Ruben & Maheswari's wedding
Day 1
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Bandipur
Day 2
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Bandipur
About the hosts
Ruben & Maheswari's story
Mahie and Ruben’s story began quietly, through screens and conversations that slowly became essential. Mahie had been living and working in the Netherlands for the past four and a half years, carrying her Indian roots close to her heart, while Ruben was born and raised in the Netherlands. What started as simple conversations grew into a deep connection built on trust, patience, and shared values.
In 2024, they met in person for the first time in the Hilversum Bos, and everything felt instantly right. The forest became a symbol of where their love stepped into reality. Their bond deepened across cultures and families, and during Ruben’s first visit to India, he met Mahie’s parents in Bangalore and asked them to accept him as their son.
In August 2025, they returned to the Hilversum Bos for an intimate civic wedding. Now, in February 2026, they joyfully celebrate their love with family, friends and you in Bandipur—honoring a journey that crossed borders and became home.
Day 1Tuesday, February 24, 2026Bandipur
Starting time (approximately): 9:30 AM
Venue and host contact details will be disclosed upon booking.
Nalugu/Haldi
in many parts of India, is a traditional pre-wedding ceremony held to bless the bride and groom before marriage. During the ritual, a paste made of turmeric, oil, and sometimes herbs is gently applied to the couple’s face, arms, and feet by elders and family members. Turmeric is believed to purify, protect from negative energy, and bring a natural glow.
The ceremony symbolizes cleansing, prosperity, and preparation for married life. It is usually an intimate, joyful event filled with laughter, blessings, and playful moments, celebrating family bonds and the transition into a new chapter of life.
Mehandi/Gorintaku
This is a pre-wedding ceremony that celebrates beauty, love, and auspicious beginnings. During this ritual, intricate designs made from henna paste are applied to the bride’s (and sometimes groom’s) hands and feet. Mehndi is believed to bring good luck, happiness, and prosperity, and the deep color of the henna is often associated with strong love and blessings in marriage.
The ceremony is usually filled with music, laughter, and joyful gatherings of family and friends, symbolizing the strengthening of bonds and the excitement of stepping into married life.
Sangeet/Sangeeta Sambaralu
This is a joyful pre-wedding celebration in South Indian (especially Telugu) weddings that combines *music, dance, and playful rituals. The word *Sangeeta means music, and Sambaralu means celebration or festivity.
This event is all about bringing both families together before the wedding in a fun, informal way. Relatives and friends sing traditional songs, dance, tease the bride and groom, and perform light-hearted skits. It helps break the ice between families, strengthens bonds, and fills the wedding atmosphere with laughter, love, and togetherness.
Day 2Wednesday, February 25, 2026Bandipur
Starting time (approximately): 8:00 AM
Venue and host contact details will be disclosed upon booking.
Saptapadi
During this ritual, the *bride and groom take seven steps together around the sacred fire, and with each step, they **make a promise to support each other* in different aspects of married life.
It marks the *official and binding part of the marriage*, symbolizing love, commitment, and shared responsibility.
