Intinerary

Mehndi Night

6:00 pm

In Indian cultures, a wedding isn't just one "big day"—it's a series of celebrations occurring before and after the couple exchanges vows. Mehndi, also known as henna is an ancient form of body art, originating in India and across South Asia and the Middle East. A Mehndi party is the pre-wedding celebration in Hindu culture when the bride has the red-orange mehndi "stain" applied to her palms, back of hands, and feet. Typically held the day before the wedding, the event often has a lounge feel, with a vibrant colorful ambiance. Mehndi isn't just for style. There's a reason the party occurs so close to the ceremony: Tradition says the deeper the color of the bride's mehndi, the happier the bride and groom's marriage will be. Designs symbolize various blessings, luck, joy, and love. The groom's name is usually hidden somewhere in the intricate patterns.

Garba Raas

7:00 pm

Traditional

Raas-Garba is a night of energetic and playful dancing that commonly takes place before weddings. Raas and Garba are typical Gujarati folk dances that everyone can participate in.

Hiral’s Pithi

9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Traditional

Since ancient times, Pithi ceremony is celebrated both bride and bride groom home separately in Hindu wedding. This entails rubbing a paste on bride and bride groom’s face, hands and legs. The paste when rubbed on is excellent for the skin and evens out skin tone. Family members and friends often times have fun getting the bride and groom completely covered in the paste. There is a belief that if the bride or bridegroom rub this pithi on someone who is matured and unmarried, then it increase their possibility of getting married. Pithi ceremony is one of the major auspicious occasions of Hindu marriage ceremonies, Pithi has its own importance. It is a celebration of love and happiness for one who is being married. Pithi ceremony is arranged mostly before two or three days of the marriage. It is so arranged that all relatives come and prepare for the ceremony.

Baraat

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Traditional

In Hindu weddings the Groom is led to the marriage venue in a procession known as the Baraat. He is accompanied by family members, groomsmen, and friends known as baraatis. The use of a "Ghodi", or white horse, as transport for the Groom to the wedding venue is a common part of Indian tradition.The music during a Baraat sets the mood for the rest of the marriage event, with upbeat and exciting songs blasting as the Groom makes his way through the procession. Ever wonder what the bride is doing during all of this? Many times, the bride is secretly watching! The Bride is not included in the Baraat because it is solely to welcome the Groom and his family to the marriage site. She joins him for the Varmala, where they exchange garlands to signify the start of their marriage rituals.