The grah shanti is a puja conducted by a pundit (Hindu priest) at the family home a few days prior to the wedding. This is attended by the immediate family of the bride and groom. The purpose of the puja is to remove obstacles during the wedding events and bring happiness and success to the couple's marriage.

The pithi is an intimate event held at the family's house, in which the bride and groom have haldi applied to their skin by their immediate family. Haldi is a paste made from turmeric, sandalwood powder, and rose water. It traditionally serves as a cleanser and protector of the body and soul.

Garba and raas are dance styles originating in Gujarat, India, where Nicki's family originates from. Garba, as an event, will traditionally be held prior to a Gujarati wedding or during holidays. Where are many styles of garba, but they all involve dancing in a circle are a statue of Bhagvan (God). Raas is group style of Gujarati dance that involves hitting dandiya, wooden sticks. Garba and raas are easy to pick up as they start at a slow pace and quicken through the night. We hope that everyone will be able to participate in the dancing! If you would like tips and tricks on garba and raas, find Nicki's cousins, Kavya, Janki, & Anil, they are/were on their college garba raas team!

Mehndi, also called henna, is applied to the hands of the women who will be attending the wedding. At the garba event, you will have the opportunity to have mehndi applied to your hand at stations with experienced mehndi artists.


Nicki will be getting mehndi on both her arms and legs prior to the wedding events. Below you can see Nicki’s cousin, Janki, during her wedding festivities showing off a great example of the intricate mehndi applied to a bride.

The wedding will begin with the Bharaat, Sam's grand entrance to the wedding. This is traditionally a procession of the groom with his family from their family home to the bride's home for the wedding ceremony. Nowadays, this procession begins outside the the wedding venue. Sam's friends and family will dance their way to the wedding venue with Sam on horseback. Nicki's friends and family will greet Sam's procession at the entrance to the venue.

After the bharaat, the guests will take their seats.


JOOTA CHUPAI
STEALING OF THE GROOM'S SHOES
During the wedding, the bride and groom's family will have a friendly (sometimes, not so friendly) competition. When entering the mandap, the wedding party must take off their shoes. When the groom removes his shoes, the bride's family may steal them. Their prize for having the shoes by the end of the ceremony is cash money from the groom. The groom's family's task is to steal them back from the bride's family. The families are encouraged to be competitive.


MILNI
COMING TOGETHER

In Sanskrit, Milni means coming together, which signifies the union and greeting of both families. Members of the families of the bride and groom officially greet one another, signifying acceptance and harmony amongst all family members. Nicki and Sam’s families will arrive at the mandap with Sam.


GANESH PUJA
PRAYERS TO LORD GANESH

Blessings to the Lord Ganesh are offered at the mandap for peace and harmony to prevail during the ceremony. His blessings are sought for an auspicious beginning for the newlyweds.


KANYA AGMAN
ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDE

Nicki will enter and be escorted to the mandap by her bhai (brothers).


JAIMALA
EXCHANGE OF GARLANDS
Nicki arrives at the mandap. Nicki and Sam welcome each other by exchanging flower garlands. This exchange signifies the unification of their hearts and souls and the formal acceptance of each other as partners in marriage.


PANIGRAHANA & HASTA MELAP
JOINING OF HANDS

As part of this ceremony, Nicki’s parents perform rituals that symbolize the union of their precious daughter with Sam. Nicki’s parents, Neha and Nitin, place Nicki’s hands in Sam’s hand with the following mantra Here is our daughter; Nicki, who shall forever tread the path of Dharma with you.
May both of you find happiness together as equal partners in life! The Groom gratefully accepts.


GRANTHI BANDHAN
TYING OF THE SACRED KNOT

Sam’s brother, Ben, will tie the sacred knot between Nicki’s dupatta to Sam’s. This knot is not for one life, but seven lives and symbolizes the sacred union and the life together that they shall share.


VIVAHA HAVAN
LIGHTING OF THE SACRED FIRE
The ceremonial fire (Agni) is one of the essential elements and manifestations of God and represents purity. The priest lights a fire to invoke Agni, messenger to the gods and witness of the ceremony. The priest leads the couple in Vedic hymns and mantras (prayers) while they add offerings of ghee and havan samagri (fragrant herbs) to the fire.


MANGAL FERA CIRCLING OF THE HOLY FIRE
To solemnize their union, Nicki and Sam circle the holy fire seven times.
The circles represent the aspects of the couple's life together. The first four rounds (led by Sam) represent the ideals of Dharma (a life of righteousness), Artha (a life of prosperity), Karma (the pursuit of good deeds), and Moksha (oneness with God). The final three rounds (led by Nicki) symbolize their union in body, mind, and soul. Each time around, they stop to touch a stone in their path with their toe, representing the obstacles in life they will overcome.
Nicki's brother, Neal, offers his blessings and fills her open hands with puffed rice wishing the couple wealth and prosperity.


After doing their turns, Nicki and Sam will compete to see who sits down the fastest. The one who reaches the seat first is known as the head of the household.


SAPTAPADI
THE SEVEN STEPS
The bride and groom take seven steps together, each step directed by a betel leaf placed by Nicki's brother, Neal. They will touch each betel one by one and say a vow. It is said in Hindu philosophy that two people who walk seven steps together will remain lifelong friends. The seven promises are:
1. Let us share the responsibilities of taking care of each other and our home
2. Let us develop our physical, mental, and spiritual powers
3. Let us increase our wealth by righteous and proper means
4. Let us acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony by mutual love and respect
5. Let us be blessed with strong, virtuous, healthy children
6. Let us promise to be honest, faithful, and life-long partners
7. Let us cherish each other in happiness and sorrow


MANGAL SUTRA, SINDOOR, CHUNNI
SYMBOLS OF MATRIMONY
Sam applies Sindoor, the red vermillion powder, onto the parting of Nicki's hair as an auspicious symbol of her married status. Sam places the Mangal Sutra, a sacred (black and gold beaded) necklace handed by his parents, Kristi and Dave, around Nicki’s neck symbolizing his love and devotion. Nicki and Sam then exchange their wedding rings. Sam's mother, Kristi, will drape a chunni/saree over Nicki’s head to signify her welcoming Nicki and Sam as a married couple.


KANSARBHOJ
FEEDING OF SWEETS
Nicki's mother, Neha, now brings the couple sweets as their first meal as a married couple. Nicki and Sam offer each other sweets, a symbol that they will share whatever they have in life.


ÄSHIRVAD
BLESSINGS
The priest and family bless the newly married couple by showering them with flowers for good wishes and everlasting happiness.