jonathan & nikhita
corsica • sept 2025

WELCOME TO OUR SOCIAL EXPERIMENT!

WELCOME TO OUR SOCIAL EXPERIMENT!

The Basics

*TL;DR for those who are less reading-inclined 😇

Who

Nikhita, Jonathan & (hopefully) YOU!

What

Our Indian-Vietnamese Wedding that is not in the USA or Canada or India or Vietnam. 💍

When

Sept 21-25, 2025. The last day of events will be the 24th, but most folks will depart from Corsica on the 25th (or stay longer if you want!).

Where

Corsica, France 🇫🇷. Don’t worry, we explain where Corsica is & our questionable choices below.

Why

We want to share this commitment with our favorite humans! And it's about time we got the government involved in our relationship. 😅

Logistics?

We’ve added details on how to book accommodation, rental cars and flights below. Let us know if you need any help!

Gifts?

The best gift is your presence at our wedding but we do want a little social experimentation. Full instructions below but here is the quick version:

TL;DR: Instead of gifts, send us a book 📚

Pick one that’s meant something to you — comforting, challenging, or just a favorite — and write a note to us inside the front cover.

We’re building a bookshelf of love, wisdom, and stories for our future family 🧡

📬 Mail to:
532 North San Mateo Drive, Unit A
San Mateo, CA 94401

(Anytime before the wedding — we’d rather not carry them back from Corsica 😅)

Our Story

Our story began in February 2022 in Palo Alto, when a question/comment about the Titanic 🚢 turned into a full-blown essay exchange. (Yes, full essays—because why settle for small talk?)

From day one, we discovered a shared passion for deep conversations, big dreams, and the relentless pursuit of being “useful” humans 😅. Over the years, we’ve tackled life’s ups and downs as a team—whether that meant navigating career ambitions & transitions, debating the value of systemic vs. point solutions, perfecting the art of airport fashion choices (hint: not free t-shirts), and striking the perfect balance between Trader Joe's and Costco (Trader Joe’s is obviously better…😇).

By February 2025, after three years of travels/adventures, deep philosophical debates, and just the right amount of slothing 🦥 around, we got engaged. Our relationship is built on effort, reflection, and the occasional flamethrower moment ☄️ (a reflex Nikhita has on occasion). Through it all, we’ve learned that love isn’t just about the big romantic gestures—it’s also about doing the work, lifting each other up, and asking, “What is your thesis?” before making any major life decisions. We believe in living authentically, supporting each other’s dreams, and ensuring our future is built on laughter, teamwork, and a well-stocked Effort Room (which happens to be the title of a book Jonathan made for Nikhita when he proposed 👇🏼!).

Why Corsica?

We know what you’re thinking: Why on earth would you get married in Corsica??? 🧐

Contrary to popular belief, this has nothing to do with Nikhita’s Canadian 🇨🇦 upbringing or Jonathan’s Vietnamese rebellion 😅. In Summer 2024, we took a much-needed trip to Europe to celebrate some big personal and professional milestones—surviving 1 year of cohabitation, new jobs, and seeing dear friends. In true quirky fashion, we stumbled upon Villa Flaka and absolutely fell in love. 💙

After months of chaos, it was tranquil to hear the sounds of the ocean 🌊 and to embrace the stillness of Corsica. As a joke, we asked the owners of Villa Flaka if they did weddings, and they flatly told us NO. In true entrepreneurial fashion, Nikhita eventually wore them down 😅, and we thought this place would be an unforgettable way for our Type A competent friends and family to come together and actually unplug. We’re so excited to have you be a part of this lifelong memory.

The Itinerary

Our vision for the wedding is simple—we want it to feel like a hangout at our dining table: chill, homey, fun and with just the right amount of Bollywood chaos (because let’s be real, we can’t resist). More details to follow in the coming weeks but here is a general lay of the land!

We’ve added a few vibe prompts for each event in case you’re wondering what to wear—take them as loose inspiration!

Sept 21st

Day 1: Arrival, Board Games
& Outdoor Movie Night

Settle in, grab a drink, and hang out! We’re kicking things off with a laid-back night of board games 🃏 and outdoor movies 🍿 featuring some of our favorites. One of those will definitely be a Bollywood pick—Jonathan has somehow watched 50+ at this point. Expect plenty of late-night popcorn and drinks, plus Indian, Vietnamese, and French snacks to keep things going!

Attire: Whatever makes you happy

Sept 22nd

Day 2: Haldi, Sangeet & Mehndi

Haldi (Morning)

The Haldi ceremony is an Indian tradition where friends & family apply turmeric on the bride and groom as a form of blessing (with the added benefit of glowing skin for the wedding day 👀). If you feel like joining in, come by after brunch for some French Charcuterie and turmeric action ✨. It'll be a quick one—just an hour or so—so no pressure if you’d rather sleep in or explore.

Attire: 🌼 Casual and sunny — guests traditionally wear yellows or off-white.

Music Studio & Art Projects (Afternoon) Optional

It wouldn’t be our wedding without some sort of productive work! #effortroom For anyone who is musically or artistically inclined, join Nikhita for some art creation or Jonathan in the Villa Flaka music studio (the owner used to be a DJ!) for some singing & recording an album!

Sangeet & Mehndi & Pizza Night (Evening)

The Sangeet & Mehndi are all about music, dance, and beautiful henna. We’ll have a bougie pizza party along with a fun night of singing, dancing, and celebrating together—no fancy Bollywood moves required! 💃🏽

Attire: 🌌 Semi-formal, festive with bold colors. Indian or Vietnamese attire is welcome and encouraged!

Sept 23rd

Day 3: Wedding & Reception

Ceremony (Late Afternoon)

The main event 💍! Join us for our fusion Indian-Vietnamese wedding by the sea 🌊. The ceremony will take place in the late afternoon and last about 1–2 hours, followed by light refreshments. Afterward, we’ll take a short break before reconvening for the evening reception.

Attire: 🌌 Semi-formal with a romantic, earthy, and beach-friendly vibe. Indian or Vietnamese attire is warmly welcomed and encouraged!

Reception (Evening)

We’ll gather back at Villa Flaka for a cocktail hour, reception, and after party! Expect a flavorful blend of Indian, Vietnamese, and French food, music, and celebration under the stars.

Attire: Formal with understated glamour. Feel free to stay in your wedding outfit or change into something new.

Sept 24th

Day 4: Beach Picnic (Afternoon)

If you know us, you know we love a good beach picnic 🧺. For the last day, come hang for a laid-back afternoon by the Mediterranean Sea 🌊 with sandwiches, French pastries, and some Corsican specialties as we soak up some last-minute peaceful waves!

Attire: Whatever makes you happy

Sept 25th

Day 5: Checkout & Departures

Some of you may head out on the 24th, while others will be leaving the morning of the 25th. However your travel plans shake out, we're so glad we got to spend this time together.

The best gift is your presence at our wedding, but we do have
one special request.

Rather than traditional gifts, we’d love for you to take part in a little social experiment 😇—one that reflects something deeply meaningful to both of us: knowledge.

⚠️ We ask each of you to mail us a book 📕 that has been significant in your life and write a note to us inside the front cover. It could be something that shaped your thinking, brought you comfort, or simply a story you love.

Books have always played a special role in our relationship. In fact, for our engagement, Jonathan created a book telling the story of us 💙—something Nikhita will treasure forever. Our hope is that, one day, our future children will look at a bookshelf filled with books from the people who shaped our lives 📚—notes from uncles, aunties, mentors, and friends—seeing not just the stories within them, but the wisdom and love that surround them. 💕

Our mailing address for books:

532 North San Mateo Drive, Unit A
San Mateo, CA, 94401

You’re welcome to send them anytime between now and the wedding — we’d much rather enjoy them over the coming months than try to lug them back from Corsica 😅

Travel, Things to Do & Logistics

In case you need a little extra temptation to join us, we’ve added some pictures from our last trip! ✨ All the key details (aka the boring logistics) are listed here and will continue to be updated. Reach out if you have any questions!

  • The nearest airport to our wedding venue is Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport (AJA), located about 1 hour from Villa Flaka. Calvi Sainte-Catherine Airport is also nearby (1.5-2 hour drive). Since there are no direct flights from the U.S. to Corsica, travelers will need to connect through a major European city.

    Best Cities to Connect Through from the U.S.:

    • Paris, France (CDG or ORY) – Multiple daily flights to Ajaccio

    • Marseille, France (MRS) – Frequent direct flights to Ajaccio

    • Nice, France (NCE) – Short, affordable flights to Ajaccio

    • Lyon, France (LYS) – Another great French connection

    • If you’re looking for a non-French city to connect through, here are some options:

      • Brussels, Belgium (CRL) – Direct flights to Ajaccio

      • London, United Kingdom (STN) – Direct flights to Ajaccio

      • Geneva, Switzerland (GVA) – Direct flights to Ajaccio

      • Luxembourg City, Luxembourg (LUX) – Direct flights to Ajaccio

      • Oslo, Norway (OSL) – Direct flights to Ajaccio

    Since flight availability varies by season, we recommend booking early and checking airlines like Air Corsica, Volotea, and easyJet for the best options.

    A great approach is to fly directly to one of the main cities above, spend a night or two exploring, and then catch a short flight to Ajaccio. Many of our guests are planning to turn this into a little European adventure!

    If you need help with routes or bookings, we’re happy to help — just reach out!

  • We’ve got a few places lined up for you to stay during our wedding, but feel free to explore more options! There are many hotels within walking and short driving distance, as well as many in the town of Cargèse nearby. Most of these hotels offer some breakfast options 🍳🥞, so feel free to choose what works best for you. Two of the closest hotels are below:

    Takladia Omigna (Link 🔗)

    • Takladia Omigna is a great option within a 15-20 min walk to Villa Flaka and right on the beach.

    Résidence Omigna (Link 🔗)

    • This is a great option for those looking for more of an apartment with a kitchen or wanting to share with folks. It’s a 15 minute walk from the venue. It also happens to be overlooking the sea!

    Additional Nearby Hotel Options

    If you'd like to explore more options, we’ve curated a list of nearby Airbnbs here:

  • Once you arrive in Ajaccio, you have a few ways to get to Villa Flaka in Cargèse:

    Rent a Car (Best Option 🚘)

    • Corsica is very car-friendly, and renting a car gives you the freedom to explore the island. It’s usually about $50 a day.

    • Many rentals in Corsica are electric vehicles (EVs), and the island has over 100 public charging stations.

    • Recommended rental agencies: Sixt, Hertz, Europcar

    • This also gives you flexibility to explore the island in the downtime (theres a ton to do!)

    Private Transfer or Taxi 🚖

    • Pre-booked transfers can take you directly from the airport to Cargèse.

    • Taxis are available at the airport, but availability may be limited, so booking ahead is recommended.

    If you are worried about getting from the airport to Cargèse/your hotel, let us know and we can help figure out car pool options with other guests.

  • Corsica is one of our favorite places on the planet!

    Within Cargèse (Where the Wedding Is)

    Cargese is a charming coastal village with a fascinating history of Greek settlers (yes, in Corsica!). If you're in the mood for a relaxed stroll, head to:

    • The Greek & Latin Churches – Two beautiful churches that sit across from each other, a unique reminder of Cargèse’s mixed heritage.

    • Plage de Peru – A stunning sandy beach, perfect for an afternoon swim or just lounging with a book.

    Corsica (Beyond Cargèse)

    If you're extending your trip, there’s so much to explore:

    • Calanques de Piana: Unreal red rock formations along the coast, best seen by boat or on a scenic drive.

    • Scandola Nature Reserve: A UNESCO-listed marine reserve with dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters.

    • Bonifacio: A jaw-dropping clifftop town with old fortress vibes and insane views over the Mediterranean.

    • Cap Corse: The rugged, less touristy part of the island with wild beaches, tiny fishing villages, and incredible hikes.

    • Ajaccio: Napoleon’s birthplace (if you're into history), plus great waterfront cafés and markets.

    Corsica is basically a mix of beaches, mountains, and super chill vibes—so you can’t go wrong wherever you explore!

  • If you need a Schengen visa to attend our wedding, we've got you covered. To help with your application, we've included a downloadable invitation letter template that you can personalize and submit to the embassy. If you need anything else to support your visa process, feel free to reach out!

    Download Letter 🗳️

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Be there or be square. Just kidding. 😅

We know it’s a lot to ask to make it all the way to Corsica. We would absolutely love to celebrate with you. If you can’t make it or need more time to figure it out, we completely understand.

We would be super grateful if you could RSVP as soon as possible.

Made with 🤍 from Nikhita & Jonathan