DAS Beer Garden

Mendhi Night

Abacoa Golf Club

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Starting location to be determined

Baraat (Grooms Arrival)

Our Wedding

Ankit moved from St. Petersburg to Jupiter to start a new job. After a long day of starting up a new lab it was time to go out for a cold beer and some food. Ankit and Brad Howard decided to check out one of the local restaurants, Das Beer Garden.&nbsp;&nbsp;While relaxing after work, it was hard not to hear this group of locals at the end of the bar laughing and talking about “maple bacon coffee porter” day (aka "baple makon" coffee porter). True to form, Erin noticed two people she didn’t recognize and said, “Hello my friend!” She introduced them to the rest of the locals and yes to maple bacon coffee porter day as well.&nbsp; Later that night Ankit was telling Brad how awesome those new friends were and that one girl in particular caught his eye and that he is going to lay foundation for the long term and marry that girl someday. (no this is not a joke ask Brad)

 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But that is not when they started dating they were friends for a few years as Ankit laid foundation, until Erin started to get sweet on Ankit and invited herself to a music festival in Orlando that he was already going to.&nbsp; At the festival they realized they have very similar interests in music and life in general but still were not dating.&nbsp; The first day of the festival Ankit got lost and lost everything, phone wallet and his dignity, the whole nine.&nbsp; Thankfully a meeting spot was set up for this very possibility but they have never gone anywhere together before so it was all on Erin to show up at the meeting spot.&nbsp; By some miracle Erin showed up to Ankit’s rescue and they were able to get back home safely.&nbsp; It was at this point Ankit saw how amazing Erin was and started to really put on the charm.&nbsp; By January 1st 2016 they were dating but were not telling anyone for fear of ruining the group dynamics of their friend circle.&nbsp; They all figured it out pretty quickly.

How we met

First a bit of a backstory.

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Erin is slightly obsessed with everything Harry Potter. When she found out Ankit didn’t know anything about it, there was a movie marathon that very weekend and maybe a few hundred times after that. She insists they go to any local Harry Potter themed event and of course Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.&nbsp;It was announced that Harry Potter and The Cursed Child play was making its debut in the US on Broadway.&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, Erin lost her mind and wanted to go see the play but there was a whole process to be able to get tickets. Long story short with Namita’s help Ankit was able to get tickets. So Ankit and Erin were off to NY to see the play.

 

&nbsp;

 

Ok the actual Engagement.

 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Erin and Ankit take an extra long weekend to go to NY to site see and see the play. At the end of the play they walk back to the hotel.&nbsp; Ankit’s best friend Arun and his wife Shaylyn were tasked with sneaking into their hotel room and setting up the engagement surprise.&nbsp; Once it was all set up and the play ended Ankit and Erin went back to the hotel where she was greeted by a bottle of champagne and champagne flutes as well as a very special copy of Erin’s favorite Harry Potter Book, The Half Blood Prince. &nbsp;&nbsp;Erin opened the book to find a heart cut into it revealing the Unbreakable Vow chapter with a ring placed in the opening as well.&nbsp; When Erin turned around Ankit was on one knee and asked her to marry him and she said YES!

The Engagement

Our Story

Q&A with your Indian Wedding Liaison, Namita

What is a Mehendi Night?

Mehendi night or henna night is going to be on Friday late afternoon. The mehendi night is where the bride gets her mehendi done on her arms, hands, legs and feet and female guests get mehendi done on their hands.&nbsp; Mehendi is a dark brown paste that is put into a cone. The mehendi artist uses the cone to draw a design onto the hands of the female. They then put sugar and lemon water on the drying mehendi paste and you keep it on for a few hours. The paste dries after a while and once you have kept it on for a few hours, you can scrape off the paste and wash your hand. There will be a stain on your hand with the design on it. Direct heat on the hand with the paste on it will help it get darker as will rubbing Vicks vaporub on it. (Weird. I know.) The longer you keep it on, the darker the mehendi gets. It will usually last at least two weeks if you put keep the paste on long enough. 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The brides mehendi will take hours to apply. Guest mehendi should take about five minutes each.

 



What is a Baraat? 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This is the start to the day of wedding festivities. This is Ankit’s arrival to the wedding venue. He will travel in a white horse drawn carriage. All of his friends and family will dance up to the venue with a drummer and a dj leading them. 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Traditionally, the groom is coming to take the bride and make her a part of his family. So, he literally comes to the wedding venue on a white horse, marries the girl, and takes her home. 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Once the groom's side gets to the doorway, the bride's side comes out to greet them.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

 



How is the ceremony different from a Christian or Catholic ceremony? 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After the guest sit down the bridal pression is similar; however, Ankit will be escorted in by Erin’s parents. Erin will be escorted by her maternal uncles as is tradition to the mandap. Anyone sitting in the mandap must take off their shoes before they sit there because they will be sitting around the holy fire. 

 



During the wedding, the couple sits in the "mandap," which is a structure that is built under which the wedding occurs. The priest also sits with them and conducts the ceremony. Alms are given in a fire in the middle called the havan and the couple ultimately walks around the fire seven times with the "pundit" or the priest explaining what each round means. The marriage is completed once the groom puts a "mangalsutra," the equivalent of a wedding band, around the bride's neck and puts vermillion powder in her hair.&nbsp; 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A welcome program will explain the significance of each of the step throughout the wedding so you will be well informed as to what is going on as it is happening. The ceremony will last about an hour and a half to two hours. 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After this, lunch will be served so that all the guests can be well fed and save up their energy for the partying to happen that night. This is a religious event so no alcohol and no meat will be served at the lunch. 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Erin asked me to add, there are numerous restaurants down Towncenter Dr walking distance from the venue. So if you prefer to have lunch on your own there are many different options available.&nbsp; 

 





Is there anything different about the reception? 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nope. Eat, drink, dance, have fun! 

 





What do I wear to all of this? 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mehendi Night&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

 



Erin and Ankit want the mehendi night to be an informal night out at the bar where they met so wear whatever you want. 

 



&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ceremony&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

 



The ceremony is a little bit different. Erin will be wearing a traditional Indian outfit. Traditional wedding colors are red, cream, and gold. Sorry folks, no white dress here. 

 



For guests, it is perfectly acceptable to wear non-traditional clothing as long as it is NOT BLACK or COMPLETELY WHITE. I know that sounds weird and is a crazy rule, but in Indian culture, we wear white to funerals and because weddings are the start of a wonderful new life, we do not wear funeral clothing. Black is considered "abshagun" or bad luck. This is why black is not worn at an Indian wedding. 

 





Hopefully, I have answered all of your questions and you are looking forward to the fun-filled weekend ahead.

 



Looking forward to meeting everyone, 

 



Namita

Details

Photos

Bryan (Buddy) is Erin's&nbsp;younger brother and only sibling. He loves watching all sports but is passionate about the Green Bay Packers (sorry Bear's fans). He enjoys drawing and is an active participant at The Chocolate Spectrum.&nbsp;

Bryan 

Ankit's&nbsp; older brother.&nbsp; Always there for advice and super nice.&nbsp; So nice in fact all through high school he gave his little brother a ride to school.&nbsp; Ankit had to sit in the back though because the front seat was for his backpack

Amit 

Namita is actually playing 2 roles. Yes she is a bridesmaid but she is also the official&nbsp;Indian Wedding Liaison.&nbsp;

Never been to an Indian wedding before.&nbsp;You have no idea what is going on but want to.&nbsp;&nbsp;NOT&nbsp;TO&nbsp;FEAR&nbsp;NAMITA'S&nbsp;HERE! Namita will be happy to answer any questions you have and will love to talk to you.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Namita

Ankit's Cousin.&nbsp; A Gentleman and a scholar&nbsp; He literally knows everything go ahead ask him anything from tuscan wines to the latest in rap.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Vishal 

Ankit's Cousin also Vishal's younger brother.&nbsp; This one is a nonstop party. If you feel like you won't make it through the entire reception go find him and the good vibes will pick you right up.

Vijesh

Erin doesn't actually&nbsp;have&nbsp;sister but Sara could easily hold that title. Their parents were friends before Erin and Sara were even a thought in their parents minds. They have been friends since they were infants...so might as well just say sisters.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sara

Ankit's best friend since 5th grade.&nbsp; He knows way to much about Ankit than he would tell most people.&nbsp; There are theories that he is secretly jealous of Erin because he does not want to share his precious Ankit.

Arun

Kimmy and Erin were roommates during&nbsp;school living in Ft. Lauderdale. They stayed close friends after graduation and moving to different parts of Florida. Kimmy and her husband Tommy were the first of Erin's friends to meet Ankit.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kimmy 

Welcome to the world Arjun.&nbsp; &nbsp;Amit and Namita's son and Ankit's Nephew.&nbsp; His is awesome and will be part of the cute kid bridgade

Arjun 

Lili is Sara's daughter. Erin calls Lili her&nbsp;niece. Funny baby story...Erin was visiting one summer and Sara was sick and pregnant so Erin told Sara to sleep in and she would take care of Lili in the morning. All sounds normal right? Well Erin never changed a diaper before she thought she was doing a good job and was starting to feel a little proud of herself until Lili starts laughing and says, "NO silly auntie Erin". Erin had no idea what she was doing it all wrong. Lili helped walk Erin though the rest of the process.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lili

Carter is Sara's son and&nbsp;youngest child. He is Erin's "nephew". Erin loves talking to Carter on the phone. Erin's find is hilarious to&nbsp;listen&nbsp;to him "negotiate" with Sara about&nbsp;what he is going to eat for lunch when her and Sara are on the phone.&nbsp;

Carter

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

This is the closest airport to the Jupiter area.&nbsp;Lyft and Uber are readily available in Palm Beach County .&nbsp;

Palm Beach International Airport

Rooms are blocked for the wedding at this hotel.If you would like to book by phone please call&nbsp;<blockquote>Front Desk at 561-622-1000&nbsp;or&nbsp;Reservations Department at 1-888-488-3518&nbsp;and give the code&nbsp;PCW.



 
</blockquote>If you would like to book online please use our personalized group page at&nbsp;&nbsp;<blockquote><a href="https://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/P/PBIPGES-PCW-20190329/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG" target="_blank">https://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/P/PBIPGES-PCW-20190329/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG</a>
 </blockquote>

Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Beach Gardens PGA Boulevard

Rooms are not blocked for the wedding at this location.&nbsp;If you are looking for a place to stay where you can walk to the wedding venue and the variety of&nbsp;restaurants and bars in Abacoa, this is your location.&nbsp;

Courtyard by Marriott Palm Beach Jupiter

The Brightline train provides non-stop transportation between Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. 

 

Lyft and Uber readily available in Broward and Palm Beach County. &nbsp;

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Wedding block not available&nbsp;at this location.&nbsp;

This hotel offer Intracoastal waterway views&nbsp;and is still within 10 miles to Abacoa Gold Club.&nbsp;

Wyndham Grand Jupiter At Harbourside Place

Wedding block not available at this location.&nbsp;Beach front ocean views!! This is south Florida so a hotel list would not be complete without listing a beach hotel. If you are looking to escape the cold weather and spend some time sitting in the sand or looking out at the ocean from your hotel room this is the place. Don't worry if you want to stay at the beach you will still not be far away, it is within 10 miles to Abacoa Golf Club.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa

Travel

The 2019 Spring Training schedule has yet to be announced, but you may be able to catch a spring training game for the Miami Marlins or the St Louis Cardinals. Check the website around November for more sprint training details. 

 

If spring training is already over but still want to go to baseball game the minor league Jupiter Hammerheads should still be playing. They are Class A-Advanced and affiliated with the Miami Marlines. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a rehabilitation center for local Florida sea turtles. You can tour their facility learn about sea turtles and view them up close. 

 

Follow the park road past the marinelife center and it will bring you to a large public beach access if you are looking to relax on the beach and soak up some sun. They also have covered picnic areas, indoor bathrooms, and playgrounds. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Loggerhead Park with beach access 

Square Grouper is a favorite spot for everyone to bring out of town visitors. This place screams Florida. It’s a tiki bar attached to a marina on the intracoastal. You can sit back in with a drink watch the boats pass and listen to live music. While relaxing on the water you will also have&nbsp;a picture-perfect view of the Jupiter lighthouse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Erin & Ankit