Erika & Akshay's Wedding
Schedule
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
High Tea
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Chomu, India
Attire: Casual - this is just about settling in and saying hi to each other!
Palace Location: 2nd Courtyard Bagh Location: Reception Area Samode will be organizing a low key, high tea at each of the Samode properties to welcome folks prior to our first event at dinner time. This is just a casual way for us to say hi over a cup of tea as you get settled in!
Welcome Dinner & Dancing
7:30 pm
Chomu, RJ 303806, India
Attire: Don't overthink it, you can wear whatever you would for a night out. That said, we’ll be on a terrace with temperatures that drop to ~14 Celsius/55 Fahrenheit so make sure to bring something warm (a shawl or jacket). We're excited to welcome all of you to Samode!
Location: Bagh Hawa Mahal Terrace Car Transfers from Samode Palace to the Bagh will start at 7:15pm. Please plan on leaving the Palace by 7:45pm at the latest. Transfers back to the Palace will be available on demand for guests! We can't wait to welcome all of you to our wedding! There'll be tons of food and drink, as well as some dancing, and karaoke afterwards :)
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Mehndi
11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Chomu, RJ 303806, India
Attire: Traditional Indian attire with a pop of color - or anything with bright colors and bold patterns! We'll have Mehndi artists available to apply Mehndi (i.e. henna) for our guests so be sure to wear sleeveless clothing (such as a kurta) if you'd like any!
Location: Bagh Mughal Gardens Car Transfers from Samode Palace to the Bagh will start at 10:45am. Please plan on leaving the Palace by 11:15am at the latest. Transfers back to the Palace will be available on demand for guests! The Mehndi is a ceremony where the bride's hands and feet are decorated with intricate mehndi (i.e. henna) designs symbolizing good luck, prosperity, and beauty as she enters married life. We'll also be having a Kaleera ceremony - a joyous Punjabi wedding ritual where the bride's sisters, cousins, and friends tie ornate, umbrella-shaped hangings called kaleeras to her chooda (bangles). It symbolizes well wishes for the bride's future, good luck, and prosperity. During the ritual, the bride then shakes her kaleeras over the heads of her unmarried friends; tradition holds that whoever a piece of kaleera falls on will be the next to marry :)
Baraat, Door Games, & Sangeet
Wed, Nov 26, 2025, 5:00 pm - Thu, Nov 27, 2025, 2:00 am
Chomu, RJ 303806, India
Attire: Semi-formal Indian/Western attire with a festive flair - Lehengas, Sarees, Anarkali suits, Kurta Pyjamas, Indo-Western outfits, Cocktail dresses, and Suits. Make sure you can dance in whatever you wear! Once again, we'll be outside with temperatures dropping as low as 10 Celsius/50 Farenheit so make sure you're dressed in layers, a shawl, or a jacket!
Akshay's male family & friends will need to have safas (turbans) tied onto their heads before the Baraat - safa tying will be set up at the Palace (2nd courtyard) and the Bagh (reception), starting at 4:15pm and running till 4:45pm. Location: Samode Palace Entrance/Courtyard Car Transfers from the Bagh to the Palace will start at 4:30pm. Please plan on leaving the Palace by 5:00pm at the latest. Transfers back to the Bagh will be available on demand for guests! The Baraat procession marks the groom's arrival and although it's normally done ahead of the wedding ceremony, we're going to improvise and do it prior to the Sangeet. Door Games are a Chinese tradition where the groom/groomsmen must complete playful challenges before entering the bride’s home, symbolizing love, effort, and fun. They involve tasks or riddles set by bridesmaids to prove devotion and bring laughter to the celebration. The Sangeet is a night of dancing and celebration. Come ready to dance into the night!
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Anand Karaj (Sikh Wedding Ceremony)
11:00 am
Chomu, RJ 303806, India
Attire: Traditional Sikh/Indian or Western Formal Attire in any color other than red and white - a salwar kameez, lehenga, sari, or a modestly designed suit or dress for women. A kurta pajama or a suit for men.
Location: Samode Palace Durbar Hall Car Transfers from the Bagh to the Palace will start at 10:30am. Please plan on leaving the Palace by 10:50am at the latest. Transfers back to the Bagh will be available on demand for guests! The Anand Karaj is the traditional Sikh wedding ceremony. Dress comfortably enough and be prepared to sit cross legged at the venue (don't worry, the ceremony won't be longer than 30 - 45 minutes). The ceremony will be followed by a lunch after which everyone will be able to pack and check out.