Schedule
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Welcome Party/Mehendi
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Indian Wear includes a casual salwar kameez or anarkali, kurta-pajama. Western Wear includes Beach Attire (Linen pants, polo shirts/slacks, sundresses, sandals)
The Welcome Party at the beginning of a wedding is an event where the families of the bride and groom, along with close friends and relatives, gather to formally welcome the guests and celebrate the upcoming wedding. It's an informal, joyous occasion that kicks off the wedding celebrations and sets the tone for the upcoming events. Mehendi is a natural dye made from the leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant. In the context of Indian weddings, mehendi is most commonly used to create intricate, temporary designs on the hands, feet, and arms of the bride and her family. It is believed that the darker the mehendi stain, the stronger the bond between the bride and the groom, and the more blessings and happiness the couple will have in their married life. All guests will have the opportunity to get simple to moderate mehendi designs applied, creating a fun, shared experience of the celebration.
Friday, November 7, 2025
Grah Shanti/Pithi/Haldi
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Traditional attire is often worn to honor the cultural significance of these pre-wedding rituals. Indian Wear includes a saree, lehenga choli, salwar kameez, or anarkali, kurta-pajama. Western Wear includes conservative Garden Attire (sundresses or maxi dresses, linen pants, polo shirts/button downs and slacks, light suits, sandals)
Grah Shanti (Home Blessing Ceremony) - This ceremony is a Hindu pre-wedding ceremony that aims to align the planets for a couple's happy future together and bringing positivity before the wedding. It’s often a calm and spiritual event. Pithi (Haldi) Ceremony - This is a fun and vibrant ceremony, traditionally involving turmeric paste being applied to the bride and groom. It's a more relaxed and celebratory occasion, with a focus on happiness and color. Additional Tips: Comfort: Since both events may involve a lot of movement, it’s important to wear something you’re comfortable in, especially for the Pithi ceremony, where there might be turmeric stains. Colors: Yellow is the key color for Pithi, but for Grah Shanti, soft pastels or light earthy tones are often chosen for their calm and peaceful vibes. Because both events will be back to back, please feel free to choose either yellow, light earthy, or soft pastel colors.
Post Ceremony Lunch
12:00 pm
In Indian culture, sharing a meal after a traditional event is a significant way to foster connection, strengthen family bonds, show hospitality to guests, and express unity and community, as eating together is seen as a powerful tool for bonding and conversation, often accompanied by storytelling and laughter; essentially, it's a way to celebrate the occasion beyond the event itself and further deepen relationships with those present. The meal will be a traditional Gujarati vegetarian meal. However, we do understand that AVA Resort has multiple restaurants and cuisines to offer so if you choose to forego this lunch, we completely understand. Please RSVP if you plan to come so we are able to provide an accurate headcount for meal preparation.
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Baraat
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Please see "Wedding" below for Attire
A Baraat is a vibrant and joyous procession in a traditional Indian wedding that marks the arrival of the groom at the wedding venue. It is one of the most exciting and colorful parts of the wedding celebrations, particularly in North India, although it is also a significant part of many other regional traditions. It’s not just a simple walk but a celebration of music, dance, and revelry. The groom’s family and friends, along with other invited guests, join the procession, dancing to music, typically Bollywood songs or wedding-specific tunes. The Baraat is not just about fun and celebration—it holds deep cultural and symbolic significance. It represents the groom's readiness to begin his new life with the bride and signifies his family's pride and joy in welcoming the bride into their fold. It is also a way of showing respect and reverence to the bride’s family by arriving in a grand, celebratory manner.
Wedding
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Indian Wear includes Semi-Formal/Formal Indian Attire (saree, lehenga choli, salwar kameez, anarkali, sherwani, kurta-pajama, indo-western or bandhgala). Western Wear includes conservative Garden/Semi-Formal Attire:Western Wear would include conservative business casual or semi-formal clothing (dressy jumpsuits, knee-length or longer dresses, button down shirt/slacks, suits)
The Indian/American wedding ceremony is one of the most important and formal events in the wedding celebrations. The attire should be traditional, elegant, and respectful to the cultural customs of the event. Color: Traditional wedding colors include red, royal blue, emerald, maroon, gold, green, or pink, but you can also opt for softer pastel shades like peach, lavender, or ivory. General Tips: Avoid Casual Clothing: Indian wedding ceremonies are formal events, so avoid jeans, t-shirts, or overly casual outfits. Colors to Avoid: White (associated with mourning in many Indian cultures) and black (often considered inauspicious) should be avoided, unless you're specifically told otherwise. Fit & Comfort: Indian wedding ceremonies can last several hours, so it’s important that your outfit is not only beautiful but also comfortable. Make sure your clothes fit well and you can move easily.
Post-Wedding Lunch
12:00 pm
In an Indian wedding, a lunch is served after the ceremony as a way to celebrate the newlywed couple with family and friends, marking the beginning of their new life together and providing a time for everyone to gather and share a meal after a ritual-filled wedding ceremony. The meal will be a traditional Gujarati vegetarian meal. However, we do understand that AVA Resort has multiple restaurants and cuisines to offer so if you choose to forego this lunch, we completely understand. Please RSVP if you plan to come so we are able to provide an accurate headcount for meal preparation.
Cocktail Hour
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Please see "Reception" below for Attire
Reception
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Indian Wear includes Semi-Formal/Formal Indian Attire (saree, lehenga choli, salwar kameez, anarkali, sherwani, indo-western gown, kurta-pajama, indo-western suit or bandhgala). Western Wear would include cocktail, semi-formal, or formal clothing (dressy jumpsuits, cocktail/semi-formal dresses, button down shirt/slacks, suits)
The Indian/American wedding reception is usually a grand, celebratory event that takes place after the wedding ceremony. It's a chance to relax, dance, and enjoy the festivities, often with a more modern and glamorous atmosphere compared to the traditional ceremony. While the attire still tends to be formal, the vibe is often a little more relaxed, so you can choose something that is both stylish and comfortable. Color: Please wear whatever color you would like to wear. There is no color based dress code for the reception. General Tips: Comfort: Since the reception often involves dancing and socializing, it’s important to choose an outfit you feel comfortable moving in. Jewelry: At a wedding reception, you can be more adventurous with jewelry. Footwear: Make sure your footwear is stylish but comfortable enough for extended wear. If you're planning to dance, look for shoes that are sturdy and easy to walk in.