Gujarati Hindu wedding ceremonies, in order

Chandlo Matli & Gol Dhana ચાંદલો માટલી

6+ Months Before

The engagement — vermillion mark, sweets, and jaggery-coriander distribution

Chandlo Matli is the first ceremony in a Gujarati wedding. The bride's father, accompanied by four male family members, visits the groom's home. He applies a Chandlo (vermillion mark) on the groom's forehead, blesses him, and offers shagun. A matli (steel or silver utensil) filled with sweets is presented. Five married women from the bride's side participate in applying the chandlo. The wedding date is fixed.

--- Gol Dhana (Engagement) ---

Often combined with Chandlo Matli, the Gol Dhana ceremony is the formal engagement. "Gol Dhana" means jaggery and coriander seeds — both distributed among guests as symbols of sweetness and prosperity. The couple exchanges rings. The groom's mother presents the bride with jewelry (necklace, bangles, earrings, anklets) and clothes. The bride's brother applies tilak on the groom and presents a coconut. The event concludes with a traditional Gujarati feast.

In LaddoThis: a Chandlo Matli & Gol Dhana checklist with 16 tasks, 11 of them things to buy or prepare.

Ganesh Sthapana & Grah Shanti ગણેશ સ્થાપના

1-2 Days Before

Installing Lord Ganesha and planetary blessings for an obstacle-free wedding

Ganesh Sthapana marks the spiritual beginning of the wedding. Both families install a Ganesh idol at their homes and pray for a happy married life. The bride's brother, along with male cousins, visits the groom's family bearing a Ganesh idol and matlis filled with sweets. Ganesha — the remover of obstacles — is invited to be present throughout the wedding.

--- Mandap Mahurat ---

Both families worship the land where the mandap will be set up, asking Mother Earth's permission. A Manek Stambh (decorative wooden pillar) is placed in the soil. In modern celebrations, a decorative pot with soil may substitute.

--- Grah Shanti ---

The planetary puja follows immediately. The priest performs individual shlokas for all nine planets (Navagraha), seeking peace, protection, and removal of any obstacles. This ceremony is considered mandatory in Gujarati weddings and lasts 1-2 hours.

In LaddoThis: a Ganesh Sthapana & Grah Shanti checklist with 14 tasks, 12 of them things to buy or prepare.

Pithi પીઠી

1-2 Days Before

The turmeric ceremony for purification and glow

Pithi is the Gujarati Haldi ceremony, performed separately at both homes the day before the wedding. The bride or groom sits on a Bajoth (low seat). The Kaki (paternal uncle's wife) prepares the pithi paste — sandalwood powder, turmeric, rosewater, mogra perfume, and herbs.

The decorated platter is blessed by the priest. Close family members take turns applying the paste to the bride/groom's face, hands, and feet. The ceremony begins with prayer and lamp lighting, and ends with music, dancing, and festivity. After the application, the bride/groom takes a holy bath.

In LaddoThis: a Pithi checklist with 11 tasks, 9 of them things to buy or prepare.

Mameru મામેરું

1-2 Days Before

The maternal uncle's gifts — including the sacred Panetar saree

Mameru is one of the most heartfelt Gujarati ceremonies. The bride's maternal uncle (Mama) and aunt's husband (Mousa) visit the bride's home 1-2 days before the wedding, bringing a plethora of gifts in beautifully decorated gift trays.

The most significant gift is the Panetar saree — a traditional white and red silk saree that the bride wears during the wedding ceremony. The Panetar has red/maroon borders with a white or cream body, often in Gajji silk with bandhani and zari work. Other gifts include jewelry, cream/white chura (marriage bangles), sweets, dry fruits, and other auspicious items.

Note: The Gharchola saree (a bandhani tie-dye in red/maroon with gold zari) is a separate gift from the groom's mother. The bride traditionally wears the Panetar for the first half of the ceremony and changes into the Gharchola for the second half, symbolizing her transition from one family to the other.

In LaddoThis: a Mameru checklist with 6 tasks, 5 of them things to buy or prepare.

Mehndi મેહંદી

3-5 Days Before

The henna ceremony with music and dance

Mehndi is held at the bride's home 2-3 days before the wedding. All the women — sisters, cousins, friends, and relatives — assemble for intricate henna application. The bride receives the most elaborate designs on both hands and feet, with the groom's initials hidden within the patterns.

The ceremony features live music, dance performances, and entertainment. The bride's close ones showcase choreographed dances while older women sing folk wedding tunes. Decorations are bright and colourful — marigolds, drapes, and fairy lights.

In LaddoThis: a Mehndi checklist with 8 tasks, 2 of them things to buy or prepare.

Garba & Sangeet ગરબા અને સંગીત

3-5 Days Before

The vibrant night of Garba, Dandiya, and performances

The Garba is the quintessential Gujarati celebration, usually held the evening before the wedding. Garba is the folk dance of Gujarat — synchronized spinning and clapping in an ever-rotating circle. Dandiya Raas features pairs dancing with decorated sticks.

The evening includes choreographed Sangeet performances, traditional Garba-Raas circles, skits, and entertainment. Women wear Chaniya Choli; men wear Kurta. Dhol performers add to the atmosphere. This is often the largest and most energetic event of the entire wedding.

Both families perform choreographed numbers, and the evening is the real beginning of the festivities — the first occasion for both families to bond in a relaxed, joyful setting.

In LaddoThis: a Garba & Sangeet checklist with 11 tasks, 3 of them things to buy or prepare.

Varghodo & Ponkhvu વરઘોડો અને પોંખવું

Wedding Day

The groom's procession and welcome at the venue

The wedding day begins with the Varghodo — the groom's procession. At his home, his sister waves a bowl of coins around his head (the coin sounds ward off evil spirits and remind the brother not to forget his family). The groom, on a decorated horse and accompanied by a band, dances through the streets to the venue.

--- Ponkhvu ---

At the venue, the bride's mother leads the welcome: she performs aarti, applies tilak on the groom's forehead, and feeds him sweets. Then comes the playful Ponkhvu tradition — the bride's mother attempts to pull the groom's nose in jest, reminding him to be humble. The groom tries to escape. This gets everyone laughing and breaks the formality between the families.

In LaddoThis: a Varghodo & Ponkhvu checklist with 11 tasks, 8 of them things to buy or prepare.

Wedding Ceremony લગ્ન વિધિ

The sacred Gujarati Hindu wedding ceremony

The mandap ceremony encompasses sequential rituals lasting 1.5-3 hours.

In the Antarpat, a cloth is held between the couple; the curtain drops and their eyes meet. They exchange garlands (Jaimala) amid playful interference from friends.

During Kanyadaan, the bride's father places her hand in the groom's while the mother pours sacred water. In Madhuparka, the groom's feet are washed and he is offered Panchamrut, while sisters hide his shoes for ransom.

For Hasta Milap & Mangal Pheras, the priest ties the groom's shawl to the bride's pallu. Gujarati weddings have four pheras around the sacred fire — the groom leads three, the bride leads the fourth, representing equal partnership. Each phera represents Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. The bride's brother offers puffed rice into the fire.

In Saptapadi, the bride touches seven betel nuts with her right toe while reciting seven vows.

The groom applies sindoor and ties the mangalsutra. The couple feeds each other Kansar — their first act as spouses. The bride changes from her Panetar into the Gharchola from the groom's mother, symbolizing her transition. Seven married women bless them: "Saubhagyavati Bhava."

In LaddoThis: a Wedding Ceremony checklist with 26 tasks, 19 of them things to buy or prepare.

Vidaai વિદાઈ

Wedding Day

The bride's emotional farewell

After the ceremony and feast, the bride bids farewell to her parental home. She takes rice in her hands and throws it backward over her head without looking — her mother catches the rice in her saree pallu. This represents the bride settling her debts to her family and wishing them continued prosperity.

The ceremony is filled with tears, embraces, and mixed emotions. It marks the bride's departure from her childhood home to begin her new life. She is escorted to a decorated car by her brothers.

In LaddoThis: a Vidaai checklist with 5 tasks, 3 of them things to buy or prepare.

Griha Pravesh ગૃહ પ્રવેશ

Post-Wedding

The bride enters her new home as Goddess Lakshmi

The bride is welcomed at the groom's home by her mother-in-law, who performs aarti. A vessel filled with rice grains (kalash) is placed at the entrance. The bride enters by pushing the grain-filled pot with her right foot, spilling the grains inward — the new Lakshmi brings prosperity into the home.

--- Aeki Beki ---

A playful post-wedding game follows. A large vessel is filled with milk, vermillion, water, coins, and a gold ring. The couple searches for the ring using only their right hands. Whoever finds it four out of seven times is said to "rule the household." The winner receives a token gift.

In LaddoThis: a Griha Pravesh checklist with 5 tasks, 4 of them things to buy or prepare.

Reception રિસેપ્શન

Post-Wedding

The grand celebration hosted by the groom's family

The reception is traditionally hosted by the groom's family. Both families bless the couple, enjoy a feast, and celebrate. The event includes the couple's first dance, cake cutting, speeches, performances, and a mix of Bollywood and contemporary music.

This brings together the wider circle of friends, colleagues, and extended family who may not have attended the intimate ceremonies. Some brides opt for a Western gown for the reception.

In LaddoThis: a Reception checklist with 9 tasks, 4 of them things to buy or prepare.

Pag Phera પગ ફેરા

Post-Wedding

The bride's first return to her parents' home

Pag Phera — "the bride's homecoming" — takes place 3-4 days after the wedding. The bride's brothers escort her back to her parents' home. She is received with open arms, garlands, and a small aarti. A festive meal is prepared. Sweets are exchanged between families.

The bride typically stays for about three days. When the visit ends, the groom comes to seek blessings and takes his bride back.

In LaddoThis: a Pag Phera checklist with 5 tasks, 3 of them things to buy or prepare.