The Significance of Roka Ceremony in Indian Weddings

Photography: Ibne Studios

The Roka ceremony is what officially announcing to the world that you two are together means, as per the Indian wedding culture. Traditionally, this first step towards marriage consisted of a simple Roka ceremony. But in big fat Indian weddings, the Indian Roka ceremony has also become pompous. So, if you are planning your Roka ceremony and don't want to feel the FOMO of skipping out on the details, we present a guide to help you and your wedding planner arrange everything perfectly. 

In this article:

• What is a Roka ceremony?
• Roka Ceremony Dresses 
• What to Write in a Roka Ceremony Invitation? 
• Roka Ceremony Quotes and Captions

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What is a Roka ceremony?

Image Credit (L-R): Dreams Delivery, Aastha Dhami

'Roka' is a Hindi word which means 'to stop'. The Roka ceremony is, hence, a symbolic ceremony affirming that the couple have ended their search for a companion today and that they both have agreed to get married. Traditionally, the Roka ceremony occurs at home or indoors, with the closest relatives in attendance. As per the traditions, the couple's families apply Tilak on the forehead of the bride-to-be and the groom-to-be. In Punjabi culture, 'Chunni Chadhana' is the mother-in-law blessing the bride-to-be by covering her head with a dupatta or chunni. 

Along with this tradition, the families exchange sweets, fruit baskets and clothing to strengthen their bond. This is followed with the 'Mooh Meetha' tradition to ring in the festivities. So, the Roka ceremony is the first traditional celebration that puts the wedding preparations and planning in motion.

Roka Ceremony Dresses

Don't take a Roka ceremony for granted when it comes to donning attire for the celebrations. Whether you plan on hiring a wedding photographer to capture the moments or your smartphones will suffice, looking your best for lifelong memories is still essential. So, if you are wondering what to wear at the Roka ceremony, here's our list of the freshest dresses to wear at the Roka ceremony that are best suited for a groom and the bride-to-be. Shortlist your favourites!

Roka Ceremony Outfits for Bride

Byzantium Kurta Set Roka Ceremony Dress

If you wish to wear a heavy, ingenious kurta set for your Punjabi Roka ceremony, this floor-length Byzantium craftsmanship-inspired Kurta set in red is your pick. With Zardozi, Aari work, and intricate embroidery, you can complete this look with a pair of platform Kolhapuri sandals and simple diamond earrings.

Price on request

Roka Ceremony Dress for Bride Online

For a simple Roka ceremony dress for the bride, you can select a simple pink crepe lehenga such as this one for a hot summer day's Roka celebrations. Tone down on the cancan dramatics to fit the intimate affair of the Roka ceremony and drape a simple net dupatta and bangles to complete this floral Jaal embroidered bridal lehenga look.

Price INR 224,000

Saree for Roka Ceremony

We have found just the yellow georgette saree set for the bride-to-be who wishes to adorn a saree for her Roka ceremony. Simple drapes with embroidered paisleys and daisies on a scalloped border with an equally heavy embellished sleeveless blouse will match well with a choker necklace and tied-up hair bun. You can add simple sleeves to your blouse style to make it more traditional for the Roka. 

Price INR 65,000

Saree Dress for Roka Ceremony for Bride

Keep it fuss-free with a pre-draped saree and blouse set that will be quick to wear and easier to carry around while you attend guests at your intimate Roka ceremony celebrations. This ruffled saree in powdered blue chiffon comes with an intricately hand-embroidered blouse and a waist belt. The saree style is ideal for summer and monsoon Roka ceremony adornment.

Price INR 29,850

Men's Wear for Roka Ceremony

Chanderi Roka Ceremony Dress for Groom

Firozi, or vibrant turquoise, is not just a colour pick for brides; even grooms adorning Kurtas in similar styles look charming. This resham and mirror embroidered kurta in Chanderi with straight plain pants will add to the groom-to-be style quotient.

Price INR 285,000 onward

Groom Dress for Roka Ceremony

Nothing beats a stunning Bandghala jacket and trousers for a winter day's Roka ceremony celebrations. Check out this warm maroon-toned structured Indian-style jacket with a floral print crafted on silk. The deep-hued trousers, pair of tanned patent loafers, and your hairstylist at work giving you a dapper look are all you need to ace this Roka ceremony look.

Price INR 13,900 onward

Dress Ideas for Roka Ceremony for Grooms-to-be

Grooms, if you wish to make a first impression at your wedding's first ceremony, switch to more formal attire for the roka ceremony. Bundi jackets with crisp white shirts and a pair of well-fitted trousers in the same fabric are a combination that can make every groom-to-be look debonair. Add a colourful pocket square and polished leather footwear to match this attire.

Price INR 22,500 onward

Pathani Roka Ceremony Outfit

Look like a true Pathan with this trio traditional kurta jacket set. For the informal Roka ceremony, mellow down on heavy ensembles and instead go for light Resham work outfits that will light up your face without a professional photoshoot setup.

Price INR 16,599

What to Write in a Roka Ceremony Invitation

No matter how small or extravagant a gathering you plan for your Roka ceremony, an invite sent to all the guests must be impactful! After all, we are talking about making the official announcement with the first of the many upcoming ceremonies to celebrate the union. We have compiled a few invite details to help you decide what you wish to write on your own Roka invite and how. Read on!

1. Formal Roka Ceremony Invitation Sample

Roka Ceremony

*Surname* family requests the pleasure of your company

to celebrate the Roka ceremony of

*groom's name*

&

*bride's name*

*Day*, *Date* at *Time*

*Year*

*Venue Details*

2. Semi-Formal Roka Ceremony Invitation Template

Save The Date

You are cordially invited to witness the 

ROKA CEREMONY

of

*Groom's name*

(S/o *full names of the parents*)

with

*Bride's name*

(D/o *full names of the parents*)

on

*Day*

*Date*, *Year*

*Time*

VENUE:

*Venue Details*

3. Traditional Roka Ceremony Invitation

श्री महावीराय नमः

श्री गणेशाय नमः

श्री पितृदेवाय नमः

Smt *mother's name* and Shri *father's name*

request the pleasure of your presence and blessings

on the Roka ceremony of their son

*Groom's Name*

(GS/O *name of the grandparents*)

with 

*Bride's Name*

(GD/O *name of the grandparents*)

D/O of *name of the parents*

on

*day*, *Date*

*time*

at

*venue details*

R.S.V.P.

*Name of the contact*

*phone/email ID of the contact*

4. Fun Roka Ceremony Invitation Card

We know that you've been waiting for us to say it

and finally

'WE SAID YES!'

*Name of the groom*

&

*Name of the bride*

request your attendance because we are getting

ROKAFIED!

When?

*day*, *date*, *year*

Time?

*time details*

Where?

*venue details*

P.S. Put your party shoes on because we promise we are up to no good!

Roka Ceremony Quotes and Captions

Roka ceremony quotes and captions are a way to express how you feel about the Roka ceremony. These quotes can be used to share how you feel with the partner or to announce the tradition via digital space to the world creatively. We have compiled some of the most heartwarming roka ceremony quotes for you to choose from. Find the one that resonates with you the best.

1. “When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” — Nora Ephron

2. Roka Ceremony is the Indian way of celebrating "I Do" and announcing it to the world. Here we are, getting Rokafied to begin our eternal love story.

3. "I feel like this is the beginning, though I've loved you for a million years." - Stevie Wonder

4. "When I said I would never leave your hand the first time I confessed my love to it, here's sticking by that promise for life. Happy Roka Ceremony to you, my love."

5. Promise me this forever

We'll always stay this way.

We can start at the end of time

And do it all again

Oh, my love

I'm all yours

And there will never be another one

Because I'm eternally yours

- Eternal Love, Michael Learns to Rock

6. "We're all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into a mutually satisfying weirdness and call it love - true love." - Robert Fulghum

By now, we are sure that you have a great understanding of how to plan an ideal Roka ceremony with the help of this guide. So bookmark this read and quickly get into the nitty-gritty of designing your official wedding announcement ceremony. And if you are looking for more ensemble inspirations to deck up for your roka ceremony, this list of the latest mehndi function dresses for the bride and groom will be handy!

Read More:

1. Significance of Haldi Ceremony

2. Kaleera Ceremony Explained!

3. Sacred Thread Ceremony in Brahmins

4. Your Guide to Planning a Sangeet Ceremony