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Indian wedding invitations: a complete guide

By Nimanto · · 6 min read

The short answer

An Indian wedding invitation usually opens with a blessing, names both families, and lists every function with its own date, time, venue and dress code, often haldi, mehendi, sangeet, the wedding or muhurtham, and a reception. Many families send separate invitations per function, so each guest sees only the events they are invited to.

What goes on an Indian wedding invitation?

Most Indian wedding invitations carry a blessing or invocation at the top, the names of both families and often grandparents, the couple’s names, and then each function with its date, time and venue. The auspicious time, or muhurtham, is printed exactly. Dress codes, travel details and a contact person usually follow.

  • An invocation or blessing, chosen by the family.
  • The hosting family, and often the grandparents and the other family.
  • The couple’s names, sometimes with their parents’ names beside them.
  • Each function: name, date, time, venue and dress code.
  • The muhurtham or ceremony time, written precisely.
  • Who to contact, often a cousin or uncle, and how to reply.

Which functions go on the invitation?

That depends on the family, but a typical Indian wedding has a few functions over two to five days. The most common are the haldi, the mehendi, the sangeet, the wedding ceremony itself and a reception. Many weddings also include an engagement, a puja or a welcome dinner for guests arriving from abroad.

  • Haldi: turmeric paste is applied to the couple; a morning event, usually for close family, in yellow clothes.
  • Mehendi: henna for the bride and guests, with music and food; bright, comfortable clothes.
  • Sangeet: a night of music and dance performances by both families; dressy.
  • The wedding: the main ceremony at the muhurtham; traditional dress.
  • Reception: dinner and celebration for the wider circle, often the largest guest list.
  • Muslim families may host a Nikah and a Walima, and Christian families a church wedding and reception, with their own pre-wedding events.

How do customs differ across regions?

They differ a great deal, and from family to family within each region, so ask the elders on both sides what they expect. The broad patterns below are common, not universal: the names of functions, the time of the ceremony and who hosts what all vary, and the invitation should follow the families’ own practice.

  • North Indian weddings often have a sangeet and a baraat, with an evening or night ceremony.
  • Punjabi Sikh weddings are often an Anand Karaj at a gurdwara in the morning; many families also hold a jaggo night.
  • Gujarati families often hold a garba or dandiya night, and many call their haldi the pithi.
  • Bengali weddings often have a gaye holud, an evening ceremony, and a bou bhaat reception hosted by the groom’s family afterwards.
  • Tamil weddings often have an early-morning muhurtham, and many hold the reception the evening before.
  • Telugu weddings set the muhurtham precisely, sometimes late at night, often with pellikuthuru and pellikoduku ceremonies beforehand.

How do you name both families on an Indian wedding invitation?

The hosting family invites, and the other family is named with respect. Traditionally the bride’s family prints an invitation naming their daughter first, and the groom’s family prints its own naming their son first. Grandparents are often named as those giving their blessings, including those who have passed away.

With the blessings of Smt. Kamala and Shri Venkata Reddy, Lakshmi and Srinivas Reddy request your gracious presence at the wedding of their daughter Priya with Arjun, son of Anjali and Rajesh Iyer.

Together with their families, Priya and Arjun invite you to celebrate their wedding.

  • A grandparent who has passed away is often named with “(late)” after the name, or under “with the blessings of”.
  • Ask both families how they want names, titles and family names written before anything is sent.

Blessings and invocations

Many Indian invitations begin with a short invocation in the family’s tradition: a line to Lord Ganesha for many Hindu families, a family deity, Ik Onkar for Sikh families, the Bismillah for Muslim families, or a Bible verse for Christian families. Use the line your family uses, and keep it at the very top.

Shri Ganeshaya Namah

With the blessings of Lord Venkateswara and our elders

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim

  • If you are unsure of the exact words or spelling, ask a family elder or the priest.

Should each function have its own invitation?

Many families send separate invitations for each function, or for groups of functions, because guest lists differ: the haldi may be for close family, the sangeet for friends and family, and the reception for everyone. Separate invitations keep things clear and spare guests the awkwardness of seeing events they are not invited to.

  • One invitation with a full schedule for close family and guests invited to everything.
  • A reception-only invitation for colleagues and the wider circle.
  • Ask guests to reply per function, so each caterer gets the right number.

On a Nimanto invitation each function is listed on the schedule with its own time and venue, and guests choose which days they will join: see the schedule.

Indian wedding wording samples in English

Lakshmi and Srinivas Reddy invite you to the wedding of their daughter Priya with Arjun. Muhurtham: Friday, December 10, 2027 at 9:15 am, Sri Venkateswara Kalyana Mandapam, Hyderabad.

Come for an evening of music and dance. Sangeet, Wednesday, December 8, 2027 at 7 pm, The Grand Ballroom. Dress: festive and colourful.

Join us for mehendi, chai and music. Thursday, December 9, 2027 at 2 pm, at home.

The Reddy and Iyer families request the pleasure of your company at the reception of Priya and Arjun. Saturday, December 11, 2027 at 7:30 pm.

Sending invitations to family abroad

Relatives abroad need far more notice: send a save the date six months or more ahead, and the invitation about three months before. Give every time in the wedding’s own time zone, name the city, and suggest what to wear for each function. Guests needing a visa may ask for a formal invitation letter.

  • WhatsApp reaches most relatives in India, the Gulf and beyond; e-mail suits colleagues and friends.
  • Add hotels near the venue, with booking details, for anyone travelling.
  • Name a cousin or friend as a contact for travel questions.

Questions people ask

What is written on an Indian wedding card?

An Indian wedding card usually has an invocation or blessing at the top, the names of both families and often the grandparents, the couple’s names, and each function with its date, time, venue and dress code. The muhurtham is printed exactly, followed by a contact person and how to reply.

How early should Indian wedding invitations be sent?

Many families send invitations four to eight weeks before the wedding, and about three months ahead for guests travelling from abroad. A save the date six months or more ahead helps relatives overseas book flights and arrange visas. Close family and elders are often invited in person or by phone first.

Whose name comes first on an Indian wedding invitation?

The hosting family’s child usually comes first. Traditionally the bride’s family prints cards naming the bride first, and the groom’s family prints its own cards naming the groom first, each inviting their own guests. When the couple hosts together, they choose the order that suits both families.

What is a muhurtham on a wedding invitation?

The muhurtham is the auspicious time chosen for the wedding ceremony, usually set by a priest or astrologer from the Hindu calendar. Invitations print it exactly, sometimes to the minute, because the key ritual happens at that moment. Guests should arrive well before it, so they do not miss it.