• AWH Editorial Team
• May 03, 2026
• Wedding Cars & Transport

Baraat Car and Procession Guide for UK S...

What Is the Baraat?

The baraat is the groom's ceremonial procession to the wedding or reception venue. It is a central tradition in Pakistani, Punjabi Sikh and North Indian Hindu weddings, though the specific form varies by community. In the UK context, the baraat typically involves:

• The groom arriving at the venue in a luxury vehicle (Rolls Royce, Bentley, supercar or horse)
• Dhol players beginning to play as the vehicle arrives
• Male family members and friends forming a procession behind the groom
• Dancing during the procession
• The bride's family welcoming the groom and his party at the venue entrance
• The milni ceremony (Sikh tradition) — where male relatives of both families formally greet each other with garlands

Planning the Baraat Arrival: Step by Step

Step 1: Choose the Arrival Vehicle

The groom's vehicle sets the tone for the baraat. Common choices include:

• Rolls Royce Phantom or Ghost — the most traditional and widely expected luxury arrival
• Bentley Flying Spur or Mulsanne — equally prestigious alternative
• Lamborghini Urus or supercar — a more contemporary, high-impact choice
• Mercedes-Maybach — premium but slightly more accessible than Rolls Royce
• Horse (ghodi) — the traditional Sikh and Hindu baraat conveyance; still used at some UK weddings, subject to venue access and local authority permissions

Step 2: Coordinate with the Dhol Players

The dhol players should know:

• The exact arrival time and location where they should be positioned
• The signal to begin playing (the car arriving at the turn into the venue, or the car parking)
• How long they will play during the procession into the venue
• Whether they will continue playing inside the venue during the milni ceremony
• The venue's sound restrictions — some venues have maximum noise levels or restrict outdoor dhol playing after a certain time

Step 3: Brief the Male Family and Friends

The baraat procession involves the groom's male family and friends dancing and walking behind him from the vehicle to the venue entrance. Brief them on:

• Where to gather as the car arrives (usually at a designated area near the car park)
• The sequence — the groom exits the car first, then the procession forms
• How long the procession will take and where it enters the venue
• The expected energy and participation — not everyone naturally knows what to do

Step 4: Coordinate with the Venue

Confirm with the venue:

• Where the baraat car should park or stop for the arrival
• Whether the venue entrance can accommodate a procession of 20–50+ people
• Whether external dhol playing is permitted and for how long
• Where the bride's family will be positioned for the milni welcome
• Whether there is a red carpet or arrival setup from the venue

Step 5: Photography and Videography Briefing

The baraat arrival is one of the most important sequences for your photographer and videographer. Brief them on:

• Where the car will stop and the groom will exit
• The procession route into the venue
• Key family members to capture during the milni
• Any specific moments the couple wants recorded (first look at the venue, specific family exchanges)

The Milni Ceremony (Sikh Weddings)

The milni (meaning "meeting") is a Sikh baraat tradition where senior male relatives from both families exchange garlands and embrace. It is typically coordinated by a family elder who announces each pairing. Confirm the milni list with both families before the day and ensure the venue has a garland table prepared with the garlands supplied by both sides.

Baraat Without a Vehicle

Some UK weddings — particularly where the venue does not have adequate parking for a formal car arrival — organise a walking baraat from a nearby location (a car park, a hotel, or a gathering point a short distance from the venue). This is a perfectly valid approach and can be more intimate and community-focused than a car-based arrival. The same coordination principles apply.