FAQ’s: Sikh Destination Weddings
FAQ’s RE: Sikh Destination Weddings
Are your parents worried about your Destination Indian Sikh wedding?
Parents always want their children to have the best wedding ever. Most parents realize times have changed and they are trying to accept the fact that the new generation is celebrating their Indian Sikh Wedding ceremony differently from when they were married decades ago. Parents also instill a lot of trust in their children and it is their sincerest wish that their children make the best decision. We all know Indian Sikh Weddings can be very hectic, with many relatives coming together from a vast variety of traditional, cultural and belief systems all wanting their personal wishes fulfilled. Parents are always concerned that “nothing should go wrong” and that everyone will leave ’happy’.
Your Sikh Destination Wedding priest team receives their spiritual guidance and blessings from the message in the Guru Granth Sahib ji. They sincerely lead a loving and all-encompassing Traditional Indian Sikh Wedding Ceremony where your parents, relatives, and friends will feel in a state of ‘Anand’.
Have your parents ever attended a Sikh destination wedding? Have they seen online videos of Dr. Singh and Leela or seen their reviews?
Watch a complete Sikh Destination Wedding Ceremony Overview. See Sikh Destination Wedding highlights from previous destination Sikh weddings they officiated. Read their reviews on Facebook and Google, hear their Gurbani Kirtan and dowload on iTunes. Learn more about them on their Destination Sikh Wedding priest page, check out their Indian destination wedding services, Punjabi Destination wedding expertise, and get a Sikh Wedding quote.
As the Gurus state, LIVE WITHOUT FEAR, in the state of Nirbhao, in trust of a higher power, and you will have no fear.
Why should I use the services of a Destination Sikh Wedding Priest versus bringing my own relatives?
Your Destination Sikh Wedding Priest knows of the proper set requirements, difficulties and details required in setting up a respectful and timely Gurudwara-like situation at a resort. Relatives at a destination are often stuck with communication issues with foreign languages spoken, items don’t arrive on time or crucial items are missing and there can be a long delay before the ceremony even begins. Often the resorts have no understanding of the norms and traditions of the Punjabi Sikh culture and this can cause great tension and disrespectful situations.
Is the Sikh priest well versed in the Sikh Tradition and how much Destination Wedding experience does he have?
Dr. Singh was born into the Sikh Faith and tradition and has over 45 years experience singing Kirtan, reading Gurbani and leading the Sangat at various Sikh ceremonies around the globe. He was baptised at the age of 16 at Anandpur Sahib, India and has sung Kirtan in all the 5 major Takhats (Sikh Shrines), while his partner Leela has been educated and trained as a professional soprano, and in devotional Indian Music, and has been passionately singing heartfelt Kirtan with him for the past 22 years.
Does the Priest bring the Scriptures?
Yes, the complete 1,430 page Siri Guru Granth Sahib ji is brought with respect. They give the scriptures the utmost care as this is their life compass, it is an integral part of their lives, not just for weekend worship at temples. They also have access to a set of scriptures in many of the destinations.
Are you allowed to have a Sikh Wedding outside the Gurudwara? Have you been threatened for having a Destination Sikh Wedding?
Click here for answers to Controversy regarding Sikh Weddings, the Sikh Rulebook and its opinions regarding Sikh Destination and Interfaith Weddings.
How many people perform the wedding?
Two people perform the entire Sikh Wedding Ceremony.
Can you have a Sikh Wedding in the afternoon?
Yes, you can have a wedding at any time of the day or night but it is ideal to have your Sikh ceremony commence at a destination any time between 8 am 9:30 am to avoid extreme weather and heat. There is no mention in the actual Guru Granth Sahib as to what time you can or cannot have a wedding. All times are sacred in the eyes of God.
Will the resort know how to set up a Gurdwara-like setting?
Many Destination Wedding Resorts are not familiar with setting up Sikh weddings, only a handful have the first-hand experience in planning and setting up the ceremony space for Sikh Weddings. They may be familiar with Indian, South Asian or Hindu weddings, but Sikh Weddings are very different. Please make sure you are aware that you might run into trouble if you don’t plan ahead of time.
Will I have choices in making reasonable modifications to the ceremony?
Of course, you will have choices. A destination wedding gives the opportunity to think ‘outside the box’, respecting tradition and adding beauty to your ceremony, such as having chair seating for some guests, add personal family traditions before and after the wedding.
What is the typical Parshaad used at a Sikh Destination Wedding?
The Sikh priest does not make or provide wet Parshaad at destination weddings as it is next to impossible to have access to a clean vegetarian kitchen at a resort. As an alternative, a healthy version of dry Parshaad is recommended and acceptable in the Sikh tradition. This can include almonds, raisins or walnuts.
Waving of the Chaur during the Sikh Ceremony.
Since there are only 2 people conduct the entire ceremony. When Dr. Singh is not doing any readings in front of the Guru Granth Sahib ji, and singing Kirtan, a member of the family or friend attending the wedding will be chosen and honored to respectfully wave the chaur. This guest will sit behind the Guru Granth Sahib ji and wave the Chaur when Dr. Singh is not sitting there. This person can be male or female and will not be doing any readings, just waving the chaur.
Do you provide a written quote for your services?
A comprehensive time-sensitive quote is provided when a wedding couple fully fills out this request form for a Sikh Wedding Priest.
Is my Sikh Priest reliable, experienced to make the whole process professional and easy?
Your priest travels regularly to locations around the globe. This is his (their) sole profession and calling. Rest assured, you will have a respectful and tradition based ceremony.
Do I have a choice as to what time I can have my ceremony?
Yes, the notion that weddings must be completed by noon is not a religious or spiritual mandate but rather a superstitious hand me down story, very contradictory to the Sikh Philosophy. You may have a ceremony at any time of the day.
Some of our relatives and guests can’t sit on the floor, can we modify seating arrangements?
Yes, the altar/mandap and Guru Granth Sahib ji stage is always set higher than the congregational seating to accommodate chair seating when needed.
What should I be considering when having out Outdoor Sikh Wedding?
Nature and the elements are your primary concern when having an outdoor wedding. Although the pictures can look absolutely stunning and gorgeous, most of the time the wedding couple and attendees are suffering in the heat and can’t wait to get out of the ceremony space. We highly recommend that you provide a tent or overhead coverage for everyone that will be attending the ceremony, this includes the priest, the couple and ALL guests. Moreover, make sure that the floor they are going to sit on is comfortable and dry.
Are you having 2 different ceremonies on the same day?
If you are having 2 different cultural ceremonies on the same day at the same location, the Sikh ceremony will always be the first ceremony, moreover, if you use a large mandap and stage, both the ceremonies can take place sequentially on the same stage, one after the other.
What type of Pulla can I use?
Both types of Pulla, floral and fabric are acceptable.
Do I have to carry a ceremonial sword/kirpan during the Anand Karaj?
Some grooms choose to carry a sword for the entire ceremony while others use it sporadically during the ceremony, and others do not use it at all.
Can I wear a Kalgi and/or Sehra?
You can enter the wedding space wearing both of these symbols, however, upon seating in front of the Guru Granth Sahib ji, one of your sisters will be removing this and placing it in front of the altar.
Do I need to bring a Rumalla set for the Guru Grant Sahib ji?
Your Sikh priest has a matching Rumalla and Chandoa set with gold tones which match and is ideal for all weddings. If you want to bring a Rumalla set for the ceremony you can, otherwise, a donation for a local charity is more practical.
Will my family and friends be happy and satisfied with the service?
Please read reviews on Facebook and Google or watch testimonials videos below:
Sikh wedding Testimonials
Sikh Wedding Testimonial Punta Cana, Groom’s Parents
Sikh Wedding Testimonial – Bride’s Father and President of Gurdwara
More Indian Sikh Destination Wedding Reviews
Most of our guests use English as their primary speaking medium, does the priest conduct the ceremony in Punjabi and/or English?
The ceremony is designed specifically to keep the couple, peers, elders and youngsters fully engaged for the entire time. Your priest excels in both English, Punjabi, Gurmukhi, Hindi, and Spanish. He reads the group and conducts the ceremony accordingly and appropriately to create a special moment.
Booking Details – Officiants’ Room Booking
A quote consists of 2 – 3 option choices with a variation in services. The quote does not include our 2 to 3 night’s stay at the hotel where the ceremony takes place, the couple directly books and pays for this room booking themselves, it is not part of the price quote.
When Dr. Singh and Leela turned 60 years of age, they made their policy to only stay onsite at a hotel where the wedding takes place because they found that when they stayed at alternate offsite hotels they were unable to create a peaceful and respectful setup, moreover, it started taking a toll on their physical health as they typically fly in from an international location. Sometimes exceptions are made if the wedding location does not have a hotel on site.
Once I have made a booking will I get a Chance to talk to Dr. Singh and Leela?
Mandeep will be in communication with you during the entire process via email and will set up Telephone/Facetime/Skype meetings with the couple and Dr. Singh and Leela once you have confirmed your booking. This allows you to acquaint yourselves with each other, and go over the ceremony protocol and the finer details for your ceremony.
Do you provide a formal agreement of your services with the client?
Yes, a formal terms of agreement is signed by both Dr. Singh, Leela and the wedding couple summarizing all services provided.
Will I receive documentation to send to the resort for setting up an Indian Sikh Wedding?
A complete detailed document with specs and images is provided to the couple upon signing the terms. These will become the blueprint for planning your ceremony.
Will I have to pay for the flights, baggage, travel, hotel/resort, insurance on top of the service fees?
Yes, the breakdown of these costs will be sent to you with the quote. These rates vary based on the location of the ceremony.
Do you require a deposit to confirm your Indian Sikh Wedding Services?
Yes, a non-refundable deposit is required to secure the booking, however, the deposit will be fully returned if for some unforeseen reason your Priest cannot physically attend and perform the wedding. This has not ever happened and we hope will never happen.
Is the sound system included in their service?
Yes, 90% of the sound system will be provided and details of what is required will be sent in the quote, and later a PDF of Sound System Requirements is sent with the setup files.
Do you conduct Interfaith, Multiracial, Fusion, and Multicultural Sikh Weddings?
Of course, this is their specialty. All cultures and all human traditions are welcome.
Do you provide a marriage certificate?
No, couples are strongly advised to contact their local Justice of Peace to get a marriage document before or after their Anand Karaj Ceremony.
Can I expect the wedding to start and end on time?
Yes, typically the ceremony will last 1 hour from the time the bride is seated in front of the altar.
Can I watch a full-length video of a previous wedding?
Please follow this Link: Full Indian Sikh Wedding.
Have you conducted traditional Punjabi Sikh Weddings outside the Gurdwara?
Yes, they have in many natural surroundings around the world.
Do you conduct home or backyard weddings?
Yes, they love to conduct weddings in home or backyard environments, a very personal and intimate ambiance can be created.
I am thinking of having an ‘On the Beach Sikh Wedding’, would you suggest how to go about doing this?
‘On the Beach’ Sikh Weddings are very difficult and daunting causing a lot of damage to the religious materials and instruments. Guests find them extremely uncomfortable in the unbearable elements. Kindly review this link to see: Why they don’t conduct Beach Sikh Weddings.
Do you know of good gazebos to get married in the Caribbean?
Yes, please follow this link to see a few: Wedding Gazebos.
The sequence before the wedding starts on the Wedding Day
At destination weddings, they are intricately involved with the ceremony process. They arrive a day before the wedding, check into the hotel, and have a rehearsal meeting with the couple and their parents to finalize the wedding day protocol and rehearse the ceremony. Typically, on the wedding day, they are at the ceremony space at 5 am onwards to respectfully transform the space into a Gurudwara-type ambiance. They set up the full sound system, do a sound check, return back to their hotel room for a wardrobe change, bring down and place the scriptures around 9 am, lead the Milnee Ceremony, conduct the Anand Karaj and then return the scriptures respectfully back to the hotel room.
I still have questions that need to be answered, where can I email you?
Mandeep corresponds via email only to keep a record of all correspondence, so nothing is misunderstood or lost in the communication. If you have more questions please write them up and forward them to her via email and she will promptly respond.
sikhpriest@ gmail.com