Each event has its own dress code, so here's a quick guide for the weekend. On Friday for the Sangeet the dress code is Yellow Semi-Formal. Think bright yellows, mustards, and golds. Indian attire is absolutely welcome and encouraged, but Western semi-formal in yellow works beautifully too. One practical note: turmeric stains permanently. Wear something you love, but not something you'd be heartbroken to see with a golden tint. Consider it a souvenir from the night. On Saturday for the Anand Karaj the dress code is Punjabi or Modest-Western Formal Attire. For Punjabi attire, men might wear a kurta (a long tunic with trousers), and women a salwar kameez or anarkali (often paired with a dupatta scarf). Vibrant colors are celebrated. If you prefer Western formal, modest and elegant is the guide, with covered shoulders and longer hemlines appreciated in keeping with the spirit of the ceremony. Head coverings are required for everyone inside. We'll have bandanas for men and dupattas for women available at the entrance. If you'd like to come prepared, this short video shows you exactly how. On Sunday for the Ceremony and Reception the dress code is Western Formal. Think cocktail attire or formal gowns, and suits or tuxedos. We only ask that guests avoid white and ivory out of tradition for the bride.
Yes, removing your shoes before entering is a customary sign of respect in Sikh tradition, symbolizing humility and reverence for the sacred space. There will be a designated area just outside the ceremony entrance to leave your shoes. We recommend wearing socks you feel good about.
Friday evening is where the weekend truly begins, a celebration of three beloved traditions rolled into one joyful night. The Haldi ceremony is a pre-wedding ritual in Punjabi culture where family and friends apply a paste of turmeric, sandalwood, and rose water to the bride and groom's skin. Turmeric has been used for centuries in South Asian culture for its purifying and brightening properties, and the golden glow it leaves behind is considered a blessing before the wedding. It is messy, it is joyful, and it is one of the most intimate and meaningful moments of the whole weekend. Mehndi (henna) is the ancient art of applying intricate designs to the hands and arms using a paste made from the henna plant. In Punjabi tradition, mehndi is applied to the bride before her wedding as a symbol of love, beauty, and spiritual protection. There is even a saying: the darker the stain, the deeper the love. Guests are warmly invited to get mehndi applied on Friday evening; in fact, it is one of the great joys of the night. The Sangeet rounds out the evening. The word means "music together" in Sanskrit, and that is exactly what it is. Think dancing, laughter, music, and the kind of energy that only comes from two families becoming one. Come ready to celebrate.
The Bharaat is the groom's arrival procession, a cherished tradition in Punjabi weddings where the groom is escorted to the ceremony by his family and friends with music and dancing. It is a celebration of joy and anticipation as Anmol makes his way to meet Iris. Ours will take place Saturday morning at the entrance of the Grand Traverse Resort. It is a short and spirited procession, and the more people who join in, the better. If you hear the music, follow it.
The Anand Karaj is the Sikh wedding ceremony. The name means "Blissful Union" in Punjabi. It is a sacred and deeply meaningful ceremony during which the bride and groom walk around the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy scripture) four times. Each round accompanied by a hymn called a Lavan, and each Lavan represents a different stage of the couple's spiritual journey together. From first stepping onto the path of a shared life, to deepening love and devotion, to the growing longing for one another and the divine, and finally, to the bliss of true union. At the close of the ceremony, Karah Prasad, a warm, blessed offering made from flour, butter, and sugar is distributed to everyone present as a symbol of equality and shared blessing. Please receive it with both hands. The ceremony is conducted in Punjabi, so don't worry if you don't understand the words. You will absolutely feel the significance of each moment. This is a joyful, spiritual, and deeply moving ceremony and we are so honored to share it with you.
Iris carries with her the traditions of her Anishinaabe heritage, and several of those traditions will be woven into the Sunday ceremony. We want you to understand what you'll witness so that each moment lands with the meaning it deserves. Smudging: The ceremony will include a smudging ritual, one of the most sacred practices in Anishinaabe culture. Sacred herbs such as sage, cedar, and sweetgrass are burned, and the smoke is used to cleanse and purify the space and the people within it. The smoke is believed to carry prayers to the Creator and to clear the way for what is sacred. Guests may be gently invited to receive the smoke; if so, simply cup it toward your heart and face. There is nothing to be alarmed by, only something beautiful to receive. Sharing of Water: Water, or nibi, is considered one of the most sacred gifts in Anishinaabe teaching. It is life itself. The sharing of water during the ceremony represents the couple's commitment to nourish and sustain one another through all seasons of life. The Pendleton Blanket: The couple will be wrapped together in a Pendleton blanket belonging to Iris's grandmother. In many Native American traditions, being wrapped in a family blanket during the wedding ceremony represents the warmth, protection, and blessing of the family that shaped you and the new home you are now building together. It is one of the most tender moments of the day. Ode'imin (the Heart Berry): The couple will share a strawberry. In Ojibwe, the strawberry is called ode'imin, meaning "heart berry" named for its shape, which mirrors the human heart. It is considered one of the four sacred foods and a symbol of love, compassion, and marital harmony. Sharing it is a reminder of why two people choose to build a life together.
We have professional photographers capturing every moment of the weekend, so our biggest ask is simply that you be fully present with us. During the Anand Karaj, please keep flash photography off out of respect for the sacredness of the ceremony, and keep your phone on silent. Quiet photos are welcome. For the Sunday ceremony, we will share any specific guidelines closer to the date. As a general rule, put the phone down when it matters. The photos will find their way to you.
The Anand Karaj is conducted in Punjabi and Gurbani (the sacred language of the Sikh scriptures). The Sunday ceremony will include moments in the Anishinaabe language alongside English. We know that is a lot of languages for one weekend, and we want you to know: you don't need to understand every word to feel every moment. The meaning lives in the music, the movement, and in the love that has brought all of us to this place. We are so grateful you are here to share it with us.
Food is central to every culture we are celebrating this weekend, so expect to eat very well. Friday evening features Indian catering, warm, spiced, and full of flavor, with plenty of vegetarian options. Saturday begins with a chai and breakfast spread, followed by a full Indian lunch after the Anand Karaj. Saturday evening is a casual dinner at the resort. Sunday opens with a brunch before the ceremony, followed by a cocktail hour and full reception dinner featuring both Indian-inspired dishes and resort catering, plus a dessert station to close the night. Monday morning, we wrap up the weekend with a farewell breakfast before everyone heads home. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please note them in your RSVP and we will make sure you are taken care of.