What to serve at a Punjabi wedding
A Punjabi wedding menu usually runs starters and live counters first, then mains like dal makhani, shahi paneer and biryani with breads, finishing with a sweet table of ladoo, barfi and gulab jamun. Each ceremony from roka to reception commonly has its own lighter or heavier spread, planned around the time of day.
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What to serve at a Punjabi wedding starters, mains and desserts?
A typical Punjabi wedding spread opens with starters and live counters such as tandoor or chaat, moves into mains like dal makhani, shahi paneer, a rice dish and breads, and closes with a sweet table of ladoo, barfi and gulab jamun. The exact dish count usually depends on whether the function is lunch, dinner or a full reception.
| Course | Typical dishes |
|---|---|
| Starters/live | Paneer tikka, chaat counter, tandoor items |
| Mains | Dal makhani, shahi paneer, veg biryani, kadhi pakora |
| Breads | Naan, kulcha, roti from a live tandoor |
| Sweets | Motichoor ladoo, kaju katli, gulab jamun, jalebi-rabri |
What is served at a sagan, roka or chunni ceremony?
Roka and sagan functions are usually smaller, home or hall gatherings, so the food leans lighter: snacks, a couple of sweets and tea rather than a full multi-course dinner. Families sometimes add one live counter like chaat if the guest count is larger.
- Light snacks and tea
- One or two sweets, often ladoo or barfi
- Optional small chaat or paneer tikka counter for bigger gatherings
What to serve at mehendi and sangeet functions?
Mehendi and sangeet are typically evening functions with music and dance, so food is often planned as multiple live counters and snacks that guests can eat while mingling, rather than a seated multi-course meal. Chaat, tandoor and a jalebi-rabri counter are common choices here.
What is served at the milni and baraat breakfast?
Milni, the formal greeting between the two families, and the baraat's arrival are often paired with a breakfast or brunch spread, with chole bhature and puri-aloo-bhaji being common choices served hot from a live counter.
What is a typical anand karaj and reception dinner menu?
The anand karaj ceremony itself is followed by a meal that is usually the fullest spread of the wedding, mains, breads, rice and a full sweet table, since it is often the largest single gathering. Reception dinners tend to mirror this with an even wider dish count and more live counters for a bigger, evening crowd.
| Function | Typical food style |
|---|---|
| Milni/baraat morning | Chole bhature or puri-aloo-bhaji, tea |
| Anand karaj lunch | Full mains, breads, rice, sweet table |
| Reception dinner | Widest spread, more live counters |
What sweets are traditional for Punjabi weddings?
Motichoor ladoo and kaju katli are the most commonly seen sweets on a Punjabi wedding stage table, alongside gulab jamun, rasmalai and, in winter weddings, pinni. Most families pick three to four sweets rather than one, mixing a lighter one like rasgulla with a richer one like kaju katli.
Do all Punjabi weddings serve non-veg food?
No, many Punjabi families keep the wedding menu fully vegetarian, especially at the main ceremony, while some add a non-veg counter at the reception. Shahi Swaad runs Pure Veg and Non-Veg as separate kitchen lines so both can be arranged without mixing.
How many live counters are ideal for a Punjabi wedding?
Two to four live counters is common for a mid-size wedding, more for larger receptions. The right number depends on guest count and budget, which Baljeet can help plan against your menu.
Can the whole menu be made Jain for one ceremony?
Yes, an entire ceremony's menu can be planned Jain-style without onion, garlic or root vegetables, cooked on a separate Jain kitchen line, while other ceremonies keep the regular menu.
Is a sweet table separate from dessert served with dinner?
Many weddings do both, a stage sweet table for display and gifting-style sweets, plus a hot dessert like gulab jamun or jalebi-rabri served with the meal itself.
Don’t worry, we will take care of you
Tell us how many guests you have and how much you can spend. Baljeet plans a full, proper menu around that amount. He says plainly what it covers, with no hidden extras, whether it’s a 40-guest path at home or a 600-guest wedding.