Indian Wedding Invites in NZ: Wording, Templates and Inviting Family from Overseas

Traditions vary a great deal between families, regions and faiths. Use this as a guide, and check the finer points with your parents or elders.

Starting with a blessing

Many invites open with a short invocation printed above everything else:

• Hindu weddings: often Shri Ganeshaya Namah, sometimes with a small image of Ganesh.
• Sikh weddings (Anand Karaj): often Ik Onkar.
• Muslim weddings (nikah): often Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim.

Keep it small and centred; it sets the tone without crowding the page.

Who's inviting

Parents usually host, and grandparents are often honoured at the top:

With the blessings of our grandparents Harjit and Manpreet Sandhu warmly invite you to the Anand Karaj of their son Rohan and Anjali daughter of Sunita and Ashok Prasad

Couples hosting themselves might simply write:

Together with our families, Anjali & Rohan would love you to join us.

One invite, several events

Set out each event on its own line so guests can find theirs quickly:

Mehndi · Thursday 11 March 2027, 6pm · family home, Papatoetoe Sangeet · Friday 12 March 2027, 7pm · Manukau Anand Karaj · Saturday 13 March 2027, 10am · at the gurdwara Reception · Saturday 13 March 2027, 6pm · Auckland CBD

Not every guest is invited to every event, and that's expected. Sending each household an invite that lists only their events saves awkward questions. Online, you set up the events once, choose which households go to which, and each family only sees their own.

What to wear, in a sentence

Haldi: wear something you don't mind getting yellow! Anand Karaj: please cover your head in the gurdwara; scarves will be available at the door.

Asking for RSVPs

Please reply for each event by Sunday 31 January.

Use your personal link to RSVP, and tell us about any dietary needs. Every meal will be vegetarian, with Jain options too.

Event-by-event replies matter. Your mehndi caterer and your reception venue will want very different numbers.

Family coming from India and Fiji

Most visitors from India need a New Zealand visitor visa, and Fijian passport holders should check the current requirements too. Processing can take a while, so send save the dates at least six to nine months ahead (our NZ timeline) and offer a letter of invitation for visa applications. Immigration New Zealand has the current rules and timeframes. Put accommodation and airport transfer tips on your wedding website so overseas guests can plan in one go.

The marriage licence

For the marriage to be legal in New Zealand you need a marriage licence from Births, Deaths & Marriages, and the person who marries you needs to be a registered celebrant. Ask your priest, granthi or imam whether they're registered. If not, couples often add a short civil ceremony. Sort the licence well before the wedding week, when there's a lot else going on.

Designs and templates

Eight of our themes were made with Indian weddings in mind, including Mehndi, Haldi, Jasmine and Sindoor: henna green, turmeric, emerald and bridal red, with hand-drawn paisleys and lotuses, matching from the save the date to the website. They're part of Essentials. Already have a card from a designer? Upload it and keep the online RSVPs, reminders and WhatsApp sending.

See Indian wedding invites

Quick questions

How early should we invite family from India or Fiji?

Send save the dates at least six to nine months ahead. Most visitors from India need a New Zealand visitor visa, and processing can take a while.

Does every guest need an invite to every event?

No, and that's expected. List only the events each household is invited to, and ask them to reply to each one so every caterer gets the right numbers.

Is a religious ceremony legal in New Zealand on its own?

Only if the person marrying you is a registered celebrant and you have a marriage licence from Births, Deaths & Marriages. Ask your priest, granthi or imam whether they are registered.