Schedule
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Haldi
7:00 am - 9:00 am
Hyderabad, India
Indian Attire Suggested (Western Attire Ok)
Haldi is a pre-wedding ceremony where family and friends take turns applying turmeric paste to the couple's face, hands, and feet to wish them good fortune and prosperity. Turmeric is believed to have cleansing and purifying properties, so the ceremony symbolizes purification and serves to protect the couple from evil and enhance their beauty for the wedding day (the groom needs all the help he can get!). The color yellow represents prosperity and joy, and traditionally, the color yellow features prominently in attendees' clothes and decor. Breakfast will be provided.
Pellikoduku and Pellikuturu
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Hyderabad, India
Indian Attire Suggested (Western Attire Ok)
The Pellikoduku (for the groom) and the Pellikuthuru (for the bride) are pre-wedding religious ceremonies unique to the region and are intended to formally commence the wedding celebrations. Traditionally, these ceremonies are held separately for the groom and bride at their respective homes, but we will hold both together at the hotel. The Pellikoduku will start at 11:00 AM and the Pellikuthuru will start at 11:30 AM and will take place in the same area as the haldi. Lunch will be provided.
Mehendi and Qawwali
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Hyderabad, India
Indian Attire Suggested (Western Attire Ok)
Mehendi is an Indian pre-wedding ceremony for the bride during which mehendi (henna tattoo) is applied to the bride's hands and feet, as a symbol of love, good luck and prosperity. It is believed a darker mehendi stain indicates a deeper love from the groom, and, if the groom fails to find his name in the bride's mehendi, he must give a gift to the bride. While traditionally restricted to the bride and female friends and family, we want to celebrate with everyone (as is the more modern practice) and will have artists on-site if guests would like mehendi to be applied as well. The mehendi will be followed/accompanied by a Qawwali performance (popular in Hyderabad), which is a form of Sufi devotional music and is deeply rooted in Islamic mysticism. It features a group of musicians playing harmonium and percussion accompanied by high-energy vocals. We have combined the two events to showcase the multiculturalism of Hyderabad and hope you enjoy! Dinner and drinks will be served.
Friday, November 20, 2026
Pelli (Wedding Ceremony)
6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Hyderabad, India
Indian Attire Suggested (Western Attire Ok)
This is the moment you've been waiting for. Traditional Telugu wedding ceremony performed by Aswini's family priest. Unlike American weddings, where the ceremony and reception are separated, the Telugu wedding includes an ongoing ceremony that lasts for several hours during which guests can watch the ceremony and eat food. The crescendo of the ceremony is the tying of the mangalsutra necklace, which will occur at the auspicious time of 8:56 PM local time - this is the most important time to be at the ceremony area. Dinner will be provided. Due to the religious nature of the ceremony, only non-alcoholic drinks will be provided.
Sunday, November 22, 2026
Vratham
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Plot No. 17, Silent Lake Valley, Road No. 51, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500033, India
Indian Attire Suggested (Western Attire Ok)
The Vratham (pronounced "vr-uh-thuhm" or "vraa-tham") is a religious ceremony conducted post-wedding with family and close friends. It is performed to seek blessings for a prosperous and harmonious married life, and serves as the official end to the wedding ceremonies. Because this is a day or two after the main wedding event, we understand if travel plans and vacation plans do not permit staying in Hyderabad to attend, but if you are still in Hyderabad, we would love for you to join us. Breakfast and lunch will be served.