A celebration of love and tradition - our trail to forever.
EVENTS
Our wedding weekend celebrates the coming together of two cultures and families. For guests who may be unfamiliar with some of these traditions, here's what to expect at each event:
Mehendi
Mehendi is an intimate pre-wedding celebration where intricate henna designs are applied to the bride's hands and feet. The deep reddish-brown stain is considered auspicious and symbolizes the strength of love in marriage.
Grah Shanti & Haldi
Grah Shanti is a Hindu prayer ceremony performed to seek blessings from the nine planets (Navagraha) and remove any obstacles for the couple's future together. It's a sacred ritual that brings peace and harmony to the upcoming marriage.
Haldi is a vibrant pre-wedding ceremony where a paste made from turmeric, sandalwood, and other ingredients is applied to the bride and groom (separately) by family and friends. This tradition is meant to cleanse and purify the couple before their wedding, while also giving them a healthy, radiant glow. It's a playful, joyous occasion filled with laughter and well-wishes, and yes, things get wonderfully messy!
Garba
Our Garba event will feature performances by friends and family, dinner, and traditional garba group dancing at the end. Garba is a traditional Gujarati folk dance that originated as a devotional dance honoring the goddess Durga. Performed in concentric circles with rhythmic clapping and graceful movements, it's evolved into a joyous celebration at weddings and festivals. Don't worry if you've never done it before; the steps are simple and the atmosphere is welcoming. We will also send out a video tutorial soon.
Baraat & Hindu Ceremony
The Baraat is the groom's procession, a lively and jubilant parade where the groom arrives on decorated vehicle accompanied by his family and friends. The procession features music, dancing, and celebration as the groom makes his way to the ceremony venue. The bride's family traditionally greets the baraat with great fanfare.
The Hindu Ceremony is a sacred ritual rooted in ancient Vedic traditions, typically conducted in Sanskrit by a priest. The ceremony includes several meaningful rituals such as Saptapadi (seven sacred steps around the fire representing seven vows) and the tying of the Mangalsutra (sacred necklace). The ceremony is rich with symbolism, prayers, and blessings for the couple's journey together.
American Ceremony
Following our Hindu ceremony, we'll have a traditional American wedding ceremony in the evening. This will include the processional, exchange of vows, exchange of rings, and our first kiss as a married couple. It's a more familiar format for many guests, allowing us to celebrate our union in a way that honors Arielle's heritage while bringing together all our loved ones.
Reception
The reception is a celebration for everyone! Following the American ceremony, we'll gather for cocktails, dinner, toasts, and dancing into the night. This is where we bring together all the traditions, cultures, and people we love for one big party.
We're honored to share these meaningful traditions with you and create new memories together.
SCHEDULE
We're excited to celebrate our wedding weekend with you! The festivities will blend traditional aspects of both our backgrounds with three days of events.
Suite-style extended-stay hotel with full kitchens in every room (usually unnecessary for a weekend stay). Features complimentary breakfast, indoor pool, and fitness center.
By Phone: Call Central Reservations at (800) 590-2796
Group Code: G-PM26
DRESS CODE
We're excited to celebrate with traditional and modern elements throughout our wedding weekend. Here's what we suggest to wear for each event:
Thursday | Mehendi
Dress Code: Indian or American Casual
Comfortable attire for an intimate celebration.
Friday Morning | Grah Shanti & Haldi
Theme: Good Morning Sunshine Dress Code: Indian Traditional (preferred) or American Semi-Formal Colors: Morning colors like yellows and oranges
Friday Evening | Garba Night
Theme: Dancing Under the Milky Way Dress Code: Indian Traditional (preferred) or American Formal Colors: Dark colors like navy, purples, and blacks Avoid: Gold and silver
Saturday Morning | Baraat & Indian Ceremony
Theme: Petals and Promises Dress Code: Indian Formal (preferred) or American Formal Colors: Pastels and soft colors Avoid: Red
Saturday Evening | American Ceremony & Reception
Theme: Enchanted Forest Dress Code: American Black Tie Colors: Darker colors like greens, browns, and florals Avoid: White
A Note on Sustainability
While we encourage embracing our themes and colors, we also value sustainability and thoughtful choices. Guests are warmly invited to wear outfits they already own—formal gowns, black suits, or other favorite pieces are perfectly welcome for all events.
Where to Shop for Indian Clothing
Looking for Indian attire? Here are some recommended online stores to help you find the perfect outfit for our celebrations:
Beyond hosting our wedding, Cantigny offers 500 acres of beautiful gardens, walking trails, and a golf course. Take some time to explore the stunning grounds and historic Robert R. McCormick Museum.
Just a short drive away, the Morton Arboretum features 1,700 acres of trees, plants, and natural areas. Enjoy scenic walking trails, seasonal exhibits, and breathtaking landscapes perfect for nature lovers.
Chicago
About 30 miles east of the wedding venues, downtown Chicago offers world-class attractions including:
Millennium Park & Cloud Gate ("The Bean")
Art Institute of Chicago
Navy Pier
Magnificent Mile shopping
Chicago Riverwalk
Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium)
Deep Dish Pizza
No visit to Chicago is complete without trying authentic deep dish pizza! Some local favorites include:
Lou Malnati's - Multiple locations, including one in Wheaton
Giordano's - Famous for their stuffed deep dish
Pequod's - Known for their caramelized crust
Gino's East - A Chicago institution since 1966
We're happy to provide more recommendations - just ask!
GIFTS
Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all!
We kindly request no physical gifts, please. However, if you wish to honor us with a gift, cards are most welcome.
We're grateful for your love and support as we begin this new chapter together.
RSVP
We're so excited to celebrate with you! Our RSVP portal is now open.