Guests are welcome to arrive starting May 31st, 2022. We have several optional events planned leading up to the wedding if you choose to do so.

For those travelling from the States. You will want to fly into Pearson International Airport, eh. The location of the wedding is aboot 1.5 hours north of the outpost so you will want to rent a car or a sturdy moose to get you there.

Guests will be staying in 1 of 3 locations;

1. JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa – 1050 Paignton House Rd, Minett, ON P0B 1G0
2. The Retreat House –
3. Still Waters (Wedding Location) – 93 Potato Island Rd, Port Severn, ON L0K 1S0

Muskoka is an extremely popular destination in the summer. As such, over the last couple of months, we have be reserving rooms at the resort as they became available. Please contact us for details regarding your accommodations during your visit so we can transfer the reservations to your name.

Use this time to unpack, get settled, and take in your surroundings.

Muskoka is a beautiful location in the summer. It is known for its rugged landscape and natural splendour, from the windswept pines, rocky shores and turquoise waters of Georgian Bay in the west to the thick forest, freshwater lakes and abundant wildlife where Muskoka borders on Algonquin Park in the east.

With over 1,600 lakes, thousands of acres of green forest, and lots of great restaurants, you may want to explore everything the area has to offer.

If you want to stay close to your property, fishing, kayaking, and yard games will be available at the main venue located at 93 Potato Island Rd.

Dress Code: Casual

Join us for a casual gathering at the main venue located at 93 Potato Island Rd.

A beautiful setting with a private beach, we will mix and mingle with fishing, kayaking, and yard games followed by a BBQ and drinks in the evening.

Reserved for the ladies

Dress Code: Casual Cocktail, Indian attire optional

The Mystical Meaning of “Mehndi”

It is believed that Mehndi is a way to make the sacred visible to the eye, thus offering and receiving blessings from the divine through the practice.

What is it?

• A lovely camaraderie shared amongst the generations of women taking part in the ritual, spanning thousands of years.
• Intricate orange and brown designs that are hand-painted with such skill and reverence.

The meaning of Mehndi:

• The Hindu word “Mehndi” is used to describe the Henna plant, the art of henna painting, and the intricate designs used in the actual paintings.
• It is an ancient form used for the beautification and conditioning of the bride and is part of the 16 Adornments of a Hindu Bride.
• Leaves from the henna plant are made into a paste which is used in celebratory rituals all over the world, like Egypt and India.
• It is believed that Mehndi is a way to make the sacred visible to the eye, thus offering and receiving blessings from the divine through the practice.
• For thousands of years, Indians have been devoted to the art of ornament and adornment. Rigorous study, experimentation and craft are exemplified in the Mehndi designs.
• In india, the quest for the perfect ornament and adornment is tandem to the quest to describe the human spirit. Through these designs, the Spirit is made tangible.
• The beauty of a women’s creativity is celebrated through the practice of Mehndi.

Mehndi Party:

• Pre-wedding celebration in Hindu culture where the bride has the Mehndi “stain” applied to the palms, back of hands, and feet.
• Typically held a day or two before the wedding, Mehndi often has a lounge feel to it, with comfortable pillows, plenty of food and music. Guests are normally dressed in casual clothing, lenghas or kurtas.
• Usually only women on both side of the aisle attend, along with friends and other female family members.

A Way to Predict the Future:

• In addition to their timeless beauty, Mehndi is used as a way to predict the future, usually about love, marriage and children.
• If the colour of the henna is dark orange, it means the marriage will be a long and loving one.
• The darkness or lightness of the henna reveals the level of protection that the Gods will give the couple during their union.

Dress Code: Casual Chic

Some of you will be arriving to the area on this day. Welcome!

After unpacking and getting settled, join us for a light cocktail reception at the main property located at 93 Potato Island Rd.

This will be a chance for all of us to mix and mingle before the big day including cocktails, bonfires, snacks.

Food will be provided by York & Mason, one of our favourite food spots and a must try when in Muskoka.

Don’t stay up too late!

Dress Code: Formal or Semi-Formal

The big day has arrived!

All guests must arrive to the property by 10:30am as the first ceremony begins at 11:11am sharp.

We have hired a company to do pick-ups and drop-offs the day of our wedding. They will pick guests up at the Resort at approximately 9:30am with a second stop at the Retreat House at 10:00am.

There will be transportation back to where you are staying leaving every hour starting at 10pm.

Dress Code: Formal or Indian Attire (Optional)

According to Vedic tradition, marriage is viewed as a sacrament not a contract. It is a representation in this lifetime of the bond between souls formed since the beginning of time and continued… “in life after life, in age after age, in forever”.

The Hindu marriage embodies the ideals of spiritual strength, a moral and disciplined lifestyle, and the piety, selflessness and divinity of love. The Hindu marriage ceremony is meant to unite the couple so firmly, that although their bodies may remain separate, their souls link to become a harmonious whole. The format of the ceremony has evolved over thousands of years and is performed in Sanskrit.

Swagat (Welcoming Groom and His Family and Friends)
The wedding ceremony begins with Bride’s mother performing an Aarti (a ritual prayer), symbolizing her respect for him as an honorable person to marry her daughter. After that, Bride’s family and friends welcome Groom’s family and friends. Groom is then led to the mandap, where the wedding ceremony is to take place.

The mandap is a four-pillared structure, where the main ceremony takes place. Its four pillars symbolize the four goals of life: Dharma-righteous living; Artha-wealth and responsibility; Kama-family and fidelity; Moksha-liberation. It is performed in Sanskrit, the mother of all Indo-European languages.

Kanyaa Aagaman (Arrival of the Bride and Jaimala -An Exchange of Garlands)
Bride is escorted to the mandap by her friends. She places a garland around Groom’s neck. Groom reciprocates in the same manner. This symbolizes the couple’s formal acceptance of each other as life long partners Jaimala signifies the garland of victory, i.e., Both have won the hearts of each other.

Madhu-Parka ‘Vow of Sweetness!

Bride offers Groom “madhu-parka” – a mixture consisting of honey n yogurt. Groom accepts the offering by reciting a mantra, the meaning of which is “I will cultivate the sweetness of madhu-parka In all my interactions with you”, yogurt is sour but when mixed with honey becomes sweet. By offering this, Bride says that she will always be sweet and never sour. Even when Groom is sour, she will sweeten his heart with kind and caring words.

Kanyaa-Pratigrahana-Vidhi (Acceptance of the Bride by the Groom)

Bride’s parents demonstrate their approval and support for the marriage by placing Bride’s right hard in Groom’s declaring that they joyfully and of their own free will offer their daughter’s hand In marriage to Groom.

Bride and Groom then declare to everyone present, that they accept each other of their own free will. They are united like two rivers that become one. Just as it is impossible to separate two joined bodies of water, Bride and Groom agree to remain united through good times and bad times.

Pratigya (Sacred Vows)
Bride and Groom vow to;

1. Always have faith in the divine
2. Always show love and compassion towards one another
3. Help each other in good deeds
4. Strive to keep theirs minds pure and virtuous
5. Be strong and righteous
6. Show respect and affection towards their parents and families
7. Raise their children to be strong in body and mind; and
8. Welcome and honor guests who come into their home

At this point, the sacred fire s invoked in the centre of the mandap. Fire, the purest form of energy and a source of all life and the Universe, symbolizes God and serves as a witness to Bride and Groom’s commitment to marriage. The fire also represents an eternal light dispelling darkness in Bride and Groom’s life together in marriage.

Shilarohan Vidhi (Ceremony of the Rock)
Bride’s brother asks her to place her foot on a rock and recites a mantra indicating its significance. “Place your foot on this rock and be strong like it when faced with life’s difficult situations.

Laajaa-Homa -A Prayer for Shared Prosperity (Mangal Phera)
Groom’s sister places one chunni on Bride and one on Groom. Bride’s brother gives puffed rice to her and she passes on the puffed rice to Groom who will offer them into the sacred fire, while praying for happiness and success.

Following this, they circle the sacred fire four times, with Bride leading the first three times and Groom leading the fourth, fifth sixth n seventh.

Each round of the fire (Phera) signifies the four main aims of life:

1. Dharma – The spirit of righteousness and one’s duty to follow the religion devoutly.
2. Artha – The path and righteous means that one should follow for earning wealth and success, and endeavoring to help the poor and unprivileged whenever possible
3. Kama – The love and dedication that a married couple should nave towards each other.
4. Moksha – Liberation from suffering.

Gath Bandhan (A Nuptial Knot)
Groom’s sister ties the ends of the chunnis worn by them signifying that they are now tied together in body, mind and soul.

Saptapadi (Seven Steps)
Bride and Groom together take seven steps forward symbolic of the seven joint pledges they make to each other.

Each step symbolizes that Bride and Groom pledge the following vows:

1. To keep a pure household, avoiding all things harmful to our health
2. To develop mental, physical and spiritual strengths
3. To acquire wealth by righteous means
4. To acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony by mutual love and trust
5. To pray for virtuous, intelligent and courageous children
6. To exercise self restraint for longevity
7. To vow to always remain true companions and life-long partners

Jalasinchana Vadhu Satkar (Sprinkling of Water)
Groom’s father blesses the couple by sprinkling them with water and reciting a prayer, so that they be calm, cool and pure like water.

Sindoor
Groom then places sindoor (red Vermillion powder) in the parting of Bride’s hair. This offering is the mark of a married woman and shows her husband’s love, integrity and devotion towards her. Groom’s mother gives Bride jewelry welcoming her into the family.

Exchange of Rings
The couple exchanges wedding bands as a symbol of their commitment to one another.

Ashirvad (Blessing the Newlyweds)
Finally, before the newlyweds leave the mandap, the priest blesses the couple with wishes of everlasting happiness.

At this time, all gathered family members and friends are invited to confer their blessings on the couple by reciting a mantra and showering them with flower petals.

Dress Code: Formal or Semi-Formal

The Processional
Members of the immediate family and wedding party head down the aisle. The processional begins with the bride’s mother and follows with the groom, best man, paired-up wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer. It ends with the bride making her entrance escorted by her father who “gives her away” to the groom.

Words of Welcome
Once everyone is in place, the officiant will say a few words of welcome.

Introduction
The officiant will offer an introduction and some thoughts on marriage.

Readings
From there, readers will be invited up to share a few words about the couple.

Officiant Addresses Couple
The officiant addresses the responsibilities of marriage and the sanctity of the vows we’re about to take.

Exchange Vows
After the readings have been shared, we will take turns sharing our vows. Corey is DEFINITELY going to cry.

Ring Exchange
After each of us have recited our vows, we will place the rings on each other’s fingers. It’s considered a symbol of our marriage.

The Kiss
After we’ve exchanged vows and rings, we seal our marriage with a kiss signifying we are officially married (for the second time that day).

Unity Ceremony
We will bind hands together with a ribbon to physically signify our union.

Closing Remarks
A closing prayer will be said as a final blessing. The officiant will then offer words of encouragement, and bless us in our union.

The Recessional
The officiant will pronounce us married and turn to the guests to introduce us as a married couple. We will then lead the recessional down the aisle in reverse order of the processional.

We will sneak away for pictures while you mingle, snack on some hors d’oeuvres and wind down before the party gets started.

We will join you after pictures for a champagne tower and toast before we gather for the dinner and reception.

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!

There will be a Grand Entrance followed by speeches, our first dance, great food, toasts, cake cutting, more dancing, and late night snacks before we make our exit.

The shuttle service will be available starting at 10pm that will run every hour, on the hour, to bring our guests back to where they are staying.

Dress Code: Casual

We laughed, we cried, some of us drank too much. Join us for an optional brunch to make it all better hosted once again by the incredible York & Mason. Get ready for the best breakfast sandwich you have ever had. No seriously. I mean it. And you’re welcome!

Some of you will be heading home, for those staying, the day is yours to rest, explore the area, or join us at the main venue for some quality time before you leave.