Frequently Asked Questions
Each of our events has a different dress code and our recommended color scheme. To find specific information, please go to the "Events" tab and scroll down to the "Dress Code" section for information on that event's dress code.
In general, please avoid ripped or stained clothing, jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. We also kindly ask that you do not wear white or white-adjacent colors (such a very pale pastels) for the Irish wedding ceremony. Thank you!
General Recommendations
Because many of these ship from India, make sure to order well in advance of when you need them. We'd recommend ordering 3 months in advance so you have time for shipping and any tailoring you may need to have done. You can also consider searching for Indian clothing stores near you for an in-person shopping experience.
The designs from Pernia's are really fun and trendy. Make sure to check what the materials are (silk might mean silk blend, not 100% silk) to ensure you are receiving what you want to order. Their shipping times are decent (generally a few weeks), but can vary sometimes.
Kalki Fashion has really great designs at a mid- to high-range prices. They also have really good attention to details with their beading and intricate weaves. Their shipping times are generally pretty fast (only a few weeks) from experience. This is our top recommendation in terms of price to quality.
Pratap Sons has some nice designs, especially their Indo-Western choices. From personal experience Pratap Sons can take a little longer to arrive (1 - 1.5 months for shipping).
Mirraw is a good choice for less expensive options, however, their designs tend to be not as modern and a little more simple. However, if you are looking for some staples or classic/traditional pieces for your wardrobe, Mirraw is a really good option. Online reviews say that Mirraw is similar to Amazon - they source from designers and ship out. Sizes may vary based on the designer Mirraw sources from, so make sure to check the reviews of the specific items you want to buy. Their customer services and shipping times are hit or miss, so please leave yourself plenty of time just in case.
Each event has a section detailing the transportation and parking options for each event. We have chosen to do it this way in order to better organize the information, as our events are are different locations. To find this information, go to the "Events" tab and scroll down to the "Transportation & Parking" section.
The Haldi ceremony is a cherished North Indian pre-wedding ritual, symbolizing blessings, purity, and the start of a new journey. Family and friends apply a turmeric-based paste to the bride and groom’s skin, believed to bring a radiant glow, ward off evil, and invite prosperity. Accompanied by laughter, music, and playful moments, this intimate gathering is a time of joy and well-wishes as the couple prepares for their wedding day.
The Mehendi ceremony is a vibrant and joyous pre-wedding tradition where intricate henna designs are applied to the bride’s hands and feet, symbolizing beauty, love, and prosperity. Female family members and friends often join in, adorning their hands with mehendi as well, celebrating the occasion with music, laughter, and togetherness. In Indian culture, mehendi is believed to bring good luck and blessings for the couple’s new life together, with the deep color of the henna said to represent the strength of love and marriage. This ritual is not just an art form but a moment of bonding, anticipation, and joy before the wedding festivities begin.
What is a Handfasting Ceremony?
A Handfasting ceremony is a traditional Celtic marriage celebration the originated from Ireland and Scotland in which a couples' hands are tied together with a braided cord to symbolize the binding of two lives. Handfasting was originally a community event, which typically included a large feast, with the main idea to be the declaration of marriage intent.
There are many ways to make it your own, including additional traditions, but there are two core parts involved: the cord and the vows. First, a couple (or their officiant) will drape the Handfasting cord over the couples' hands. This cord will generally be braided with each color signifying a different value that the couple wants to bind into their marriage. The couple then ties the cord around their joined hands either while they say their vows or before.
Where does Handfasting come from?
There are records of Handfasting in Ireland and Scotland in the Middle Ages, including showing up in the Cain Lanamna (the Irish "law of couples", written in 700 AD) - some scholars even believe the ceremony dates as far back as 7000 B.C. Because Celtic traditions and history were often passed down orally, and due to the destruction of many of these records, the original intentions have been somewhat lost to time, however, many practicing couples nowadays incorporate it as either the core element or a part of their marriage ceremony.
Traditionally, a Handfasting was done in two parts - once to signal the beginning of the official engagement period where couples would live together and again after a year to confirm their intention to be married. Couples would come together at the start of their marriage relationship (what most consider today to be engagement) to declare of their own free will that they intended to marry.
Who can get married with a Handfasting ceremony?
While Handfasting originated as a Celtic tradition, it is not a closed practice. You do not have to be Wiccan or Pagan or even Irish! Many secular, non-Irish people incorporate Handfasting into their engagements, weddings, and vow renewals. It has even found its way into pop culture and been shown on Games of Thrones. Today, Handfasting is practiced all over the world by those who wish to take part in the ceremony.
Who officiates an Irish Handfasting?
Historically, a couple would go to their priest or priestess to have the ceremony witnessed. However, a non-religious Handfasting officiant is someone within the couple's community, usually a cherished family member or friend, and generally someone who has a deep connection to both people. The couple's chosen officiant will usually meet with the couple ahead of time to discuss the values they wish to "tie" into their marriage.
A Sangeet is a joyful pre-wedding celebration filled with music, dance, and vibrant festivities. Rooted in Indian tradition, it brings together family and friends from both sides to revel in the excitement of the upcoming marriage. The evening is marked by lively performances, from choreographed dances to heartfelt songs, celebrating love, unity, and new beginnings. More than just an event, the Sangeet is a time for laughter, bonding, and creating unforgettable memories before the wedding day.
For our non-Indian friends and family, a Sangeet is similar to a traditional American reception. The main differences are generally open seating (who needs a seating chart when you're tearing it up on the dance floor?) and choreographed dances beyond just the bride and groom, including from friends and family.
The Baraat is a vibrant and jubilant wedding procession that marks the groom’s journey to the wedding venue, historically symbolizing his arrival at the bride’s home or a temple where the marriage would take place. Rooted in tradition, the Baraat is not just a moment of celebration but a significant rite of passage, representing the groom’s transition into married life.
Accompanied by family and friends, the groom embarks on this lively procession, often riding a decorated horse or elephant, though modern baraats may feature luxury cars or unique alternatives. The Baraatis (groom’s procession) dance along the route to the beat of dhols (drums) and celebratory music, creating an atmosphere of pure joy and festivity. The journey is long and symbolic, signifying the groom’s readiness to embrace his new life with his bride.
Upon arrival at the wedding venue, the groom and his family are greeted in a welcoming ceremony called the Milni. This ritual, meaning "meeting" or "union," is a formal yet affectionate introduction between the families. The bride’s mother leads the welcome, performing a small puja (prayer ritual) to bless the groom and ward off any evil. She then applies a tilak (red vermillion mark) on his forehead, signifying honor and acceptance into the family. Following this, the bride’s closest male relatives—her father, brothers, and uncles—welcome the groom and his family, often by exchanging garlands or offering a warm embrace. This gesture signifies not just hospitality but the merging of two families, solidifying bonds of love, respect, and unity before the marriage ceremony begins.
A North Indian Hindu wedding is a deeply sacred and symbolic ritual, blending ancient traditions with heartfelt blessings for the couple’s future. Rooted in Vedic customs, the ceremony is conducted around a sacred fire (Agni), considered a divine witness to the marriage. Every step in the ritual holds profound meaning, signifying the couple’s commitment to love, duty, and spiritual harmony.
The Seven Circles Around the Fire – Pheras / Saptapadi
One of the most significant moments of the ceremony is the Saptapadi, or the seven steps taken around the sacred fire. With each step, the couple makes a vow, promising to uphold the fundamental aspects of a harmonious married life:
1. Nourishment – To provide for each other and share responsibilities.
2. Strength – To support and stand by one another in all challenges.
3. Prosperity – To work together towards a prosperous and fulfilling life.
4. Family – To cherish and uphold their family, community, and traditions.
5. Well-being – To care for each other’s health and happiness.
6. Companionship – To foster understanding, love, and lifelong friendship.
7. Spiritual Growth – To walk together in faith, harmony, and devotion.
With the final step, the couple is considered bound in marriage, stepping forward into a life of unity and mutual respect.
Key Elements of the Ceremony
A North Indian Hindu wedding is rich with rituals that honor family, faith, and new beginnings. Some of the essential elements include:
- Ganesh Puja – A prayer to Lord Ganesha, seeking blessings for a smooth and auspicious ceremony.
- Kanyadaan – A deeply emotional moment where the bride’s parents give her hand in marriage, entrusting her to the groom with love and blessings.
- Mangal Pheras – The couple walks around the fire, taking vows that symbolize their commitment to each other.
- Sindoor – The groom applies sindoor (vermillion) to the bride’s hair parting, signifying her new status as a married woman.
- Ashirwad – The ceremony concludes with elders giving their heartfelt blessings for a happy and prosperous married life.
Every ritual weaves together the spiritual, emotional, and familial aspects of marriage, making it not just a union of two individuals, but a coming together of families, traditions, and lifelong promises.