FAQs

Question

What should I wear?

Answer

Please feel free to wear either Indian or Western attire at any of our events. If you want to wear Indian clothing to one event we would recommend the Hindu ceremony and reception. There are many types of Indian clothing so it can be a little overwhelming. We recommend wearing either a lengha, anarkalis, or sari for women and kurta pajamas for men. You can buy Indian clothing at a local store, online, or you can even rent from several different online retailers. The colors that the bride will be wearing are white for the Western ceremony and red and gold for the Hindu ceremony and reception.

Question

Where should I stay?

Answer

We have a hotel block at the Royal Sonesta. This is where the Hindu ceremony and reception will occur Saturday, and there will be shuttles between the Royal Sonesta and the sangeet at the Corinthian on Friday night. We encourage guests to stay here and book early to ensure there are still rooms available, as rooms are not guaranteed. Please visit the travel tab for more information on the Royal Sonesta along with other options.

Question

Will the events be outdoors?

Answer

We will have some outdoor events including the Western Ceremony and the Baraat. The Western Ceremony will be outside on grass, so keep that in mind when picking shoes! The Baraat however will be on paved ground outside the Royal Sonesta. Everything else will be indoors, as we know Houston can get hot!

Question

What is the Sangeet?

Answer

Translating to “sung together” in Sanskrit, the Sangeet is a colorful night of dinner and dancing to celebrate the happiness and joy surrounding the union of the bride and groom. The celebration includes choreographed dances, songs, and skits performed by friends and family, speeches, and an open dance floor. Buffet-style Indian food will be served. The night is a big dance party that serves to introduce and connect our friends and family. We are excited to see your Bollywood and Bhangra moves! Please contact Chandni's brother, Akshay (akshay.x.jaggi@gmail.com), if you are interested in performing a song, dance or skit, giving a speech, or showing off another special talent at the Sangeet.

Question

What is the Baraat?

Answer

The baraat is the groom’s procession as he arrives to the Hindu wedding ceremony. Will will ride on a horse covered in finery down the Royal Sonesta driveway surrounded by YOU, the “baraatis,” forming a large dance party leading him to Chandni’s family at the entrance of the hotel. Traditionally only the groom’s side dances during the Baraat, but we encourage guests from both sides to join Will as he proceeds to the entrance.

Question

What will happen during the Western Ceremony?

Answer

The wedding will begin with prelude music to welcome guests and follow with the processional of the wedding party, beginning with the couple's families, groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids, flower girl, and ring bearer. The bride will then escorted down the aisle by her father. When the bride arrives at the end of the aisle, the officiant will welcome guests and provide some thoughts on marriage, the couple's love story, and the significance of their vows. The bride and groom will then offer their personal promises of love and devotion by exchange vows, and then recite additional vows as they exchange rings. Once the rings are exchanged, they are pronounced husband and wife and share their first kiss as a married couple. Music will then be cued to begin the recessional of the wedding party.

Question

What will happen during the Indian Ceremony?

Answer

After the groom’s procession reaches the entrance to the ceremony during the Baraat, the two families greet and proceed into the hotel. 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. The ceremony should last around an hour and half, and there will be light refreshments in the back.