FAQ
Dress Code
What is "traditional Indian wedding attire"? For women: lehenga choli, anarkali/salwar kameez, saree. For men: kurta pajama, sherwani suit.
Can I wear Western attire? Yes, Formal Western attire is completely appropriate for all our events as well! We recommend typical wedding attire such as suits and cocktails dresses. More dress code details for each event are below.
Sangeet: Colorful traditional Indian attire OR colorful Western semi-formal attire. Our theme is Neon Lights, so please feel free to wear Neon colors like Hot Pink, Bright Purple, Teal, Lime Green, or Highlighter Yellow!
Wedding Ceremony: Colorful traditional Indian attire OR Western semi-formal attire. Please avoid wearing all black or all white at the wedding ceremony, as it is auspicious. Black Suits with white shirts are fine.
Reception: Black Tie Attire. Go all out and dress to impress! ** For Men: Black Tie Formal, including tuxes or black suits with a black necktie or bowtie. **For Women: Indian or Western Formal, including floor-length gowns or sarees or lehengas.
Not Acceptable Clothing: Jeans, T-Shirts, shorts, tank tops, swimwear, or cosplay (costumes).
Online Websites You can buy or rent Indian attire online or in stores near your city.
Websites for buying outfits:
www.riyacollective.com (buying 2nd hand Indian outfits)
www.choonricollection.com — Seema Aunty lives in MA and has made plenty outfits for the Subramanyam Family! Feel free to contact her to design your dream outfit!
Websites for renting outfits:
www.allborrow.com - use discount code “vivekandalisha” for 25% off
www.renttherunway.com -- Search: lehenga, anarkali (you can also use this to rent black tie & cocktail attire)
*If you live in Birmingham, contact Mama Ghosh to raid the Ghosh sisters’ closets!
The invitation is for you and only you. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate additional guests. We look forward to celebrating with you all weekend long.
* Note: If you are coming to this event alone, don't worry! Indian Weddings are all about friendship, love, and community! Alisha and Vivek have already planned to introduce you to potential friends (or more) during the Wedding Weekend.
Check your invitation. If your card says your name and Family (or names of children) then yes! Please note that (copious amounts of) alcohol will be served at all events. Your underage children are your responsibility.
Q: My parents/relatives (insert Family Member) are in town, can I bring them?
A: Unfortunately, you can not. Venues are extremely strict with guest counts and there will be assigned seating at most events. Therefore, we can not add any last-minute guests to our events. All family members invited, will be listed on the Wedding Invitation.
If you are 21 or older by July 3, 2022, then drinking is not only allowed but strongly encouraged. There will be peer pressure.
Yes, we will have plenty of vegetarian/gluten-free options during our Wedding Weekend. Please note any dietary restrictions on your RSVP form.
For Wedding Ceremony: No. Unfortunately, pictures during the ceremony will not be allowed as we want our photographer to get the best photos possible. You may take photos during the Baraat and during the Wedding lunch.
For all Other Wedding Events:Yes! We encourage guests to take and post pictures on to their social media channels, please tag each photo with our wedding hashtag #VivAlisha so we can keep track of all of your pictures!
Yes, we will have an open bar at all our Wedding events except the Wedding Ceremony. However, please drink responsibly all weekend, as we would love for you to make it to the end of our reception and hate to miss any of the events! Any misbehavior will be documented and made fun of for years to come! If you miss an event, the punishment will be far worse.
Do you value your life? Then yes, you should.
There will be no IST (Indian Standard Time) at our events. We encourage our guests to arrive on time as much as possible to ensure that you do not miss anything. Our wedding planner and the hotels are strict on event timings. We will be beginning and ending at the times listed under the "Events" Tab.
Ritz Pentagon City: Discounted overnight parking will be available to guests staying at the Ritz for $25/night (originally $45). Valet Event Parking will be complimentary to our guests driving to the Ritz for the Ceremony and Reception the day of the wedding.
Crystal Gateway Marriott: Parking is available to guests staying at the Crystal Gateway Marriott for a daily rate of $20. We encourage our guests traveling to the Marriott for Wedding Events, to try to park either on the street or in the parking garage connected to the mall. Self Parking at the Marriott is available for $20 as well.