WeddingSutra Editors’ Blog » 2010

Archive for November, 2010

Low-key Royal Wedding in Jaipur; UK readies for next royal wedding

Nov 21, 2010 Celeb Weddings to Watch out for

Prince Shivraj Singh, 35 married Askot’s princess Gayatri Kumari, 21 in Jaipur at a wedding that was out-of-bounds for the press. Though some publications referred to it as a very grand royal wedding, we heard that it was actually a low-key affair by Royal standards. But everybody who was somebody was there—royalty, corporate chiefs, political bigwigs.

The traditional celebrations for Maharaja Gaj Singh’s son included pre-wedding celebrations in Jodhpur and the wedding in Jaipur. Around 14 charter planes landed at Jaipur’s Sanganer Airport and the guests included industrialists Kumar Mangalam Birla, Swati Piramal and Gautam Singhania, politician Amar Singh and King Gyanendra Singh and actor Kabir Bedi. Around 300 baraatis dressed in traditional Rajput finery assembled at the Rambagh Palace. The royal procession was led by an elephant followed by the Manganiyar and Langa folk musicians. Then came the horses from the royal stabls and the lavajma. The post-wedding reception takes place at Umaid Bhawan Jodhpur on November 22.

UK meanwhile is speculating about Britain’s biggest wedding. Prince William and Kate Middleton got engaged in the State Rooms of St James’s Palace, London on 16th November. William and Kate announced that they will marry in spring or summer 2011 but the couple have not revealed a date or venue. It will be Britain’s biggest wedding since Charles and Diana’s 30 years ago and is expected to be a national holiday. Up to two million well-wishers are expected to turn up to cheer the couple and news reports state that government officials, security chiefs and religious leaders have started outlining plans.

Tags: Askot, Gayatri Kumari, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kate Middleton, Maharaja Gaj Singh, Prince Shivraj Singh, Prince William, Umaid Bhawan

How to have a magical Maldives Honeymoon

Nov 20, 2010 Taj Hotels Resorts Palaces

If it’s a luxurious honeymoon you are looking for, Maldives is the place to be. Honeymoons here are all about no shoes and no news; luxury and privacy, relaxing spa therapies and the exquisite dining. And Taj offers you not one, but two properties for a magical Maldives honeymoon.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives

Gaze at the magnificent Maldivian sunset from your private villa at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives, which stretches along the clear blue waters of one of the area’s largest lagoons. Choose from beach villas with private plunge pools and cozy outdoor beds, and lagoon villas on stilts, perched over the ocean with their own private sun decks angled to maximize privacy.

Although the resort offers many settings for romantic dinners at the resort, the most stunning dinner setting is located around a mile off the coast and surrounded by the Indian Ocean on all sides. It is only reachable by boat and once booked you’ll be chauffeur sailed to the venue and left with a mobile phone so you can arrange to be collected. The set menu features a chilled selection including caviar, lobster and champagne and the decor is littered with candles, big cushions and flowers making it the most magically romantic setting.

Beach Breakfast

Lounging by the fireside on the beach as the sun goes down

Private Dining on the Deck

Romantic Dining on a Pavillion in the middle of the ocean

Even the restaurants have panoramic views of the ocean

A highlight of the resort is the Jiva Grande Spa – a private island sanctuary offering a range of Indian wellness signature treatments and rituals. Alepa – Signature treatment at the award winning Jiva Grande Spa is a must do for every couple to experience closeness to each other and the nature. This experience is drawn from the sacred and ceremonial time-honored Indian bathing rituals. You may apply the paste on yourself or on each other, for an interactive, engaging and bonding experience.

Vivanta By Taj – Coral Reef, Maldives

It has all the exotic ocean views and dramatic sunsets that are de rigueur for any tropical holiday. The twist comes when you step into your villa and instead of the usual beach décor, find a streamlined, sophisticated take on resort accommodations. Vivanta by Taj has revamped the resort experience from stem to stern and offers the ideal escape at a stunning value proposition. Paradise is a Vivanta by Taj Villa or Suite with private sit outs, sun decks, hammocks and open-air showers and even plunge pools overlooking the Indian Ocean.

For a romantic dining experience, opt for an in-villa bbq with your own private chef, or a secret sandbank picnic, surrounded by the warm Indian Ocean and only accessible at low tide.

Couples wishing to renew their vows can pledge themselves to each other at the beach pavilion or sandbank, on a dhoni, underwater or even in a submarine. At the heart of the island, the Jiva Spa features many treatment rooms with private soak bath areas. Couples can choose from authentic Indian, royal and holistic experiences specially designed to lull you into state of relaxed bliss.

For more information, call Taj Hotels.
Toll Free No: 1 800 111 825

Looking for a Wedding Gift?

Nov 20, 2010 Uncategorized

Oswal’s host Big Fat Sangeet in Ludhiana

Nov 18, 2010 Celebrity Wedding Pictures

Ludhiana and Delhi, the city of the big wedding spenders are talking about the Big Fat Sangeets, where unimaginable amounts have been spent. Industrialist Kamal Oswal’s daughter’s sangeet was held at a farmhouse in Ludhiana on 13th November. Neha Oswal weds Anant Nahata in Delhi on November 29th, and for the first function in Ludhiana, the family hired Mumbai-based design boutique house Studio Neelabh to design and execute a “wow” theme. Aditi and Neelabh, the husband-wife duo who run Studio Neelabh designed a Venetian concept— with huge replicas of Venetian architectures and elements of Venice. The 250 feet long stage was twice the size of the stage of a world-class event and Neelabh and his team of over 500 persons, worked on the design and sets for over two months. Malaika Arora Khan performed at the sangeet, and Delhi-based Kitchen Art took care of all the culinary arrangements. Now if the Sangeet was so grand we wonder how much grander the wedding will be.

Photographs courtesy:www.badalraja.com

Tags: Anant Nahata, Badal Raja Jain, Daughter, Kamal Oswal, Kitchen Art, Ludhiana, Malaika Arora Khan, Neha Oswal, Oswal, Sangeet, Studio Neelabh, Theme, Venetian, Venice, wedding

Falaknuma Palace – perfect setting for a fairytale wedding

Nov 15, 2010 Taj Hotels Resorts Palaces

From the opulent interiors to the verdant palace lawns Taj Falaknuma Palace offers the perfect setting for fairytale weddings. After ten years of sensitive restoration, the Taj has infused new life into this sixty room private palace to offer visitors a glimpse of the imperial lifestyle of the Nizams who once governed the legendary city of Hyderabad. What was once the sole preserve of visiting royalty- King George V and the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II will soon be yours to host the nuptial of your dreams.

Nestled amidst unique themed gardens, Taj Falaknuma Palace is a rare blend of Italian and Tudor architecture. And it comes complete with every convenience – from state-of-the-art amenities to a palace butler. Made of Italian marble, the palace is home to priceless art and artifacts. The ornate inlaid furniture from Kashmir, rich handcrafted tapestries from France, Venetian chandeliers and intricate frescos, all give the palace its distinct Baroque style.

Host A Wedding That Befits Modern-Day Monarchs.

• The palace is a sublime setting – perfect for bespoke weddings and memorable receptions.

• The terrace is a spectacular venue for hosting wedding dinners – it offers breathtaking views of the city far below.

• Shahi Dastarkhan provides a perfect setting for more intimate events like Mehendi where soldiers with mashals in their hands align the entrance to the romantic setting of the Chowki dinner (traditional low level seating.)

• Famed as one of the most beautiful space in the palace and inspired by the Mythological Indra Bhavan, the Durbar Hall is an ideal venue for grand wedding reception.

• The Dining Hall at Falaknuma has the world’s largest dining table, made in seven pieces which can seat 101 people at a time. Adding to its beauty are five enchanting Belgian Chandeliers adorning the ceiling. The dining hall has a collection of art restored to its original glory. An ideal place for sit down lunches and dinners for a more intimate ceremony

• The beautiful traditions of Rajasthan come alive at these gardens at the palace. The garden showcases Rajputana architecture in the three magnificently constructed Jharokhas overlooking the city. An immaculately sculptured fountain further enhances the beauty of the garden. An ideal venue for hosting evening parties, receptions and cocktails, it accommodates about 100 guests..

• Gol Terrace provides a dramatic setting for an evening of cocktails and music.

• After the festivites are over and the guests have left, rejuvenate yourself at the Jiva Grande Spa where time-honoured Indian therapies & treatments are offered in an ambience of tranquility and solitude.

For more information, call Taj Hotels.
Toll Free No: 1 800 111 825

Tags: Bespoke Weddings, Fairytale Wedding, Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad, Taj

Manish Malhotra Finale at Amby Valley Bridal Week

Nov 3, 2010 Bridal Shows & Wedding Exhibitions, Fashion & Bridal Wear

After watching innumerable starlets in blinged out lehengas traipsing the ramp at the Amby Valley Bridal Week, Manish Malhotra’s show came as a respite. It isn’t that Manish doesnt do embroideries and embellishments or doesn’t use rich fabrics. But besides being a designer, he is also an ace stylist. He knows where to stop the bling. His embellishments edge the necklines, sleeves, hemlines but rarely cover the whole outfit. And ain’t we thankful for that.

Tags: Amby Valley Bridal Week, Manish Malhotra

IIM and MBA graduates choose careers in Wedding Photography.

Nov 2, 2010 Wedding Photographers

It’s a lucrative full-time or part-time career, with its own special thrills and challenges. Joseph Radhik, an alumni of IIM Indore, has recently quit his job with a Consulting firm to pursue a full-time career, in what he believes is the toughest genre of photography: “Since I’m extremely competitive while yearning for technical perfection in everything I do, wedding photography was almost a natural choice.” He adds: “Being a good wedding photographer requires you to have the reflexes of a sports shooter, the patience of a wild-life watcher, the vigility of a photojournalist, the style appreciation of a fashion photographer, the lighting skills of a cinematographer and the aesthetic sense of an artist. I love it.”

Many like IIM Kozhikode alumni Paromita Deb Areng, IIM Bangalore alumni Pradeep Sanyal and Symbiosis grad Arjun Mahajan pursue it as an active hobby or part-time career. Paromita works with Reliance Industries, Mumbai and photographs weddings over week-ends. Bangalore-based Management Consultant Sanyal has been pursuing this interest since over a decade. Arjun Mahajan who works with a Gurgaon-based Bio-tech firm enjoys doing this, because he’s such a people’s person. He explains: “Wedding photography gives me the chance to interact with lots of happy people. It’s very fulfilling to be able to capture memories and help folks remember their happy day forever.” And he is considering it as a full-time career option soon. “Yes, I would love to pursue it as a full-time profession, but for the moment I want to gain more experience and establish relationships with some more clients (families).” Ditto is the case of Pradeep Sanyal, 38: “It is a far more lucrative career today. And very soon, I plan to plunge full-time into Wedding Photography.”

While most MBAs enjoy the thrill of achieving their targets and goals, for these MBA grads, the thrill lies in not just acquiring more clients, but the joy of capturing some beautiful moments. For Mahajan, its almost always the vidai (bride leaving her father’s home). “Its a moment which is always emotionally charged. I always shoot it discreetly from the side.” Radhik has something different to look forward to at the wedding of every different wedding community: “In Christian weddings, it is most definitely the moment when the father of the bride brings the bride in- the look of the groom when he sees the bride, the pride on the dad’s face, the emotions on the family’s faces…everything! In Telugu weddings, there is a ceremony called “talambralu” which basically has the bride and groom slinging a lot of rice and colorful balls at each other! It is definitely the craziest and funniest ritual! Oh and Mallu (Malayalam) ceremonies are fun as well with the games at the end!”

Joseph talks about his favorite photo. “It was shot during the vidai at a wedding in Delhi. Samriddhi’s (the bride) soulful eyes well up with tears as she bids goodbye to the family. Abhik (the groom) looks on while her father (to the right) gives her a word of encouragement. I love how the photo is made up of three symbolic frames divided by the car’s windows – the father, the bride and the groom.”

Joseph Radhik