FAQs

Question

Where do I RSVP and by when?

Answer

You were either texted or emailed (if you are out of the country) a Paperless Post link. Please RSVP through that link by 02.08.23. As we prepare to make the final arrangements, we'll need to have the exact headcount, so please note we cannot accept RSVPs after 02.08.23 Thanks for your prompt response.

Question

Can I visit the couple if I'm not staying at Hyatt Zilara?

Answer

Please note: ALL WEDDING EVENTS WILL BE HOSTED AT THE HOTEL ZILARA. For NON-Hotel Zilara guest: There will be NO CHARGE for hotel entry up to 30 minutes before ANY of the wedding events. However, Hotel Zilara will charge an entry fee of ~$149 for all non-hotel guests outside wedding events.

Question

Are kids allowed?

Answer

While we love your little ones, Hyatt Zilara is an ADULTS ONLY resort and kids will not be allowed on the premise. We appreciate you making accommodations.

Question

What should I wear to and Indian wedding?

Answer

We want you to be comfortable so any cocktail attire is welcome. As a guest at an Indian wedding, you are encouraged to wear bright and colorful clothes. Vibrant blue, mint green, orange, and bright pink are good choices of colors. The only color you should avoid is red since the bride would be wearing red at one of the main events. If you are feeling adventurous and want to join in the festivities and wear a traditional Indian outfit here are a few suggestions: Women: Since the sangeet is all about dancing, make sure your outfit is easy to move around in. Give into a traditional Indian look for the main wedding ceremony. A lehenga or sari in an Indian handloom will work like a charm. A classic Indian sari with ruffled detailing BUT buy a pre-stitched one so you aren’t hunting for pleating tutorials on the day of the event! Stick to dusty pastels for day weddings and deeper tones for the evening. Black and white are best avoided on this day. Pack a few kaftans and kurtis that you can wear for the after-parties, high teas, or in between events. Men: The Mehendi is your chance to have fun with prints and colors—you will find a host of options depending on how safe or adventurous you want to be. The preferred attire for this event is typically a kurta and slim pants (known as churidars). The sangeet calls for a black or navy bandhgala jacket with formal trousers (or breeches if you are feeling more experimental) with your pocket square adding a pop of color. A smart dinner jacket or three-piece suit is another option, though we recommend the former. Choose a pastel kurta for the wedding day and add a waistcoat to dress it up even further.

Question

Where can I buy a traditional Indian outfit?

Answer

Check your local area for Indian clothing stores. If you live in an area that doesn't have many options you can always look online... Here are a few links: (make sure to check for shipping times) https://www.indianweddingsaree.com/ www.fabricoz.com www.vastraclothing.com www.bombayboutique.net silkthreads.com vintageindianyc.com

Question

What is an Indian Ceremony?

Answer

A STEP-BY-STEP OF AN INDIAN CEREMONY Indian weddings possess a true beauty within the traditions and vows exchanged between the bride and groom. Over the years, guests have attended ceremonies and have been confused by the religious rituals performed. Below is a brief outline of how a ceremony might go and the meanings behind each stage: The Baraat: the arrival of the groom. This is a fun event that allows the groom’s side to dance and celebrate before the coming ceremony. Meeting of the Families: the bride’s family greets the groom’s family at the end of the baraat. At this time the bride and groom exchange garlands, called the Milni. Ganesh Puja: the ceremony has begun and the Pandit begins with a prayer to Ganesh. Kanya Aagman: this is the arrival of the bride. She is escorted to the mandap, where usually her parents, the grooms parents, and siblings are seated. Jai Mala: the bride and groom exchange the sacred garlands. Aachman: this is the purification of the bride and groom. They take water and drink it from the palms of their hands. Agni Pradipan: the sacred fire is lit, signifying the power and purity of the ceremony. Madhuparka: the bride’s family offers yogurt and honey to the groom with a prayer, signifying that he will work to be pure and kind. Kanya Daan: the bride is given away to the groom by placing the bride’s right hand in the groom’s hand. The groom is now entrusted to care for the bride and love her. Shila Rohan: the rock ceremony is for the bride to show her courage by stepping on a rock and proving she will support her husband throughout their life together. Mangal Fera: the bride and groom walk around the fire four times, each time signifies something different; duty, prosperity, love, and spiritual liberation. Saptapadi: the seven sacred steps are the first that a couple takes together in their new life.

Question

What is Saptapadi?

Answer

The following is a list of the promises the couple makes as they complete each full circle. While the couple is making their rounds, the priest dictates mantras pertaining to each specific phere. The Groom takes the hand of his Bride and leads her for the first four pheras, and then they switch places and the Bride finishes the last three by leading him to the culminating step. Each of these pheras signifies a specific meaning for both the Bride and Groom – complementary meanings that ensure that they will work as a unit to make this marriage successful, healthy, and prosperous. 1. Let us provide for our household, stay in good health and carry out our duties and responsibilities to each other, our families and our tradition. 2. Let us develop our mental and spiritual powers 3. Let us increase our wealth and comfort by righteous and proper means 4. Let us acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love, respect and trust 5. Let us be blessed with contended family 6. Let us be blessed with long lives 7. Let us remain true companions, committed only to each other While the couple makes their rounds, family members that are present on the Mandap bless the couple with rose petals and rice. After the Bride and Groom have made the seven rounds, they seek blessing from Lord Vishnu, the preserver, and Lakhsmi, the goddess of wealth. It is said that the couple has tied themselves together for seven lifetimes to come once this part of the ceremony is finished. There are many regional differences that occur in the execution of this ritual. I

Question

What is Sangeet?

Answer

The word “Sangeet “ means music, but when it is used as a term to describe a celebratory event during an Indian wedding it translates to Music Night or Musical party. Expect food, dancing and fun!

Question

What is Mehndi?

Answer

In the mehndi ceremony, they wear intricate designs made from henna paste on their hands and feet. At our wedding any female guest that would like mehndi applied to their hand can at the party. The History and Meaning of the Mehndi Party Mehndi, also known as henna, is a dye made from Lawsonia inermis, the henna plant. Due to its natural cooling properties, people from warmer climates including the Indian subcontinent, Africa, and the Middle East, have been using henna paste to help control their body temperature for centuries. According to Ahmed, mehndi also has medicinal properties: The cooling provides relief from stress, fever, and headaches, so it’s said to calm the bride’s nerves when applied to their hands and feet. For thousands of years, mehndi has been used as a form of body art. This is why the Mehndi party is often held the day before the wedding—to beautify and bless the bride before their big day. In the Hindu tradition, mehndi is part of the Solah Shringar, or sixteen bridal adornments, which is a ritual for the beautification of the bride from head to toe at the time of their wedding. Brides were also told that they shouldn’t do any housework for as long as the stain lasts, which according to Ahmed’s experience, can be up to two to three weeks if natural henna is used.

Question

What to expect at a Mehndi Party?

Answer

When you attend a Mehndi party, get ready for a night of fun with lots of food, music, and dancing. Traditionally, the bride would have intricate henna patterns applied to their hands and feet during the event. In modern times, the bride often opts to have a henna artist come to her home before the actual Mehndi party. Mehndi Party FAQs What should I wear? The Mehndi party is often all about bright colors and hues of green, orange, yellow, and pink. Women wear lenghas, saris, or salwar kameez in bright colors with lots of jewelry and bangles. Male relatives will often wear salwar kameez with the same colored shawl to show which side they represent. Do I need to bring a gift? Absolutely not! Gifts are given at the wedding. The Mehndi party is about wishing the bride well and blessing their marriage – that is the ultimate gift. How long does it take to apply the mehndi? For the bride, the process can take anywhere from two to six hours depending on how intricate the design is and how much mehndi the bride wants to be done. “Most brides do both sides of their hands up to their mid-forearm and both feet up to their ankles, but sometimes the bride may want designs all the way up to her elbows and knees, which can take much longer,” says Ahmed. “But we talk a lot during the process so the bride doesn’t get bored and take breaks as well.” For guests who want simple designs, each side of a hand can take five to 10 minutes.

Question

Will my shoes be taken?

Answer

Only if you are the groom!!

Question

What's the Bridal Dance?

Answer

This is a tradition in Western Pennsylvania. During the end of the reception, the maid-of-honor will collect money from the wedding guests ($1-10 cash) for a shot of alcohol and a quick 5 second dance with the bride. They will then form a circle around the bride while dancing and holding hands until everyone who wants a dance has gotten a turn. The groom and groomsmen will then be released to try to break through the circle an get the bride and carry her out of the circle! Here's a link of what it looks like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOIVomkF7ug