Given the need to coordinate international logistics, please RSVP and book your hotel as soon as possible. Please book your stay at Aurika using the link below. (copy paste: https://bookings.asiatech.in/?page=8615&type=website&checkin=2026-02-19&checkout=2026-02-22)
Unlike a typical Indian wedding where the start time of each event is more of a suggestion, we kindly request that guests adhere to the timing of each event on the "schedule" tab and show up at the designated time. Please try your best not to be late, thank you!
If your guest is listed on your formal invitation, then yes! Please check the names that populate when you RSVP - those listed are the only people invited to the event.
We are combining both cultures throughout the wedding! The 19th will be more like a traditional Indian wedding with lots of colors, food, and dancing. The day should be very energetic and fun! The 20th will skew more towards a traditional American wedding in terms of clothing and decor. However, there will be a traditional Baraat before the wedding, and the ceremony will combine both cultures. The ceremony will be conducted in English.
Everyone is invited to the baraat which will lead directly into the wedding ceremony. Please arrive no later than 4:00 pm to the Baraat meeting place (the hotel front gate). If you choose to skip the baraat and arrive directly at the wedding ceremony, please do not arrive later than 4:45 pm. If you are late and the wedding ceremony has begun, please do not walk in during the ceremony as this would be very distracting. Please instead wait outside until the conclusion of the ceremony, and then join us afterwards for the cocktail hour!
No, we kindly ask that you do not take out your phone or camera during the wedding ceremony. We will have photographers capturing the event and do not want your phones to be in the background of these pictures. We promise we will share all pictures from the photographer. Please feel free to take pictures with your phone or camera at every other event, just not at the ceremony.
All meals will be covered and served at the hotel starting with lunch on the 18th through breakfast on the 21st. There will be traditional Indian cuisine as well as non-Indian options (e.g., American food, Italian food). If you have food allergies, please note this on your RSVP and all of your meals will be prepared separately to ensure that your dietary needs are fully met. If you want to order room service or any additional food outside of what is catered, you can feel free to make purchases off of the hotel menu and you will have access to a 15% discount.
Indian or American outfits are welcomed for this event! Please wear whatever semi-formal outfit you feel most comfortable in. We expect there to be a mix of cocktail dresses, midi dresses, blazers with pants, sarees, shararas, kurtas, etc.
Typical Indian semi-formal clothing is encouraged, but if you are more comfortable in American clothing then please feel free to wear that! Overall, think fun and colorful fabrics, patterns, etc. Please see our Pinterest board for inspiration (copy and paste this link into a new tab): https://pin.it/6dSP69lgU
Typical Indian formal clothing is encouraged, but if you are more comfortable in American clothing then please feel free to wear that! Overall, think glamorous outfits with sparkles, embroidery, sequins, etc. Please see our Pinterest board for inspiration (copy and paste this link into a new tab): https://pin.it/24hXp9L5E
Given that all of these events are back-to-back, you will only need one outfit for this day! Typical American formal (or black-tie) clothing is encouraged, but if you are more comfortable in Indian clothing then please feel free to wear that! Overall, think elegant and fancy outfits such as floor-length dresses and suits with ties. Please see our Pinterest board for inspiration (copy and paste this link into a new tab): https://pin.it/7FenLLNWV
Please do not wear white, off-white, cream, etc. to any events on the 18th or 20th. In typical American weddings all guests avoid white since the bride will be in a white dress. However, these color constraints do not typically apply to Indian weddings. Therefore, for events on the 19th, any colors are acceptable (including white)!
Here are some websites where you can purchase Indian outfits: Amazon: www.amazon.com Manyavar: www.manyavar.com asos: https://www.asos.com/us/search/?q=indian Hatke Bride: www.hatkebride.com Utsav Fashion: www.utsavfashion.com Fabindia: www.fabindia.com Aza Fashions: www.azafashions.com Mirraw: www.mirraw.com Jaypore: www.jaypore.com Kalki Fashion: www.kalkifashion.com Lashkaraa: www.lashkaraa.com House of Indyaa: www.houseofindya.com Saris and Things: www.sarisandthings.com (allows for rentals) We also recommend visiting in-person Indian clothing stores close to you. Here are a few options: Chaubandi Boutique in Arlington, MA Manyavar in Edison, NJ (There are many stores in Edison, NJ to visit!) Alternatively, you could choose to buy your wedding outfits once you arrive in India. There are lots of stores in Mumbai and Delhi, and our wedding planner has recommended the following stores in Udaipur: Fancyano (rental): https://www.instagram.com/fancyano_udaipur/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D# First Choice Wedding Outfits (rental): https://www.instagram.com/firstchoiceweddingoutfits/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D# Shubh Vivah (rental): https://www.instagram.com/shubhvivah_sherwani_on_rent/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D# Jeeja Fashion (rental): https://www.instagram.com/gj5_fashion/?igsh=MTFnODM0OHBjZTl2cw%3D%3D# Manyavar (purchase): https://www.manyavar.com/en-us/store-india/udaipur/manyavar-bapu-bazar-VFPLVFVS Mangalam Vivah (purchase): https://www.instagram.com/mangalamvivah/?igsh=aTNwMXo5MnpjNnQx#
A Haldi is a common pre-wedding ritual at Indian weddings. Traditionally, wedding guests come together to apply a turmeric paste to the bride and groom's face and body. The yellow color of turmeric is considered to be very auspicious and its color ushers in a life of prosperity for the couple while the healing properties of turmeric help to clear the skin of any cuts or illnesses before the big day. Given that turmeric is known for its staining and Ali has pale skin, we may utilize other techniques during the Haldi such as showering the couple in yellow flower petals.
Mehndi, otherwise known as henna, is a dye paste associated with positive spirits and good luck that is applied on the body via intricate designs. The Mehndi ceremony is another pre-wedding tradition in Indian weddings, and the bride's Mehndi is meant to bring her good health and prosperity as she prepares for marriage. It is also thought to have medicinal properties which help relieve the bride of any stress before her big day. We will have Mehndi artists at this event and guests are encouraged to get Mehndi designs on their palms and/or backs of their hands. The bride, however, will have Mehndi designs up to her elbows. Please allow time for your Mehndi to dry (it will become hard and crunchy once it dries) and know that the longer you keep it on your skin, the darker the designs will become. Eventually, you can scrape off the hard/crunchy paste and will be left with the designs on your skin underneath!
A sangeet is another Indian pre-wedding custom which is a joyous fusion of music and dancing. There are often energetic performances and choreographed dances as well as food and drinks! After the performances wrap up, everyone typically hits the dance floor together! Please note that no guest is required to perform! You are more than welcome to sit back and enjoy the show without participating in any choreographed dances (this is very common). Individuals wishing to perform typically practice with their friends and family in days or weeks leading up to the sangeet.
The groom's grand entrance to his wedding is known as the Baraat and it is one of the most exciting parts of an Indian wedding! It is akin to a mini-parade where the groom and his friends/family make their way to the ceremony in full-on celebration mode. The groom often rides on a horse, chariot, etc. while the guests walking beside him are dancing and cheering to the music. Traditionally, the Baraat would be when the groom and his family walk/ride from their village to meet the bride and the bride's family at her village. Today, the Baraat often starts just outside of the wedding venue and this lively parade leads to the wedding ceremony entrance. At our wedding, all guests (both groom's side and bride's side) are invited to participate in this fun, high-energy celebration!
We expect the weather to be in the 70s to 80s Fahrenheit (20s Celsius) during the day and in the 60s to low 70s Fahrenheit (high teens to low 20s Celsius) at night. The welcome cocktail reception will be a mix of indoor and outdoor venues. The wedding reception will be completely indoors. All other events will be completely outdoors, though you can always feel free to step inside as needed!
For anyone interested, we recommend sightseeing within Udaipur during the day on the 18th. Please see the "things to do" tab for suggested places to visit! Feel free to reach out to our wedding planning team for help coordinating your itinerary and transportation on this day. Please find their contact information at the bottom of this page.
Any water served at Aurika is completely safe for everyone to drink! All served beverages, ice cubes, etc. have been filtered at Aurika and you do not need to worry about the safety of any food or drinks consumed at the hotel. However, American guests should avoid drinking water from their sinks and showers as this tap water has not been filtered.
It is generally unsafe for Americans to drink the tap water in India. We do not want anyone getting sick before or after the wedding, so please only drink bottled water while traveling around India! Please also avoid any drinks with ice cubes as the ice was likely made from tap water. Other foods and drinks to avoid: raw or undercooked foods including fruits and vegetables (they were likely washed with tap water), cut fruits and salads (the greens and fruits are often washed with tap water), smoothies/milkshakes/lassi/fresh juice (often include tap water or ice cubes made from tap water), iced coffee/cold coffee (the ice cubes are likely made with tap water), chutney (a water-based food that likely uses tap water), etc. Overall, it is best to eat/drink cooked foods, peelable fruits like bananas and oranges, bottled water, hot coffee or hot tea, etc. However, if you are staying at any international brand hotels (e.g., Marriott) the food and drinks are typically safe. Please reach out to your specific hotel with any questions about the use of tap water and food preparation.
Please reach out to our wedding planning team if you need help hiring a saree draper, makeup artist, or hair stylist for any of the events. Their contact information can be found at the bottom of this page.
Nope! There are no additional vaccines required prior to traveling to India. Though please feel free to reach out to your doctor if you have any specific questions or concerns.
Please reach out to Ali or Akhi with any other questions. Alternatively, feel free to contact our wedding planning team to ask for any additional information or assistance needed in making travel arrangements, travel itinerary, hotel bookings, etc. all over India. Details below: Email: plan.regalweddings@gmail.com WhatsApp: +91-8005617130