Haldi AanganHaldi ceremony invitation

Haldi Aangan is painted the way a haldi morning feels. The bride sits on a low wooden patla in the middle of an old courtyard, women of the family come in with brass bowls of turmeric paste, yellow and white bunting is strung between the balconies and marigold petals are flying everywhere. A big cartoon sun sits at the top of the screen. It is cheerful, a little messy, and full of laughter, just like the ceremony.

The haldi (also called pithi in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and ubtan in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) is usually held at home a day or two before the wedding. Turmeric is applied for its glow and for good luck, and the elders bless the bride or groom. Because it is the most relaxed function, many families now send a separate, fun invitation just for it, and this design was made for that.

The inner pages show a laughing couple throwing petals inside a marigold frame, with kites and little birds in the corners, so the whole invitation stays yellow and bright from start to finish.

It suits any family that wants a light-hearted invitation, from North Indian and Marwari homes to friends' circles that are planning a haldi party. You can send it for the haldi alone, or use it as the main invitation and give mehendi, sangeet and the wedding their own pages.

Guests see your names on the courtyard, a countdown, a dress-code line if you add one (yellow, white or 'clothes you don't mind ruining'), the venue in Google Maps and a quick RSVP so you know how much haldi to mix. A voice note from Dadi or Nani works especially well here.