Bride’s side
Traditionally, two or three representatives from the bride’s family write and hand-deliver the letter with mithai, confirming the date and arrangements.
All ceremonies
Pre-Wedding
Sahee Chithi
ਸਾਹਿ ਚਿੱਠੀ
The formal written invitation that locks in the date.
30 min visit
A handwritten or printed letter from the bride’s family to the groom’s family confirming the wedding date, venue, and number of guests in the baraat. Sometimes accompanied by the formal invitation card.
A little history
Before WhatsApp, the sahee chithi was the binding document. It travelled by hand or by tonga, and the wedding date couldn’t be moved once it was delivered. Many families still preserve their parents’ original sahee chithi.
Who attends
Just two or three family members deliver it in person.
Typical guests
Hand-delivered, no event
Family roles
Bride’s side and groom’s side
The religious meaning stays the same, but household roles can differ. Use this as a conversation starter, not a rigid rulebook.
The groom’s family receives the chithi, acknowledges the date, and confirms practical details such as the expected baraat size and arrival plan.
Plan together: Modern couples often agree every detail before the ceremonial delivery. Treat the letter as the formal confirmation, not the first planning conversation.
What to plan
- Print invitation cards in advance (4–6 weeks)
- Write or print the sahee chithi formally
- Box of mithai to deliver alongside
- Confirm baraat headcount before sending
- Plan delivery date (usually 3–5 weeks before the wedding)
- Set up a guest WhatsApp group for schedules, dress codes and updates (one admin per side)
Avoid these mistakes
- Lock baraat numbers BEFORE delivering. It’s embarrassing to revise
- Bilingual cards (Gurmukhi + English) for diaspora families
- Don’t deliver too early or too late
Common questions
What is the Sahee Chithi ceremony in a Punjabi-Sikh wedding?
A handwritten or printed letter from the bride’s family to the groom’s family confirming the wedding date, venue, and number of guests in the baraat. Sometimes accompanied by the formal invitation card.
Who attends the Sahee Chithi?
Just two or three family members deliver it in person.
How many guests come to a Sahee Chithi, and how long does it last?
Typically Hand-delivered, no event. 30 min visit.
What are common mistakes to avoid at the Sahee Chithi?
Lock baraat numbers BEFORE delivering. It’s embarrassing to revise Bilingual cards (Gurmukhi + English) for diaspora families Don’t deliver too early or too late
What do the bride’s side and groom’s side do for the Sahee Chithi?
Bride’s side: Traditionally, two or three representatives from the bride’s family write and hand-deliver the letter with mithai, confirming the date and arrangements. Groom’s side: The groom’s family receives the chithi, acknowledges the date, and confirms practical details such as the expected baraat size and arrival plan. Together: Modern couples often agree every detail before the ceremonial delivery. Treat the letter as the formal confirmation, not the first planning conversation.
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