For the mehendi, Ghotra wore a Kalista ensemble embroidered with flowers, peacocks and figures from Hindu mythology. During the celebration, relatives pointed out details she had not noticed when choosing it, with different generations recognising different stories in the same textile.
Limbachia had been working with Ghotra’s 11-year-old brother, who showed little interest in joining the wedding performances. The two secretly rehearsed a routine combining Punjabi Bhangra with Gujarati dance. Limbachia’s mother prepared for the performances by taking dance classes of her own.
After the sangeet, the jaago drew the gathering into the street. Family and friends followed the music in a large procession, giving several members of Limbachia’s family their first experience of the Punjabi tradition from within the group.
The baraat and milni opened the wedding day at Ascott Parc in Vaughan, followed by the Anand Karaj beneath a tent in the gardens. Guests sat together on the floor before the Palki Sahib, which was surrounded by dark red roses and green foliage.
Ghotra’s custom lehenga was made on sheer red net, embroidered with floral and geometric motifs. Tonal beads and sequins gave the surface texture without breaking from the colour drawn from her mother’s sari. She wore jewellery by Mortantra, with hair and makeup by LeSonne Bridals.
Limbachia wore an ivory Kaala sherwani covered in gold-toned embroidery, along with a stole and layered pearl necklaces; Tie My Turban made his ivory pagh. During the baraat, his ceremonial accessories included a talwar and the decorated coconut used in Gujarati wedding tradition.
The Hindu ceremony was held a short walk away at the garden gazebo, decorated with blush and mauve flowers. Ghotra changed into a pink lehenga from Aashni Design Co., its embroidery drawing on Indian architecture and peacock imagery. She had a second dupatta made in red, with another peacock embroidered onto it, and chose emerald jewellery for the ceremony.
Limbachia changed from the ivory sherwani into an outfit by Purusham. The couple had decided that separate clothes would allow the visual character of each ceremony to remain distinct.
Ghotra walked towards the gazebo as a flautist played Tere Liye from Veer-Zaara, a film she loved. Waiting behind the ceremonial veil, Limbachia could hear the music before he saw her and welled up.
The couple also read vows they had written themselves alongside the Vedic ceremony, making their promises in front of the relatives and friends who would continue to be part of this new chapter.
At the reception in Mississauga the following evening, Ghotra wore a custom sari that needed some hurried loosening before she could dance comfortably. Limbachia chose a suit by Nobles & Co. As the couple walked into the reception, their friends and relatives spontaneously formed a human tunnel through the room.
Both Ghotra and Limbachia had prepared dances for each other, and the programme kept expanding as their parents and friends took their turns. Meals throughout the celebrations were vegetarian or vegan, drawing from Punjabi and Gujarati cooking. The couple arranged for leftover food to be donated and directed their wedding-favour budget to charity.
