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Starry Venues

The Taj Group venues are still most favoured by celebrities to say ‘I do’

Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan chose the sea-facing Taj Mahal Palace Hotel to exchange their vows. Arpita Khan and Ayush Sharma took their fairytale wedding to Hyderabad’s magnificent Taj Falaknuma Palace. Their elegant reception in Mumbai was also hosted at a Taj property, the luxurious Lands End in Bandra, where Aamir Khan held an opulent reception celebrating his nephew Imraan Khan’s wedding to Avantika Malik.

But these recent Bollywood shaadis are just part of a long lineage of India’s celebrities who for generations have chosen to entrust their most important celebrations to the Taj Group of Hotels with its wealth of elegant spaces, excellent banquet facilities and that legendary hospitality and gracious service.

Here are the top five venues on their list…

TAJ MAHAL PALACE, MUMBAI
A historical tourist attraction in itself, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is the ultimate in luxury if you’re looking for an exclusive venue amongst colonial structures in the picturesque part of the city. This iconic hotel, overlooking the majestic Gateway of India, dates back over a 100 years to 1903. Each of the 550 rooms and suites are a blend of nostalgic elegance, rich history and modern facilities. The 11 newly refurbished halls and venues are ideal for elaborate weddings or intimate gatherings. The Ballroom, spacious enough for 450 guests, is perfect for grand private events. For a larger banquet, there’s the massive, pillar-less Crystal Room which takes over 800 guests in a floating crowd. A delightful option for a private celebration with about 100 guests is the Rendezvous on the rooftop, with its 360-degree panoramic view of the city.

This hotel boasts of the city’s most acclaimed fine dining restaurants and bars. From authentic Indian cuisine at Masala Kraft; world-famous Japanese dishes at Wasabi by Morimoto; exquisite Eastern Mediterranean at Souk and Chinese at Golden Dragon. Head to Shamiana, all day diner, or unwind with a refreshing meal at Aquarius, the poolside restaurant, or visit the stylish Harbour Bar. The exotic range of sumptuous desserts at La Patisserie will satiate your sweet tooth. If you’re choosing to tie the knot at one of their exquisite venues, you can be certain that your guests will take back memories of their culinary experience too.

TAJ LANDS END, MUMBAI
Perched atop the Bandstand, Taj Lands End offers a view of the city’s stunning skyline, the historical Bandra Fort and the calming Arabian Sea. This palm-lined haven on the harbor is located in Mumbai’s hippest suburb, Bandra – conveniently close to the domestic and international airports, and only a quick ride across the Sea Link to South Mumbai’s tourist spots and historical attractions.There are 493 luxurious rooms, including 33 suites, each with a spectacular sea view, and a one-of-a-kind grand presidential suite. Guests can head to the Tropics Bar and lounge by the pool while they’re warming up for your big celebration.

Savour traditional Indian cuisine at Masala Bay, home-style Italian at Maritime by San Lorenzo, and scrumptious Chinese cuisine at Ming Yang. Such culinary fare teamed with their impeccable service will make your wedding buffet a memorable experience. The beautifully landscaped seaside and poolside lawns are ideal for a wedding ceremony or reception. There’s also a large selection of grand banquet halls if you prefer the indoors.

TAJ FALAKNUMA, HYDERABAD
Make your Big Fat Indian wedding even more magnificent with a touch of royal opulence. Taj Falaknuma Palace, the former palace of the Nizam of Hyderabad, once the richest man in the world, was built in 1894 and is perched 2,000 feet above the city. Overlooking the twinkling City of Pearls, this enchanting palace exudes romance and grandeur that takes you back in time, and is ideal for couples who want to imbue their intimate wedding celebrations with a piece of royal heritage, suitably away from the general populace.

Spanning a lush green 32 acres, the five-star luxury hotel allows you a journey into the gilded ages, where opulence and excess is savored and celebrated in equal measure. Celebrate your union at our 9000 square feet Rajasthani Gardens, created and conceived by the Nizam himself. Or take the plunge in front of teary-eyed friends and family in the gold-hued Durbar Hall, one of the most spectacular rooms in the Palace which has been inspired by the mythological Indra Bhavan. The 60 rooms and suites are beautifully refurbished and lovingly restored by Her Highness Princess Esra, the Nizam’s Turkish wife; each with a marvellous view of the palace courtyard and the 400-year-old city of Hyderabad. The Grand presidential Suite is the most apt venue for a Royal Honeymoon. With private pool and gardens, the duplex suite with an elevator has everything that the couple needs; giving them the option to spend time in privacy without bothering move out.

Their fine-dining Hyderabadi speciality restaurant, Adaa, is a sumptuous, gastronomic delightfor Indian food lovers. Others can savour multi-cuisine specialities at the all-day diner, Celeste. To experience the Nizam’s afternoon tea spot, head to Jade Terrace. While their in-room dining services take care of your midnight hunger pangs. The stunning Durbar Hall, Jade Room and massive 101-seater dining hall bedecked with Belgian chandeliers, and assorted gardens and terraces lend royal decadence to your special occasions.

THE TAJ WEST END, BANGALORE
A tranquil tropical 20-acre paradise in the heart of the Garden City, the Taj West End is defined by its illustrious heritage and colonial charm. This legendary luxury hotel boasts of 117 magnificent rooms and suites that dot the sprawling landscape. Home to the second-oldest tree in the city and a Victorian-era postbox still in use, this ambient hotel is a beautiful blend of the charms of a bygone era and modern comfort.

The Prince of Wales Lawns is the city’s most sought-after wedding venue with its capacity of 750 guests. Or you could choose the Grand Ballroom, which seats 500 guests and has a large pre-function area and outdoor area. For a smaller function, such as a haldi ceremony, consider Tamarind with its stunning private lawn or the Blue Ginger Lawns. There are eight majestic banqueting venues and numerous open lawns, ideal for a variety of social events.

Couples could sneak away for a romantic moonlit dinner at the Tulip Gazebo. Relish authentic Vietnamese cuisine at Blue Ginger or sip on cocktails at the Blue Bar. For traditional Indian fare with a refreshing twist, there’s Masala Klub. And if you’re in a mood for a lavish Sunday brunch buffet, there’s Mynt.

JAI MAHAL PALACE, JAIPUR
Every bride dreams of tying the knot in a magnificent palace and live the life of a princess. For the modern young Indian bride, the Jai Mahal Palace is probably the closest she can come to the unparalleled opulence and tantalising comforts of the royal lifestyle. This 270-year-old Indo-Saracenic architectural masterpiece, set amidst 18 acres of landscaped Mughal gardens, has been the residence of three Prime Ministers of the princely state of Jaipur. Experience a maharaja’s welcome with a traditional aarti, folk music and a ceremonial salute with decorated camels, horses and elephants.

Reminiscent of yesteryear pomp and splendor, the Jai Mahal Palace houses 94 rooms and six suites with a view of the city and the luxurious palace gardens. The Palace Lawns are ideal to host fairy tale wedding celebrations for up to 2,500 guests. You could also entertain guests at the Hendley’s banquet hall.

Nestled within the luxurious ambience of the palace are several signature experiences to pamper guests. You could enjoy the Bajot Private Dining, a truly regal and romantic dinner. Or explore two of the best fine-dining specialty restaurants in the city. Cinnamon serves the most authentic Royal Indian cuisines from the four princely states, while Giardino is Jaipur’s finest and only contemporary al fresco Italian restaurant. Your experiences at this charming luxury heritage hotel in the Pink City will leave you with many stories and pictures for your wedding album.

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