FAQs

Question

What are the customs during an American Wedding Ceremony?

Answer

Most weddings begin with prelude music to welcome guests and follow with the processional of the wedding party, beginning with the couple's families, groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids and finally the bride. When the bride arrives at the end of the aisle, the officiant will welcome guests and often says a few words about the couple's love story, and the significance of their vows. The bride and groom exchange vows as they exchange rings. Once the rings are exchanged, they are pronounced husband and wife and share their first kiss as a married couple. Music is cued to begin the recessional of the wedding party in reverse order from which they arrived.

Question

What is the Mehndi ceremony?

Answer

A Mehndi ceremony is a pre-wedding celebration in Hindu culture, when the bride has henna applied to her hands and feet. Tradition says the deeper the color of the bride's henna, the stronger the bond between the bride and groom. Designs symbolize various blessings, luck, joy, and love.

Question

What is the Pithi and Vidhi ceremony?

Answer

The Pithi ceremony is a ritual that brings good luck. Pithi is a turmeric, rose water, and chickpea flour paste that is applied to the bride and grooms skin.

Question

What is the Baraat?

Answer

The Baraat is the groom's procession as he arrives to the scene of the wedding. Traditionally, weddings would take place at the bride's home and the groom would arrive on an elephant with his entourage, complete with loud drums, trumpets, and all his family members dancing down the street to make their arrival known to the bride's family. Our version won't involve an elephant, and we won't be walking all the way to Stephanie's home... but it will be just as amazing! Rushi will arrive surrounded by YOU, the "Baraatis", forming a large dance party leading him to Stephanie's family. Traditionally only the groom's side dances during the Baraat, but we encourage guests from both sides to join Rushi.

Question

What are the customs during the Hindu Wedding Ceremony?

Answer

After the Baraat, the two families greet in a custom called the Milni. In the ceremony, the bride and groom sit beneath a canopied structure called a mandap with their families. The ceremony starts with the kanya daan, where the bride’s parents offer their daughter in marriage. Then the bride and groom’s hands are joined with a cotton thread wound several times, while the priest recites holy verses. They then walk around a small fire (the “agni”), in a ritual called the mangal phera, with each circle representing the ashrams of life. The couple will then take the saptapardi, or seven steps, as they vow to always love and support each other, sealing the marriage forever. Finally, the groom will apply a red powder to the center of the bride’s forehead and tie a necklace around her neck.

Question

Why is the Hindu wedding ceremony in the morning and the reception in the evening?

Answer

Indian weddings are comparatively long as they are filled with multiple traditions and rituals. The break between the two events will give you time time to re-up your energies and prepare for the party! During the break, feel free to use this time to freshen up, change looks, relax, or nap. You can also use this time to explore Bethlehem and Allentown.

Question

What if I have to use the bathroom or walk around during the ceremony?

Answer

Hindu ceremonies are mostly informal, as they are long, so feel free to get up to move around or grab a snack.

Question

But what should I wear?

Answer

Please feel free to wear either Western or Indian attire at any of our events! - Friday Morning, attire is black tie optional or formal traditional Indian dress. Please avoid wearing white. - Friday Evening at the Mehndi, attire is daytime formal Western or formal traditional Indian. - Saturday Morning, attire is daytime formal Western or formal traditional Indian. - Sunday, attire is black tie optional or formal traditional Indian dress. Please avoid wearing red & black. Historically seen, majority of Indians WILL have separate outfits for each event. HOWEVER, you are not mandated to switch between the Wedding and the Reception. If you'd like to wear traditional Indian clothing: saree or lehenga choli for women and kurta for men. Here is a website we recommend www.utsavfashion.com to get a sense of your options. You can also find stores selling Indian outfits in the NJ/NY area. Feel free to contact the bride or the groom for additional questions.

Question

What will the reception in the evening be like?

Answer

The reception will be a fun party with lots of food and drinks! Put on your dancing shoes!!

Question

Do I have to attend all the events?

Answer

We realize schedules get in the way. If you're not able to attend a particular event, please mention it in your RSVP. Otherwise we'd really love to see you at all of them and be with us every step of the way!

Question

Do you have a gift registry?

Answer

Please note that your love and support is all we ask for on our special day. However, if you do wish to celebrate with a gift, we have a honeymoon fund registry.

Question

Are kids allowed?

Answer

We understand that some days are good and some days are bad when you're under the age of 10. While we want to include our younger family members in this wedding weekend, we ask that you please take action* if your little one is having a hard time. This way you won't ruin the experience for others around you. *Take action - leave the room, go for a walk

Question

Can I bring a plus one?

Answer

We have reached out to all our guests with plus ones. If you think we missed you, please send us an email at srjg2022@gmail.com

Question

Do I need to wear a mask?

Answer

While we are not mandating masks at our wedding, we ask that you wear a mask if you feel sick. If you'd be more comfortable wearing a mask in general, please do!

Question

We are having trouble using the webform to RSVP!

Answer

That's ok! Technology is sometimes a bummer. Just shoot us an email at srjg2022@gmail.com to confirm the events you will be attending.

Question

Who do we contact with questions?

Answer

Just shoot us an email at srjg2022@gmail.com!