Update March 14: Bollywood dance Friday evening, meeting in lobby Friday morning
Pre-wedding activities
We hope the following will give you a small taste of life in Bombay. We invite you to take part in as many events as you want to — no pressure if you just want to hang by the pool.
(please check back! we’ll keep updating this itinerary as more events are confirmed)
Sunday, March 18th, 2018:
- Morning: Many wedding guests are arriving Sunday morning. Check in to the hotel and get settled! If you’re already here, come join Clark for a morning run up and down the Marine Drive promenade, the walking path along Bombay’s most iconic boulevard.
- Evening: Clark & Ariha won’t be available for dinner, but those who are interested can meet in the hotel lobby and head to Pizza By The Bay, right down the street. We recommend the Bombay Masala :)
Monday, March 19th, 2018:
- Morning: Exercise and then a welcome Breakfast at Bombay’s famous Cricket Club of India. Breakfast at CCI represents India’s diversity, with South Indian dosas, British baked beans, and Parsi akuri all on offer. Eat as you overlook the famous Brabourne Stadium, host to the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy Final (for you cricket buffs out there)
- Evening: Ariha’s childhood Yoga teacher will be leading a yoga class from 5-6:30PM in the shade at the beautiful and serene Shantivan Garden on Malabar Hill
Tuesday, March 20th, 2018:
- Morning: exercise and stretching, breakfast at the Hotel
- Mid-morning: we’ll be heading out to Phoenix Mills in Lower Parel around 11 a.m. to give everyone a chance to pick up Indian formal wear for the wedding. We expect to grab lunch, tea, and snacks there during the course of the day, so dress comfortably.
- Evening: TBD (plans still materializing)
Wednesday, March 21st, 2018:
- Morning into mid-afternoon: Ariha and Riddhi will be leading a heritage walk around parts of South Bombay. Lunch (and subsequent snacks) will be from some of Bombay’s most iconic restaurants.
- Evening: Dive deeper into one or more of the sites from the tour individually.
Thursday, March 22nd, 2018:
- Morning: exercise and stretching
- Mid-morning: we are working on two possible options for tours of one or more of Bombay’s famous neighborhoods. Please check back for details.
- 6:00/6:30PM: A brief introduction to Indian Classical Music and a performance by the Khurana Sisters, local artists from Sound Space
Wedding activities
Indian weddings are multi day affairs, replete with singing, dancing, and many, many costume changes. Here’s how we’re choosing to celebrate ours.
Friday, March 23rd, 2018: Mehendi
- For the Women: Mehendi (henna ceremony) begins at 11 AM. The mehendi ceremony is one of the most important pre-wedding rituals (and we have a lot!) Mehendi is known for its cooling properties and is supposed to calm the bride’s nerves, but Ariha will probably just resort to stuffing her face. Attire: Comfortable and colorful - dress in light, bright colors
- For the Men: We’ll mostly give the ladies their space during the Mehendi, but are invited to join for lunch from 12:30-1:30PM. The rest of the time we may spend visiting some sites nearby, including the Banganga Tank, the Hajj Ali Darga or the beautiful ISKON Mandir
- Evening: (exact time TBD) come learn some sick dance moves in the city that put the “B” in Bollywood. Ariha’s friend Riddhi has pulled strings and gotten permission to host class at their high school, JB Petit, a short distance from the hotel.
Saturday, March 24th, 2018: Wedding Day
- Morning: meet in the lobby of the Intercontinental no later than 9:00 AM to head to the dock to catch the ferry to Alibaug. If you’re not staying in the hotel, be at the Gateway of India no later than 9:30 AM. Cars will meet us at the jetty on the other side to take us to the resort.
- Lunch: will be provided at the main villa after check-in; cars will take those staying at the annex villa to the main property.
- Afternoon: after lunch there, you’ll all have time to rest, shower, and get dressed. Attire is Indian formal for the wedding, but be sure to bring something comfortable to change into for the after party.
- Baraat: in true Indian fashion, the groom’s party will put on safas (turbans), and process with singing and dancing down the resort driveway, accompanied by a local band (don’t worry, there’s no white horse to be tormented by the loud sounds - we’re breaking with tradition there)
- Welcoming: at the end of the driveway the groom’s procession will be formally welcomed by the bride’s family to the ceremony area
- Ceremony: gather near the pool around the Mandap (mun-dupp) for the wedding ceremony itself, including the Pheras (the seven trips around the ceremonial fire). One circle is made for each of the seven vows. The Pandit will conduct the ceremony in Sanskrit and Hindi, with English translations provided.
- Dinner: 7PM-9PM - after the ceremony, tandoor appetizers will be served, along with a number of other dishes, with additional special dishes for our Jain guests
- After Party: 9PM-? - pool party! We’ll kick back and celebrate by the pool with some music and games. Bring a festive spirit!
Sunday, March 25th, 2018: Post wedding
- Morning: Breakfast served at the main resort from 9AM-11.00AM. If you are staying at the annex, plan to pack and bring your things to the main resort with you.
- Noon: cars will bring us all from the main resort to the jetty to catch the return ferry to Bombay. We’ll leave around noon from the main resort.
Monday, March 26th, 2018: Reception
- Morning: Didn’t get a chance to sleep in after the wedding night? Here’s your chance! (Now’s also the time to do any last minute shopping, or hit any of the sites you might have skipped earlier!)
- Evening: The wedding reception and dinner will begin around 7PM at Tote on the Turf.