The celebration
Where to be, and when
Two days, two venues. The Gurdwara is in Oviedo and the reception is in Lake Mary — about half an hour apart, so plan the drive on the Monday.
Monday 14 December · at the Gurdwara
Baraat
The groom's procession arrives at the Gurdwara with a dhol and a great deal of enthusiasm, and both families meet at the door. This is the loudest twenty minutes of the week — worth being on time for.
Sikh Society of Central Florida
2527 W State Road 426, Oviedo, FL 32765
Anand Karaj & Lavaan
The wedding itself. Four lavaan — the marriage hymns — are sung, and after each one we walk together around the Guru Granth Sahib. It runs about an hour and a half, seated on the floor. Please arrive by 9:45.
Main darbar hall, Sikh Society of Central Florida
Indian or western semi-formal · scarf for your headLangar
Lunch in the Gurdwara's community kitchen, served to everyone seated together on the floor. Entirely vegetarian, and one of our favourite parts of the day.
Langar hall, Sikh Society of Central Florida
As you wereTuesday 15 December · Lake Mary
Reception
Doors at seven, dinner from 8:30 to 10, and a dance floor that stays open until eleven. Dress formally in whichever tradition you like — a sherwani, a suit, a lehenga and a gown all belong here.
Crystal Ballroom Lake Mary
720 Currency Circle, Lake Mary, FL 32746
For first-timers
A short guide to an Indian wedding
If this is your first Sikh wedding: it is longer, louder and more colourful than you're expecting, and nobody is judging whether you get it right. Here's what the words mean.
Anand Karaj
uh-NUND kaa-RAJ
"Blissful union" — the Sikh marriage ceremony, held in the Gurdwara before the Guru Granth Sahib. Seated, sung, and about ninety minutes long.
Lavaan
luh-VAAN
The four marriage hymns at the heart of the ceremony. After each one the couple walks together around the scripture — that circling is the marriage itself.
Gurdwara
gur-DWAA-ra
The Sikh place of worship — literally "the doorway to the Guru". Open to everyone, of any faith or none.
Langar
LUN-gar
The free vegetarian meal served in every Gurdwara, to anyone who comes, all seated together on the floor as equals. Lunch on the Monday is langar.
Baraat
buh-RAAT
The groom's procession to the venue, with a dhol drum and a moving crowd. Anyone can join. No dancing experience required or expected.
Guru Granth Sahib
GUR-oo granth SAA-hib
The Sikh scripture, and the focus of the whole hall — everyone faces it and sits below it. The couple's four circles during the lavaan are walked around it.
What to wear
Colour, and plenty of it. Indian and western dress are equally welcome at both events — semi-formal for Monday at the Gurdwara, formal for Tuesday's reception. Indian outfits are very welcome and nobody will think you're overstepping. Two things to skip on the Monday morning: an all-white or all-black outfit, and anything you can't sit on the floor in for ninety minutes. Black is completely fine at Tuesday's reception. December in Orlando is mild — around 22 °C in the day, cooler after dark, so bring a layer for Tuesday evening.
Our palette leans into dusty pinks, from blush through to wine. You're welcome to incorporate these tones if you'd like, but wear whatever colours you feel best in!
Monday · at the Gurdwara
- A cream or ivory kurta with a blush or dusty-rose stole
- A blush, dusty-rose or mauve suit, saree or dress
- A light grey or beige suit with a dusty-rose tie
Tuesday · at the reception
- A black or navy suit with a wine or mauve tie or pocket square
- A sherwani in wine or deep mauve
- A lehenga, saree or gown in mauve, dusty rose or wine
At the Gurdwara
Everyone covers their head and removes their shoes before entering — scarves and a shoe rack are at the door, so you don't need to bring anything. Inside, everyone sits on the floor; there is seating along the side if that's difficult. No tobacco or alcohol anywhere on the premises, please, and photography during the ceremony is left to our photographer. You're welcome to step out and back in quietly at any point.
Food
Monday's langar is entirely vegetarian, as all langar is. The reception on Tuesday has a fuller menu with vegetarian and vegan options. Tell us about allergies or anything you avoid in the RSVP form and we'll take care of it.
Children
Very welcome, at both days. Indian weddings are full of them, and nobody minds a bit of noise in the darbar hall.
Questions
Things people have asked
Can I bring a plus one?
If your invitation names two people, yes. We're working with a fixed headcount and a real budget, so if you're not sure, ask us — we'd rather you asked than guessed.
Wait — the ceremony is Monday and the reception is Tuesday?
Yes. The Anand Karaj is on Monday 14 December at the Gurdwara in Oviedo, and the reception is on Tuesday 15 December at Crystal Ballroom in Lake Mary. Auspicious dates don't check anyone's calendar. Most guests are taking the whole week and making a trip of it — there is a list of what is actually worth doing on the travel page.
Do I have to wear Indian clothes?
No. Indian or western is equally at home at both events — semi-formal for the Gurdwara on Monday, formal for the reception on Tuesday. You're very welcome to wear Indian clothes, and plenty of guests will help you find something if you want to.
Where do I buy an outfit if I want one?
There are a few shops in the Orlando area, and far more online with December delivery if you order by early November. Ask us and we'll point you somewhere.
How long is the Anand Karaj really?
About ninety minutes, from 10 am, with langar served from half past eleven. It's a seated ceremony you can follow along with — we'll have a short printed guide to the four lavaan at the door.
Is there parking?
Yes. The Gurdwara has a large free lot, and Crystal Ballroom has parking on site at Currency Circle. If you are staying on Currency Circle on Tuesday, you can leave the car where it is and walk.
Who do I ask about everything else?
Use the note field in the RSVP form, or email us directly — both addresses are at the bottom of this page.