HRRM Ballrooms

Mehndi (Bride's Side Only)

Azul Terrace

Pithi/Haldi

Solarium Terrace

Sangeet

Wedding Ceremony

Cocktail & Reception

Deadline to RSVP is June 27th!

Deadline to book rooms is July 2nd!

Welcome to our wedding website! Here you can find important details regarding our wedding. Feel free to explore to learn more about our story, see our favorite photos, review FAQs, and see other fun things! We are so excited to have you all a part of our celebration, as we tie the knot in Mexico! We also want to thank each and every one of you for your support and love throughout our journey so far, and for the future to come!

We Cannot Wait to  Shell-ebrate With You!

﻿#HesAlAboutShivani

Venue & Event Schedule

Hard Rock - Riviera Maya

Join this Whatsapp Community for updates, information, news, and more! Scan the QR Code or click the link to join!<a href="https://chat.whatsapp.com/GFRK14LNIBDInmVMYZhNRc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://chat.whatsapp.com/GFRK14LNIBDInmVMYZhNRc</a>

Join the Confetti App to be a part of fun photo events during the wedding, and to be apart of our electronic guest book! Scan the QR or click the link below!<a href=" https://app.confetti.io/alpesh-shivani-wedding/guest-list" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://app.confetti.io/alpesh-shivani-wedding/guest-list</a>

Our Wedding

This story begins with the meddling of Shivani's sister (cousin) Anusha and her brother in law, Sapan. For years, we thought that Shivani and Alpesh would be an amazing couple because of their personalities and similar likes, but the timing was just never right...Until February 20th, 2022! I (Anusha) took the chance to put them both out there (gave Alpesh Shivani's number), and let fate take the lead. After 3 months of talking, they had their first official date in Charlotte, NC where us meddlers live. Since then, the two have gotten to know each others strengths and weaknesses through cooking together, watching sports together, vacationing together, and through spending time with each others families. Their relationship has turned into exactly what we thought it would be when we started meddling... a match made in heaven! Almost two years later, these two continue to fight the odds and continue their long distance between Texas &amp; Florida. And the story will continue on as we all meet up to celebrate their marriage in Riviera Maya, Mexico!!! We cannot wait to celebrate them with all of you! From the Matchmakers, with much love: Sapan &amp; Anusha Kapadia P.S. While it took a very long minute... her nephew Balto finally approved of Alpesh in the end

A Note from the Matchmakers

Our Story

The Engagement Session

The Coco Ceremony/Proposal

Shivani's Favorite Photos

Alpesh's Favorite Photos

Photos

Parents of the Couple

Groom's Party

Dakshesh - Best Man

Gerard - Best Man

Tejas - Groomsman

Ruchir - Groomsman

Pramit - Groomsman

Bridal Party

Shayna - Maid of Honor

Nisha - Maid of Honor

Anusha - Matron of Honor

Shiven - Man of Honor

Radha - Bridesmaid

Cassie - Bridesmaid

Meera - Bridesmaid

Uma - Bridesmaid

Shirley - Bridesmaid

Misha - Bridesmaid

Diya - Bridesmaid

Allyson - Bridesmaid

Robyn - Bridesmaid

Jami - Bridesmaid

Jill - Bridesmaid

Taylor - Bridesmaid

Shaan - Bridesman

Sapan - Bridesman

Craig - Bridesman

Matias - Bridesman

Jay - Bridesman

Om - Bridesman

Ronak - Bridesman

Wedding Party

Frequently Asked Questions

Q + A

Mehndi/Henna

The Mehndi Ceremony is a pre-wedding celebration where Mehndi (also known as Henna) is applied to the bride. It is said that the deeper the color of the stain, the happier the couple's marriage will be. In the bride's Mehndi, the Mehndi artist will hide the groom's name in the design for friends, family, and the groom to try to find as a fun game. Guests often have the option to receive their own mehndi design if they would like! Skin allergies are rare, due to the Mehndi paste being made from natural ingredients.

Ghar Shanti & Pithi

Before the Pithi Ceremony, a Ghar Shanti ceremony will be performed. This is a brief religious ceremony that is performed by the couple and their parents, where Lord Ganesh is invited into the home to remove all obstacles from the couple to bring them happiness and prosperity. In the Pithi Ceremony (also called a Haldi Ceremony), a turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom before the wedding. The Pithi ceremony is done to help ward off the evil eye from the bride and groom. Turmeric also has a significance in our culture through it's healing properties through Ayurvedic Medicine (traditional Indian Medicine). The Turmeric paste (or Haldi) is used to exfoliate the skin, and to give the skin a natural glow. It can also help reduce any blemishes. The golden color from the tumeric is also culturally significant, as it is believed that the color signifies new beginnings and that it will help bring prosperity to the new couple.

Sangeet/Welcome Dinner

A Sangeet is a celebratory event during an Indian wedding that is a musical night to celebrate not only the couple, but the bonding of both families. The word Sangeet comes from the Sanskrit language meaning "sung together".

Varghodo/Baraat

During this ceremony, the groom and his family set out on a procession to the wedding venue, dancing and celebrating all the while. The groom can proceed to the wedding in many ways: on foot, by riding a horse or elephant, or by car.

Swagatam

After the groom's parade (baraat), he and his family will then be received by the bride's family as he arrives for the wedding ceremony. The bride's mother will perform welcome rituals (aarti), and give her blessings to him before he enters. She may also attempt to pull his nose in a fun-hearted game to remind him to be humble as he takes her daughter's hand in marriage. Finally the groom will break a clay pot with his foot to symbolize that he is ready to take on the journey of life, and then he is led to the mandap (religious altar for the wedding).

Game Time!! --- When the groom steps up to the mandap, he will have to remove his shoes. The bride's family will attempt to steal the shoes, and if successful the groom will need to pay up, in order to get them back!

Ganesh Pooja & Antarpat

After the groom is sat down at the mandap, the first prayer is made (Ganesh Pooja). This prayer is to Lord Ganesh, as he is the remover of obstacles - and we want this wedding to go as smooth as possible! After the prayer is done, an Antarpat - or cloth - is drawn between the bride and groom like a curtain, to prevent the couple from seeing each other's face. Then the bride is walked down the aisle - and the father of the bride asks the groom to take care of his daughter and then entrusts her responsibility to the groom. This is called Kanyadaan in our culture. After this the bride will seek blessings from the guests, and then she will sit on the other side of the Antarpat (curtain).

Gath Bhandan & Hasta Milap

For the Gath Bhandan, the priest will tie a holy knot that joins the groom's shawl and the brides pallu (part of her scarf or veil) together to signify the unification of the two's souls. The priest will then join the couple's hands, and chant holy mantras (this is called Hasta Milap). Then the priest will bang a thali (metal pan), the Antarpat (curtain) will drop, and the family will throw rice or flower petals on the couple, to signify that the two are married.

Jaimala - Garland Exchange

The Bride and the Groom will do a garland exchange - signifying their acceptance of each other as life partners.

Mangal Pheras

During the Agni Pooja, a holy fire is lit as we call Lord Agni to witness the marriage. Lord Agni protect from evil forces and negative energy, but also helps provide peace of mind to the couple. The couple will offer various items to Lord Agni by feeding them into the fire, and they will recite prayers and vows to faithful and respectful to each other as a couple. Next are the Mangal Pheras, where the couple will walk around the holy fire four times while chanting mantras ( or Oaths) to be with each other. Each round-about around the fire signifies one of the four pillars of a happy married life (1. Dharma - a disciplined way of leading life; 2. Artha - being prosperous; 3. Kama - having desire/ambition; 4. Moksha - faith in Karma). After each round, a brother of the bride will hand them puffed rice to continue to offer to the holy fire.

Game Time!!! --- After the last walk around the holy fire, the groom and bride will be escorted back to their seats. It is said that the first to sit is the one who will rule the house!

Saptapadi

During the Saptapadi, the couple will now take seven steps, while also taking the seven vows of holy matrimony. The seven vows are: a promise to fulfill duties to each other/our children/the community, a promise to improve each other spiritually and mentally, a promise to be prosperous for one another, a promise to become wiser and happier through loving each other, a promise and blessing to ensure any future children we may have are moral and healthy, to bless each other with long lives, and to promise to remain true to our vows and faithful to each other through our lifelong companionship and friendship.

Sindoor daan & Mangalsutra/Ring Exchange

The groom will then adorn his bride with vermillion (Sindoor), a brilliant red powder which symbolizes her as a married woman. He will then tie a holy Mangalsutra around her neck. Mangalsutra translates to "auspicious thread" and it is worn by the bride/wife for the remainder of her marriage, so as to bring well-being for herself and her husband, as well as to protect them both from evil spirits. After this the bride and groom will exchange wedding bands - a western tradition that has been brought into many Indian wedding ceremonies.

Game Time!!! --- Married women of the bride's and groom's family will now come up and whisper good wishes and marriage advice into the bride's ear, as a way to help bless her with a strong marriage that never breaks.

Kansar & Ashirwad

For the Kansar, the bride and groom will offer sweets to each other, signifying their first meal together as a married couple, and demonstrating that they will continue to share all things in life from here onward. For the Ashirwad, the bride and groom are officially announced as husband and wife, the priest will ask the guests to bless the couple with good wishes and prosperity. The couple will then go and seek blessings from their family as the wedding ceremony comes to a close.

Vidaai

Finally, the end of the wedding occurs as the bride bids farewell to her home in an emotional Vidaai ceremony, where she will throw rice behind her toward the house she is leaving, as a representation of paying respects to the family who raised her and blessed her throughout. What happens after the wedding? After the wedding as the couple returns to their home, the mother of the groom will then perform a Ghar nu Laxmi ceremony, in which the groom's family warmly welcomes the bride into their home. A prayer (aarti) will be performed and then the bride will enter the home by pushing a rice filled pot at the doorstep with her right foot. This custom is considered to be auspicious and bring good luck to the bride and her new family.

Game Time!!! --- During the Vidaai, you will see the bride's sisters block the path of the groom or his car as he takes her away! They will ask for money and promises from him to care for their sister before they will let him take her away. 

Reception

Food, Drink, Dancing, and Fun!You know the drill!!

Events Explained

Stitched Vs. Unstitched

You're looking at an outfit online and it says unstitched, but what does that mean? When a shop/seller is selling an unstitched outfit, this means they will sell you the fabric, and then you will need to get the outfit made from that fabric. For this reason, we recommend you watch for stitched outfits, which come pre-made (or "ready sized") or your specific measurements will be asked for.

How to Measure Yourself for Indian Outfits

If a seller/store/website asks for your specific measurements, you can use the following websites below to help guide you! (Tips: you'll need a tape measure, and pen/paper to write the measurements down, you may need to covert from inches to centimeters, if you are going to wear heels and don't want them to show add your heel length to your total height). Ladies:<a href="https://varnatantu.com/2014/09/23/how-to-take-measurements-for-indian-outfits/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://varnatantu.com/2014/09/23/how-to-take-measurements-for-indian-outfits/</a> Gents:<a href="https://sherwanistore.ca/pages/size-guide#:~:text=Your%20shoulder%20point(s)%20should,hold%20your%20breath%20while%20measuring." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://sherwanistore.ca/pages/size-guide#:~:text=Your%20shoulder%20point(s)%20should,hold%20your%20breath%20while%20measuring.</a>

Women - Types of Outfits

Anarkali/Gown

Anarkalis (or "Gowns") are long Maxi/Midi length types of dress. Usually one piece but often times come with a skirt or pair of pants to wear underneath, and a scarf for ornament. Can come with varying sleeve styles and neck lines. (Click on the pictures to see them closer!)

Lehengas

A lehenga (or lehenga choli or chaniya choli) is a two piece outfit consisting of a blouse and a skirt. The skirt is usually waist to floor length, and the blouse can come in various designs of sleeve length, neck line, and length of crop. These also come with a scarf for ornament. (Click on the pictures to see them closer!)

Salwar Kameez

Salwar Kameez outfits are generally two piece outfits that come with a top and pants. The top can vary in design, sleeve length, neckline, and crop length. The pants can be skinny, straight, or dhoti (like genie pants). These outfits also come with a scarf for ornament. (Click on the pictures to see them closer!)

Sari/Saree

Saris/Sarees are 3 piece outfits that consist of a blouse, a petticoat/underskirt, and a 9 yard embellished fabric piece which is the fabric you pleat, wrap, and drape around you to create the Sari Outfit. Any one wanting this kind of look is more than welcome to buy; however, it will take lots of patience, practice and safety pins!But Pre-stitched/pre-draped options are now becoming more available.(Click on the pictures to see them closer!)

Men - Types of Outfits

Kurtas

Kurtas are a simple men's outfit that consist of a tunic like shirt and pants that can be either skinny, straight, or dhoti (genie pants). They come in a variety of materials, colors, and designs. A kurta without a vest is more casual, with a vest is more semi-formal. (Click on the pictures to see them closer!)

Sherwani

Sherwanis are essentially just like Kurtas, but for fancier occasions. They are usually made of thicker/heavier fabric and are more embellished in design. (Click on the pictures to see them closer!)

Indian Outfits Explained

For anyone needing some guidance on what to wear to the events!

Need something to wear? Check out these websites and scroll down for Inspo!

Suggested Websites for Indian Clothing: To Buy: <a href="https://www.karmaplace.com/collections/women" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.karmaplace.com/collections/women</a><a href="https://www.cbazaar.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.cbazaar.com/</a><a href="https://g3fashion.com/en-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://g3fashion.com/en-us</a><a href="https://www.houseofindya.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.houseofindya.com/</a><a href="https://www.kalkifashion.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyb3ph9GngAMVcO_jBx39xgRCEAAYASAAEgLFzvD_BwE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.kalkifashion.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyb3ph9GngAMVcO_jBx39xgRCEAAYASAAEgLFzvD_BwE</a> To Rent: <a href="https://www.shaadioutfitters.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.shaadioutfitters.com/</a><a href="https://borrowthebazaar.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://borrowthebazaar.com/</a><a href="https://www.allborrow.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.allborrow.com/</a><a href="https://leasinglooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://leasinglooks.com/</a>

Suggested Websites for Indian Jewelry/Accessories: Amazon: search Indian Jewelry, Indian bindi, Indian Chandloo, Indian bangle sets Etsy: search Indian Jewelry sets, Indian bangles <a href="https://www.utsavfashion.com/jewelry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.utsavfashion.com/jewelry</a><a href="https://www.cbazaar.com/jewellery" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.cbazaar.com/jewellery</a><a href="https://www.panashindia.com/jewelry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.panashindia.com/jewelry</a><a href="https://www.karmaplace.com/collections/jewelry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.karmaplace.com/collections/jewelry</a>

Pithi/Haldi Outfits

For the Pithi/Haldi Ceremony, you'll want to wear something white or yellow in color, that is simple in design. Something casual or beachy works just fine for this event! We kindly request that you do not wear swimsuits on their own to this event; however you can wear them underneath your outfit if you wish. You may wear shorts, but please do not wear anything too short as this is still a religious event.

Sangeet Outfits

For the Sangeet, you'll want to opt for something bright and colorful to this semi-casual event! Women can wear simple Lehengas, Indian gowns, or Kurtis, or a western style dress will work for this event as well!Men can wear dress shirts and slacks. A jacket or tie is not required this is more of a semi casual event. Ladies, wear something short sleeve, so you don't mess up your mehendi (henna)!

Wedding & Reception Outfits

For the wedding you'll want to wear formal attire.We kindly request that you do not wear any red/maroon/burgundy, or black to this event. Women can wear lehengas, indian style gowns, or saris to this event; Men can wear suits, Sherwanis, or Kurtas.

For the reception, you can wear any semi-formal attire of any color your heart desires! Women can wear lehengas, indian style gowns, or sarees; Men can wear suits or Kurtas.

What to Wear

Please use this link ONLY to book your room.Any guest who books their room through a third party website, including but not limited to, the actual resort website, Expedia, Kayak, Costco Travel, etc. will be considered to be booked OUTSIDE of the wedding room block and will NOT be able to access the wedding events without additional fees being imposed. 3 night minimum is required. Please use the phone number above if you have any questions about booking your room or about transportation.

Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya

When you book a room through our booking link above, roundtrip transportation will be automatically booked for you from the airport to the resort the day you arrive, and then back to the airport on the day of your checkout. If you would like to opt out of transportation, or are only needing a one way service, please let our travel concierge know by entering your request in step 5 of the booking form, "Additional Information".

Airport/Hotel Transportation

Travel

Golf, Laser Tag, Bowling, a Game Lounge, Spa, Salon, Fitness Classes, and more!

Hotel Activities

Book Excursions directly through the hotel! Zip Line Adventures, Explore Isla Mujeres, Go Play at an Adventure Park, and more!

Hotel Excursions

Things to Do

Registry

Our Vendors have done such an amazing job to help us bring our dream wedding to life! We want to use this page to sincerely thank them for amazing work that they do!

Engagement Photographer

Ashley Nicole Photography Instagram: @ashleynicolephotosatlWebsite: <a href="https://ashleynicolephotos.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ashleynicolephotos.com/</a>

Engagement Makeup

Tazjane Smith email: MakeupTati17@gmail.com

Our Planner

Katlyn DeZarnInstagram: @kndezarndesignsWebsite: <a href="www.dezarndesigns.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.dezarndesigns.com</a>

Travel Concierge

Indian Destination Weddings Instagram: @indian_destinationweddingsWebsite:<a href=" https://www.indiandestinationwedding.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.indiandestinationwedding.com/</a>

Shivani & Alpesh