South Asian wedding event costs the most?
Typically the reception, because it has the most guests and a full dinner, followed by the sangeet or garba. Smaller events like the haldi and roka usually cost far less.
Can I combine wedding events?
Yes. Many diaspora weddings combine the mehndi and sangeet into one night, fold the ring exchange into the roka, or hold the haldi on the wedding morning. Fewer events usually means a lower total cost.
Do these guides cover Sikh, Gujarati and Pakistani weddings?
Yes, where the event is shared or has a close equivalent. The wedding ceremony guide covers the Hindu ceremony, the Sikh Anand Karaj and the Muslim nikah, and there are separate guides for the Gujarati garba and the walima.
Where can I find the order of Indian wedding events?
The usual order is roka, engagement, haldi, mehndi, sangeet, baraat, the ceremony, vidaai and reception, though many families change it. Our article on Indian wedding events in order has the full list with a day-by-day layout.
How do I collect RSVPs for each event separately?
Give each event its own guest list and invite each household only to the events they're invited to. Our guide to wedding RSVPs for multiple events explains how, and the RSVP deadline calculator gives you one date that works for the whole weekend.
Plan every event in one place
PlanMe gives each event its own guest list, RSVP, schedule, seating and budget. Free during beta.
Lay out a seating chart for each event, send email or SMS reminders to guests who haven't replied, and save your plan as an event template for the next wedding.