# Baraat: what it is and how to plan the groom's procession > What a baraat is, how long it takes, horse, car or dhol options, venue rules, typical costs and a checklist so the groom's procession arrives on time. - **URL**: https://www.planme.club/wedding-events/baraat Also called: Groom's procession, Barat The short answer The baraat is the groom's wedding procession. He arrives at the ceremony venue on a horse, in a car or on foot, with family and friends dancing to dhol or a DJ, and the bride's family welcomes them at the entrance. It usually takes 30 to 60 minutes right before the ceremony, and if it runs late, the whole day runs late. - **When:** The wedding day, just before the ceremony - **How long:** Typically 30 to 60 minutes, plus the welcome - **Typical guests:** The groom's side, often 50 to 200 people - **Hosted by:** The groom's family, with the bride's family receiving - **What to wear:** Wedding attire; the groom often wears a sherwani and safa What it is ## What is a baraat? Baraat refers both to the procession and to the groom's party. Traditionally the groom rode a decorated white horse (a ghodi) from his home to the bride's, with his family and friends dancing ahead of him. Today the procession usually covers a short stretch outside the venue: a parking lot, a driveway or a hotel's front entrance. The groom might ride a horse, sit in a vintage or decorated car, or walk with everyone else. Music comes from a dhol player, a DJ on a cart with speakers, or both. The groom's side dances the whole way, and the procession often stops more than once because nobody wants to stop dancing. At the entrance the bride's family welcomes the baraat. In many North Indian families this includes the milni, where relatives from each side with matching roles (fathers, uncles, brothers) greet and embrace each other, often with garlands. The bride's mother may perform an aarti for the groom. Then everyone moves inside for the ceremony. Timing ## When it happens and how the baraat runs A sample baraat before a late-morning ceremony: 1. 60 minutes before: Groom's side gathers at the lineup spot, the groom gets his safa tied. 2. 45 minutes before: Dhol starts, the groom mounts the horse or gets in the car, dancing begins. 3. 20 minutes before: The procession reaches the entrance. Milni and welcome by the bride's family. 4. Ceremony start: The groom is led to the mandap and the ceremony begins. Baraats almost always run long. Build a buffer of at least 15 to 30 minutes into the ceremony start, especially if there is a muhurat time. For the clock times, including [what time the baraat should leave](https://www.planme.club/articles/wedding-day-timeline) the hotel, see our Indian wedding timeline. Guests ## How many guests come to a baraat? The baraat is made up of the groom's family and friends, typically 50 to 200 people, while the bride's side waits at the entrance to welcome them. In practice many guests from both sides want to see it, so some couples invite everyone to watch and only ask the groom's side to dance in it. Count the baraat separately from the ceremony seating. You need the dancers' number for the dhol and DJ planning, and to tell the venue how big a space to close off. For a count by event, [try the guest attendance calculator](https://www.planme.club/tools/indian-wedding-guest-attendance-calculator). Checklist ## Baraat planning checklist ### 3 to 6 months before - Ask the venue whether a baraat is allowed, which route you can use, whether a horse is permitted and how loud the music can be. - Check if your city needs a permit for a procession or amplified music on public roads. - Book the horse or car, the dhol player and any DJ cart. Confirm insurance requirements with the venue. ### 1 month before - Fix the lineup spot, route and arrival time, and share it with the photographer and videographer. - Decide who walks in the milni from each family and tell them. - Order the groom's garland, the welcome garlands and any props like a sehra or umbrella. ### The day of - Have someone keep time and move the procession along gently. - Water for the dancers and shade if it's a hot morning. - A clear path from the entrance to the ceremony seating. Costs ## What drives the cost of a baraat Baraat costs depend on the horse or car, the music and what the venue charges. Costs depend on your city, the season and your guest count, so we don't quote ranges here. Get two or three quotes for each line below, and see [what an Indian wedding costs in the US](https://www.planme.club/articles/how-much-does-an-indian-wedding-cost) for published ranges with sources. | Cost | What to ask for in the quote | What drives it | | --- | --- | --- | | Horse (ghodi) | Quoted per booking; ask how many hours, travel and decoration are included | Varies by city, travel and decoration. | | Dhol player | Usually priced per hour or per event | Many families book two for a big procession. | | DJ cart or mobile sound | Quoted per event, or added to your main DJ's package | Sometimes bundled with your main DJ. | | Vintage or decorated car | Varies | An option where horses aren't allowed. | | Venue or permit fees | Some venues charge for baraats | Ask before you book anything else. | A dhol player and a walking baraat with no horse is the simplest version, and still one of the best moments of the day. Horse and dhol rates vary by city and season, so get quotes early. To price your own weekend event by event, use the [Indian wedding budget calculator](https://www.planme.club/tools/indian-wedding-budget-calculator). RSVPs and guests ## RSVP and guest tips for the baraat - Tell the groom's side exactly where and when to gather, and that the procession leaves on time. - Let the bride's side know when to be at the entrance for the welcome. - Suggest comfortable shoes for dancing on pavement, and sunglasses for a sunny morning. - If you have guests who don't know the custom, a line on your website explaining the baraat helps them join in. For the events around the baraat, see [how to run one RSVP per event](https://www.planme.club/articles/wedding-rsvp-multiple-events) and [when to set your RSVP deadline](https://www.planme.club/tools/wedding-rsvp-deadline-calculator). With PlanMe ## How PlanMe helps you plan the baraat The baraat can be its own [festivity](https://www.planme.club/features/festivities) in PlanMe, with a guest list, RSVP and minute-by-minute schedule. That covers: - A schedule with the lineup, departure, milni and ceremony start, and who is responsible for each step. - Horse, dhol and DJ quotes kept together, with their status, next to the budget. - Tasks for the permit, venue approval and garlands, with owners and due dates. - A wedding website schedule block that tells guests where and when to gather. - [Email or text a reminder](https://www.planme.club/features/guest-messaging) to guests who haven't replied yet, using RSVP status or a tag like Bride side. [Start planning free](https://app.planme.club/sign-up) - [See all features](https://www.planme.club/features) Free during beta. No credit card needed. Questions ## Baraat questions Related reading - [Indian wedding day timeline, hour by hour](https://www.planme.club/articles/wedding-day-timeline) - [Indian wedding events in order](https://www.planme.club/articles/indian-wedding-events-in-order) - [Vendor booking timeline](https://www.planme.club/tools/wedding-vendor-booking-timeline) - [Vendor quote tracking](https://www.planme.club/features/vendor-management) ### How long does a baraat last? Typically 30 to 60 minutes from when the procession starts to when the groom reaches the entrance, plus the welcome and milni. Plan a buffer, because baraats usually run long. ### Who is in the baraat? The groom and his family and friends. The bride's family waits at the entrance to welcome them. ### Do you need a horse for a baraat? No. A horse is traditional, but many grooms arrive in a car or walk with everyone. Some venues don't allow horses at all. ### Do you need a permit for a baraat? It depends on your city and venue. Processions on public roads or amplified music outdoors may need a permit. Ask the venue first, then check with your city. ### What is the milni? The milni is the welcome where relatives from both families with matching roles greet and embrace each other, often exchanging garlands, before the ceremony. More wedding events ## Plan the rest of the weekend - [Roka and engagement: The families agree, the couple exchanges rings, and wedding planning officially starts.](https://www.planme.club/wedding-events/roka) - [Haldi: Turmeric paste, close family and a lot of yellow, usually the day before or morning of the wedding.](https://www.planme.club/wedding-events/haldi) - [Mehndi: Henna for the bride, music and food for close family, usually one to three days before the wedding.](https://www.planme.club/wedding-events/mehndi) - [Garba and raas: A Gujarati night of circle dancing and dandiya, often one of the liveliest events of the weekend.](https://www.planme.club/wedding-events/garba) - [Wedding ceremony: The religious ceremony itself: mandap and pheras, Anand Karaj or nikah, with most of the guest list there.](https://www.planme.club/wedding-events/wedding-ceremony) - [Reception: The biggest party of the weekend: entrances, speeches, dinner and dancing for the whole guest list.](https://www.planme.club/wedding-events/reception) - [Walima: The groom's family hosts a feast after the nikah, often the final big event of a Muslim wedding.](https://www.planme.club/wedding-events/walima) - [Sangeet: Our full sangeet planning guide.](https://www.planme.club/articles/how-to-plan-a-sangeet) Not sure what order they go in? See [Indian wedding events in order](https://www.planme.club/articles/indian-wedding-events-in-order), or [all wedding event guides](https://www.planme.club/wedding-events).