FAQs

Question

Is the date on the invite correct? Your wedding is less than 60 days away and we just got the invite?!

Answer

Yup! Our wedding is on 1/5/2018 and you are right, it's REALLY soon! We just thought there was no better start to the new year than starting it off as husband and wife, surrounded by our favorite people! If you know either of us, you know that we are lifelong procrastinators who work best under pressure and adamantly believe everything will work out perfectly in the end. Often we leave our house 60 minutes before our flight is suppose to depart and truly believe in our hearts that we will catch the plane. Most times we are right, sometimes we are wrong, but we always keep believing. That's why we know you will be able to make it and party under the Florida sky with us! For those of you who are planners though, we are truly sorry for any inconvenience caused by us not having the details ironed out sooner! If there is anyway we can help make your planning easier, let us know! We are happy to help! Our favorite place to start searching for flights is the amazing site www.skiplagged.com

Question

Should I eat before your wedding?

Answer

Yes, please eat lunch. We will be providing very light snacks (i.e. almonds and sugar cubes) typically eaten during a Hindu wedding ceremony. Afterwards, there will be appetizers to enjoy during our cocktail hour and a traditional Gujarati dinner served during the reception. The meal will be entirely vegetarian, but not vegan.

Question

This is my first indian wedding! What can I expect?

Answer

Bright colors! But we can elaborate... The first part of the wedding is the BARAAT. Historically, the groom and his family would travel on foot (or horseback), singing and dancing, all the way to the bride's village and home. We won't be traveling across villages, more like parking lots, but we will still make the most of this tradition! It's meant to be a super joyful moment where everyone celebrates the groom and dances in excitement for the next part of his life's journey as a husband. It's also the groom's one chance to be the center of attention before the bride steals the show! The groom is ultimately welcomed by the bride's mother and she blesses her future son in law. There is a chance the bride might make a special appearance and come out to welcome her groom, but only if he's got the right moves! Punam's side note: If you are a mutual friend or Punam's friend first (but now like Kunal better), go join the groom's side for this moment. It's more fun!

Question

This is my first indian wedding! What can I expect? Part II

Answer

After the Baraat, the Hindu wedding ceremony begins and everyone will be seated. The ceremony will begin with the bride's family performing a prayer with the groom. The bride will make her entrance following the ceremony. For that reason, we ask that if you know you will be late to the ceremony, you join us at cocktail hour versus trying to sneak in and accidentally crossing paths with the bride. We are giving this tip from experience. Traditionally a hindu wedding ceremony can last hours, but we've condensed it to one hour of our most meaningful traditions. We will be providing a detailed program when you arrive that will help you follow along!

Question

What's the dress code?

Answer

Black tie optional.

Question

What is black tie optional? Why do you care about the color of my tie?

Answer

We don't. But someone in the fashion world decided this term would be a thing and we've embraced it. Basically, we want you to feel fancy, but also be comfortable to break it down on the dance floor. Men can wear a suit (but are welcome to wear a tux if they are feeling extra fancy). Women can wear mid to long gowns. Kids can wear whatever adorable outfit they will agree to keep on.

Question

Can I wear indian clothes?

Answer

Absolutely. The bride and groom will be. Saris. Cholis. Lehengas. Annarkalis. Sherwanis. It's all fair game.

Question

Where can I buy indian clothes?

Answer

Do you have an Indian friend other than us? Good! Ask them! Most Indians have a closet overflowing with clothes they are happy to lend! In Orlando: 1) Laxmi Plaza at 1137 Doss Ave, Orlando, FL 32809 2) Vulcal Boutique at 9251 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837 Online: www.utsavfashion.com www.aishwaryadesignstudio.com Surprisingly ebay.com has a lot of affordable options. Google some of the terms we mentioned in the FAQ above.

Question

How do I put on a sari?

Answer

Good question! Try asking youtube.com Truthfully, we don't have a lot of experience with fancy indian clothes and will be relying on our moms and aunts to make us look good. We do have one hint: have half a dozen safety pins ready before you begin.

Question

Do I need to stay at the hotel you are recommending?

Answer

No, but it would be fun to have everyone together in one hotel centrally based in downtown Orlando. However, if you want to do your own thing, we don't mind at all. Feel free to use AirBnB.com or VRBO.com to rent a house with your friends and family. Use your hotel points to get a free room with whatever hotel group you are loyal to. Just don't book one of those $44.99 rooms on Orange Blossom Trail. Nothing good can come from that decision.

Question

Can we bring our kids?

Answer

This is a tough question for us to answer, as we LOVE seeing your children's faces. A Hindu ceremony is long and requires a lot of sitting without a lot of action and may be boring for kids (and even some adults) to pay attention to. Punam and Kunal both have childhood memories of trying to find excuses to sneak away from sitting during the ceremony. So if you have younger children, maybe think about coming straight to the reception at 6. During the reception, we will have a separate area set up at the museum for the kids to eat and play under the supervision of a chaperone. However, please use your discretion as to whether your kids are old enough to play on their own. We think kids aged 5 and older but what do we really know? Sometimes we need supervision in our 30s. If you do plan on bringing your children, please let us know so we can plan seats accordingly.

Question

Can I bring a date?

Answer

While we wish we had the ability to allow everyone to have a date, we simply are at our venue's capacity for an event. If you think not inviting your significant other to the wedding was an oversight on our part, ask us! It's a possibility with a big, fat, indian wedding!