Three celebrations,
two traditions
Everything happens at Lakeside Kovilakam, a heritage house on Vembanad Lake. Each event has its own mood and its own colors, so here is a little guide.
Friday, December 10
7:00 pm till late
Garba night
From Priya's side, Gujarat
The lawn by the lake turns into a dance floor lit by a hundred clay lamps. Dhol drummers from Ahmedabad, a live singer, and circles that keep getting bigger.
- Welcome drinks, masala chaas and nimbu soda
- A quick garba lesson with Priya's aunties
- Dinner: Gujarati thali, dhokla, undhiyu, jalebi
- Dandiya sticks come out. Nobody sits down.
What to wear
Festive Gujarati. Chaniya choli, bandhani, mirror work, bright kurtas and jackets. Flat shoes, you will spin.
- Marigold
- Rani pink
- Chili red
- Indigo
Saturday, December 11
10:00 am, sadya at noon
The wedding
From Arjun's side, Kerala
A short Kerala ceremony under a mandapam of jasmine and banana stems, right on the water. The thali is tied, the families swap garlands, and then everyone sits down to eat.
- Seats on the lake shore, chenda drummers play you in
- The muhurtham, our auspicious minute. Please be seated by then.
- Sadya: twenty-four dishes on a banana leaf, payasam twice
- Rest, swim or take a country boat out
What to wear
Kerala whites. Kasavu sarees, set mundu, cream kurtas, gold borders. A strand of jasmine in your hair if you like; we will have plenty.
- Kasavu cream
- Temple gold
- Banana leaf
- Jasmine
Saturday, December 11
7:30 pm to 1:00 am
The reception
From both of us, for everyone
Lanterns in the trees, a long dinner, speeches from both families (short ones, we promise) and a dance floor where garba meets thiruvathira meets whatever the DJ plays at midnight.
- Cocktails by the water
- Dinner: Kerala seafood, Gujarati farsan, a lot of dessert
- First dance, then everyone's dance
- Last song and boats back to the hotels
What to wear
Evening glamour in jewel tones. Silk sarees, lehengas, sherwanis, velvet suits and sequins. Black is welcome too.
- Emerald
- Peacock
- Ruby
- Gold
Coming to one, two or all three? Tell us event by event.
RSVP per event