Because of space, timing, and the unique blend of traditions, not every guest will be attending every part of the celebration. We kindly ask that you join us only for the events indicated on your invitation. We are so grateful to celebrate with you in the ways that are most meaningful for you to be part of.

Please plan to arrive about 30 minutes beforehand. This ensures you have plenty of time to get settled and enjoy the experience from the very beginning.

Following the ceremony, we’ll host an appetizer hour with lively cultural festivities such as the Wagh Parahi and Baraat. Afterward, the reception doors open and guests will be seated for the evening program.

Mingling, light bites, juices and sodas, and music-filled cultural moments. We encourage everyone to join in the festivities!

A Wagh Parahi is a tradition where the groom’s sister and close relatives playfully block his way and won’t let him through until he offers a token gift (often money!). For our celebration, this will take place after the ceremony. It’s a joyful moment filled with laughter and symbolizes the love and bonds between families.

A Baraat is a processional that celebrates the groom and his family’s arrival. Traditionally, it involves music, dancing, and lots of excitement as they make their way to the celebration. In our fusion wedding, the Baraat will be a high-energy moment led by the groom, his family, and groomsmen, who will be dancing their way into the appetizer room. Guests are welcome to cheer, clap, and join in the celebration by throwing rose petals on the Baraat as a warm welcome and to help create an unforgettable entrance.

Dinner will be served during the reception after a few special traditions and performances: the presentation of a glass of milk to the groom, the playful custom of stealing his shoe, and lively choreographed dances. Once these are complete, the buffet will officially open and dinner will be served.

We kindly ask that you put phones and cameras away during the ceremony so everyone can be fully present. Our photographer will capture all the special moments, and we’ll be happy to share photos afterward.

Yes! There will be assigned tables at the reception to help everyone feel comfortable and ensure smooth seating. Since dinner will be served buffet-style, tables will be called up one at a time to avoid long lines and keep the flow of the evening relaxed and enjoyable.

Our wedding is a fusion of American and South Asian traditions, so you’ll see a beautiful mix of both throughout the evening. After the ceremony, the groom will take part in the Doodh Pilai, or “milk ceremony,” where the bride’s sisters and close relatives playfully offer him a decorated glass of milk in exchange for a gift. Later, during the lively Joota Chupai, or “shoe stealing,” the groom’s shoes will be hidden by the bride’s sisters and friends, leading to a fun round of bargaining to get them back. Guests can also look forward to choreographed dances celebrating South Asian wedding traditions, alongside familiar American moments like a father–daughter dance and bouquet toss. You’ll also notice the traditional stage, or head table, where the bride and groom sit to receive blessings and greet guests. Dinner will be served buffet-style, which is customary in many South Asian weddings. While some traditions involve specific family members, everyone is encouraged to clap, cheer, and celebrate along with us. The heart of the evening is joy, laughter, and cultures coming together.

The main thing to keep in mind is attire. In American tradition, it’s best to avoid wearing white, as that color is traditionally reserved for the bride. In South Asian tradition, it’s best to avoid wearing red, which also holds special significance for the bride. Beyond that, there aren’t many formal customs you need to worry about. If you’d like to honor us with a gift, please see our registry — we kindly ask that you don’t bring boxed gifts to the venue. Most importantly, come ready to celebrate, join us on the dance floor, and enjoy the blending of American and Pakistani customs.

The dress code is black-tie optional. We kindly ask that modesty be kept in mind as a respectful nod to all attending, so we recommend avoiding short cocktail-style dresses. Guests are welcome to wear traditional cultural attire if they wish — it will be warmly celebrated and add to the beauty of the day.

Not at all. We want everyone to feel comfortable and confident in what they wear, as long as it aligns with the dress code. Whether you choose formal attire or traditional cultural dress, you’ll be perfectly in place.

Weather permitting, the ceremony will take place outdoors, so please plan your shoes and attire with that in mind. Afterward, the reception and main festivities will be indoors, though there is also a patio available for guests who may wish to step outside for a break during the evening.

Early November in Lorton, Virginia is typically cool and crisp, with average daytime highs in the 60s°F (around 16–18°C) and cooler evenings in the 40s°F (around 7–9°C). It’s a beautiful time of year with colorful fall foliage, so you may want to bring a light jacket or wrap for comfort, especially if you plan to step outside in the evening. Since the ceremony will be outdoors, weather permitting, consider shoes that are comfortable for grass or uneven surfaces — block heels or flats tend to work best.

Your invitation will clearly note if you have been given a plus one. We kindly ask that you respect this, as space is limited and invitations are extended thoughtfully. Only those specifically named are invited to attend.

We love your little ones, but our wedding will be an adults-only celebration, with the exception of children specifically named on the invitation. We appreciate your understanding as this allows all guests to relax and enjoy the evening.

If you are unable to attend, please let us know by responding to your RSVP as soon as possible. This helps us finalize details and ensures we can celebrate with you in spirit.

Your presence is the greatest gift, but if you would like to honor us further, contributions may be made through our online registry, or you may bring a card or cash gift on the day of the wedding. A card box will be placed near the stage for your convenience. We kindly ask for no boxed gifts.

Please note any dietary restrictions when you RSVP so we can plan accordingly. Our menu will feature a South Asian and American fusion cuisine that is fully halal, meaning there will be no pork served. We are happy to accommodate other restrictions whenever possible, as long as we are made aware in advance.

We will have an open bar serving a variety of beverages, though out of respect for both families, no alcohol will be served.

Yes! We’ve arranged several hotel options at discounted rates, which you can find on our website along with booking links. To suit different preferences, we’ve included a budget-friendly option as well as two hotels in Old Town Alexandria for guests who would like to enjoy a lively, historic downtown experience during their stay.

No, we are not providing transportation between hotels and the venue. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Ample, complimentary parking is available on-site at the River View at Occoquan. If you are driving or using a rented car, you can park at the venue with ease.

From Courtyard Springfield: The venue is about a 10–15 minute drive (7 miles). Ride-share services (Uber/Lyft), taxis, or rental cars are recommended. From the Alexandria hotels: Allow at least 30–40 minutes by car (20 miles), especially on weekends. Ride-shares and taxis are available, but please note the Metro does not run to Occoquan.

Reagan National Airport (DCA) is closest to Alexandria (5mi) and Springfield (12mi). Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) are other options, each 30–60min away.