Wedding celebrations
Events
Here is an overview of the festivities. A detailed itinerary will be shared closer to the date.
Guest arrival and welcome
Welcome Dinner — 6:00pm
Dress code: Summer Casual
Welcome Dinner — 6:00pm
Dress code: Summer Casual
Pre-wedding rituals
Haldi — 10:00am
Dress code: Smart casual Indian or Western
This event is likely to get messy, so don't wear something too sentimental.
Haldi — 10:00am
Dress code: Smart casual Indian or Western
This event is likely to get messy, so don't wear something too sentimental.
Mehendi — 4:00pm
Dress code: Formal Indian, Indo Western or Western
Women: Saree, lehenga, sharara, anarkali or Western formal dress.
If you're looking to only buy one Indian outfit for the whole wedding, this is probably the best event for it.
Mehendi — 4:00pm
Dress code: Formal Indian, Indo Western or Western
Women: Saree, lehenga, sharara, anarkali or Western formal dress.
If you're looking to only buy one Indian outfit for the whole wedding, this is probably the best event for it.
Sangeet — 6:30pm
It is traditional for friends and family of the couple to participate in the celebrations by performing choreographed dances. We would love for as many guests as possible to join in! If you're interested, please sign up using this spreadsheet.
Dress code:
Sangeet — 6:30pm
It is traditional for friends and family of the couple to participate in the celebrations by performing choreographed dances. We would love for as many guests as possible to join in! If you're interested, please sign up using this spreadsheet.
Dress code:
Wedding and Reception
Wedding Ceremony — 1:30pm
Dress code: Formal Indian or Western.
Women: Western dress, lehenga, saree or anarkali. Please avoid red as this is the bridal colour.
Because this leads directly into the Reception, wearing Western is the easiest option if you would prefer not to change outfits.
Wedding Ceremony — 1:30pm
Dress code: Formal Indian or Western.
Women: Western dress, lehenga, saree or anarkali. Please avoid red as this is the bridal colour.
Because this leads directly into the Reception, wearing Western is the easiest option if you would prefer not to change outfits.
Reception — 7:30pm
Dress code: Formal Western
Reception — 7:30pm
Dress code: Formal Western
What to wear
Indian clothing guide
We appreciate that this will be be the first Indian wedding for many of our guests and we have had a lot of questions about clothing. We welcome both Indian and Western outfits to all events, but for those of you who would like to wear Indian clothing, we have created the quick guide below. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Men's outfits
Casual kurta set
A kurta set pairs a long tunic with trousers. A lightweight cotton kurta in yellow, orange or mustard tones is a great choice for the Haldi.
Formal kurta set
A formal kurta set is a more elaborate version with silk fabric or richer embroidery, making it suitable for the Sangeet or ceremony.
Nehru jacket
A simple kurta can be made more formal by adding a Nehru jacket. A Nehru jacket is a tailored, collarless waistcoat. Adding an ornate silk or brocade jacket over a simple kurta set can be a dressier choice for the Sangeet or ceremony.
Women's outfits
Simple kurti
A simple kurti is a shorter tunic worn with straight trousers or leggings, sometimes with a dupatta. Lightweight cotton and minimal detail would make this an appropriate smart casual choice for the Haldi.
Anarkali
An Anarkali pairs a fitted bodice with a long, flared tunic, usually worn with trousers and a dupatta. Light cotton and minimal embellishment work well for the Haldi; silk and detailed embroidery suit the Sangeet or ceremony.
Lehenga
A lehenga consists of a cropped blouse, a long flared skirt, and a dupatta. An embroidered fabric and an embellished dupatta make this a formal choice for the Sangeet or ceremony.
Sharara
A sharara pairs a short tunic with wide-leg trousers that flare from the knee, usually finished with a dupatta. A richly embroidered set is well suited to the Sangeet or ceremony.
Saree
A saree is a long piece of fabric draped over a petticoat and worn with a fitted blouse. A lightweight cotton saree with a simple blouse is suited to daytime events; silk, richer borders, greater embellishments and more elaborate draping create a formal look for the Sangeet or ceremony.
Before you travel
Things to do
- 1
Tell us your flight details for your arrival in Goa
We will arrange and cover the costs of transfers to the hotel for guests landing in Goa at either airport (GOX or GOI) on the 28th January. To enable us to do this, please share your flight details with us by the 20th December. - 2
Apply for your e-visa
UK/EU/North American passport holders need an e-visa for India, which can be purchased now for your flight in late January from the Indian e-Visa portal. - 3
Print your visa
Additionally, it is required to have a printed version of your visa. Please ensure that you do this when you receive your visa confirmation email, and keep it with your passport for travel. - 4
72 hours before arrival: Fill in and print your e-arrival card
Finally, you'll also to fill in an e-arrival card, which can only be done within 72 hours of arrival. This is done for free here: e-Arrival Card. We'd also recommend having a printed version of this too.
Your questions
FAQs
Do I need a visa?
UK/EU/North American passport holders need an e-visa for India. This can be applied for from 120 days before travel (i.e now) but must be done no later than 3 days before travel. Apply on the Indian e-Visa portal. The cost is around £20.
We'd recommend not leaving this to the last minute.
I haven't booked my flight yet, which airport should I fly into?
You can fly into either Dabolim (GOI) or Manohar International (GOX), both are about 1 hour from the venue. We'd recommend booking your flight ASAP, to avoid price increases.
How can I travel to and from the hotel?
The Mercure Goa Devaaya Resort is about a 1-hour drive from both Goa airports. The hotel is on an island so the journey will involve a short ferry ride. Cars and taxis will drive straight onto a ferry, with crossings occurring every 10 minutes during the day, and on-demand at night.
For arrival: We will arrange and cover the costs of transfers to the hotel for guests landing in Goa at either airport (GOX or GOI) on the 28th January. To enable us to do this, please share your flight details with us by the 20th December.
If you're arriving in Goa earlier, please arrange your transfers via your hotel/accommodation.
For departure: On the 31st January, there will be a concierge desk set up by our wedding planner to help guests arrange their onward travel. If you have an early flight, or need to leave at a specific time, we recommend booking your transfer with the hotel reception the day before departure.
Note: International ride hailing apps (e.g. Uber, Ola) are not available in Goa.
Do I need to wear Indian clothes?
No, you are welcome to wear traditional Western clothing for all events. However, if you would like to immerse yourself in the culture fully, we would love to see you in Indian clothing for the wedding events. Refer to our clothing guide for more information.
I'm interested in buying Indian clothing, where's a good place to shop?
- In the UK: Southall or Wembley in London are both excellent areas for Indian clothing shopping, with fabric shops, long-established boutiques, and ready-to-wear outfits for weddings and festive events. If you don't live near London, try other large South Asian population centres, such as Birmingham.
- Online: Online shops are especially useful for simpler pieces, particularly for the Haldi, where lighter kurta sets or plain festive clothing can be much easier to find and more affordable. You might be able to find second hand options on websites on Vinted.
- In India: Local boutiques and markets in big cities (e.g. Delhi or Mumbai) can be a great option, and a local tailor can help you perfect a more personalised outfit for the wedding or reception. Shopping in Goa is also possible, but the options may be more limited and the prices higher.
- Borrow from a friend: If you have an Indian or South Asian friend or family member, they may be happy to lend you an outfit for the wedding events.
What else should I pack?
Lightweight clothes, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent (DEET) will all be helpful. We recommend some cash for transfers out, tipping and other activities outside the resort.
Where can I find travel health advice?
Please refer to TravelHealthPro for the latest guidance.
What meals are catered for?
From the evening of the 28th (welcome dinner) through to the morning of the 31st (breakfast), all meals, including afternoon and late night snacks, will be catered for at the resort.
What about drinks?
Your rooms will have filtered water replenished daily, as well as tea and coffee making facilities.
We will provide a selection of soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits at the wedding events and after parties.
I've got something to ask
Email hello@sonalsimon.wedding, or message one of us on Whatsapp, and we will be happy to help.