FAQs
Question
What kind of wedding is this?
Answer
This is not going to be your typical "big white wedding", thats just not our style! We want our values and personalities to be represented throughout this wedding, therefore we have deviated from some of the typical "norms" of a modern wedding. We don't have a wedding party, we aren't doing anything like "bride's side/groom's side", we won't have a seating chart, we don't have a gift registry...We want the overall vibe of our wedding to be casual and comfortable, with a focus on spending time with the people we care about, spending time in nature, and celebrating our love for one another! We look forward to seeing you all and sharing this celebration with you!
Question
Covid-19
Answer
As of right now (August 2021), we are still planning on holding the wedding. As the next few months unfold if it becomes unsafe or unlawful to gather, we will update you all accordingly! We are planning on spending most of our time, including the ceremony and reception, outside. If, due to poor weather conditions, we have to move any of the events inside, we will ask that guests wear masks, regardless of vaccination status (we will have extra masks on hand for people!)
Question
What is the schedule for the weekend?
Answer
In sticking with the theme of not having a super traditional wedding, we decided to make a whole weekend out of our celebration! We have rented the entirety of the property at Anahata Education Center in Floyd, VA for the weekend to act not only as the ceremony/reception venue, but as a gathering place for friends and family! We invite you all to come as early as Friday Oct. 8 (any time of day that works for your travel schedule!) to hang out at Anahata with us. We will be providing a communal dinner as a sort of rehearsal dinner on Friday night for anyone that is interested. It will be an Indian Food buffet, please see the "Schedule" tab of the website to view the menu. We ask that you RSVP to this dinner under the "RSVP" tab on the website just so we can get a headcount of how many people we will be ordering food for! We will not be providing a scheduled breakfast or lunch on Friday- we encourage people to grab a bite to eat on their way into town.
Question
Schedule continued...
Answer
The ceremony itself will be on Saturday October 9. We invite you all to come to Anahata whenever it is convenient for you on Saturday morning- we will have items such as bagels/pastries/coffee for casual grazing (no "set" time for breakfast on Saturday morning). For Saturday's lunch, we will be ordering pizza from Dogtown Roadhouse in Floyd, around noon. The menu of what will be offered can be found under the website's "schedule" tab, we ask you RSVP to this so we can get a headcount. The ceremony will be held at 3pm, followed by photographs and a cocktail hour with fruit/veggie/cheese platters, as well as beer/wine/lemonade/water. The reception and dinner buffet will begin around 5pm (again- see "schedule" tab for menu) with no official end time, we will just feel out how the evening progresses. On Sunday, we will again have things like pastries/bagels available casually for breakfast, and lunch will consist of eating up leftovers!:) We must depart Anahata by 2pm.
Question
Activities
Answer
Our intention is to spend time hanging out and catching up with our wonderful families and friends! Anahata is located on a beautiful piece of land, with lots of space to simply enjoy the beauty of nature and explore the property. We'll have a variety of yard games like corn hole, badminton, giant connect 4, and CanJam. We will also be bringing board games/cards. If you have a favorite outdoor yard game/activity, feel free to suggest it to us or bring it along! We'll have some hammocks available for relaxing in too. There are several fire pits around the property, which we'll be using Saturday night for bonfires! The town of Floyd has cute shops and restaurants, and we'll be very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway which is great for a scenic fall drive or hike. NOTE- while we are inviting everyone to spend the weekend at Anahata, please don't feel any pressure to have to be there ALL weekend- if you want to go on an excursion, sleep in, or go out somewhere to eat, please feel free to!:)
Question
What's the dress code?
Answer
We have gotten several questions about what people are expected to wear to the wedding. For the ceremony and reception on the 9th, we are asking that people dress nice, but it doesn't have to be anything too fancy! Something in the realm of "upscale casual"- maybe something like a dress, a button down shirt and tie, or a suit if you're feeling fancy! This is definitely not a black tie affair- no need for anything like a cocktail dress, evening gown, or tuxedo. Our number one priority is for people to be comfortable, so at the end of the day, we will be happy with whatever you wear as long as you feel good in it! We also recommend bringing a jacket or sweater to keep you warm in the evening (we will be outside for the reception). The ceremony and reception will be taking place on a grassy lawn, so we strongly advise against wearing any shoes with a heel. Wear footwear that you will be comfortable in for the entire evening! No other specific dress code for the rest of the weekend:)
Question
What should I bring?
Answer
Please see the FAQ on dress code regarding clothes/shoes to bring. To anyone interested- there is a nice swimming hole if you're feeling up to a brisk October swim, and there is a hot tub, so bring a swimsuit/towel if you'd like! If you have something like an outdoor folding chair, that would be great to bring along for hanging out. You could also bring an eno hammock to setup and lounge in (you could also bring a long a good book if you want some relaxing down time!) We will be providing a few hammocks, but the more the merrier!! Feel free to bring along any of your favorite outdoor activities/games, or any favorite games that are fun to play in a group! You are also welcome to bring along any snacks or extra food if you think you will need it! Guests that are camping on the property- bring along camping essentials such as tent/sleeping bags/etc... if you need help getting any of these items, let us know, we have access to extras! Also bring along things like toiletries and a towel.
Question
Venue details
Answer
We encourage you to check out Anahata's website to get a look at what the venue and property look like! https://anahataeducationcenter.com/ Please note, this is a SMOKE FREE property, and since we will be visitors on this land, we ask that everyone respects this. On that same note, please come with an attitude of respect towards the property and the land that we will be celebrating on. Anahata is located in a rural setting, so please keep in mind that cell reception may be spotty (Verizon seems to have the best coverage there). We recommend plugging in navigation beforehand. There are actually 2 address you can put into your GPS, they both should take you to the same place (one is just newer after the addition of Anahata's own private road). The first is 144 Anahata Circle Floyd, VA 24091. The second is 811 Dobbins Farm Rd. NE Floyd, VA 24091. See the "Directions" FAQ for further driving directions/details. There is wifi available on the property.
Question
Directions from I-81
Answer
-From I-81 take Exit 114 for Route 8 South into Floyd – go 20 miles south on Route 8. -You will come to a stoplight at the intersection of Route 8 and Route 221 - the only stoplight in Floyd County - - turn left there onto 221 . . . -Continue on Route 221 - (also called Main Street and Floyd Highway) for about 6 miles. -You will pass a red brick church (Little River Baptist) on the left, and then over the Little River bridge. -Just after that, turn left on Bethlehem Church Road (Rt 679) and go 2.7 miles, -then, turn left on Red Oak Grove Rd. (Rte 684) and go 0.5 miles -then, turn left on Dobbins Farm Road and go about 1.3 miles -Our road, Dobbins Farm, is gravel and windy - take your time and go slow! Navigation may say 'You have arrived' a little too early. -PASS the blue mailbox with sunflowers and driveway with blue house on the left - keep going a bit further down the hill. -Our driveway on the left has a green street sign 'Anahata Circle'. Turn left there
Question
Parking
Answer
There will be a large, open parking area marked with signs saying "Event Parking". After you turn left onto Anahata's private road (Anahata Circle) from Dobbins Farm Rd, the parking area will be midway down the driveway on the right. Once parked, you'll have to continue walking down the driveway until you reach the "Celebration Space" (the main house), and from there you can continue walking down to the river. There is the ability to drive down to the riverfront for anyone that may need to unload something down there, but you will then have to return to "Event Parking" to park your car.
Question
What food will there be?
Answer
Since we are making this a weekend-long affair, we will be providing most of the meals throughout the weekend! The meals we will be providing are: Friday dinner (Indian), Saturday breakfast(pastries/bagels), Saturday lunch (pizza), Saturday dinner (reception buffet), Sunday breakfast (pastries/bagels), and kind of Sunday lunch (just eating up leftovers!). You can view the specific menus for each meal under the "Schedule" tab of the website- we've written up the menus for each "event". (sorry- we can't figure out how to make a separate menus tab!) We've done our best to chose menu items to accommodate a variety of diets- however, if you have a very specific dietary restriction, please let us know and we can accommodate you (like a gluten free pizza, or a separate vegan entree prepared individually rather than the buffet). Just let us know as soon as you're able! We ask that everyone RSVP to the events listed on our website, just so we can get a headcount for how much food to order:)
Question
What if I don't like the food, or have a dietary restriction?
Answer
If you have a limiting dietary restriction, please let us know ASAP (there should be an option for this when you RSVP). We tried to include things on all the menus that appeal to a wide variety of dietary preferences, so take a look at the menus and see if there is something that fits your diet. If we aren't offering something that meets your dietary needs, let us know and we can work out adding something to the menu that you will be able to eat. Also, please let us know if you have any allergies we need to be aware of. We will do our best to highlight common allergens in the dishes being served. If you simply don't like any of the options we are providing (outside of a dietary or allergen restriction), feel free to bring a long something to make for yourself- we will have access to two kitchens all weekend:) All guests are welcome to use the kitchens/prepare their own food- we only ask that you clean up after yourself!:)
Question
What drinks will be available?
Answer
Fresh drinking water will be available all weekend (from the tap- it is well water and very tasty!) It would't hurt to bring your own reusable water bottle to fill up throughout the weekend, but we will also be providing cups to use if you need! At the reception, we will also have lemonade available as a nonalcoholic beverage choice. At the rehearsal dinner, cocktail hour, and reception, we will have beer and wine available as well. We haven't nailed down the specifics yet, but will make sure to have both red and white wine available. For the beer, we are honestly just thinking of getting a keg of something! If there is a specific kind of beer or cider that you want to drink, feel free to bring it along! We will be providing reusable stainless steel cups engraved with our names and wedding date to act as reusable cups for the weekend but also for people to take home as a party favor afterwards:) We'll have access to a dishwasher to wash them as needed, and we can mark names with tape:)
Question
One Final Note...
Answer
We just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to you all! We know that Southwest Virginia isn't the closest destination for some of you, so we appreciate people making the trip to be there to celebrate with us on our special day! To those of you that are not able to make it, we will miss you, and hope to see you soon at another time! We love you all very much and can't wait for October!