Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear to the wedding events?

For the wedding ceremony on August 29th, we will be providing traditional Indian outfits for all guests. Men will receive a veshti (South Indian silk dhoti) and a traditional shirt, and women will receive a sari with a tailored blouse.

For other events:

• Check-in Day (August 26): Casual and comfortable
• Nalungu & Mehendi Ceremonies (August 27, daytime): Colorful casual attire. Women can wear comfortable summer dresses or casual Indian wear. Men can wear light shirts and pants.
• Welcome Reception (August 27, evening): Smart casual. Women can wear cocktail dresses or elegant Indian attire. Men can wear dress shirts with slacks or Indian kurtas.
• Open Day (August 28): Casual and comfortable for sightseeing
• Wedding Ceremony (August 29, morning): Traditional Indian attire (provided)
• Wedding Reception (August 29, evening): Indian or Western formal attire (your choice)

What measurements do you need for the provided outfits?

To ensure a proper fit for your traditional outfits, we need the following measurements:

For Men:

• Shirt size (standard S, M, L, XL)
• Or neck/sleeve measurements if you know them

For Women:

• Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape straight across your back
• Under-bust: Measure around your ribcage just below your bust (where the lower edge of the sari blouse will sit)
• Optional: Shoulder width (from shoulder tip to tip across your back)
• Optional: Blouse length (from shoulder down to a few inches below your bust)

Tip: It may help to wear a comfortable bra and have someone assist you for accuracy. If you know your usual blouse size (e.g. 34, 36, 38 in Indian sizing), feel free to share that too.

Please send these measurements to us by July 15, 2025 to ensure we have time for tailoring.

I've never worn a sari or veshti before. Will there be help available?

Don't worry! There will be plenty of help on the wedding day to assist everyone with their traditional outfits. It's part of the fun to get ready together. We'll ensure each guest has assistance in draping the sari or tying the veshti properly.

Are there any colors I should avoid wearing?

In many Indian traditions, white and black are associated with mourning and are considered inauspicious for weddings. We recommend avoiding pure white or black outfits for ceremonial events. Also, it's polite not to wear a bright red ensemble, since red is typically the bride's color in Hindu weddings.

Any rich jewel tones, pastels, gold/silver accents, etc. are great choices for Indian weddings. If your provided Indian outfit is a certain color, you can coordinate any alternate outfit to harmonize.

Where can I find Indian clothing if I want to purchase additional outfits?

If you'd like to purchase additional Indian outfits for other events or as souvenirs, here are some options in major U.S. cities:

New York City: The Jackson Heights neighborhood in Queens is famed for its Indian boutiques such as India Sari Palace on 74th St. For high-end bridal and guest attire, designers Sabyasachi and Anita Dongre have flagship stores in Manhattan (SoHo).

San Francisco Bay Area: Sari Palace (with locations in Berkeley and Santa Clara) is a good option for saris and kurtas. Fremont and Sunnyvale also have shops in the Indian shopping plazas.

Los Angeles: The Little India area on Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia, CA is the go-to spot. Stores like Frontier Heritage and Loveleen's Sari Palace offer a huge selection.

Chicago: Head to Devon Avenue in Chicago's West Rogers Park neighborhood, which is lined with Indian clothing stores like Manyavar/Mohey and Taj Sari Palace.

Online: Sites like HoliChic by Megha, Utsav Fashion, CBazaar, or Kynah offer ready-to-wear Indian outfits and custom blouses.

Remember, you'll be provided with traditional attire for the main ceremony, so additional purchases are completely optional.

Where will guests be staying?

All wedding guests will be staying at The Leela Palace Chennai. The hotel is a luxurious 5-star property located on the Adyar Sea Face. It offers stunning views of the Bay of Bengal and provides world-class amenities.

Do I need to book my own room?

We are providing accommodations for all guests from August 26-29, 2025. If you would like to add on dates before the 26th or after the 29th, the hotel will have rooms available at standard rates.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in at The Leela Palace Chennai will begin at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

Check-out is before 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 30, 2025.

If you need early check-in or late check-out, please let us know in advance, and we'll try to accommodate your request.

Will there be transportation from the airport to the hotel?

We are arranging airport transfers for all guests. Please send us your flight details (arrival date, time, airline, and flight number) so we can coordinate your pickup from Chennai International Airport (MAA).

How will we get to the wedding events?

We will provide group transportation for all wedding events. For the marriage ceremony and reception at The MRC Center (less than 0.5 mile from the hotel), shuttles will be arranged to transport guests to and from the venue.

How can I get around Chennai for sightseeing?

For personal outings and sightseeing, you have several options:

• Hotel taxis: Available at The Leela Palace
• Ride-hailing apps: Uber and Ola work well in Chennai
• Private car hire: You can arrange a car with driver for half-day or full-day tours (rates are reasonable, about $40-50 for a full day)
• Auto-rickshaws: Good for short distances, but be sure to negotiate the fare in advance

The hotel concierge can also assist with arranging transportation for sightseeing.

What should I bring as a gift?

Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all! We understand that you're traveling a long way to celebrate with us, and we consider that to be more than enough.

If you still wish to give a gift, we would be honored to receive your blessings in the form of a contribution to our future together.

What will the weather be like in Chennai in August?

Chennai will be hot and humid in August. Expect daytime temperatures around 90-94°F (32-34°C) and nighttime temperatures in the upper 70s°F (26-27°C). While occasional rain showers are possible, prolonged heavy rains are less common in late August.

We recommend packing light, breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella for sun protection or surprise showers. If you plan to explore outdoors, morning and late afternoon/evening are more comfortable times than midday.

Will there be vegetarian food options available?

Absolutely! South Indian cuisine is known for its delicious vegetarian dishes. All our wedding events will feature a wide variety of vegetarian options. If you have specific dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know in advance so we can accommodate your needs.

What should I pack for the trip?

Here's a suggested packing list for your trip to Chennai:

• Light, breathable clothing (cotton or linen works well)
• Formal attire for the reception (if not wearing Indian clothes)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hat and sunglasses
• Umbrella (for sun or occasional rain)
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Travel adapter (India uses Type D plugs with three round pins)
• Any personal medications
• Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
• Modest clothing for temple visits (covering shoulders and knees)

Remember that we will provide traditional Indian attire for the wedding ceremony, so you don't need to pack that.

How can I stay in touch with other guests during the wedding?

We will create a WhatsApp group for all wedding guests to coordinate meet-ups, share photos, and communicate during the events. WhatsApp works great in India for messaging and calls.

The hotel will have Wi-Fi available. If you want constant connectivity, you can purchase a local SIM card at the Chennai airport (providers like Airtel or Jio offer affordable data plans for tourists).

I have a question that isn't answered here. How can I contact you?

Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have. You can contact us at:

Email: girishkc24@gmail.com or astearns99@gmail.com

Phone: 630-649-9831 or 347-346-2646

We're happy to help make your trip to our wedding as smooth and enjoyable as possible!