THE WEDDING
APRIL 20th, 2024
St. Sebastian Church
Mallikatte, Bendoor,
Mangaluru,
Karnataka 575002, India
WE CAN'T WAIT TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU!
ROCE
04.18.24
A Roce stands as a cherished Mangalorean Catholic tradition, wherein the bride and groom receive anointing with a blend of nourishing coconut milk and oil, followed by blessings. Translated literally, Roce (also spelled as Ros) means "juice." The infusion of freshly squeezed coconut milk holds a central role in the Roce ceremony, symbolizing purity and a flawless essence, akin to the pristine white coconut milk itself. The usage of oil is reminiscent of ancient Biblical times when leaders and monarchs underwent anointment with oil. Rooted in tradition, the Roce ceremony serves as a meaningful and profound ritual of purification, marking the commencement of our journey into marital bliss.
Indian Attire: Indian formal/semi formal lehengas, salwar kameez for women, and kurta pajamas for men
Western Attire: Flowy dresses for the women, Khakis and a lightweight shirt for the men
Please see our Q&A for more details
Jewel toned colors and comfortable shoes to dance in all night.
Venue: Palace Garden Resorts
MEHENDI
04.19.24
The Mehndi party—a pre-wedding event for the bride and their closest friends and family members that centers around the application of the bridal mehndi, or henna design, to their hands and feet. Expect a night of fun with lots of food and music. Traditionally, it’s said that the darker the stain of the mehndi, the more love the bride will receive from their partner. Designs unique to each bride symbolize various blessings, luck, joy, and love, may include the couple's faces, and often incorporate the bride's partner's name hidden among the imagery.
Indian Attire: Semi Casual Indian wear
Western Attire: Evening Resort Casual - Polos and shorts/khakis for men, summer dresses for women.
Please see our Q&A for more details
Pastel colors
Venue: Jiwan Household
WEDDING DAY
04.20.24
More information to come soon.
Dinner & Dancing
More information to come soon.
OUR STORY
Zak and Carol met on February 2, 2020—Groundhog Day. In hindsight, this foreshadowed the rest of the year. Much like the plot of the eponymous film, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us all to relive the same day repeatedly. And eerily like the story of the eponymous movie, Zak and Carol fell in love during the pandemic time loop. This is why Zak makes Carol watch Groundhog Day every year.
In that loop, Zak and Carol quickly learned that they were unalike. Carol loved the bustling city. Zak loved sitting on a porch in the country. Carol had a radiant personality. Zak was not as expressive but was unafraid to give his two cents. Carol loved the shared experience of a crowd at a concert. Zak attended to witness the musicianship. The list went on.
So why did we—a “mismatched” couple—agree to tie the knot? As we discovered over time, we are fundamentally identical. We consider gratitude the source of compassion, a value we prioritize. We share a distinctive perseverance cultivated from similar hardships. We are passionate about our interests and love to share them—especially anything food-related. The list goes on longer than our dissimilarities.
We also learned that our lives are richer as a couple. We believe our unique perspectives enhance our ability to achieve our goals as a partnership. We witness an ineffable glow that brightens our lives when we are together. And we feel blessed that the many small events in our lives led to the big event of our meeting.
Our most cherished belief is that we foresee a joyous future as spouses. We welcome you in celebrating not who we are now, but who we will publicly affirm to be in matrimony. We are excited to celebrate with you!
TRAVEL & ACCOMODATION
Travel To Mangalore
Mangalore Bajpe Airport (IXE) is the nearest airport, which connects to all major cities & towns of India, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. It is located approximately 10 km away from the main city. We highly encourage you to fly in a few days early to see these historic cities (and get over jetlag) before making your way down to Mangalore. We will be coordinating transfer service between the airport and resort for our guests. Please click on the link below to include your flight information.
Recommendation from the Bride: Fly through the Middle East. Some airlines to consider are Emirates, Qatar Airways, & Etihad Airways.
Visa
LOCAL TRANSPORT
We will be providing ground transportation that will take you to different tourist destinations during your down time. If you do wish to explore outside of this, the easiest way to travel is by using a rickshaw, or by ordering and Uber/Olacab.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Manthan Resort Kapu
Check In: April 17th, 2024
Check Out: April 21, 2024
Rate per room per night: $66.20 USD (this includes tax)
This rate includes breakfast at the resort.
Total for 4 nights: $264.80 USD
This resort does not have a hotel block. To prevent overseas transfer fees, Carol's parents have prepaid the room fees. Please Venmo $264.80 USD to the QR code above to confirm your booking.
THINGS TO DO
Welcome to the enchanting coastal city of Mangalore, where our love story will unfold. We're thrilled to share this remarkable destination with you, as we embark on our journey towards wedded bliss!
EXPLORE THE BEACHES
Panambur Beach: This is one of the most popular beaches in Mangalore, known for its clean shores and water sports.
Tannirbhavi Beach: Another serene beach with calm waters, perfect for a relaxing day. The beach is known for its breathtaking sunsets, making it a perfect spot for evening relaxation.
Surfing and Water Sports: Mangalore offers opportunities for surfing and other water sports. You can find schools and rental facilities at select beaches.
Malpe Beach While a bit outside Mangalore, Malpe Beach is a beautiful spot known for water sports and a visit to St. Mary's Island.
KAPU LIGHTHOUSE
Climb the Kapu lighthouse for a panoramic view of the coastline and the Arabian Sea. It offers a fantastic vantage point for photography.
SULTAN BATTERY
Constructed in 1784 by Tipu Sultan ("the Tiger of Mysore") as he battled against the British East India Company, you'll find this impressive remnant in Boloor, around 3 miles from the center of Mangalore. Tipu chose to demonstrate his power by using stones from the region's churches, and tried to use the bastion to beat back British warships as they assaulted his kingdom. These days, the tower remains, providing exceptional views across the Arabian Sea, and a poignant reminder of one man's resistance.
VISIT CHURCHES
St. Aloysius Chapel: Admire the beautiful frescoes and artwork in this 19th-century chapel located within St. Aloysius College.
VISIT TEMPLES
Kadri Manjunath Temple: An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with intricate stone carvings.
Mangaladevi Temple: This historic temple is dedicated to Goddess Mangaladevi, from whom Mangalore gets its name
MANGALORE PORT
Take a stroll along the Mangalore Port area to see ships and enjoy the sea breeze.
MUSEUM HOPPING
Mangalore Museum and Folklore Museum: Explore the city's history and culture through artifacts and exhibits.
Aloyseum: This museum is known for its collection of rare antiques, sculptures, and paintings.
PILIKULA NISARGHADHAMA
This eco-education and tourism development project offers a botanical garden, zoo, and boating facilities.
VISIT UDUPI
Udupi is a nearby town famous for its temples, particularly the Sri Krishna Temple.
While there, enjoy a traditional vegetarian meal at one of the Udupi restaurants.
SHOP AT LOCAL MARKETS
Central Market: Buy spices, local products, and souvenirs.
Hampankatta Market: A bustling market known for its street food and shopping
MALPE BEACH
While a bit outside Mangalore, Malpe Beach is a beautiful spot known for water sports and a visit to St. Mary's Island.
BRIDESMAID
Ayesha Khan
BRIDESMAID
Ellen Tamaki
BRIDESMAID
Rebecca Albuquerque
BRIDESMAID
Ankhita Ramdas
BRIDESMAID
Lia Nandi
BRIDESMAN
Josh Bush
BRIDESMAID
Kayla Hamberry
GROOMSMAN
Christian Roberts
GROOMSWOMAN
Riley Rogers
GROOMSMAN
Nicho Stevens
GROOMSMAN
Tristan Kaisharis
GROOMSWOMAN
Grace Bregard
GROOMSWOMAN
Sarah Biemer
GROOMSMAN
Blake Crowley
REGISTRY
Your presence is our greatest present! If you feel compelled otherwise, please see our registries below.
WILL I NEED A VISA?
Yes. Travelers must enter either on a paper visa or an e-tourist visa. It is advised to apply at least 7 days before the desired entry date. Passports must be valid for six months beyond date of visa application to obtain a visa.
Please use the link below to apply for your Indian Visa
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT AN INDIAN WEDDING?
Traditionally, Indian weddings tend to be large and span several days. Although each region of India has its own customs, the general concept is the same – it will be a Big Fat Indian Wedding filled with vibrant colors, music, and plenty of food and dancing. Although family members and close friends may have certain roles, the remainder of guests are invited to sit back and enjoy.
WHAT KIND OF FOOD WILL THERE BE?
We often say that the best part of an Indian wedding is the food. There will be a wide variety of dishes with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options at each of the events. The food will be served buffet style so that guests will have the option to choose what they would like to eat. Please let us know if you have any food restrictions or allergies.
I NOTICED THERE ARE NO OCCASIONS IN THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS. WHAT DO WE DO THEN?
That time is yours! Feel free to hang out by the beach or enjoy some options shared in our "Things to Do" in section. We will have drivers/buses available to take you sightseeing around town.
IS THERE A HOTEL ROOM BLOCK?
No. Blocking hotel rooms is not customary in Mangalore. More information to come regarding board and lodging.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
There are several types of Indian outfits, and there is no specific requirements for what types of outfits should be worn to which events. Guests are certainly not expected to wear Indian attire. For the Roce and Mehendi, we encourage guests to wear outfits that are bright and bold – and don’t be afraid to accessorize. The dress code for the Reception will be formal evening attire. For more information and suggestions regarding event attire, please refer to the Wedding page. Events will be mostly in Indian attire - but check the Events for more detailed dress codes per event.
For those that don't have easy access to Indian outfits, here are a few websites to help:
What will the weather be like?
The average temperature in Mangalore in April for a typical day ranges from a low of 80°F (27°C) to a high of 91°F (33°C). This is considered an escape for us Texans! We apologize in advance to our Northeastern/Midwest friends.
When is the RSVP deadline?
February 20, 2024
FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT
Email us at carolzakwedding@gmail.com