Indian wedding celebrations begin with the Baraat, or the Groom’s procession, alongside his entire family and friends. This parade is full of celebration, dancing, and live music! The tradition arose from India, where it was often customary for the groom to travel long distances with his family members to the bride's city. In modern day, the Baraat has evolved into the start of the wedding day with excitement and energy! The procession halts at a meeting of the bride and groom's families, and a ritual that symbolizes the unification of both sides precedes the wedding ceremony. 

Traditional Indian or semi-formal attire. 

Please note, our Baraat ceremony will be outside, so please be sure dress accordingly!

For members of the groom's side, please visit the Eastern Shore Ballroom from 8 AM - 10 AM to have your safa (Turban) tied by professional turban tying teams. Our safas are made with red bandhej, a traditional color and print from Mohit's family's ancestral home of Rajasthan, India. Wearing the red safa signifies that you are part of the groom's wedding party. 

Please assemble at the hotel lobby at 10 AM. Our event chauffeurs will help direct to the groom's guests to the front entrance of the hotel, where the Baraat (Groom's wedding procession) will begin. Guests of the the bride will assemble outside the hotel near the Great Lawn. 

There will be a parade full of celebration, dancing, and live music as the Baraat processional gets underway, and a full ceremony will take place as the two sides of the wedding come together!

Hindu weddings take place outside under a canopy known as a Mandap. Each of the four pillars of the bridal canopy represents one of the four parents. Both sets of parents and any siblings stand up at the Mandap during the ceremony. Front and center under the Mandap is the sacred fire. The fire can be small and confined to a brazier or dish for safety. Agni, the God of Fire, is said to sustain life and thus gives life to the marriage.

The ceremony starts off with the bride’s parents giving away the bride in a ritual called Kanyadan.

The bride and groom then join hands and circle around the enclosed fire in a ritual called the Mangalphera, the walk around the fire. The bride and groom walk around the fire four times, with each turn representing a major goal in life: Dharma (morality); Artha (prosperity); Kama (personal gratification); and Moksha (spirituality). As they perform the Mangalphera, the Pundit (Indian priest), who chants verses during the ceremony, ties them together. Once they finish their walk around the fire, the couple rushes to their seats, since it is said that whoever sits down first will be the dominant one in the marriage. At the end of this, the couple is officially married – this is the legal element of the Hindu marriage ceremony.

Then the couple will do the Saptapadi (take seven steps forward), where they recite seven vows to each other.

Finally, the groom will apply a red Sindoor (powder) to the center of the bride’s forehead and tie a Mangalsutra (a necklace made of gold and black beads) around her neck, symbolizing that she is now a married woman.

For happiness and prosperity, friends and families also throw flowers after the couple is married.

Please note, our wedding ceremony will take place outdoors, so please dress accordingly.

Lunch will be served after the ceremony in the Eastern Shore Ballroom. 

Our Cocktail Hour begins at 6 PM, with the Reception to follow at 7:30 PM. We are looking forward to celebrating our wedding with you with a night full of dancing and LOTS of food (including a midnight snack bar)! Bring your dance shoes! The party continues until 1:30 AM!

Black tie optional. 

For women: An evening/ball gown, full-length dress, formal cocktail dress, or formal Indian attire. 

For men: A tuxedo or a dark formal suit/dinner jacket with tie. 

After a night full of partying, what could be better than brunch? Please join us at the Eastern Shore Ballroom for a farewell brunch capping off a memorable wedding weekend.