Hindu weddings are known for their colour, rituals, music, and spirituality. If you're attending your first Hindu wedding in the UK, you’re in for a cultural experience like no other. Rooted in ancient Vedic traditions but beautifully adapted to modern British life, Hindu weddings can span multiple days and include a variety of joyful ceremonies.
At ShadiCards.com, we’ve proudly worked with hundreds of Hindu couples across the UK to create custom Hindu wedding invitations, giving us deep insight into the unique customs, styles, and symbolism that define these vibrant celebrations.
What Makes a Hindu Wedding Unique?
A Hindu wedding is not just the union of two individuals—it’s the spiritual and cultural joining of two families. The ceremonies are full of symbolism, sacred fire rituals, prayers to deities, and blessings from elders.
In the UK, Hindu weddings are often a blend of tradition and innovation—classic customs like the Saptapadi (Seven Steps) are paired with modern touches like wedding websites, QR code RSVPs, and multi-faith venues.
Key Hindu Wedding Events in the UK
1. Ganesh Puja
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Purpose: Begins the wedding festivities with a prayer to Lord Ganesh for removing obstacles.
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What to Expect: A short religious ceremony at home or the wedding venue.
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Stationery Tip: Often not separately invited to, but occasionally mentioned on the main invite.
2. Mehndi Ceremony
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Purpose: A fun pre-wedding celebration, where the bride’s hands and feet are adorned with henna.
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Expect: Music, dancing, colourful attire, and lots of laughter.
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Invitations: Often sent separately as Mehndi Night invitations, featuring floral or paisley designs.
3. Sangeet Night
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Purpose: A musical evening of dance performances and family bonding.
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Expect: Group dances, DJ sets, choreographed performances, and a party atmosphere.
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Dress Code: Glamorous lehengas, sherwanis, and sarees.
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Trend: Many couples now include a QR code on invites to link to dance practice videos or event schedules.
4. Haldi Ceremony
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Purpose: Purification ritual using turmeric paste to bless and protect the bride/groom.
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Expect: Intimate family gathering, laughter, yellow-themed décor and clothing.
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Invitations: Sometimes integrated into the main invitation or as a separate insert.
5. The Hindu Wedding Ceremony (Vivaha)
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Venue: Can be a temple, marquee, or hotel ballroom.
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Conducted By: A Hindu priest (Pandit) who guides the couple through the Vedic rituals.
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Key Rituals:
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Kanyadaan – Giving away of the bride by her parents
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Mangalsutra – Sacred necklace tied by the groom
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Saptapadi – Seven sacred steps taken around the Agni (fire)
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Sindoor – Red vermilion powder placed in the bride’s hair parting
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Duration: 1–2 hours
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Seating: Families are usually seated facing each other.
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Attire: Brides wear red or maroon lehengas/sarees, grooms wear sherwanis or dhotis.
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Invitations: Main Hindu wedding invitations, often decorated with motifs like Ganesh ji, Om symbols, or mandalas.
6. Reception
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Purpose: A grand celebration with dinner, dancing, speeches, and entertainment.
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Venue: Banqueting halls or hotels.
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Invitations: Usually printed separately or mentioned in the main invite as "Reception to Follow."
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Modern Trends: Live bands, DJ sets, cocktail bars (non-alcoholic for traditional families), and guest QR check-ins.
Cultural Variations Within Hindu Weddings in the UK
Hindu weddings can differ significantly based on the family’s regional background:
● Gujarati Weddings
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Key Rituals: Pithi, Mandap Mahurat, Garba dance
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Style: Bright colours, mirror work, folk music
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Food: Pure vegetarian, often served on banana leaves
● Punjabi Hindu Weddings
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Key Rituals: Choora ceremony, Jaimala, Laavan (sometimes mixed with Sikh elements)
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Style: Bold colours, bhangra, modern fusion
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Venues: Lavish venues and high guest counts
● South Indian Hindu Weddings (Tamil/Telugu/Kannada)
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Key Rituals: Kashi Yatra, Kanyadaanam, tying of the Thaali
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Style: Temple rituals, silk sarees, jasmine flowers
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Music: Classical Carnatic or devotional songs
● Bengali Hindu Weddings
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Key Rituals: Gaye Holud, Subho Drishti, Shubho Bibaho
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Style: Red-white sarees, topor (groom’s headgear), traditional sweets
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Cuisine: Fish-based menus, sweets like rasgulla and sandesh
Hindu Wedding Invitations at ShadiCards.com
At ShadiCards.com, we specialise in crafting bespoke Hindu wedding invitations to reflect both tradition and personal taste. Whether you're looking for:
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Elegant Sanskrit verses
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Foil-pressed Ganesh symbols
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Multi-event inserts (Mehndi, Haldi, Reception)
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Custom QR code RSVPs
…we’ve got you covered.
Popular styles in 2025 include:
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Luxury Velvet Finish Invitations
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Acrylic Hindu Wedding Cards
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Eco-friendly Plantable Paper Invites
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Digital Invitations with QR Integration
Dress Code for Guests
| Event | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Mehndi | Bright salwar kameez or lehenga | Kurta pyjama or Indo-western |
| Sangeet | Glamorous saree or gown | Suit or sherwani |
| Haldi | Yellow-themed outfit | Light kurta |
| Wedding Day | Red, gold, or traditional colours | Sherwani or suit with a dupatta |
| Reception | Evening gown or saree | Tuxedo or formal suit |
💡 Tip: Avoid white (associated with mourning) and all-black outfits unless specified.
Etiquette Tips for First-Time Guests
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Be Punctual: Hindu ceremonies often begin with a Muhurat (auspicious time).
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Respect Sacred Rituals: Don’t interrupt during fire rituals or mantras.
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Photography: Allowed, but avoid flash during the main religious ceremonies unless cleared.
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Shoes Off: You may be asked to remove shoes in certain areas, especially near the Mandap or prayer space.
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Food Choices: Many Hindu weddings serve vegetarian food; ask politely if unsure.
Food and Dining
Expect a lavish vegetarian feast including:
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Curries, rice dishes, breads like naan and puri
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Traditional sweets like gulab jamun, jalebi, and barfi
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Beverages may include lassi, chai, or mocktails
Some modern Hindu weddings may offer vegan, gluten-free, or fusion menus to accommodate guests’ preferences.
QR Codes & Technology
A growing number of Hindu couples in the UK now incorporate QR codes on their wedding stationery for:
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Online RSVPs
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Venue directions via Google Maps
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Wedding websites with itinerary and photo galleries
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Menu preferences or gift registries
Over 70% of Hindu weddings in the UK in 2025 have adopted digital tools to simplify guest management.
Final Thoughts
Attending a Hindu wedding in the UK is an unforgettable journey through vibrant rituals, spiritual depth, and joyful celebration. Whether you're witnessing the sacred fire ceremony or dancing the night away at the reception, you’ll leave with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for this rich cultural tradition.
At ShadiCards.com, we’re proud to help couples bring their dream weddings to life through stunning Hindu wedding invitations—honouring traditions while embracing innovation.
Need Custom Hindu Wedding Invitations?
Explore our curated range of Hindu wedding cards featuring everything from Ganesh and Om designs to elegant foil accents and QR code integrations. Visit ShadiCards.com today for:
✅ Custom designs
✅ Multilingual options
✅ Fast UK delivery
✅ Digital + printed packages
