FAQs

Question

What are the RSVP and room block deadlines?

Answer

RSVP by May 12, 2023 Please book your hotel room by May 23, 2023 (1 month prior) - room block link can be found under the "Hotel" tab.

Question

Will I get a plus one/Can I bring my kids?

Answer

When you RSVP, you will see a spot reserved for each family member, either by name or a generic title (e.g. "Guest"). If your plus one and/or children are listed, they are invited. We unfortunately had to limit our guest list due to space constraints - we would have loved to invite everybody!

Question

Which meals will be provided?

Answer

We are providing dinner on Friday and Saturday. We will also have a catered lunch after the wedding ceremony on Saturday afternoon. Tea and Indian snacks will be available during the henna party and before the ceremony, at the Gurdwara.

Question

How will I get to the ceremony?

Answer

Shuttles transporting guests to Gurdwara Sikh Sangat will leave the Courtyard Marriott at 8:00am on Saturday morning. It is about a 25 minute drive, but may take longer depending on traffic conditions. The shuttles will leave the Gurdwara at 1:00pm. If you're taking the T, the Orange line and route 104, 105, and 109 buses have stops close by. For those driving, street parking will be available on Thorndike Street, but you will need to get a parking sticker from the Gurdwara. Because parking options are limited, we recommend using Uber or Lyft, both of which are easy to book quickly in the Boston area.

Question

What is the mehndi party?

Answer

Mehndi is henna, a plant-derived dye that stains skin temporarily (about 1 week to a month). It is applied in intricate patterns on guests' hands to prepare for wedding celebrations. The mehndi party is typically reserved for women, but anyone is welcome at ours. Please be aware that the henna will be wet for about 15-20 minutes. To get optimal staining, it usually has to stay on for about an hour after it dries.

Question

What is the mask etiquette?

Answer

We encourage anyone who prefers to wear a mask to do so. If you are feeling sick, please stay home and get some rest! We highly suggest taking a Covid test before traveling to attend our wedding.

Question

What should I wear?

Answer

Here are our attire recommendations for each event. 1. Henna party & Welcome dinner: Dressy casual or Casual. Keep in mind that henna can stain clothes when it still still wet, so exercise caution if wearing a precious outfit! For the dinner, we will be incorporating some Sangeet elements, so salwar kameezes and kurtas will be appropriate as well. 3. Wedding ceremony: Semi-formal. Dress pants and shirts, ties, pant suits, dressy salwar kameezes and kurtas. Guests will sit cross-legged on the floor for 45 minutes to 1 hour, and we know not everyone is used to doing this in dress clothes. So, foremost, please be sure you will be comfortable - if this means wearing slacks instead, that's okay! Be sure to bring a dupatta (scarf) if wearing an Indian suit, as you will cover your head while in the Gurdwara. Head coverings will also be provided for those wearing dupatta-less outfits. 4. Reception: Formal. Suits with ties, dresses, saris and lehengas. Be ready to dance (if you want to)!

Question

Can I wear an Indian outfit? Where can I get one?

Answer

Sure! You don't have to, though! You can find affordable outfits here: https//m.indianclothstore.com Here are our recommendations for what to search for for each event. Pizza Party/Sangeet: salwar kameez, kurta, lehenga Wedding ceremony: salwar kameez, kurta Reception: lehenga, sari Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at laligill92@gmail.com / brettrdr@gmail.com if you want some more recommendations, or have questions about what would be appropriate to wear.

Question

What will the wedding ceremony be like?

Answer

The wedding will begin with a prayer outside the Gurdwara entrance, followed by the Milni ceremony, when family members from the bride's side and groom's side exchange flower garlands to express the union of the two families. After tea, guests will enter the main hall where the holy book is kept, and sit on the floor. As hymns are played, the groom will enter accompanied by his sarbala, a younger boy in the family, and sit in front of the book. The bride will enter with her family and sit next to the groom. The Anand Karaj ("Ceremony of Bliss") proceeds with a standing group prayer, after which the couple will perform 4 circumambulations around the holy book, each accompanied by a verse offering advice and wisdom about marriage. The ceremony ends with the Anand Sahib, or "Song of Bliss", a scripture reading, and distribution of a sweet pudding. As with all Sikh services, guests will then share a communal meal, Langar.

Question

I've never been to a Sikh temple before. Is there anything I should know?

Answer

Upon entering the Gurdwara, guests are expected to remove their shoes and cover their heads out of respect for the holy book of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Granth Sahib. New (unused) head coverings will be provided. The main room contains an aisle that leads to an elevated altar where the book is read. Members of the congregation will walk down the aisle, kneel, and bow their heads in deference (or, if kneeling is not possible, reach down and gently touch the floor), before offering an optional donation. Guests will then sit on the floor, on either side of the aisle. Anyone unable to sit on the floor may sit on the chairs. Strictly speaking, once in the presence of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, being respectful means not turning your back or outstretching your feet towards the front of the room. If you have any questions on the day-of, members of the Gurdwara and Hasreet's family will be more than happy to help!

Question

Why do we cover our heads, remove our shoes, and sit on the floor in the Gurdwara?

Answer

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that developed from the wisdom of 10 Gurus, or teachers - "Sikh" derives from a Sanskrit word meaning "learner". Their teachings live as hymns and poems in the holy book, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which is considered to be the 11th, immortal Guru. Gurdwara conduct naturally follows from this idea - covering one's head, removing shoes, and sitting below the book are acts of humility and respect for the Guru, which holds the writings that guide Sikhs toward God.