TRAVEL & FAQs
AIRPORTS
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located just across the Potomac River in Virginia and is the closest airport to DC.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located 26 miles from DC in suburban Virginia, and is the primary international airport for the DC region.
Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) is located 45 miles from DC in north Maryland, and is the alternative airport for the region. You can take both the MARC or Amtrak trains into DC from BWI, which will take approximately 45 minutes.
Ride Sharing: Both Uber and Lyft operate in DC and are great ways to get around the city.
Taxis: You can hail a cab in certain parts of the city, or use the Curb app.
Public Transport: The DC Metro system is a good way to get around the city for sightseeing.
In between scheduled events, what should I do?
We hope you take some time to refresh, relax and maybe venture out to explore DC! The festivities are located in the center of DC, close to many tourist attractions and great restaurants.
In between the wedding and reception, usually guests relax, so that by the time of the cocktail hour and reception, they are ready to stay up, dance and celebrate with the couple.
Some breakfast and dinner options in the area can be found below.
Will I be expected to perform at the Sangeet?
Yes! We will share choreography and details 2-3 months prior to the wedding so you can prepare. We will also be holding rehearsals earlier in the day on Thursday.
What kind of music will be played?
It will be mixed Indian and Western music. If you are looking to get familiar with some Hindi songs, check out these Spotify playlists below. Youtube is also a great resource!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0S7boBN3rPfo2F1DXX5U7k
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ba6w8ldKCmJN8IxI8ClXm?si=a977e8f4426e4c9e
Why can't I wear white or black at some events?
In India, color is celebratory and auspicious. Black can be considered in-auspicious for this reason, and not worn to events such as the wedding ceremony. Along these same lines, all white is worn to funerals in India.
Is it appropriate for me to wear Indian clothes and participate in the traditions if I'm not Indian or Hindu?
Absolutely! We welcome your participation and enthusiasm, and we hope you get to immerse yourself a bit in Indian culture through our wedding.
Classic DC:
Old Ebbitt Grill
The quintessential DC restaurant, founded in 1856
The Hamilton
Classic DC located just steps from the White House
Mediterranean:
Zaytinya
Try the yogurt with Apricot dessert…so unexpectedly good!
Maydan
Very atmospheric interior…reserve early!
Italian:
L’Ardente
40 layer lasagna!! Need we say more?
Filomena
Over the top décor in a classic Georgetown location
Spanish:
Jaleo
The original from Chef Jose Andres, founder World Central Kitchen. Plus lots of fun!
Mexican:
Mi Vida
Tacos and tequila!
Malaysian:
Makan
Spicy!
British Vibes:
Elephant and Castle
A British style pub serving up hearty classics, football and cold pints
Casual Breakfast:
Tatte
Shakshuka!
Call your mother
For bagels if you are in Georgetown
Great Views of DC for rooftop cocktails:
Hotel Washington
Iconic views
Moxy
Colorful Oaxacan cusiine with great view of Washington monument
Ceremony Language: The ceremony will be conducted in Sanskrit, but the pandit (priest) will offer commentary and explanation of key points in English, so you won’t miss any key events. Sanskrit is one of the oldest Indo-European languages, originating as early as 1700-1200 BCE. It the language of Hindu ceremonies, and is believed to have been the general language of the greater Indian Subcontinent in ancient times.
Horoscopes & the Wedding: The practice of horoscope matching or Kundali matching as it is popularly called, has been in place since Vedic times in India (1500-500 BCE) , and remains a very strong tradition in Indian marriages.
The horoscopes are used to assess the strengths, shortcomings, and opportunities for the couple, and auspicious dates for the union are given.
Although we suspect that the success of a marriage may be rooted more here on earth…the elders in the family did check, and our wedding date was chosen accordingly!
Touching Feet: Touching people's feet, in Hindu culture, is considered to be the highest degree of respect you can give to your elders. It is reserved for grandparents, parents, teachers and a few relatives. This practice, known as 'pranaam' or 'charan sparsh', symbolizes humility, and respect. The person whose feet are touched is expected to bless the one performing the gesture.
Feeding Each Other Sweets: In Indian culture, sweets are not just food items but carry deep cultural, social, and emotional significance, playing a vital role in both everyday life and special occasions. The phrase "Muh meetha karo" (literally "sweeten your mouth") is used at any happy or auspicious occasion. It embodies the Indian cultural emphasis on spreading sweetness and joy in both literal and metaphorical senses. You'll see people feeding each other sweets throughout the ceremonies, and please feel free to join in and feed a bit to someone you love!
Vegetarian Food: Vegetarianism is very important in Hinduism corresponding to the core belief of ‘Ahimsa,’ which means not hurting any living thing. Religious ceremonies are traditionally vegetarian, and Hindus believe eating vegetarian food helps keep the mind and body pure. Accordingly, our wedding ceremony will be vegetarian, but all other events will have meat options.
Fun fact: The bride and groom fast until the end of the wedding ceremony.
Henna / Mehendi: The mehendi (henna) ceremony occurs a day or two prior to the wedding ceremony. According to Indian wedding traditions, applying henna to the hands, feet, and arms of a woman is said to aid fertility, ward off evil, and attract positive energy. It said that the deeper the color of the bride’s mehendi, the happier the bride and groom’s marriage will be, and the more the bride will be beloved by her mother-in-law.
Bridal mehendi designs often incorporate ornate thematic designs and the groom’s name is usually hidden somewhere, and game rules dictate he must find it. Guests have it applied as part of the wedding festivities at the Haldi ceremony too if they desire!
Hindi Phrases: You can say “Badhaaii Ho” (badhaee ho), which means, Congratulations!