FAQs
Question
What COVID safety precautions you will be taking?
Answer
In order to keep all of our friends and family safe, we are requiring that all attendees are fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to the wedding. We will be requiring proof of vaccination to be submitted. All guests must complete a health screening prior to the event, including questions regarding current or recent COVID-19 symptoms, exposure, test results, etc. Masks will no longer be required as this is a fully vaccinated event. The ceremony will be outdoors, while the cocktail hour, dinner, and reception will be indoors.
Question
What is the Ghari Puja?
Answer
The Ghari Puja is typically carried out in the respective homes of the couple. The priest performs the prayers with rice, coconut, wheat grains, oil, betel nuts, turmeric and a number of other spices. Married ladies grind wheat on a small old fashioned grinder symbolising that the home will always be prosperous. The groom offers a handful of grains to the priest indicating that although he is changing his lifestyle, he will always give to charity and look after those less fortunate than himself. The mothers of both the bride and groom dress up in their bridal finery. Carrying an earthen pot of water on their heads, they walk to the threshold of their homes. The son-in-law of the respective families cut the water with a knife to ward off any evil spirits. The parents are adorned with garlands of flowers and money by their friends and relatives. Ritesh will wear old clothes that are torn off by their friends and family members amidst merriment, illustrating the END of his old life.
Question
What is the baraat?
Answer
The baraat is the groom’s procession as he arrives to the scene of the wedding. Traditionally, weddings would take place at the bride's home and the groom would arrive on horse or elephant with his entourage, complete with loud drums, trumpets, and all his family members dancing down the street to make their arrival known to the bride's family. Ritesh will arrive on a horse covered in finery surrounded by all of his friends and family, the “baraatis”, forming a large dance party leading him to Alexis's family. Traditionally only the groom’s side dances during the Baraat, but we encourage guests from both sides to join Ritesh for the fun!
Question
What are the customs during the Indian wedding ceremony?
Answer
After the groom’s procession reaches the entrance to the ceremony during the Baraat, the two families greet in a custom called the milni. In the ceremony, the bride and groom sit beneath a canopied structure called a mandap with their families. The ceremony starts with the kanya daan, where the bride’s parents offer their daughter in marriage. Then the bride and groom’s hands are joined with a cotton thread wound several times, while the priest recites holy verses. They then walk around a small fire (the “agni”), in a ritual called the mangal phera, with each circle representing the ashrams of life. The couple will then take the saptapardi, or seven steps, as they vow to always love and support each other, sealing the marriage forever. Finally, the groom will apply a red powder to the center of the bride’s forehead and tie a necklace around her neck.
Question
What should I wear?
Answer
For the Baraat/Ceremony/Reception (Saturday), feel free to wear Western or Indian formal attire. Just note that the ceremony will be outdoors in July, so please dress appropriately. No need to change between the ceremony and reception!
Question
What types of food will you be serving?
Answer
There will be both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available. Come hungry!
Question
How do I RSVP?
Answer
You can RSVP here on our website.