Not every love story begins with a grand gesture. Sometimes, it starts with a simple phone call that changes everything.
For Mannat Sidhu, who lived in Vancouver, and Gurkanwar Johal, based in India, their journey began through their parents but unfolded into something all their own. “It was love at first phone call,” she smiles. What followed was not a single moment of clarity, but a gradual building of comfort, laughter, and a quiet certainty that they were meant for each other.
A Punjabi Wedding in Patiala with Old-World Charm
Though Mannat always dreamed of a small rustic wedding, the Punjabi in her knew how ambitious that was. Yet, with the support of her parents and extended family, she created something extraordinary. “I love all things classic and vintage,” she says. “And I’m glad I was able to weave that into so many aspects of my wedding.”
The Anand Karaj took place at Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Patiala, followed by the reception at The Grand JD, a venue chosen after her parents visited countless locations on her behalf. “I was still in Vancouver while the planning was happening. My parents did everything.”
The engagement and mehendi were hosted at home, which held deep emotional significance for Mannat. “It allowed us to feel close to my grandparents, who are no longer with us. That sense of intimacy meant the world to me.”
A Burnt Orange Lehenga That Told a Story
Burnt orange wasn’t just a colour. It was a long-standing dream. Mannat always knew she wanted this earthy, vintage hue for her big day. White Lily by Navneet Sidhu brought that vision to life. “Navneet took my scattered ideas and created something seamless. Her team was so patient and talented, it made the entire experience feel easy.”
Adding a deeply personal touch, Mannat had her fiancé’s name embroidered in the corner of her wedding dupatta.
As for the groom, his sherwani came from family tailors in Jalandhar, trusted hands who had dressed many in the family before. “He wanted something classic and timeless, with minimal embroidery. The trims and dupatta borders were matched with my lehenga.”
Jewellery Passed Down Through Generations
Two pieces of jewellery stood out among all else. For the Chooda ceremony, Mannat wore a gold set that had once belonged to her mother, the same one she wore on her wedding day, along with her wedding dupatta. Another was a set of bangles her mother had saved especially to pass down to her daughter. “Those pieces are irreplaceable. They hold emotion, history, and love.”
Bridal Glamour, Perfected with Heart
Mannat found her dream makeup artist in Supreet Mann, someone she had followed for years on Instagram. “Once my lehenga was finalized, I met with Supreet. She made me feel at ease and confident, and went beyond just makeup. She gave me styling and comfort tips that really helped me throughout the wedding.”
The synergy between Navneet’s design vision and Supreet’s artistry brought the final look to life, timeless, graceful, and true to Mannat’s personality.
Looking for the perfect MUA? Discover the most promising bridal makeup artists in Punjab for 2025.
Wedding Day Memories to Last a Lifetime
For Mannat, the wedding day was filled with laughter, gratitude, and heartwarming chaos. “My cousins, siblings, and family were incredible. My brothers kept me laughing, my sisters kept me fed, it was truly a team effort.”
She remembers the moment just before entering the Gurudwara Sahib. “I was nervous, but the second I saw Ronnie waiting, I felt calm.” The only emotional pause came during the doli. “That’s when it hit me. I was really leaving. The tears flowed, but it was the most beautiful end to the best day of my life.”
A Reception Snafu and a Perfect Ending
Even the most perfectly planned weddings have their hiccups. For them, it was the groom’s pants. “He didn’t have them ready until the night before the reception,” she laughs. “We were running around finding the right pair. I can laugh about it now, but I wasn’t thrilled then!”
The Photographer Who Already Felt Like Family
Mannat chose Sunny Dhiman Photography after seeing their work at her cousin’s wedding in Amritsar. “They were professional, creative, and made posing feel fun and natural. I can be a terrible poser, but they helped me bring out my ‘nazaqat,’ as they said.”
Read this guide on How Punjabi Brides Can Get Perfect Wedding Photos in Natural Light
Songs That Now Hold Forever
Weddings often come with a soundtrack, and for Mannat, certain songs are now forever tied to those days. From ‘Tauba Tauba’ to ‘Chan Wargi’ and ‘Pind de Ghere’, each one brought a wave of nostalgia. Two tracks became extra special: ‘Tum Hi Ho Bandhu’, danced to with her cousin in honour of her uncle who couldn’t attend, and ‘Forever’ by Tegi Pannu, which played at a pre-wedding brunch and organically became “their song.”
Mannat’s Advice to Brides-to-Be
“Start early. Whether it’s booking vendors or finalizing outfits, anything you can do ahead of time, do it. It really helps make the final weeks less stressful.”
What Marriage Means to Them
For Mannat and Gurkanwar, marriage is not about perfection, it is about presence, patience, and partnership. “We’ve had to be apart due to work sometimes, but that has taught us how to love deeply across distances. To be seen is to be loved, and we never let each other forget how much we matter.”
The Vendors Who Made It Happen
- Bridal Lehenga: White Lily by Navneet Sidhu
- Groom’s Outfit: Custom-tailored by family tailors in Jalandhar
- Makeup Artist: Supreet Mann
- Photography: Sunny Dhiman Photography
- Jewellery: Vijay Jewellers, Patiala
- Mehendi Artist: Anil Bridal Mehendi Artist
- Wedding Venue: The Grand JD, Patiala
- Anand Karaj Location: Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Patiala
- Calligraphy & Signage: Harman Gill – Pen Harbour
From the beautifully handwritten saahe chithi to bespoke wedding signage, Harman’s work added a soulful and artistic touch to the wedding celebrations.
This real wedding story has been shared by the bride herself, and all images have been provided and used with her permission.This feature is brought to you by Wedding Punjab, the world’s only platform dedicated to Punjabi wedding fashion, culture, and vendors.
Read next Navreet and Uday’s Soulful Sikh Wedding in Sri Muktsar Sahib