Vendor guide

How to find a pandit, granthi or imam for your wedding

Start with your family’s temple, gurdwara or mosque, or ask relatives and recent couples who married in your tradition. Meet the officiant early to agree the date and muhurat, the rituals and their length, language and explanations for guests, what items you must provide, the fee, and whether they can legally sign your marriage licence.

Updated 9 November 2026 · Desi Shaadi & Co.

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No officiants are listed on Desi Shaadi & Co. yet. Listings are created by the businesses themselves and reviewed by our team before they go live, so this page will only ever show real, approved officiants. Meanwhile, the questions below will help you choose one anywhere, and you can browse all listed vendors.

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Who leads a South Asian wedding ceremony?

A Hindu wedding is usually led by a pandit or purohit (priest), a Sikh Anand Karaj by a granthi or a member of the gurdwara, and a nikah by an imam or another person who knows the nikah. Fusion and interfaith weddings may have two officiants or one who is comfortable with both traditions. Our ceremony basics guide explains what each ceremony involves.

How do we find one?

Ask your family’s temple, gurdwara or mosque; many have priests or officiants who perform weddings at venues as well.
Ask relatives, friends and your planner, photographer or decorator, who have seen many ceremonies.
For a Sikh wedding, speak to the gurdwara first, since the ceremony usually takes place there and each gurdwara sets its own rules.

What should we agree with the officiant?

The date and, if your family follows one, the auspicious time (muhurat).
Which rituals the ceremony includes, and how long it will take.
The language of the ceremony, and whether they will explain rituals in English for guests.
The items you need to provide, such as puja items, garlands, a fire bowl or the nikah nama, and who brings them.
Their fee, travel costs, and any customary gifts.
Microphone and sound for the ceremony; tell your DJ.

What about the marriage licence?

In the US, marriage is licensed by the state, usually through a county or town clerk, and each state sets who may officiate and how the licence is signed and returned. Ask your officiant whether they can sign the licence in your state, or plan a separate civil ceremony. Check the rules with the clerk where you marry well before the wedding.

Frequently asked questions

How early should we book a pandit?

As soon as you are setting the date, especially if your family will choose an auspicious date and time with the priest.

Can a pandit sign our US marriage licence?

It depends on the state and on the officiant. Ask your officiant and check with the county or town clerk where you are marrying.

Can we have two officiants?

Yes. Interfaith and fusion couples often have two officiants, either in one shared ceremony or in two separate ceremonies.

Keep planning

See every vendor to book and when in the desi wedding vendor checklist, follow the 12-month planning checklist, or browse all our planning guides.