S&L
Sonali & Leo
Iberostar Selection Cancún
Cancún, Mexico
December 16–18, 2026
We’re so excited to celebrate this next chapter of our lives with the people we love most. Thank you for making the trip to Cancún and joining us for a wedding weekend filled with love, laughter, traditions, and plenty of celebration.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Our Love Story
Our story began in 2019 while we were both students at the University of Texas at San Antonio. We both worked at the UTSA Campus Recreation Center, but despite crossing paths from time to time, we never really knew each other. It wasn’t until we matched on Tinder that things really began. Leo broke the ice with a very cheesy line: “On a scale of 1–10, you're a 9 and I'm the 1 you need.” Somehow, it worked, and we decided to meet in person.
Before we met up for the first time, Sonali wasn't even sure she should go, but a friend encouraged her, and thankfully, she did. Leo picked her up on a chilly San Antonio evening, and after a quick stop at Sonic for two Ocean Waters, we headed to his place. What was supposed to be a casual hangout turned into five hours of nonstop conversation. Time just seemed to disappear. That was when we realized there was something different between us. Talking to one another felt so natural, our personalities just clicked, and we quickly realized how similar we were in the most unexpected ways, even down to having moles in the same places! That night became the real beginning of everything that followed.
As the weeks went on, we started creating more memories together. There was one conversation during a drive that stood out above the rest. When Sonali asked Leo what he wanted, his answer was simple: “You.” It was honest, unexpected, and made it clear that what was happening between us was becoming something real.
From there, the little moments began turning into milestones. We watched our first scary movie together, The Nun, placed a lock with our initials on a bridge in Downtown San Antonio before we were even officially dating, and not long after, on December 14, 2019, Leo asked Sonali to be his girlfriend.
Only a few months later, the world shut down. Like many couples, we found ourselves separated for months during the pandemic, relying on phone calls, FaceTime, and a lot of patience until we could finally be together again. It wasn't the beginning we imagined, but it taught us something that's still true for us today: even when life was uncertain, we were certain about each other.
Over the years, we’ve continued building a life side by side, navigating long distance, finishing school, starting our careers, moving in together, welcoming our cat Theodore into our little family, and creating a home together through every new city and season.
In January 2026, Leo proposed and, of course, the answer was yes. Over time, we've learned that the best part isn't where we are or what we're doing, but the fact that we're facing it all together. Every challenge, every detour, and every new adventure has reminded us that home isn't a place; it's us.
Now, after more than six and a half years of laughter, adventures, challenges, growth, and choosing each other through it all, we’re so excited to begin our next chapter together.
We couldn't imagine beginning this new adventure without the people we love most, and we’re so grateful to have you joining us in Mexico as we become husband and wife. ♡
Wedding Weekend Itinerary
Wednesday, December 16, 2026
Welcome Cocktail Hour
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Beach
Kick off our wedding weekend with us on the beach! Join us for cocktails and light bites as we welcome everyone to Mexico and celebrate the start of an unforgettable few days together.
Dress Code: Beach Cocktail Attire
Food & Beverages: Light appetizers and an open bar will be provided.
Dinner will not be served, so please plan to enjoy dinner at the resort following the event.
Thursday, December 17, 2026
Haldi Ceremony
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Coral Deck
Join us for our Haldi ceremony, a joyful pre-wedding tradition filled with love, laughter, and blessings for the bride and groom. During the ceremony, family and friends will come together to apply Haldi, a turmeric-based paste, to the bride and groom.
Dress Code: Festive Daytime Attire
Food & Beverages: Coffee and non-alcoholic refreshments will be provided.
Please enjoy breakfast at the resort beforehand, as a meal will not be served.
Chura Ceremony
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Coral Deck
Join us for the Chura ceremony, a meaningful pre-wedding tradition centered around the bride and her maternal family. During the ceremony, the bride’s maternal uncle and aunt will gift her a set of traditional bangles, known as chura, as they bless her for the next chapter of her life.
Dress Code: Festive Daytime Attire
Guests may wear the same outfit from the Haldi ceremony or change into something different.
Food & Beverages: Coffee and non-alcoholic refreshments will be provided.
A meal will not be served.
Sangeet & Mehndi
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Miramar Garden
Mehndi available: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us for an evening of music, dancing, and celebration at our Sangeet! Traditionally, the Sangeet brings both sides of the family together in a lively and relaxed setting to celebrate the upcoming marriage through music, dance, and time spent together, often alongside Mehndi.
Mehndi will also be available during the celebration, giving guests the opportunity to receive temporary henna body art.
Dress Code: Festive Evening Attire
Food & Beverages: An Indian buffet and open bar will be provided.
Friday, December 18, 2026
Baraat & Hindu Wedding Ceremony
10:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Ocean View Gazebo
Baraat: 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Wedding Ceremony: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join us for the Baraat, a joyous and high-energy wedding procession where the groom is escorted to the wedding venue by his family and friends with music, dancing, and celebration.
The Baraat will conclude at the Ocean View Gazebo, where the bride’s side will already be gathered. Traditional pre-ceremony rituals will take place before the bride makes her entrance, followed by the Hindu wedding ceremony under the mandap.
Dress Code: Formal Indian or Western Attire
Guests attending the Baraat should arrive dressed for the wedding ceremony, as there will be no outfit change between the Baraat and the ceremony.
Food & Beverages: Coffee and non-alcoholic refreshments will be provided. A meal will not be served.
Reception
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Cascade Terrace
Join us for the final celebration of our wedding weekend! Our reception will be an evening of dinner, drinks, special dances, family performances, and plenty of time on the dance floor as we celebrate together one last time in Mexico.
Dress Code: Formal Western Attire
Food & Beverages: A Mexican buffet and open bar will be provided. Late-night food will also be served during the final hour of the reception.
Attire Guide
Welcome Cocktail Hour
Dress Code: Beach Cocktail Attire
Attire Options: Western attire only.
Color Note: Please avoid white, ivory, and cream for this event.
Western Attire:
Men: Pants with a button-down or collared shirt. Please no shorts.
Women: Dresses of any length, whether short, midi, or long.
Footwear:
Men: Loafers or dress shoes that you don’t mind getting a little sandy. Please no flip-flops.
Women: Sandals or other flat dressy shoes. Since the event will take place directly on the beach, please no heels or flip-flops.
Haldi Ceremony
Dress Code: Festive Daytime Attire
Attire Options: Guests are welcome to wear either Indian or Western attire.
Color Note: Yellows, oranges, peaches, and whites are traditionally popular colors for Haldi, but these colors are not required.
Indian Attire:
Men: Kurtas and other traditional Indian attire.
Women: Salwar suit, lehengas, sarees, and other traditional Indian attire.
Western Attire:
Men: Pants with a button-down or collared shirt. Please no shorts.
Women: Dresses of any length, whether short, midi, or long.
Footwear:
Men: Loafers, dress shoes, or traditional Indian footwear such as juttis. Please no flip-flops.
Women: Sandals, heels, or traditional Indian footwear such as juttis. Please no flip-flops.
A Note About Haldi: Everyone is invited to participate in applying Haldi to the bride and groom. Since Haldi contains turmeric, it can stain clothing and may get on your outfit while participating, so we recommend wearing something you won’t be heartbroken about getting a little turmeric on, just in case!
Chura Ceremony
Dress Code: Festive Daytime Attire
Attire Options: Guests are welcome to wear either Indian or Western attire and may choose to wear the same outfit from the Haldi ceremony or change into something different. The dress code and attire recommendations remain the same for both events.
Indian Attire:
Men: Kurtas and other traditional Indian attire.
Women: Salwar suit, lehengas, sarees, and other traditional Indian attire.
Western Attire:
Men: Pants with a button-down or collared shirt. Please no shorts.
Women: Dresses of any length, whether short, midi, or long.
Footwear:
Men: Loafers, dress shoes, or traditional Indian footwear such as juttis. Please no flip-flops.
Women: Sandals, heels, or traditional Indian footwear such as juttis. Please no flip-flops.
Sangeet & Mehndi
Dress Code: Festive Evening Attire
Attire Options: Guests are welcome to wear either Indian or Western attire.
Color Note: Pinks, purples, reds, magentas, burgundies, and similar rich colors are traditionally popular choices for the Sangeet, but these colors are not required.
Indian Attire:
Men: Kurtas, sherwanis, and other traditional Indian attire.
Women: Salwar suit, lehengas, sarees, and other traditional Indian attire.
Western Attire:
Men: Pants with a button-down or collared shirt. Please no shorts.
Women: Dresses of any length, whether short, midi, or long.
Footwear:
Men: Loafers, dress shoes, or traditional Indian footwear such as juttis. Please no flip-flops.
Women: Sandals, block heels, wedges, or traditional Indian footwear such as juttis. Please avoid narrow or pencil heels, as they may sink into the grass. Please no flip-flops.
A Note About Mehndi: Fresh henna paste needs time to dry and may smudge or transfer onto clothing while wet, so please be mindful of your outfit after it is applied.
Baraat & Hindu Wedding Ceremony
Dress Code: Formal Indian or Western Attire
Attire Options: Guests are welcome to wear either Indian or Western attire.
Baraat Note: Guests attending the Baraat should arrive fully dressed for the wedding ceremony, as there will be no outfit change between the Baraat and the ceremony.
Color Note: Please avoid pink, white, ivory, cream, beige, and other bridal or light neutral shades for this event.
Indian Attire:
Men: Kurtas, sherwanis, and other traditional Indian attire.
Women: Salwar suit, lehengas, sarees, and other traditional Indian attire.
Western Attire:
Men: Suits, sport coats, or dress pants with a button-down or collared shirt. Please no shorts.
Women: Dresses of any length, including formal gowns.
Footwear:
Men: Loafers, dress shoes, or traditional Indian footwear such as juttis. Please no flip-flops.
Women: Sandals, heels, or traditional Indian footwear such as juttis. Please no flip-flops.
Reception
Dress Code: Formal Western Attire
Attire Options: Western attire only.
Color Note: Please avoid white, ivory, cream, beige, tan, khaki, and other bridal or light neutral shades for this event.
Western Attire:
Men: Suits, sport coats, or dress pants with a button-down or collared shirt. Please no shorts.
Women: Long dresses or formal gowns.
Footwear:
Men: Dress shoes or loafers. Please no flip-flops.
Women: Sandals, heels, or other formal dress shoes. Please no flip-flops.
Dressing for Cancún
All of our wedding events will take place outdoors in Cancún, where the weather is typically warm and humid. When planning your outfits, we recommend choosing lightweight, breathable fabrics whenever possible to help you stay comfortable throughout the celebrations.
Finding Indian Attire
If you would like to wear Indian attire but aren’t sure where to start, the following search terms may help:
Men: Kurtas, kurta sets, sherwanis, men’s Indian wedding guest attire, or men’s Indian formal wear.
Women: Lehengas, sarees, salwar suits, women’s Indian wedding guest attire, or women’s Indian formal wear.
Guests are welcome to purchase, rent, borrow, or rewear Indian attire based on their preference.
Rental Option
Boomie offers South Asian attire for rent and may be a helpful option for guests who would prefer to rent an outfit rather than purchase one.
Attire Inspiration
Need a little inspiration? Here are a few examples of attire that would be appropriate for our wedding events. Please refer to the Attire Guide for the full dress code.
Welcome Cocktail Hour
Haldi/Chura
Sangeet/Mehndi
Baraat/Hindu Wedding Ceremony
Reception
Traditions & What to Expect
Haldi
The Haldi ceremony is a joyful pre-wedding tradition in which family and friends apply a turmeric-based paste to the bride and groom. The ceremony symbolizes cleansing and purification before marriage while blessing the couple with prosperity, protection from negative energy, and a radiant glow as they prepare for their wedding day.
Guests are invited to participate by applying Haldi to both the bride and groom.
Chura
The Chura ceremony is a meaningful tradition centered around the bride and her maternal family. During the ceremony, the bride’s maternal uncle and aunt gift her a set of traditional bangles, known as chura, as they bless her for the next chapter of her life.
Before the bangles are placed on the bride, they are ceremonially purified and blessed with milk, water, and rose petals. The chura symbolizes prosperity, fertility, marital happiness, and blessings for a joyful married life.
Mehndi
Mehndi is a natural, temporary form of body art created using henna. Traditionally associated with joy, celebration, and the transition into marriage, intricate henna designs are often applied during pre-wedding festivities.
Guests will have the opportunity to receive Mehndi during the Sangeet celebration.
Sangeet
The Sangeet is a lively pre-wedding celebration filled with music, dancing, and time spent together, often alongside Mehndi. Traditionally, it brings both sides of the family together in a relaxed and festive setting to celebrate the upcoming marriage.
Baraat
The Baraat is the groom’s joyous and high-energy wedding procession. The groom is escorted to the wedding venue by his family and friends with loud music, dancing, and celebration, creating a festive grand entrance before the wedding ceremony.
The groom’s side will participate in the Baraat while the bride’s side gathers at the ceremony location to await their arrival.
Hindu Wedding Ceremony
Our Hindu wedding ceremony will include a series of sacred traditions, rituals, and blessings as we begin our marriage together. Some rituals will begin with the groom and the bride’s family before the bride makes her entrance, followed by the main ceremony under the mandap.
Ganesh Puja
The ceremony begins with a prayer to Lord Ganesha, asking for blessings and the removal of obstacles as the couple begins this new chapter together.
Garland Exchange
The bride and groom exchange floral garlands as a symbolic welcome and acceptance of one another.
Gath Bandhan
The bride and groom’s garments are tied together, symbolizing their union and the joining of their lives.
Saat Phere
The bride and groom circle the sacred fire seven times. Each round represents a vow and commitment they make to one another as they begin married life.
Sindoor
The groom applies sindoor, a traditional red or orange-red powder, along the bride’s hair parting as a symbol of marriage.
Vidaai
Vidaai marks the emotional conclusion of the wedding ceremony as the bride says goodbye to her family and begins a new chapter of life with her husband.
Resort & Travel
Our Resort
Resort: Iberostar Selection Cancún
Room Block Booking Link
Wedding Stay Dates: December 16th–19th, 2026
Our wedding celebrations will take place at Iberostar Selection Cancún. All wedding events will take place on the resort property throughout the weekend.
Getting to Cancún
Guests should fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN).
Because this is international travel, please remember to bring a valid passport and review any travel requirements that may apply to you before departure.
Our first wedding event, the Welcome Cocktail Hour, begins at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, December 16. Please plan your travel accordingly and allow enough time after landing to clear immigration and customs, collect your luggage, travel to the resort, and check in before the celebration begins.
Airport Transportation
Transportation between Cancún International Airport and Iberostar Selection Cancún will be provided for our guests.
Additional transportation details, including pickup instructions and timing, will be added once finalized.
Flight Information: Please text your arrival flight details to Sonali or Leo once your flights are booked so we can coordinate transportation from Cancún International Airport to the resort.
Before You Arrive
Complete Your Check-In Information: Before traveling, please complete the guest information for every person listed on your reservation using the check-in link provided in your reservation confirmation email. Completing this information in advance will help make the resort check-in process smoother upon arrival.
Optional Room Selection: You may receive an email from Iberostar offering the option to select a specific room in advance for an additional fee. This service is completely optional. Guests who do not wish to pay for advance room selection do not need to take any action and will be assigned a room by the resort.
Reservation Questions or Changes
For questions or changes related to your room reservation, please contact the POG Groups Department:
Email: groupsonline.ame@iberostar.com
Phone: +52 800 953 8723
If you would like to add additional nights outside of the contracted wedding stay dates and those dates appear unavailable online, please complete your reservation for the contracted dates first. Once you have your confirmation, contact the Reservations Department so they can verify availability for an extended stay.
FAQs
-
What should I wear to each event?
-
Please refer to the Attire Guide for event-specific dress codes, color notes, footwear, and outfit examples.
-
-
What do you mean by “Western Attire”?
-
For our wedding website, “Western Attire” refers to non-Indian attire such as suits, button-down shirts, cocktail dresses, long dresses, and formal gowns, depending on the event.
-
-
Can I wear Indian attire if I’m not Indian?
-
Yes. For events where both Indian and non-Indian attire are listed, guests are welcome to choose whichever option they prefer.
-
-
Can I wear white?
-
White is allowed for some events and restricted for others. Please check the Attire Guide for the color guidance listed under each event.
-
-
Will all wedding events be outdoors?
-
Yes. All wedding events will take place outdoors at the resort, so please plan your attire and footwear accordingly.
-
-
Will food and drinks be provided at every event?
-
Food and beverage offerings vary by event. Please refer to the Wedding Weekend tab for details.
-
-
Do I need to change outfits between the Haldi and Chura?
-
No. Guests may wear the same outfit for both events or change if they prefer.
-
-
Do I need to change outfits between the Baraat and Hindu Wedding Ceremony?
-
No. Guests attending the Baraat should arrive fully dressed for the wedding ceremony.
-
-
Can I get Mehndi at the Sangeet?
-
Yes. Mehndi will be available during the Sangeet from 6:00 PM–8:00 PM.
-
-
Will I get Haldi on my clothes?
-
Possibly. Guests are invited to participate in applying Haldi to the bride and groom, and turmeric can stain clothing. Please see the Attire Guide for the full note.
-
-
Which airport should I fly into?
-
Cancún International Airport (CUN).
-
-
Will transportation from the airport be provided?
-
Yes. Transportation from Cancún International Airport to Iberostar Selection Cancún will be provided. Once your flight is booked, please send your arrival information to Sonali or Leo.
-
-
Do I need a passport?
-
Yes. Guests traveling internationally to Mexico will need a valid passport and should review any applicable entry requirements before departure.
-
-
Where can I find information about the Indian wedding traditions?
-
Please visit the Traditions & What to Expect tab for short explanations of the major traditions and ceremonies.
-
-
Still have a question?
-
If you can’t find the answer on the website, please reach out to Sonali or Leo.
-
Registry & Gifts
Your presence at our wedding is truly the greatest gift we could ask for. We are not requesting physical or boxed gifts.
For those who would still like to give something, we would be grateful for contributions toward our future together, including our honeymoon and our goal of purchasing a home.
Gift Contribution Options
Zelle: tsonali99@gmail.com
Venmo: @tsonali99
Cash App: $tsonali99
