Kiran & Harrison

We are getting married this autumn, and we want you there with us.

Saturday 24 October 2026 · Gravesend, Kent

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RSVP See the schedule
Welcome

Our wedding

We are getting married in October this year. Our wedding is a Sikh wedding and will take place over several days, with multiple events. Traditionally, Sikh wedding events are held very close together, often just days apart, but we wanted to allow more time between each celebration, so we have spread them out.

We are aware that, for some of you, this will be your first Sikh wedding. We have created a ceremony guide that explains what happens at each event, what you can expect, and the respectful traditions to follow. The schedule, event details, accommodation options, and RSVP form can all be found further down this page.

Read the ceremony guide
Illustration of Kiran and Harrison at the Anand Karaj
Schedule

What is happening

Pre-wedding events are usually hosted by each side, with celebrations held at both the bride's and groom's homes, typically separately (with the occasional gate-crashing). For us, we will be hosting all of our pre-wedding events at the bride's home.

Maiyan

ਮਾਈਆਂ

Saturday 17 October 2026

Morning

Kiran's family home

Address shared with your invitation

Dress Yellow Who Family and close friends

Mehndi & Sangeet

ਮਹਿੰਦੀ ਤੇ ਸੰਗੀਤ

Saturday 17 October 2026

Evening

Kiran's family home

Address shared with your invitation

Dress Colourful Who Family and close friends

Jago

ਜਾਗੋ

Sunday 18 October 2026

Evening until late

Kiran's family home

Address shared with your invitation

Dress Vibrant mixed colours Who Family and close friends

Choora

ਚੂੜਾ

Friday 23 October 2026

Evening, the night before the wedding

Kiran's family home

Address shared with your invitation

Dress Relaxed but traditional Who Family only

Anand Karaj

ਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ

Saturday 24 October 2026

9am to mid-afternoon, the wedding ceremony

Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara

Guru Nanak Marg
Gravesend DA12 1AG

View venue
Dress Modest, traditional, pastel/light Note Cover your head, seated on the floor

Langar

ਲੰਗਰ

Saturday 24 October 2026

After the ceremony

Langar hall

Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara
Guru Nanak Marg, Gravesend DA12 1AG

View venue
Note Vegetarian, everyone welcome

Doli

ਡੋਲੀ

Saturday 24 October 2026

After the Anand Karaj

Kiran's family home

Address shared with your invitation

Note An emotional send-off

Reception

Date to be confirmed

The final, bigger party

Venue to be confirmed

We will share the details as soon as they are set.

Dress Formal attire
Ceremonies

What happens, and when

A guide to each part of the wedding for guests who have not been to a Sikh wedding before.

Before the wedding

The pre-wedding days

01

Akhand Path

ਅਖੰਡ ਪਾਠ

A continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the Sikh holy scripture, our final living Guru) is begun. Before any celebration starts, the marriage is placed under the guidance of Gurbani (the Guru's word) and humility.

02

Maiyan

ਮਾਈਆਂ

Loved ones apply a paste of turmeric (haldi), oil and flour to the couple's skin to bless them and bring a radiant wedding glow. It is not just preparation, it is a quiet step into partnership and responsibility.

03

Mehndi & Sangeet

ਮਹਿੰਦੀ ਤੇ ਸੰਗੀਤ

A music-filled party with traditional folk songs, family dances and an open dance floor to kick off the festivities. The sangeet was traditionally an all-women gathering around a drum (dholki). We have combined it with the mehndi, where henna is applied to the couple and guests.

04

Jago

ਜਾਗੋ

Jago means "wake up" in Punjabi, and it is one of the loudest nights of the wedding. Family and friends stay up to sing folk songs, dance, and carry highly decorated pots lit by candles. It would traditionally be carried out in the streets and announce an upcoming wedding to the whole village, and reflects the Punjabi belief that joy is meant to be shared.

05

Choora

ਚੂੜਾ

A cherished and emotional ceremony centred on the bride's maternal uncle (Mama) and aunt (Mami), who gift and place a set of red and ivory bangles (choora) on her arms, usually worn for 40 days. A blessing from the home that raised her, sending her forward with love, protection and strength.

The wedding day

Anand Karaj

The "Blissful Union", the wedding ceremony where the families meet and the couple take the four Laavan.

ਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ

Written by Guru Ram Das Ji and recorded in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Ang 773 to 774), the Laavan describe four stages of spiritual growth that commit the couple to one shared path towards Waheguru (the Supreme Being, God). During the Anand Karaj, the bride and groom walk around the Guru Granth Sahib Ji to symbolise that the Guru is the centre of their life together.

  1. First Laav — the foundation It teaches the importance of living a righteous life (dharam). The couple commits to building their relationship on honesty, discipline, responsibility and the Guru's teachings. The journey begins with commitment.
  2. Second Laav — deepening connection It speaks of meeting the True Guru and allowing divine wisdom to guide one's life. The journey continues with understanding.
  3. Third Laav — longing for the divine It introduces spiritual yearning, and the understanding that true fulfilment comes from a deeper connection with the Creator. The journey deepens through devotion.
  4. Fourth Laav — union and peace It describes spiritual fulfilment: harmony, contentment and closeness to Waheguru. This is the stage of Sehaj, a natural balance and inner peace that comes from living in alignment with the Divine Will. The journey culminates in union.

The Ardaas prayer closes the ceremony. After this, everyone eats together in the Langar hall, the free community kitchen in the Gurdwara where vegetarian meals are served to anyone, regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status or ethnicity.

06

Doli

ਡੋਲੀ

Also known as Vidaai, the emotional final part of the day where the bride bids farewell to her family home to begin her new life. It marks the move into marriage and a thank you to her family, honouring the courage it takes to leave home and the love it takes to let someone go.

Before you visit

Visiting the Gurdwara

Our wedding ceremony takes place in a Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship. A few simple, respectful things to know before you arrive.

Cover your head

Everyone must cover their head. You may bring a scarf (chunni), a turban (dastar), a square cloth similar to a bandana (ramaal), or use a head covering provided at the entrance. Most guests wear a chunni or ramaal.

Remove your shoes

Shoes must be removed before entering the main areas of the Gurdwara. There is a designated shoe area once you enter the building.

Wash your hands

You are encouraged to wash your hands before entering to maintain cleanliness, including after touching shoes.

Dress modestly

Shoulders and knees should be covered. Avoid revealing or very tight outfits, and wear longer tops. Dress code: modest, traditional Punjabi or South Asian, in pastel or light colours.

Entering the Darbar Hall

The main prayer hall holds the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Approach respectfully. You can bow your head (matha tekna) as a sign of respect; it is optional for visitors but welcome. There is a donation box (golak) at the end of the walkway; donations help fund the Gurdwara, including the Langar.

Sitting in the Darbar Hall

Everyone sits on the floor as a sign of equality, cross-legged, calm and quiet. Men and women traditionally sit on separate sides. Never point your feet towards, or turn your back on, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji; step backwards slowly when walking away from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Chairs are generally reserved for those with physical limitations.

Listening to prayers (Kirtan)

Hymns (devotional music) and prayers may be playing. Please remain quiet and respectful during prayers.

Langar (community hall)

All visitors are welcome to a free vegetarian meal. Sit in rows on the floor or at the tables provided (most likely), accept food with both hands, and finish what you take to avoid waste.

No intoxicants

Alcohol, tobacco and any intoxicants are strictly prohibited on the premises. Please also do not arrive intoxicated.

Respectful behaviour

Keep a respectful and peaceful attitude throughout, and avoid loud talking, phone use or disruptive behaviour.

If you have any questions during the ceremony or need further clarification, please ask the staff in the Gurdwara, or ask Kiran and Harrison in advance.

Afterwards

The reception

A separate celebration, held on its own day. It is the final and bigger party, where everyone comes together to celebrate the couple as they step forward into one new beginning. It typically features a Punjabi buffet, entertainment, music, the dhol (drum) and traditional Bhangra dancing.

RSVP

Let us know

Please reply by Friday 4 September 2026. Based on the invitations we have sent you individually, select the events that you are able to come to, and add everyone in your group with any dietary needs.

Which events can you come to? * Please tick the events you have been invited to and are able to attend.
Who is coming? * Add a row for each person in your group, including yourself.
We will only use this to plan the day.

Got it, thank you

Your reply is in. We will send the final details closer to the day.

Questions

Things people ask

Tap a question to read the answer.

We would like our guests to wear traditional Punjabi or South Asian clothing to all of the events. For the reception, men can wear a suit if they prefer.
Yes, inside the Gurdwara everyone covers their head, whatever their religion. There are spare coverings at the door if you forget.
Yes. Langar at the Gurdwara is always vegetarian. At the other events we cater for vegetarian, vegan and the common allergies. Please note the food will not be halal or kosher meat, as this is not permitted for Sikhs. Put what you need in the dropdown on the RSVP form.
You are only able to bring the guests we have named in the invitation we shared with you individually.
Yes, there is parking at the Gurdwara. We will add parking details for the reception once the venue is confirmed. The map links give you directions on the day.
You do not need to bring anything. If you would like to give something, we are putting money towards our honeymoon, and there will be a box for cards at the reception.
Travel

Getting there and staying over

Map links are provided for the venues we can share publicly. Hotel suggestions near the reception will follow once the venue is confirmed.

Venues

Kiran's family home

All pre-wedding events (Maiyan, Mehndi & Sangeet, Jago, Choora). The address is shared with your invitation.

Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara

Anand Karaj, Langar and Doli. Saturday 24 October, Gravesend.

Open in Google Maps

Reception venue

To be confirmed. We will add the venue and a map link here as soon as it is booked.

Where to stay

Premier Inn, Gravesend

Close to the Gurdwara for the wedding day.

Map Book

Need to ask us something?

If it is not on this page, contact Harrison and/or Kiran directly, or email us at kiranandharrison@gmail.com.