We request that guests are fully vaccinated at the time of the wedding, or have a negative COVID test within 72 hours of arrival. All events will follow local regulatory guidelines in place at the time of the event. Many events will be held outside, with plenty of space for social distancing. Indoor events will be held in spaces with capacity much larger than the guest list.
You are welcome to stay anywhere you'd like! For your convenience, we have reserved a hotel block at Terranea Resort (where all the events will take place). We welcome you to stay on site with us if you're interested and able to! Please make sure to reserve your room ASAP, as July will be busy season. If you'd like to stay elsewhere, two other hotel options (Torrence Marriott Redondo Beach and Doubletree Torrence) are listed with info on the Travel page of this website. They are both less than a 30 minute drive from the resort.
Attire is listed on the events page of this website. See below for more details. WELCOME DINNER: Cocktail attire that is outdoor appropriate! South Asian and American are both fine. ANAND KARAJ (SIKH CEREMONY): South Asian attire is encouraged but not required. Please note that seating will be on the floor, and make sure to dress comfortably (i.e. short dresses are not recommended). During the ceremony, guests are requested to cover their heads with cloth coverings. Peach head coverings will be provided for those who don't have them. Guests will also be asked to remove their shoes before entering the ceremony area. RECEPTION: This event is black tie or formal South Asian, and will be held part outdoors and part indoors. BRUNCH: Garden attire (think daytime/casual). This event will be indoors.
Yes, mehndi artists will be present at the welcome dinner, and people of all genders are invited to participate!
For guests who have not visited a gurdwara or attended an Anand Karaj, below are some simple steps to guide you. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions! Anand Karaj means "blissful union." It is the traditional Sikh wedding ceremony that is performed in front of the "sangat" (congregation of family and friends). Before entering the ceremony area, guests are requested to remove their shoes and cover their heads. The ceremony is held in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book and living guru of Sikhism. Upon entering the space (before the groom is seated), guests typically walk down the aisle and approach the structure where the book is kept. As you approach, you may offer a small donation (bring a dollar bill!) and touch your forehead to the floor to pay your respects before sitting down. This is not required, and you can alternatively just find a place to sit on either side of the aisle (chairs will be provided for guests who are unable to sit on the floor).
"They are not said to be husband and wife who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife who have one soul in two bodies." -Guru Amar Das The Anand Karaj ceremony is a joyous and festive event in which family and friends are heavily involved. The ceremony itself is usually about an hour. It begins with readings from the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book) and continues with the singing of four "laavaan" (hymns) during which the couple circumnavigate the Guru Granth Sahib to perform the actual act of marriage. These four hymns explain the journey of the two souls uniting, the path they will embark on together through marriage, and the commitments they make to each other to renounce ego, do good deeds, and seek peace and consciousness in all their actions. After the fourth "laav," the couple is married. Family and friends congratulate each other, followed by final hymns, closing remarks, and the service of "prashad" (a sweet offering).
The Anand Karaj is the actual wedding ceremony. It usually takes place in the morning, before noon. It is preceded and followed by other customs. They are outlined below. BEFORE THE CEREMONY: Baraat: Procession of family and friends to the ceremony area Breakfast: Light breakfast and tea/coffee served to all guests AFTER THE CEREMONY: Langar: Vegetarian lunch served to all guests Doli: Departure of the couple from the ceremony