On the day of the wedding, in the morning, the groom's sister-in-law and other female relatives go to a gurduwara and fill a gharoli (earthen pitcher) with water. This water is used to bathe the groom during the khare charna ceremony. The groom is made to sit on a stool for his bath and four girls hold a cloth to his head.

A similar bathing ritual is performed at the bride's house as well. After the bridal bath, the bride is made to wear the chura - 21 red and white bangles. Then, her sisters and friends tie kalerien - golden metal plates - to her bangles. She wears her bridal attire, which is a heavily embroidered salwar-kameez or lehenga-chunni. She wears a tikka (a hair ornament) in the parting of her hair and a nath (nose-ring) on her nose. The other jewels that Sikh brides wear include chaunk- a round head ornament made of gold or silver, kaintha - a gold necklace (like a choker), thick bangles called gokhru and pajeb or silver anklets.

Meanwhile the groom gets ready to leave for his bride's house. Usually he wears a brocade achkan (long coat). The groom and the male members of his family wear pink turbans. When the groom is ready to leave, his brother's wife (bhabhi) applies surma (kohl) to his eyes and the groom gives her money as a token of his gratitude. After this ceremony, referred to as surma pawai, the groom leaves for the bride's house on horseback, accompanied by his friends and relatives.