Anuka & Nicholson
What?When?Where?
Friday, May 27, 2022
Sangeet and Welcome
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
177 Ripley Road, Montague, MA 01351
Join us for an evening of music and merriment! Sangeet literally translates to "music" in Hindi. Anuka interprets it as a fun family talent show. Nicholson is a bit more competitive and thinks of it as a dueling dance competition (picture Romeo and Juliet meets Stomp the Yard). In reality it will likely be something in the middle! We will also have a henna artist for anyone interested in pre-wedding henna. There will be snacks that are inspired by Haitian snacks and Indian street foods!
Saturday, May 28, 2022
Nature walk with bride & groom
7:30 am - 8:30 am
177 Ripley Road, Montague, MA 01351
Wear what you are comfortable in for walking through the woods!
One of the many reasons we love our venue is because of how seamlessly it showcases the nature it sits in. There are even hiking trails within the property and two streams that run through the property and the Robert Frost Trail is within walking distance. For those of you nature lovers and early-ish risers, grab some coffee or juice in town and join us for a walk through the woods and trails at Montague Retreat Center! Please bring your own hydration (but if you forget we will have extra).
Haldi Ceremony
10:00 am - 11:00 am
177 Ripley Road, Montague, MA 01351
Casual Indian clothes in yellow or white, white summer shirts with shorts or jeans
In traditional Indian weddings this ceremony (which literally translates to "yellow" and also "turmeric") takes place prior to the wedding where the bride and grooms family meet separately to bless their respective family member who is part of the wedding couple. Part of the blessing includes adorning their faces and skin with turmeric (did you know turmeric has many anti-inflammtory properties and also gives a mad glow to skin?!). This will be a casual gathering that is optional but if you want to come see what this ceremony is all about and hang out with our families feel free to join! We will break with enough time for you to grab lunch at one of the eateries in the nearby towns and go back to your accommodations to get ready prior to the ceremony and the evening festivities!
Baraat
3:00 pm
177 Ripley Road, Montague, MA 01351
Whatever you are wearing to ceremony
The wedding ceremony festivities begin with the grooms wedding procession! All guests are invited to meet Nicholson and our close family and friends for a dancing wedding procession up the path to the ceremony circle.
Wedding Ceremony
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
177 Ripley Road, Montague, MA 01351
We are coming together to celebrate our love, our cultures, the role you each have played in our lives, and other cultures that have influenced our relationship! We invite you to wear Indian semi-formal, brunch attire, or any other traditional formal attire from any culture you identify with!
We are having an inter-faith Hindu/Bengali Haitian ceremony. We will have programs that walk you through the ceremony and also will have our co-officiants explain the process of the ceremony as we go along!
Cocktail hour
5:15 pm - 6:30 pm
177 Ripley Road, Montague, MA 01351
You will walk down the path from our ceremony circle straight to under the courtyard lined with trees for some cocktails and light bites!
Lets gather and feast!
6:45 pm - 8:30 pm
177 Ripley Road, Montague, MA 01351
Once cocktail hour ends we will meet under the tent on the stone patio for a family style meal that incorporates some of our Indian and Haitian favorite foods and also brings in elements of a Farm to Table meal that highlights the local produce of Western Massachusetts. We will have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
Dance Dance!
8:30 pm - 11:00 pm
177 Ripley Road, Montague, MA 01351
Dancing will take place after in the adjacent Great Hall Barn which was built by the Zen Peacemakers and have beautiful elements of nature (including bamboo floors) throughout!
Meet us at the firepit!
11:00 pm
Feel free to change into casual attire (see FAQ section for changing areas available at our Venue) and hang out with us at the firepit!