Thank you so much for asking! We don't care what you wear, as long as it's fabulous. There are literally no rules, but we've put together some guidelines to help. If you want to wear amazing Indian outfits, you should buy online. These are a few of the best websites for Indian wedding guest outfits: https://www.perniaspopupshop.com/ https://www.kalkifashion.com/ https://www.azafashions.com/ 'But Jay, isn't that cultural appropriation?' The Michiganders nervously ask. No, apparently not. We'd love for you to experience the joy of an Indian wedding in all its facets, including the amazing outfits. A quick guide for each event: - Mehndi (welcome drinks): anything goes - western, Indian, any other culture you feel like appropriating. Think chilled summer cocktails with your besties - for context, the bride will be wearing a lehenga. - Muhurtham (religious ceremony): this is the most traditional part of the wedding and we will be wearing traditional South Indian wedding clothing. For women, this is your chance to wear a saree if you want to. Unless you've worn them a lot before, look for 'pre-draped' ones when shopping online. For men, we suggest a kurta set and as always, your choices are simpler - but you can go more casual in the morning and fancier for the evening. - Reception (party): you absolutely don't HAVE to get changed after the morning ceremony but you'll probably want to, for sweat stain reasons alone. For women, if you'd like to use the opportunity to wear as many Indian outfits as possible, we'd suggest a lehenga (two piece outfit with a cropped top and full skirt, and a dupatta (shawl) - these usually come as a set), but there are a billion styles to choose from. The bride will be in a western gown but we'd love to see guests in a mix of outfits from different cultures. Final hot tip: purchase early - many Indian outfits are made to order, and this can take a few months.
To combat jetlag, we'd recommend arriving at least one full day before the first event you plan to attend. So if you're coming to everything, you should arrive on January 6th or 7th. The first event (welcome drinks 'Mehndi') is on January 8th.
We recommend booking January 6th-10th, or January 7th-10th - remember that many flights will arrive at 2 or 3am local time, so you'll need to book your room from the previous day if that applies to you.
Being right on the Bay of Bengal, Chennai tends to be humid most days of the year. It's said that Chennai has three seasons - Hot, Hotter and Hottest! That said, January is among the most pleasant times to be in Chennai - the rains should have subsided, and the average temperature is around 86F (30C) in the day, with a low around 69F (20C).
We recommend drinking bottled water only. In terms of food safety - if venturing outside of the hotel or resort, we'd say the rule of thumb is steering clear of salad bars and raw foods, and be sure to wash and sanitize your hands before eating any meals with your hands. For Australians, think of it like traveling to Bali when it comes to food and water safety. For Americans, think of it like Mexico.
Yes! Yes you very much do. It's super easy though - the most convenient option for short visits is the India e-Visa, available online for eligible nationalities including the U.S. and Australia: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ Passport validity, visa fees, and document requirements can vary—check the official Indian Visa Online or Embassy websites for your nationality and intended travel plans. Important reminders before travel: - BE WARNED! There are many fake visa websites out there; only indianvisaonline.gov.in is safe. - Submit your application at least 4 days before travel (though applying earlier is safer). - Ensure your passport validity is at least 6 months beyond arrival and has at least two blank pages. Further guidance for Australians: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india For Americans: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html
► Travelling from Australia Australia uses 230-240 V at 50 Hz and plug type I. In India the standard is 230 V at 50 Hz and the sockets are types C, D or M. Good news: your voltage matches India’s, so most modern dual-voltage devices will work fine. You’ll just need a plug adapter to fit Australian plug type I into an Indian socket type C, D or M. For single-voltage appliances built strictly for Australia (230-V only, rare), check the label. If it says “100-240V” you’re safe; if not, you may need a converter—but this is uncommon for small electronics. ► Travelling from the United States The U.S. uses 120 V at 60 Hz and plug types A or B. India uses 230 V at 50 Hz and sockets types C, D or M. You will definitely need a plug adapter so your U.S. plug fits into an Indian socket. Because your voltage is lower (120 V) than India’s (230 V), you must check your device’s label. If it says “100-240V, 50/60 Hz” your device is dual-voltage and you’re fine with adapter only. If it only says “120V,” you’ll also need a voltage converter or transformer to use it safely in India.