Our engagement celebration was truly a magical, memorable day that we will forever cherish!
It took weeks of planning in detail, and went by so quickly the day we celebrated! My husband looked so handsome, and dapper. It was the 1st time I saw him dressed in traditional Punjabi attire, and the 1st time he saw me completely dolled up!
We started off by taking indoor photos in my mini studio at home. I absolutely adore the photos! We then went to our favorite Indian restaurant, and feasted on some traditional Punjabi cuisine. I had red wine, but my husband doesn't drink alcohol.
Custom-made Punjabi style suit from Etsy. The seller & tailor did an amazing job based upon the measurements I took of my husband. Fast shipping, excellent customer service, and it fit perfectly.
My dress, ballet slippers, jewelry, purse, dupatta, and ponytail were purchased from Amazon. My dress fit perfectly. I loved my entire look from head to toe! We took my dress, and his suit to be pressed at a local dry cleaners.
Sikh bride-to-be! My henna finally darkened a bit just in time for our celebration. The way my scarf is placed on my head in this photo; its called a dupatta when worn this way.
I followed a 5000 year old tradition of getting henna art. Henna 1st began in Egypt, Africa, and was originally used for its cooling property. So it first began for medical purposes, and once it reached Indian; it turned into art, and traditionally worn by brides on their wedding day!
My Punjabi henna artist was a gem, so talented, and a pleasure to meet. ( Perfect Threading & Henna #4 )
Another ancient tradition, but mainly by Hindus; sindoor powder placed in the hair of the bride by her husband. I have see many Sikh brides, and married women wear sindoor, and do the sindoor daan ceremony on their wedding day.
I came across an article where a woman explained why she started wearing sindoor in her middle part before marriage. I'm grateful my husband is so open minded when it comes to the Indian traditions that mainly Hindus practice, but I love to do.
He placed sindoor in my hair shortly after I arrived in Fresno, many days since then, and also; the day of our engagement celebration!
"A match made in heaven!" I'm 47 years old, and my husband is 51. We have a tremendous amount of important things in common, yet our differences have created so much chemistry between us! He's truly a proper Sardar!
My husband is a baptized Sikh, and practices the traditional 5 K's of Sikhism. I seriously love his beautiful kara, aka Sikh bracelet. Now, he practices the 6 K's, because of me, aka Kandi.
Well probably try out a few other Indian restaurants, but I'll always look forward to returning to this place. The food is beyond delicious! My husband's a vegetarian since birth, and they have so many yummy, traditional Punjabi foods that are vegetarian.
( Royal Taj Fine Indian Cuisine )
My favorite Indian dish is butter chicken. I read somewhere, that this dish originated in Punjab, India.
It looks spicy hot, but it's actually mild, and slightly sweet. It's definitely rich in flavor, and along with the delicious vegetable side dishes, and garlic naan bread; it's my all-time favorite Indian meal.
Maharaja & Maharani Singh
Royal Taj Fine Indian Cuisine
Fresno, CA
On our way to the Indian restaurant after taking studio photos.
Another Indian tradition that is mainly done by Hindus, but many Sikh woman also wear a bindi. It symbolizes marriage, and being a married woman.
Instead of a red bindi, aka dot in the middle of my forehead; I wore a jeweled bindi to match my dress.
My husband once said, that any Punjabi guys that see me out in public will automatically know I'm a married woman, because of my sindoor, and bindi.
My husband's Rani!
One of the sweetest ladies you'd ever want to meet! She's one of the kind ole ladies that live in the back house, that's attached to our little house.
She asked me to go see her the next time I was all dolled up, so I knocked on her door just before we left to go celebrate.
Never touch a man's turban unless you ask first! Well, since he's my husband, I don't have to ask!
Originally head coverings began in Africa, the Middle East, and India to protect the head from the dessert sun, and to prevent bugs from flying into the hair.
Punjabi, India was the creator of the style turban my husband wears, EVERY SINGLE DAY, when out in public. It's a Sikh tradition, a religious symbol that also had the purpose of protecting the head of Sikh warriors in battle.
A proud Sikh Sardar & his Sardarni.
My favorite engagement photo! Waheguru blessed us by bringing us together to honor him, and each other!
Our engagement celebration attire will be placed in garment bags & stored for memories.
I'll definitely wear the jewelry again, my gold ballet flats, my dupatta, and my ponytail. Everything match so perfectly, and I pieced it all, together, by myself. I love being able to create, and showcase my fashion related talents & my degree in fashion as a professional Personal Stylist!
Waheguru
The Singhs 2023