Sanjay & Nameetta

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Sanjay & Nameetta

“We can’t wait to celebrate with you!”

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Events Overview

Rehearsal Dinner and NYE Party

Wednesday, 31 January 2026
Time: 3:00 PM onward

Dress Code:
Come as you are — comfortable and casual!

RSVP: Not required

What to Expect: A relaxed afternoon to kick things off — we’ll start with dance practices for anyone who’s performing at the wedding, followed by a quick church rehearsal for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. After that, we’ll head out for drinks and a New Year’s Eve celebration — expect casual vibes, great music, and a chance to meet everyone before the big day.

Venue:
Thevakkal Church + Hall (Address TBA)

Location

Church Wedding and Reception

Thursday, 1 January 2026
Time: Ceremony starts at 3:00 PM

Dress Code:
Indian or Western — whatever makes you feel great.

(If you’d like to wear Indian attire, check out our Shopping & Outfit Guide below for where to buy in Kochi.)

What to Expect: A traditional church ceremony followed by a reception filled with dinner, dancing, and plenty of joy. You’ll experience a blend of Kerala tradition and global celebration — think flower garlands, soulful music, and laughter. RSVP form required

Venue 1 (Church) :

Location

Venue 2 (Reception) :
Chittilapally Square

Location

Optional Day Trip – Alappuzha Backwaters

Friday, 2 January 2026
Time: Full-day trip

Dress Code:
Comfortable travel wear

What to Expect: We’re organizing a houseboat trip through Kerala’s famous backwaters — complete with lunch, local toddy (palm wine), and plenty of photo ops.

RSVP by November 30 if you’d like to join, so we can organize the boats and transport.

Venue 2 (Reception) :
Alappuzha (1.5hour drive from Kochi)

Location

Friends-Only Vows and Cocktail Party

Saturday, 3 January 2026
Time: 3:00 PM onwards

Dress Code:
Western cocktail attire wear

What to Expect: An intimate ceremony with our closest friends — we’ll exchange personal vows, followed by cocktails, music, and dancing under the stars.

RSVP form required

Venue 2 (Reception) :
Baymass Panangad

Location

Travel & Visa Information

VISA

You’ll need an Indian e-Visa, which can be applied for through the official Indian e-Visa Portal

  • Processing: 3–5 business days (apply 3–4 weeks ahead!)
  • Validity: 30 days, 1 year, or 5 years — 30 days is perfect for this trip.
  • Valid for entry at Kochi International Airport (COK).
  • Tip: Fill out your e-Arrival Card online before traveling to save time.

Accoomodation

The Avenue Regent, Kochi – $70/night

  • We’ve negotiated a special rate for our guests.
  • Central location close to shops, Fort Kochi, and restaurants Great in-house café (Coco Tree)
  • Ideal if you want to explore the city easily

Tip: Rooms are double-occupancy, so feel free to share with a friend.

Other alternatives

Hyatt Bolgatty

Website

Crowne Plaza

Website

Exploring and Shopping in Kochi

Kochi Biennale

Mattancherry Synagogue

Jew Town Rd, Kappalandimukku,
Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala 682002, India

Mattancherry Synagogue
GET MAP

Chattanooga Marriott Downtown

Kochi, Kerala India

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Kerala food

Paragon

Jew Town Rd, Kappalandimukku,
Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala 682002, India

Mattancherry Synagogue
GET MAP

Sarees

For bridesmaids and groomsmen

We’re so lucky to have some of our favorite people stand by us through it all — from rehearsal chaos to dance practices to the big day(s). This section is to help everyone coordinate outfits and know what to expect for both ceremonies.

Thursday – January 1, 2026

Church Wedding and Reception

Bride’s Outfit Traditional Kerala-style saree
Groom’s Outfit Classic suit — formal and minimal, in a neutral tone.

Bridesmaids’ Outfits

  • You can wear a saree, lehenga, or a dress — whatever you’re most comfortable in — as long as it’s in the assigned color palette (we’ll share images/swatches below).
  • If you’re coming from abroad and want help buying or stitching something locally, I can coordinate that through boutiques in Kochi.
  • Keep the look soft, breathable, and elegant — Kerala weather is warm! Accessories: Minimal gold or pearl jewelry will look perfect.

There’s absolutely no compulsion to wear Indian outfits — comfort first, always 🙂

Groomsmen’s Outfits

Formal suits in the given color palette.
Keep it neat and coordinated — light shirts, classic ties or bowties, and formal shoes.
We’ll share color inspiration and sample photos soon.

Saturday – January 3, 2026

Friends-Only Vows and Cocktail Party

Bride’s Outfit Western gown — elegant, modern, and flowy.
Groom’s Outfit Modern suit — relaxed, minimal, and polished.

Bridesmaids’ Outfits

  • Wear a dress or gown in the assigned color palette (image swatches will be added).
  • Choose a silhouette that suits your style — long, midi, or short — as long as it’s dressy and chic.
  • Heels, flats, or sandals — whatever lets you dance all night.
  • Light, glowy makeup and soft waves or updos will match the vibe perfectly.

Groomsmen’s Outfits

  • A suit again, but a bit more relaxed than the church wedding.
  • Skip the tie if you want — add a pocket square or fun accessory to match the color palette.
  • Keep it sleek but comfortable for cocktails, dancing, and photos.

Our traditions

We belong to Kerala’s Roman Catholic Syrian Christian community — often called RCSC — part of the ancient Syro-Malabar tradition of the Catholic Church. Our faith is Christian, our liturgy Syrian, and our culture deeply and proudly Malayalee.

Origins and History

St. Thomas the Apostle landed on the Malabar Coast in 52 CE, likely near Kodungallur, and preached the gospel across Kerala.

He is said to have converted local communities — often described as Brahmin families — and founded the Ezharappallikal, or seven and a half churches: Kodungallur, Palayoor, Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Kollam, Nilackal, and Thiruvithamcode (the “half church”).

Even today, many families make pilgrimages to these historic sites that mark the beginning of Christianity in India.

Over the centuries, Kerala’s Christian community grew deeply intertwined with local life. While faith came from the teachings of Christ, the rituals blended with Malayalam and Hindu influences — creating a culture that is uniquely our own.

This blend shaped everything from food and language to marriage customs. Some of the most beautiful parts of a Syrian Christian wedding — the Minnu and the Manthrakodi — still reflect this shared heritage, carrying echoes of both faith and region.

Wedding traditions

Minnukettu

The Minnu, also called Minnekettu, is the Christian thali — a small golden pendant shaped like a leaf or heart, engraved with a cross. It represents love, faith, and lifelong unity before God. During the wedding ceremony, the groom ties the minnu around the bride’s neck, marking the sacred moment of marriage. It is tied on a cord made from strands drawn from the bride’s Manthrakodi saree — symbolizing how faith, family, and God are woven together. Right before this moment, the bride’s elder sister or a close female relative lifts the bride’s hair and helps prepare her for the tying of the minnu. After the tying, it is the groom’s sister or an elder from his family who adjusts the chain — a small but meaningful act symbolizing that the bride has now joined her husband’s family (very few families do this tradition now).

The minnu is one of the most sacred and emotional parts of the ceremony — the Kerala Christian version of the wedding ring — and the bride traditionally wears it throughout her life.

Manthrakodi

The Manthrakodi is a saree gifted by the groom to the bride — his first gift as a husband. It is blessed during the wedding ceremony and gently placed over the bride’s head and shoulders by the priest, often with the help of the same woman from the groom’s family who assisted with the minnu. The Manthrakodi symbolizes the husband’s promise of protection, care, and companionship, as well as the couple’s shared blessings under God.
The threads from the Manthrakodi saree are drawn out the night before the wedding and twisted to make the cord for the Minnu, showing how the two rituals are deeply connected — faith and family bound together. In Hindu weddings, a similar custom exists called Pudavakodukkal, where the groom gives the bride a new saree as a sign of acceptance and union. The Manthrakodi carries the same emotion but through the lens of Christian faith. Traditionally, the bride keeps her Manthrakodi for life, wearing it only on very special occasions. In many families, the first time she wears it after marriage is on a festive or family celebration — and the last time she wears it is at her burial.

Gifting

Your presence at our wedding is the best gift! If you’d like to give us something more, we’d love your help in building memories through our honeymoon fund.

Since we’re flying into Kerala and heading back to the U.S. soon after, baggage restrictions make it hard for us to bring or take gifts. A contribution instead would be deeply appreciated — it’s the lightest luggage and the most meaningful gesture

RSVP

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FAQ

What airport should I fly into?

Fly into Cochin International Airport (COK) — that’s the closest airport to Kochi and all our venues (about an hour’s drive). If you’re flying via Mumbai (Bombay), note that the city has two airports — one for international arrivals (CSMIA Terminal 2) and another for domestic departures (Terminal 1). If you need to change terminals, leave at least 3–4 hours between flights. You can also connect through Delhi, Bangalore, or Chennai, which all have frequent domestic flights to Kochi.

Airport pickup is not automatically arranged, but we’ll be circulating a form closer to the date to collect arrival times — so we can help coordinate shared rides. If you’re staying at The Avenue Regent, the hotel offers an airport pickup service (check directly with them). Otherwise, Uber is the easiest and cheapest option — expect around ₹1000-₹1500 (≈ $12-20 USD) for a one-hour ride from the airport to the city center.

Yes! You’ll need an Indian e-Visa. Apply online at the official Indian e-Visa website . Processing takes 3–5 business days, but apply at least 3–4 weeks before travel to avoid last-minute stress.

The currency is Indian Rupees (INR). You can exchange cash at the airport or use ATMs once you arrive — Kochi has plenty. Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted, including contactless payments in most big restaurants and hotels. Still, keep some cash for autos, small cafes, or tips.

Yes — you can easily get a Jio or Airtel SIM at the Kochi airport. You’ll need your passport and one passport photo. Most hotels and cafes have good WiFi, but a local SIM is encouraged.

Uber works really well in Kochi. You can also use auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuks) for short distances — they’re cheap, fun, and everywhere. Pro tip: if the driver refuses to use the meter, agree on a price before you start.

Yes, Kochi is safe and friendly — especially around Fort Kochi and the city center. It’s a relaxed coastal city, so evening strolls and exploring cafes are totally fine.

Yes! Rooms at The Avenue Regent are double occupancy, so you can share with a friend or partner.

Yes — breakfast is included at The Avenue Regent (and it’s great!).

Yes — most restaurants, hotels, and stores accept Visa, Mastercard, and even Apple/Google Pay. Keep some cash for autos or small stalls.

India uses Type C, D, and M plugs (230V). Bring a universal travel adapter — most hotels have multi-socket outlets too.

Not really. It’s not part of the culture. If you wish, tip 5–10% at restaurants or a small amount for hotel staff — completely optional.

The local language is Malayalam, but everyone speaks English. You won’t have trouble communicating anywhere.

Not required, but totally welcome! If you’d like to wear something traditional, there’s a shopping guide on the site — places like Jayalakshmi and Seematti have beautiful Indian outfits for all budgets.

You can, but some venues have outdoor or uneven areas — block heels or wedges are safer and more comfortable.

Yes — please RSVP for the main wedding and friends-only cocktail party. The rehearsal dinner is casual and doesn’t need an RSVP.

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