Mehndi
[MEN-thee]
Mehndi is a tradition originating in India and the Middle East, in which the bride is tattooed (temporarily) on her hands and feet with a red-orange dye from the “henna” plant. This event usually takes place in the nights leading up to the wedding — and tradition says that the deeper the color of the bride’s henna, the happier the couple’s marriage will be!
Our Mehndi will be an evening celebration at the groom’s childhood home. There will be food, music, vibrant colors, and maybe even some dancing! All guests are invited (and encouraged) to get their own henna done at the Mehndi, too. You don’t need a design in mind, as we will have a dedicated artist who can help you choose something you like. Keep in mind that each piece can take anywhere from five minutes to half an hour, and the dye is left on overnight to let the color deepen. Learn more about what to expect here.
Date & Time
Friday, September 11, 2026
4:00PM - 9:00PM
*No formal ceremony—drop by and stay as long (or as little) as you’d like.
Location
Menon Household
Dress Code
Vibrant, colorful, and as fancy (or casual) as you want. Sarees and salwar kameez are welcome; jeans and tie-dye t-shirts equally so. Short sleeves are a good idea if you are planning to get henna done!
Ceremony & Reception
Our wedding ceremony will bring together traditions from both of our families as we celebrate our union as life partners. The ceremony will be short and sweet, followed by a cocktail hour. Dinner will feature Indian cuisine from Vajra (menu and dietary details to come!), and afterward we’ll dance, toast, and celebrate together into the evening.
Doors open at 3pm, and you’re welcome to arrive early to explore the surrounding park and nature area. The ceremony will begin promptly at 4pm, with celebrations continuing until the venue closes at 10pm.
Date & Time
Saturday, September 12, 2026
3:00PM - 10:00PM
Location
Chicago Columbus Park Refectory
Dress Code
Semi-formal, cocktail attire. Blending cultures means blending attire; please wear what you are most comfortable in, Indian or Western (or anywhere in between).
Langar
[LUNG-ger]
Langar is the practice in Sikh temples (gurudwaras) of providing three meals a day, completely free of charge, to anyone — regardless of religion, caste, gender, wealth, or ethnicity. These meals are prepared and served entirely by volunteers following the Sikh principle of seva (“selfless service”); families sometimes choose to volunteer for seva to mark a special occasion, in the spirit of celebration through community service.
In celebration of our wedding, we have decided to volunteer as hosts for a Langar at the Palatine Gurudwara, where we will prepare and serve an evening meal. Langar is open to the entire public, and is not a private event; those who choose to join us will enter the temple, pass through to the food hall, and sit on the floor alongside many others, wedding guests and community members alike, to share a meal. Of course, tables and chairs are available for elders and those with accessibility needs.
As a reminder, this event — like all Langars around the world — is open to everyone, regardless of your religious or cultural background. Please feel welcome and personally invited to join us, in the spirit of celebration, service, and love.
Date & Time
Sunday, September 13, 2026
5:00PM - 7:00PM
Location
Dress Code
No dress code. However, as this is a religious space, we kindly ask guests to respect the guidelines established by the temple. We will provide head coverings for everyone who attends.