Saahe Chithi usually takes place a week before the wedding and tends to involve only close relatives. The girl’s family prepare a wedding invitation for the boy’s family, which is splashed with a few drops of saffron. In India, the local barber is asked to take this invitation to the boy’s family and he is rewarded with clothes for doing so. Being asked to “be the messenger” is considered an honour for the barber. Although this is now a dwindling custom. Today, it’s usually key family members and/or the “middle person” (or matchmaker, otherwise known as bachola or bacholan), who will go to the girl’s house with the invitation. They may take gifts such as, Indian sweets or dry fruit.

Checklist
• These are general guidelines. The “gifts” are not compulsory:
• Indian sweets – usually laddoo or mithai
• Dry fruit could also be taken – this is usually in odd quantities of the ingredients, for example 3, 5 or 7 ingredients mixed together.
• Saffron
• Gaana, which is a red thread used at many Hindu or Sikh ceremonies as a symbol of starting something new. This is sometimes tied around the invitation. And of course the wedding invitation.

We are fast approaching the Big Day in a Guide to Punjabi Weddings, and the countdown begins with the maiya ceremony. Traditionally, the maiya is conducted three times. This usually takes place two days before the wedding day, when it’s customary to start before midday. The second time is in the morning of the day before the wedding and finally, it is applied that night too. Both the boy and girl undergo the same process and after this they are traditionally confined to remain at home and not change their clothes! Checklist begins here :

• Rangoli – the quantity and range of colours depends on your design choice
• Flour (just a handful)
• Rice (just a handful)
• Peeri (stool) – available to rent from Epic Events
• Fatti (rectangular piece of wood) – available to rent from Epic Events
• Vatna – made of turmeric powder, mustard oil and flour kneaded to a moist dough
• Gaaney (auspicious red thread) – the number depends on how many guests you’re expecting
• Thaal (tray) – available to rent from Epic Events
• Boiled rice and sugar mix
• Dupatta (scarf) – Punjabi’s tend to go for a traditional fulkari design
• A few strands of grass
• A few drops of mustard oil

The Sangeet ceremony is a pre wedding ritual which is a must have in every wedding as it adds loads of fun, humour and a sense of celebration. The sangeet ceremony was traditionally only attended by ladies who used to sit around the dholki and sing teasing, humorous songs for the bride and the groom along with dance and foot tapping music! Hence, it is also known as ladies sangeet.

• Shift your furniture out of the way and spread carpets or dari’s on the floor to accommodate everyone.
• You would need a dholak,a spoon to create additional beats
• To make this more interesting, make a list of the songs that you would like to sing. A mix of Bollywood and traditional would be most appropriate. Once the selection is done, make sure you take the printouts of the lyrics. When your guests are seated, hand over a copy of those lyrics to them. This is a good way to ensure participation from all. Wedding Sangeet Songs
• Encourage the guests to sing songs that they know too, even though they might not be in your list of songs.
• Your guests may feel a little shy at first to dance, so ask your friends or sister to take the lead.
• If you want to add some more zing to your sangeet ceremony, call a professional singing group who would bring in their own music, instruments and would know many more songs. Their is no comparison to the strong voices and professional dholak playing they bring in!
• Last but not the least, remember most people are not professional dancers or singers, but enjoyment comes only when you participate and make your guests involved in the ceremony!

If it is a girl’s wedding; the next big aspect of the night is the choora ceremony. This is when the maternal uncles will put wedding bangles (choora) on the bride by dipping them in a milk and water mixture first. This is followed by adding coconut-shaped decorations that hang from a bangle or kara. During this ceremony, the maternal aunts will also gather around and assist the bride’s maternal uncles in putting the bangles on. This is followed by dressing the bride in a red chunni (scarf) and gifting her jewellery (often silver or gold). This is the wedding gift from the maternal family. The maternal uncles and aunts are then given milk to drink.

And now for the party! Jaago literally means “wake-up.” Centuries ago, invitations were not sent to invite people to weddings. Relatives of the bride or groom would go around the village on the night before the wedding day with pots on their head that were decorated with oil candles, singing and dancing as an open invitation to attend the wedding. The candles were used for light as this is before electricity was established. The traditional folk song is “jaago,” so they would encourage people to wake-up and join in the festivities. The aim of the night is to make noise and party, so not only will jaagos be carried (pots decorated with lights), decorated sticks (jaago sticks) will be banged on the floor and even a chaj would be banged (as pictured). The maternal and paternal families will often sing mischievous folk songs to each other.

Checklist:
• Jaagos
• Chaj
• Jaago sticks
• Traditional novelty outfits
• Book marquee/function suite
• Book DJ

• Pick the perfect spot according to your guests.
• Time it right according to the weather and season.
• Take a trip to know the place better.
• Factor in the extra expenses
• Research local marriage requirements
• Shortlist your vendors carefully.
• Keep the weather in mind as well

• Write a review for all the vendors and the people who helped you to plan a Grand Wedding.
• Clean and store your wedding and reception outfits.
• Have your wedding dress cleaned and preserved by a reputable company.
• Send Thank You notes to all the friends and family members.
• Change your name ( If you have decide to )
• Give everyone your new Address
• Order your wedding photos.
• Sort out your rest of the finances.

• Bride Entrance - Played, as the bride walks down the aisle
• Prelude -Played, prior to the beginning of the actual ceremony.
• Processional - Played, as the wedding party and important guests are seated.
• Interlude - Unity Candle, special music, and transition songs.
• Recessional - Played, as the couple and wedding party leaves the ceremony
• Postlude -Played, while guests leave, after the recessional

• First Dance – Bride and Groom
• Father/Daughter – Bride and her Father
• Mother/Son – Groom and his Mother/li>
• Cake Cutting
• Garter Removal
• Bouquet Toss
• Last Dance
• Anniversary – For married couples

These are just guidelines to tipping vendors, officiants, staff, etc. Take a look at your contracts, many may include a 15 to 20 percent tip already built in. Make sure you don’t double tip. If the tip is not in the contract, you may want to add it in so it becomes one less item to worry about. You do not have to tip a vendor who owners his or her own business but if the vendor has gone above and beyond the call, show your gratitude with a tip. If you have not received the service you requested, you do not have to tip. Put someone in charge of handing out the tips.

Wedding Planner
• Tip is optional: up to $500, or a nice gift – professional photo of wedding.
• The bride should hand off the envelope at the end of the reception, or, she should send a thank-you note with photos or a check after the honeymoon

Wedding Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist
• Tip is expected: 15 - 25 percent, depending upon the quality of service.
• Tip at the end of your service.

Wedding Delivery and Set-up Staff
• Tip is expected: $5 - $10 per person.
• Drop off cash envelopes the day before the wedding to the catering manager so the person accepting deliveries can hand out the tip.

Wedding Ceremony Officiant
• Tip is expected (depending on officiant): Donate $500+ to the church or synagogue, and for the officiant, an optional tip of $50 - $100. Before the wedding day.

Wedding Ceremony Musicians
• Tip is optional: $15 - $20 per musician
• Tip at the end of the ceremony

Wedding Photographer/Videographer
• Tip is optional: $50 - $200 per vendor.
• Tip at the end of the reception.

Wedding Reception Staff /Catering Company
• Tip is expected: 15 - 20 percent of the food and drink fee (based on labor, not the cost), or $200 - $300 for the maître d'. Chef $100.
• Tip before your wedding day when the contract is signed or at the end of the evening.

Protect yourself and become peace of mind on your big day. Below are suggestions to insure your day runs as smoothly as possible. Wedding Insurance: To cover everything from cancellations, vendors, wedding rings, wedding attire, photographs, flowers, cake, transportation, honeymoon and many more.
Vendors: Before buying insurance, check to see how well your vendors are covered. It may also be a good idea to see their standing with BBB. Pay with Credit Cards: Added protection with a paper trail and if you need to put a hold on any disputed charge. Written and signed contracts: Make sure to include specific dates, products, and prices and signed by all parties involved. Also, include cancellation policies, details regarding refunds and returns on deposits, before they can be charged. If these items are not in the contract, insist that all the above is added before you sign .

• Be careful with light and heat
• Keep your Jewelry away from chemicals
• Give treated gems special care
• Safely store your jewelry
• Give your jewelry an annual service.

(Drawn Stone shapes to help bridal couple find their perfect cut)
When purchasing your engagement ring and wedding bands be sure to ask your jeweler for advice on caring for your precious metals and gemstones as they may be treated

A drop down with “Where to Start”. Listed -STYLES, FABRIC, LENGTH, NECKLINE, SLEEVES (How to choose the correct wedding dress for your body type

• Get married on a weekday, not the weekend!
• Focus on Priorities
• Consider Non-Traditional Venues
• Go Small Town Instead of Big City
• Hold Ceremony and Reception at One Venue
• Have a Morning Wedding
• Use Your Negotiation Skills
• Ask to Pay in Full for a Discount
• Get Married Off-Season
• Have a Small Reception and a Party Later
• Get an All-Inclusive Package
• Get Married in Your Backyard.
• Shorten the Reception
• Don’t Over-rent Space
• Find Somewhere New
• B.Y.O.B

• Draft an invitation email. Your email should contain:
• All necessary components like wedding date, location, RSVPs, Name of bride and groom etc.
• Style of online invitation should match your occasion.
• Your language should be polite and clear.
• You can also show a picture of bride and groom.
• Expression of hope (We look forward to see you at the wedding day)
• Sign off (Kind Regards)

Triple check your invitation
“ A fresh pair of eyes” is a figure of speech for a reason. Let someone else read your invitation, before you press that “ SEND” button. It's time to send the online invitations and now RSVPs will start coming and meanwhile you can proceed to the next item on your planning checklist.

Create “thank you” notes for wedding gifts and so on - to be emailed. Personalize them with handwritten print, lovely backgrounds. Budget Idea.