Bengali wedding card wording (বিয়ের কার্ড) with samples

The parts of a Bengali wedding card

Invocation: “শ্রী শ্রী প্রজাপতয়ে নমঃ” is printed at the top of almost every Bengali wedding card, often with a butterfly motif, the প্রজাপতি is both the god of creation and the Bengali word for butterfly.

Opening: the letter begins “সবিনয় নিবেদন” (a humble request), and many cards still use the older formal sadhu-bhasha verbs such as “স্থির হইয়াছে” and “বাধিত হইব”. A simpler modern style is equally acceptable.

The couple: the bride is “কল্যাণীয়া” and the groom “কল্যাণীয়” or “শ্রীমান”, followed by their parents’ names and address. The card mentions whose daughter is marrying whose son.

Date and programme: the date is often written in both the English and the Bengali calendar (বঙ্গাব্দ), with the লগ্ন time. The bride’s card lists the বিবাহ and প্রীতিভোজ; the groom’s card invites guests to the বৌভাত.

Closing: the request to attend “সবান্ধবে” (with friends and family) and bless the couple, signed “বিনীত” or “নিবেদক” with the names of the family.

Gaye holud, biye and bou bhaat

On the morning of the wedding, turmeric touched to the groom is sent to the bride’s home for the গায়ে হলুদ, along with the তত্ত্ব, gifts and sweets beautifully decorated. The বিয়ে happens in the evening at the লগ্ন, with শুভদৃষ্টি, মালাবদল and সিঁদুরদান. A day or two later the groom’s family hosts the বৌভাত, where the new bride serves rice to the family and guests are invited to a প্রীতিভোজ.

On an invite website, you can list গায়ে হলুদ for close family, the বিয়ে for everyone, and the বৌভাত on its own date, and ask guests which they will attend.

Complete samples

A traditional bride’s-side card, a groom’s-side বৌভাত card, and an English version.

Annaprashan (মুখেভাত) wording

A মুখেভাত card is short and warm, usually from the parents or grandparents, and mentions the meal that follows.