Gather in Gujarat

Our Indian Wedding

WHERE
Vadodara, Gujarat

WHEN
10-12th December 2024

WEATHER
Winter month: 13 to 25 ℃

Indian weddings typically include much more than just a ceremony, cocktail hour and reception— It's common for Indian weddings to have multiple pre-wedding events.

Gujarat is considered a 'dry' state meaning alcohol consumption is prohibited, however, a permit can be obtained when you land at Vadodara airport and alcohol can be drunk in a non-public space.

Further information about the venue and the wedding will follow in the next few months.

3-DAY/NIGHT FESTIVITIES

Mehendi festivities

Mehendi or otherwise known as Henna ceremony is an Indian Wedding tradition held on an evening before the wedding as a way of wishing the bride good health and prosperity as she makes her journey on to marriage.

Garba Night

Raas-Garba is a night of energetic and playful dancing that commonly takes place before weddings. Raas and Garba are typical Gujarati folk dances that everyone can participate in. This evening will be filled with lots of fun, traditional food and music.

Haldi Ceremony and Grah Shanti Puja

The haldi (Tumeric) ceremony is a pre-wedding event and ritual in almost every Indian wedding, It is celebrated on the wedding day and is usually a close-knitted event where friends and family come together to apply turmeric paste on the bride and groom's face and body. The occasion is celebrated with dhol (drum beats), Bollywood songs and dancing.

Grah Shanti Puja is a pre-wedding ritual which is performed before the wedding to remove all the obstacles and bring happiness and prosperity into the lives of the couple.

Wedding

The Indian ceremony normally lasts a few hours and is celebrated through the groom and bride completing 'saat phere' meaning seven rounds around a sacred fire lit for the purpose amidst the Vedic mantras. The bride and groom circumambulate a consecrated fire seven times, reciting specific vows with each circuit . The reception will be held straight after the ceremony ends.

Guide to Gujarat

Hotel recommendations

Fairfield by Marriott
Royal Orchid Central Vadodara
Grand Mercure Vadodara
Madhav Bagh - Royal Heritage Stay
East In Residencies

Getting around

Tuk-tuk/ Rickshaws
Taxis
Hiring a car (highly recommend not driving yourself)

Airlines

Singapore Airlines
Qantas Airlines
Malaysian Airlines

Safety tips

As you would with any destination in Asia - please be very mindful of scammers and pick-pockets especially in busy touristy areas.
Great tip is to also learn how to haggle as the local folk will always try to upsell their products.
We recommend not to walk alone at night especially in quieter areas. Always take all measures to safeguard your possessions as well as yourself.
Although it is a fairly westernised city, it is also advisable to dress more on the conservative side when visiting sacred temples and sites.

Fun facts

Vadodara is considered to be the third-largest city of Gujarat.
The sari dates back to at least 3000 BCE. Sari wearers often choose the colour of their garment based on the occasion. Red is often worn by brides to symbolise fertility and prosperity.
Cows are protected by their own set of rules in the constitution, making killing a cow a crime. Even on crowded city streets, cows have the liberty to roam where they please without fear of being harassed by humans
In the Chattisgarh state of India, which is one of the world's largest rice-producing areas, farmers began to spray their fields with Coke and Pepsi products, since it was cheaper than traditional pesticides and seemed to work just as well

Travel/transport options

Please note - you will need to apply for an Indian E-Visa prior to visiting. For most people, this will mean applying for a 30-day visa unless you plan on staying for longer.

To avoid problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into India.

You will have to go through the following more popular check-in points if you apply for an E-Visa - Mumbai; Delhi; Ahmedabad; Chennai; Goa. Domestic flights to Vadodara are an option from New Delhi and Mumbai.

For more information on applying for a visa, please visit this website - https://boi.gov.in/content/general-instructions-registration-foreigners

Travel recommendations - India

India is a beautifully large country with abundant culture, various traditions/festivities and sights to see. If you do attend our wedding or ever visit India, we recommend some cities below as a 'must-see'. Easiest way would be to fly to the destinations but if you would like to absorb some culture, you can always choose to take the train instead.