The closest international airport to Gokulam Grand Resort is Cochin International. If you're traveling internationally and don't see any direct flights from your closest airport to Cochin, Mumbai and Delhi are hubs and may be better options for you. If you're flying from the US, stops in European countries and Dubai are common. From Cochin International Airport, you can book an Uber or set up a hotel shuttle (in advance) to come pick you up.
If you're not an Indian citizen, you'll most likely need a visa. There is only one official visa site (and many websites saying that they are the official ones). Only move through the process on this website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ Be warned - the website can be wonky. As you're moving through the application for the first time, we recommend that you copy and paste your written out responses in another document, just in case the website doesn't accept your application the first time. Keep trying! This is normal. Both times Isabel has applied, confirmation that the visa has been approved has come within a week (one time it came in 30 ish hours! don't recommend that lol). You can also go onto the website and check your visa status using your application reference number. This is often updated prior to receiving emailed confirmation. Once your visa is approved, you need to print it out and carry it with you while you travel. You will be asked to show it (probably 2-3 times) throughout the trip. If you have any questions, let us know and we'll do our best to support!
When we travel to India, we use an E-Sim through a company called Airalo. This allows us access the internet from our phones without being on a local wifi network. We highly recommend this! If you'd like more information, check out this blog article on Airalo: https://www.airalo.com/blog/how-to-use-an-esim-to-simplify-your-phone-service-abroad
We recommend booking an extra night or two (at least!) at Gokulam Grand Resort. If you book on the 11th, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the resort on the 12th before the festivities begin that afternoon! If you book the day or two after the wedding, we'll be around to relax and enjoy fun activities together. To make a reservation for before or after the wedding days, email sales.kmk@gokulamhotels.com including: - your name - number of rooms / people - type of room - the day(s) that you would like to stay - and some sort of message explaining the following, "I'll be attending Isabel and Aayush's wedding from the 12th-13th and would like to extend my stay." An important note about extending: The resort charges a Peak Rate through January 10. If you check-in before January 11, you'll be subject to that rate. After January 11, if you extend your stay, you'll receive a special rate through the wedding. These are the types of rooms and their rates: Deluxe Room - ₹14,500 Superior Room - ₹ 15,500 Lake View Room - ₹ 20,000 Meandering Pool Room - ₹ 25,000 Lake View Villa - ₹ 26,000 Presidential Suite - ₹ 45,000
Based on what the internet is telling us, January sees the lowest amount of rain in Kumarakom. It will probably be sunny! In Fahrenheit, high temperatures land in the mid-80s while lows are in the low-70s. In Celsius, that's around 30 high and 23 low.
Indian weddings are opportunities for bright colors! Whatever format of clothing you decide to wear, more traditional Indian or not, let it be clothing you feel beautiful and comfortable in. For further details on suggested attire, check the 'Schedule and Events' tab. Some things to consider: - It's probably best to avoid wearing black to events. - It's going to be hot! Wear light, airy fabrics. - (For out-of-towners!) Depending on your travel schedule, you may be best off going shopping when you land in India.
We'll be gathering this information from each guest when we send out our formal RSVP. If you have any concerns that you'd like to get on our radar sooner rather than later, don't hesitate to reach out!
First, if you're able to join us in Kumarakom, we cannot express to you how grateful we are for the huge investment that requires. It means the world to us. You are the gift. You are an entire universe of enough. Second, we don't know if we are going to have a formal registry. We've been told by wise people that it's helpful for guests and will keep us from having 10 sets of towels. We will make a decision by end of March and update this section. Because we'll have limited suitcase space, we'll have limited capacity to bring gifts that are gifted to us in-person home to Seattle! Just something to consider. More details to come soon :)