Family & friends of the groom accompany him to the gurdwara with dohli (drums). The bride's side will be at the gurdwara awaiting their arrival from 10am.

Natalie's friends and family: Headscarfs are worn during the millni. Men's headscarfs (rumaali) are usually a colour chosen by the bride and will be supplied by the bridesmaids. Women's headscarfs (chunni) can be any colour to coordinate with your outfit.   If you don't have your own, we will have chunnis there to borrow and the bridesmaids will be on hand to help put them on as you arrive. Please arrive in good time before the Baraat begins to allow for this.

Choose clothing that allows you to sit on the carpeted floor comfortable and modestly.

For women opting for British dress, maxi skirts and dresses are recommended. If intending to wear a knee length dress for both ceremonies, please wear leggings to the gurdwara ceremony.

Milni literally means "introductions". The bride's family welcomes the groom's family, exchanging garlands to symbolise the bonding of the family. 

Indian tea and food will be served in the gurdwara before the ceremony begins. 

Choose clothing that allows you to sit on the carpeted floor comfortable and modestly.
For women opting for British dress, maxi skirts and dresses are recommended. If intending to wear a knee length dress for both ceremonies, please wear leggings to the gurdwara ceremony.

After tea and food have been enjoyed, it's time for the ceremony. Shoes are removed before entering the main hall where the ceremony will take place. 

Wedding guests assemble together in the presence of the Guru Granth (Sikh holy scripture) . On entering the main hall, there are two queues for women and men to make a small change offering and bow, touching their head to the floor. 

Hymns are sung as men and boys sit to one side of a central aisle, and the woman and girls to the other. Everyone sits on the carpeted floor, as a sign of equality, with legs crossed or folded. (Seating will be provided for elderly & disabled guests)

Meaning "blissful union", the Sikh marriage is not merely a physical and legal contract but is a fusion of the souls.  It is considered a spiritual process uniting two souls so that they become one inseparable entity.

The bride and groom bow before the Guru Granth, then sit side by side at the front of the hall. The couple and their parents stand up to signify that they have given their consent for the wedding to take place. Everyone else remains seated while a Sikh offers Ardas, a prayer for the success of the marriage.

The musicians, who are called ragis, sit on a low stage and sing the hymn, "Keeta Loree-ai Kaam", to seek God's blessing and to convey a message that a successful marital union is achieved through grace.

A Sikh wedding official counsels the couple with the verse "Dhan Pir Eh Na Akhee-an". The couple is reminded that the spiritual nature of family harmony is given emphasis by the example of the Sikh gurus, who themselves entered matrimony and had children.

The husband is to love and respect his wife, encourage her with kind consideration, recognize her individuality, regard her as his equal, offering guidance and support.

The wife is to show her love and respect with loyalty, support her husband's objectives willingly, harmonize with him, and share in happiness and sorrow, prosperity or adversity.

The couple is to ally themselves with each other in an endeavor to achieve a harmonious union, intellectually, emotionally, physically, materially and spiritually.

The bride and groom, affirm the acceptance of their marital obligations and bow together before the Guru Granth. 

The groom's sister (or other female relation) drapes a long scarf, known as a palla, around the groom's shoulders and places the right end in his hands.

The bride's father takes the left end of the palla and arranges it over the bride's shoulder and gives her the left end to hold.

The ragis sing the hymn:
"Pallai Taiddai Lagee" symbolizing joining the couple by the palla to each other and God.

The four wedding hymns of Lavan represent four stages of love. The hymns describe the development of marital love between husband and wife, while simultaneously signifying the love and longing of the human soul for God.

The bride and groom walk around the Guru Granth, as the ragis sing the words of the Lavaan. The groom walks to the left clockwise. Holding his end of the palla, he walks around the Guru Granth. The bride follows him holding on to her end of the palla. They bow together before the Guru Granth concluding the first wedding round and resume sitting. The ritual is completed three more times. 

The first verse of the nuptial round hymn asserts that marriage is encouraged as the best state of life for a Sikh. Together, the bridal couple bow in front of Guru Granth Sahib.

The second verse of the nuptial round hymn conveys the awakening feelings of love a bride has when leaving her former life and beginning a new life in partnership with her husband.

The third nuptial round hymn declares the bride's detachment from the world and outside influences, as she becomes more deeply devoted to her husband wishing only to live for him.

The fourth verse of the nuptial round hymn describes a spiritual union of love and devotion where no feeling of separation is possible, creating perfect joy, and contentment. Upon completion of the fourth round, the bride and groom are considered to be man and wife.

Choose clothing that allows you to sit on the carpeted floor comfortable and modestly.
For women opting for British dress, maxi skirts and dresses are recommended. If intending to wear a knee length dress for both ceremonies, please wear leggings to the gurdwara ceremony.

Coach transport from the Gurdwara to Killruddery will depart at 1pm.

A drinks reception will take place on arrival before the Humanist ceremony. If you would prefer to change clothing between ceremonies and make your own transport arrangements, please arrive at Killruddery no later than 2.30pm. 

A non-alcoholic drinks reception will follow in the gardens at Killruddery. 

Punjabi weddings usually involve a "Sagan", where each side of the family visits the couple in turn and places money in the groom's palla (scarf) to wish them well for their new life. 

If you would like to take part, gifts/ money can be given at Sagan during the drinks reception. Photography will also take place, then the couple will head off to change for the Humanist Ceremony

A bespoke and meaningful non-religious ceremony that focuses on the couple's story together. 

The Orangery is a room of flaunting beauty. With a Victorian curvilinear roof, the striking conservatory stone structure takes its inspiration from the Crystal Palace in London.

Also inspired by the Renaissance gardens of Italy, remarkable figurines from their marble statuary lend a classical, sophisticated style. The expansive glass windows frame breathtaking views of Killruddery’s formal gardens and valley beyond making The Orangery a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony.

We've all made it through two ceremonies - time for a toast! Champagne, non-alcoholic alternatives and canapés will be served in the gardens outside The Orangery (weather-permitting!)

The Grain Store is Killruddery’s charming 19th century barn conversion in Killruddery Yard

As well as a family home, tourist attraction and private venue for hire, Killruddery is also a working farm. Our wedding dinner is farm to fork, reared free-range and mindfully on the Estate. Seasonal produce is grown in The Walled Garden.

Due to the farm to fork concept, we won't know our menu until a few months before. You'll receive a notification to choose your menu options when they become available. 

Our bride is Northern Irish and our groom is Punjabi, you're all in for a craic-filled party!