Tamil Wedding Invitation: Card Wording and Functions

A Tamil wedding invitation, the திருமண அழைப்பிதழ் (thirumana azhaippithazh), is built around one moment: the muhurtham, when the thali is tied. Everything on the card points to it. Families send it early, visit elders in person with the card, betel leaves and fruit, and expect guests at the mandapam before dawn if the muhurtham is early. Here is how to word it so every guest arrives in time.

The order of a Tamil wedding card

1. The pillaiyar suzhi. A small "உ" at the very top, the mark for Lord Ganesha that begins anything auspicious. Many cards add the family deity, for example "ஸ்ரீ வேங்கடேசப் பெருமாள் துணை".

2. The invitation from the bride's or groom's parents, often in the names of the grandparents too.

3. The couple, with "திருநிறைச்செல்வன்" (Thiruniraichelvan) before the groom's name and "திருநிறைச்செல்வி" (Thiruniraichelvi) before the bride's.

4. The muhurtham: the Tamil month and date, the English date, and the time window, for example "between 9:00 and 10:30 am".

5. The mandapam with its full address.

6. The reception, often the previous evening in Tamil Nadu.

7. The family names inviting with love, and contact numbers.

The invitation wording

In Roman letters, the closing line used on many cards reads:

It means "We lovingly invite all of you to come with your families and bless the couple." Have it written in Tamil script by an elder or your printer; it is the line the family will read aloud when they hand over the card.

For relatives and friends who read Hindi:

The functions to list

• Nichayathartham: the formal engagement, where the families exchange thamboolam and fix the date.
• Panda Kaal Muhurtham: a bamboo pole is blessed and set up to begin the wedding preparations. Usually family only.
• Sumangali Prarthanai and Naandi: prayers to the women and the ancestors of the family.
• Janavasam or Mappillai Azhaippu: the evening welcome of the groom, often with the reception.
• Vratham and Kashi Yatra: the groom sets off for Kashi with an umbrella, and the bride's father persuades him to marry instead. Guests love it; put it on the morning schedule.
• Oonjal: the couple on a swing, with songs and coloured rice balls.
• Kanyadaanam and Muhurtham: the giving away and the tying of the thali. This is the main time on the card.
• Saptapadi: the seven steps.
• Reception: in Tamil Nadu often the evening before; in other cities often after.

Getting the times right

Tamil muhurthams are often early in the morning. Two kind lines help guests:

• the muhurtham window exactly as the priest gives it;
• a breakfast time, for example "Breakfast from 7 am", so guests travelling at dawn know they will be fed.

If the reception is the evening before, say so clearly, because guests from North India may expect it after the wedding.

Sending it on WhatsApp

Tamil families still take printed cards in person to elders and close family. For everyone else, a personal WhatsApp message with the invite is normal:

Design that suits a Tamil wedding

Kanjeevaram silk borders, temple gopurams, kolam patterns, banana leaves, nadaswaram and mango leaf torans all feel right on a Tamil invitation, in deep red, mustard and green with gold. Keep the muhurtham in large type. You can type your wording into any of our wedding invitation designs, or start with a free card with name editing. For more ways to invite on WhatsApp, see wedding invitation messages for WhatsApp.