FAQs
Question
Is the event indoors or outdoors?
Answer
The morning ceremony will be held outdoors in the garden, please dress accordingly. In the case of heavy rain, the ceremony will be moved indoors to rooms 107/109 in the JC Raulston Arboretum Ruby C. McSwain Education Center. The evening dinner will be held indoors in the restaurant.
Question
There are two events, does this mean I need two outfits?
Answer
Although there will be some down time in between the morning ceremony and the evening dinner, please do not feel the need to have two outfits; if you do want to change outfits in between, we're all for it - but it is certainly not required!
Question
Should I wear American style clothes or Indian style clothes?
Answer
We want our guests looking and feeling their best, please wear whichever you prefer!
Question
What is the dress code?
Answer
American Attire: Semi-Formal (think cocktail dresses, midi dresses, dressy separates, suits, blazer/sport coat and dress pants) Indian Attire: Ceremony/Reception Level (please refrain from wearing white) *If* you would like to wear two outfits, lean more towards light colors/florals/semi-formal garden attire for the morning ceremony and more towards jewel tones/darker colors/slightly more formal attire for the evening reception.
Question
What should I do in between the morning Ceremony and evening Dinner?
Answer
While we will have some light refreshments after the ceremony, we will not be serving a formal lunch. We recommend using the time in between the ceremony and reception dinner to check out some of the amazing local restaurants we have here in Raleigh for lunch. Some of our favorite spots are: Sassool, Morgan Street Food Hall, Transfer Co Food Hall, The Flying Biscuit (where we went on our first date!), Bosphorus, Vaishno Bhog, V Pizza. You could also use this time to explore the Arboretum further, go to the nearby North Carolina Museum of Art (where we got engaged!), or, like us, go home and take a nap.
Question
JC Raulston Arboretum Parking
Answer
Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Arboretum parking lot and along Beryl Road in marked parking spaces only. See map at https://jcra.ncsu.edu/rentals/venues/venue-map/ for more information. Please arrive early to find parking and give yourself ample time to walk from your parking location to the garden.
Question
Caffé Luna Parking
Answer
Downtown Raleigh has free street parking on Saturdays, however it can be limited. There are also various parking decks across downtown Raleigh within walking distance of Caffé Luna (parking fees may vary). The Wilmington Street Parking Deck located at 117 S. Wilmington Street is one block from Caffé Luna and is accessible from both Wilmington and Blount streets - parking is $1-$2/hour and free after 7pm. Please arrive early to find parking and give yourself ample time to walk from your parking location to the restaurant.