North Indian Wedding
Vivah
A multi-day celebration built around the saat phere — seven circuits of the sacred fire — with days of music, haldi, and mehendi leading up to the wedding night itself.
- Where it is observed
- Uttar Pradesh · Delhi · Haryana · Rajasthan · Madhya Pradesh · Bihar · Uttarakhand
- Communities
- Hindu families across the northern plains
- When to send
- 4–8 weeks ahead
- Invitation shape
- A multi-day invitation. Guests rarely attend every function, so the invitation must make clear which events they are being invited to, and when each one begins.
Who invites whom
Traditionally issued in the names of the bride's parents and the groom's parents separately, each inviting their own circle. Many families now send a single joint invitation from both households.
Timing & dates
Send 6–8 weeks ahead when guests will travel or need to book rooms. Four weeks is workable for a local guest list. During peak muhurat weeks, hotels near the venue fill early — earlier is better.
2026–27 date guidance
North Indian weddings follow shubh muhurat dates from the panchang. The 2026 winter season reopens on 21 November, with further dates on 24, 25 and 26 November and through 2–12 December. Kharmas runs 16 December 2026 to 14 January 2027, during which weddings are not solemnised. The season resumes in mid-January and runs heavily through to May 2027.
The ceremonies
Practice varies by family, community and region — not every household observes all of these.
Rokaरोका
The first formal acknowledgement between the two families that the match is settled.
Sagaiसगाई
The engagement, with an exchange of rings and gifts between the families.
Haldiहल्दी
Turmeric paste applied to the bride and groom at their own homes, usually on the morning before the wedding.
Mehendiमेहंदी
Henna applied to the bride's hands and feet, typically an afternoon or evening gathering of women in the family.
Sangeetसंगीत
The music night — family performances, dancing, and dinner, often the largest social event of the week.
Baraatबारात
The groom's procession to the venue, arriving with a band and dancing.
Varmalaवरमाला / जयमाला
The couple exchange flower garlands, the first ritual they perform together.
Kanyadaanकन्यादान
The bride's father formally gives her hand in marriage.
Saat Phereसात फेरे
Seven circuits around the sacred fire, each accompanied by a vow. The marriage is solemnised here.
Vidaaiविदाई
The bride's farewell from her parents' home.
Reception
A hosted dinner, usually by the groom's family, held after the wedding.
What the invitation must include
- Both families' names, in the form each household prefers
- Every function with its own date, start time, and venue — these often differ
- The muhurat time for the pheras, stated separately from the arrival time
- Venue addresses with a map link for each distinct location
- A contact number for RSVPs and for guests arriving from out of town
- Dress code, where one applies to a particular function
Wording examples
Adapt these to your family's own voice — square brackets mark what you replace.
With the blessings of our elders, Shri & Smt. [Bride's Parents] and Shri & Smt. [Groom's Parents] request the honour of your presence at the wedding of their children, [Bride] and [Groom].
Together with our families, we invite you to celebrate our wedding. We would be so glad to have you with us.
Create your North Indian Wedding invitation
Every function, muhurat, venue and RSVP built around your celebration — and shareable on WhatsApp in a single link.
See designs for this occasionRelated guides
Telugu Wedding
A Telugu wedding is organised around a precisely calculated muhurtham, and centres on Jeelakarra Bellam — the moment the couple place a paste of cumin and jaggery on each other's heads.
Tamil Wedding
A Tamil wedding centres on Mangalya Dharanam — the tying of the thali — performed at a muhurtham calculated for the couple, usually in the morning.
Bengali Wedding
A Bengali wedding is built around Shubho Drishti — the moment the couple look at each other for the first time — followed by the garland exchange and the application of sindoor.