Wedding Functions · Sagai
Roka and Sagai at Home: Seating Two Families, the Tika Seat, the Ring Stage and the Shagun
The roka (in many places called tika or tilak) and the sagai (ring ceremony) that seal a match are now mostly held at home. The thing to remember: this is when two families sit together formally for the first time, and nearly every photo is taken in one spot. So pay most attention to how people are seated and to the stage backdrop. Bharat Tent & Light House, Khorra brings the decoration, seating and food equipment for a roka or sagai to your home and sets it up.
Roka vs sagai: how the arrangements differ
- Roka / tika: often small; a few elders from the girl's side come to the boy's home to do his tika. Not much of a crowd; seating, a tika seat and tea or a meal are enough.
- Sagai: both families and relatives, the couple exchange rings, photos, and often dancing in the evening. It needs a small stage, a backdrop and lighting.
- Many families do both on the same day; then we lay out the space for the tika first and the ring ceremony after.
1. Seating for both families
At a first formal meeting, how people sit really matters:
- Sofas and chairs facing each other or in a U, so both families can talk face to face
- Sofas at the front for the visiting family's elders
- A small centre table in between for tea and sweets
- If the baithak is small, we put up a shamiyana in the courtyard or outside and set up the same seating there
2. The tika seat
At a roka or tika the boy is seated for the tilak. For this:
- A decorated chowki or small sofa, with simple flowers or drapes behind it
- A small table nearby for the tilak thali, coconut and shagun
- Open space for the elders performing the ritual to stand
3. The ring stage and backdrop
Most sagai photos are taken here:
- A small stage and couple sofa
- A backdrop of drapes, flowers and, if you like, the couple's names or initials
- Colours of your choice, from soft pink and white to red and gold
- Focus lights on the stage so faces come out clearly in photos; if there's a window or strong sun behind, we turn the stage around
- A separate selfie point if you like, so guests don't crowd the stage
4. The shagun
Trays and baskets of sweets, fruit, clothes and jewellery come at a sagai or roka. To display them, we set up a long table covered in white or coloured cloth near the stage, so the trays sit in a row and look good in photos.
5. Tea and the meal
Food at a sagai comes in two parts:
- Tea, cold drinks and snacks on arrival, served in the seating area
- Lunch or dinner after the ceremony: our halwai cooks at your home; counters for a buffet at chairs and tables, and a chaat or live counter if you like
- Crockery and all serving equipment come with us
6. An evening sagai: lights and music
For an evening sagai we put jhalar or LED lights outside the house and along the path, with separate lighting on the stage. If there's dancing after the ceremony, a DJ is available on demand.
For a small roka or sagai we set everything up the same morning; for a large sagai, the day before. Tell us your date on 99918 64283. Delivery to either family's home within 25 km is free. Tell us the roka or sagai budget and we'll split it at booking between seating, stage and food.
FAQ
How do roka and sagai arrangements differ?
A roka or tika is often small: seating for the elders of both families, a decorated tika seat for the boy, and tea or a meal. A sagai has more guests, so it also needs a small stage for the rings, a couple sofa, a backdrop, focus lights and food counters.
How should we decorate for a sagai at home?
Keep the decoration focused in one place: a small ring stage, a couple sofa, a backdrop of drapes and flowers, the couple's names if you like, and focus lights on the stage. Simple lighting is enough for the rest of the house. We come to your home to set up the stage, sofa and backdrop.
Our baithak is small. Where can we hold the roka?
We put up a shamiyana in the courtyard or outside and arrange the sofas and chairs facing each other there, with the tika seat at one end. WhatsApp a photo of the space and we'll tell you how big the seating can be.
How should the two families sit at a sagai?
Sofas and chairs facing each other or in a U, the visiting family's elders on sofas at the front, and a centre table for tea and sweets. That way both families can talk comfortably.
What food arrangements does a sagai need?
Tea, cold drinks and snacks on arrival, then lunch or dinner after the ceremony. Our halwai cooks at your home, and we bring the buffet counters, a chaat or live counter if you want one, and crockery. WhatsApp the guest count and menu to 99918 64283.