Posts Tagged ‘Indian wedding’

IMPACT, Thailand announces Wedding Promotion Packages

Jun 18, 2013 Destination Weddings

IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, the sprawling exhibition and celebration venue in Bangkok has launched a wedding promotion campaign to target Indian weddings. One of their unique offerings is a huge venue that that can accommodate up to 3,500 people. According to Mr. Chawanich Sirisinghol, Food & Beverage Director of IMPACT Exhibition Management Co. “An increasing number of Indian families are hosting a destination wedding in Thailand and the next few years will witness a change; bigger scale Indian weddings also taking place there. For many families, Thailand is also a cost-effective option. And just as several hotels and resorts in Bangkok, Koh Samui, Phuket, Pattaya and Hua Hin are focussing on this segment, we too are focusing on this segment- by offering different wedding packages that includes the venue, planning, food and beverages, and space for up to 3,500 guests. The response is already encouraging. In the last few months we have hosted many Indian wedding ceremonies in the Royal Jubilee Ballroom, with full services to thousands of attendees. IMPACT is also attempting to continually improve its service standards for Indian wedding with chef trainings for Indian cuisine.”

Mrs. Kunyanat Chaithanawasith, Assistant Director of Sales says: “Clients opting for the wedding packages can choose from a variety of our venues and banquet halls such as Phoenix, Sapphire, or Jupiter Rooms, Grand Diamond Ballroom, and Royal Jubilee Ballroom with a buffet starting from 1,000 baht per person. The special offers include free honeymoon dinners and stay at pool villas in exotic venues depending on the package the clients opt for.” IMPACT Muang Thong Thani is Asia’s leading venue. The Center is equipped with state-of-the-art integrated facilities on more than 140,000 square meters of floor space. It comprises four large multi-purposed buildings, namely IMPACT Arena, IMPACT Exhibition Center, IMPACT Convention Center and IMPACT Challenger Hall that feature 12 exhibition and convention halls, one arena hall, two large ballrooms, two banquet halls and 52 breakout rooms. The venue also offers a wide range of seven restaurants and 30 international dining outlets. For more information visit http://www.impact.co.th

To read more about Indian Weddings in Thailand visit
http://www.weddingsutra.com/Thailand/index.html

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Shaadi Celebrations aboard Costa Cruise

Jun 3, 2013 Destination Weddings

Costa Cruises- the 65 year old European luxury cruise liner of the Carnival Group is all set to host an Indian wedding on board the ship. Nalini Gupta of Costa Cruises India has a mission for years 2013 and 2014- to make Costa Cruises a preferred venue for Destination Weddings. “A Cruise has everything it takes to appeal to Indian families- each deck has a specific look and feel that is perfect for a variety of Indian celebrations, the option to hold rituals on the land and aboard the ship and the guests get a chance to visit many exotic places.” Gupta tells us how multiple areas can be used for the functions. “For e.g. if the family decides to host the wedding aboard Costa Mediterranea on a 3 Night sailing (cruise leaving from Italy for Spain and France) the Mehendi or Welcome Celebrations can be held on the ship, the next morning the religious function can be held while the ship is docked in Barcelona, Spain. A post-wedding party can again be held aboard the ship and the next day guests can go on an excursion while the ship is docked in the lovely city of Marseilles, France.”

We’ve just returned from a luxurious stay aboard Costa Mediterranea – the majestic ship that has a total of 1057 cabins, 4 restaurants, 12 bars, a spa, sauna and Turkish bath, gym, multipurpose sports pitch, theatre on three levels, casino, discotheque, kids play area and much more. We’re quite convinced Costa Cruises has everything it takes to make for an exotic yet convenient wedding destination. Here is why.

a) A venue with an infrastructure that is convenient for all guests, of all ages.
b) A variety of spaces within each ship, some of which can even accommodate 1,000 guests for a sit-down meal.
c) Options to host ceremonies both in ‘land’ and ‘sea’ venues
d) Many leisure activities and entertainment options every day- dance lessons, quiz games, theatrical performances, musical entertainment, fun@sea program for the kids.
e) A compact, secure space that makes it easy for all guests to stay within one roof and interact easily.
f) A chance for guests to visit different countries, without the hassles of arranging for travel or stay in different venues
g) A cost effective package for everyone- for an intimate celebration or a big fat wedding.

Explains Nalini Gupta: “It is important to make every moment special during the wedding not just for the guests but also for the families of the bride and groom and we understand that at Costa. A wedding can never be a stress-free affair, but a wedding aboard Costa Cruises is an easier and a less-hassle option for families interested in inviting guests for a destination wedding.” Nalini and her colleagues at the Head Office of Costa Cruises in Italy are confident that by 2014, many NRIs and Indian-based families will choose to host a Destination Wedding, pre or post Wedding Celebration aboard one of their many ships.

Plan your wedding on Costa’s luxury Cruiseliners at unbeatable rates- Rs 10,000 per person per night sharing for an ocean view cabin on Costa’s 3 Night, 4 Night or 5 Night sailing. The costs include- accommodation, meals, gym, sauna, theatre performances, musical entertainment and more.. Costa Cruises commence journeys from different destinations like Middle East, Mediterranean, Far East, Northern Europe and more. To know more about the Costa Cruises sailing schedule for 2013 and 2014 email lal@in.costa.it and vasu.gupta@lotusdestinations.com

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My Thailand Wedding: Bride’s Diary

May 30, 2013 Destination Weddings

Prashanthi Ravindran is getting married to Nicolas Mathier in July 2013 at JW Marriott, Mai Khao, Phuket. She blogs about the challenges and joys of planning a fusion Destination Wedding

About Us

Nico and I met in Singapore five years ago. It was instant chemistry, chance encounters followed by an old fashioned courtship that led to us eventually falling in love. In July 2012, on our first trip to Europe together, he proposed in Paris, after a romantic night time cruise on the Seine on board the Bateaux mooches, on a bridge in front of the Notre Dame.

Culturally for me, no matter how prepared my parents were, me marrying into a different culture was a big step. Nico is Swiss/Serbian and I am Sri Lankan/Indian. We both come from traditional families, deeply routed in religion and culture; and so the challenges began, to strike the perfect balance of each of our own heritage and beliefs. And to plan a wedding that was suitable for both. We decided to have a two day celebration, with ceremonies and receptions representing both of our faiths and cultures.

Challenge #1– Which Country?

We were both sure that we wanted to have a destination wedding, a place neutral to us both that would provide the backdrop of our dreams, and elegant luxury, while still providing value for money.

We began to look around the region and settled on three choices– Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. We finally made a decision based on recommendations by friends. The ‘wedding planner’ to me was the key decision. He or she had to be someone who can create what I had always imagined my wedding to be. Word of mouth is really the best way to make a decision, and on my friend’s recommendation I contacted and appointed a planner from Bangkok, who specialized in Indian weddings. And then we set out to find the venue.

Challenge #2 – How do I pick a wedding planner?

I was lucky and chose a planner that was recommended to me. But if I was to have to look for the planner from scratch here are some tips:

- If you’re getting married in Thailand, there are many Bangkok based specialist wedding planners who are extremely professional and efficient. But if you hire a planner from Bangkok, expect most sourcing to also be done from Bangkok. This will include set-ups, décor etc. They are uncomfortable with, and sometimes unwilling to work with regional vendors for many reasons.

- If you want a highly specialized Indian wedding, you may have no choice but to fly everything in and hire the services of an experienced wedding planner from India. However if you are sure of the location, and you want to save money, you can consider the hotel’s in-house wedding planner or source one locally. I know there are a few amazing and very helpful planners (usually expats) in Phuket who have expertise in the area and produce spectacular weddings. You may have to give them lots of guidance with Indian elements though.

Challenge #3 – Which City?

In Thailand you have four main options– Bankok, Phuket, Hua Hin and Krabi. Bankok was too much of a city, Hua Hin added the complexity of car travel from Bankok which we felt would be difficult for our guests flying in from Europe. Krabi, I felt was not experienced enough. So we settled on Phuket. It has very good flight connectivity and lots of experience with Indian Weddings.

Challenge #4 – Which Hotel?

I relied very heavily on my wedding planner’s expertise to choose the venue, and finally we had four choices. With a guest list of 250, which is very small by Indian standards, but very large by Western, Villas and smaller hotels were out of question so we had to rely on the bigger resorts. Then the complexity of weather! July is monsoon season in Phuket and the weather is unpredictable. Therefore, we had to find a hotel with a ballroom that was big enough to accommodate 250 people. This brought down my choice of hotels. But luckily, the options that we had were pretty great. The whole experience of finding venues, doing the research, and finally choosing one took me 3-4 months.

Challenge #5– Food and soft drinks budget

My most important piece of advice to all brides and grooms-to-be is to have a realistic budget in mind when it comes to food. Then source a hotel that can actually provide for that budget. If your food budget is relatively low, 5* hotels are probably not the most cost effective choice. Make sure you ask your wedding planner to do the research for you on food prices to avoid disappointment at the end.

Challenge #6 – Big expenses that you may not think of when budgeting.

1. Hotel deposit – this could be up to 20% of your total F&B bill.
2. Décor – Could be expensive depending on your requirements.
3. Sound and Light– sometimes could be 50% to 70% of décor cost.
4. Entertainment – if you want anything specifically Indian, it will have to be flown in.
5. Photography and Videography –This is the most important aspect of your wedding, as long past the day itself the photography and videography is the only thing you have to relive the day. If you must spare expenses on everything else, do not compromise on this. But they do not always need to be sourced from India. Asia has a wealth of extremely talented suppliers, Malaysia especially has a vibrant industry which is differentiated and who understand our requirements.
6. Plan ahead! I would estimate at least one year of planning for a dream wedding. This also allows you to take advantage of early booking rates for flights for your vendors, and gives you more negotiating potential on service fees.

As a bride embarking on a new journey with no set idea in mind, WeddingSutra.com was a great inspiration to choose outfits, photography, videography and locations. I used it as my benchmark for how my wedding should be. A wedding worthy of being featured on WeddingSutra.com was the base from which I started my plans.

There’s lots of work to be done, but that is always the case a month before any wedding. But I know that with the support of my partner, my family and my capable wedding planner, everything is possible, and I will have the wedding of my dreams.

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Big Indian Wedding in Sun City, SA

Apr 30, 2013 Destination Weddings

Soon after Vega, daughter of Achla and Anil Kumar Gupta from Saharanpur got engaged to Delhi boy Aakash Garg Jahajgarhia, her parents were thinking of Mauritius, Italy or Spain as the venues for the Destination Wedding. But the bride-to-be wanted it in Sun City, because she was emotionally attached to Johannesburg, having spent many of her summer holidays and later college years there.

While we have often blogged about shaadis in Thailand and Bali, Mauritius and Malaysia, Macau and more recently Europe this is the first time we’re talking about a Destination Wedding in Africa’s glamorous leisure oasis. Vega and Aakash’s five day wedding celebrations commence at Sun City today, ending with the finale, a royal gala on May 3rd. The different functions are at The Palace of the Lost City, Sun City’s five star flagship Hotel. A fantasy world come to life, the Lost City has incredible jungles, cliff-tumbling gardens, sparkling streams, water falls, swimming pools and entertainment areas.

For the 400 guests, over 200 of who will be flying in from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh this will undoubtedly be an experience with a difference, a rare combination of African luxury and traditional Indian festivities. A number of local guests will be attending the wedding too- the bride’s maternal uncles Atul, Rajesh and Ajay Gupta are the owners of Johannesburg based The New Age Newspaper and Sahara Computers. The celebrations commence with the traditional ‘Godh Bhari’ at the Pool Deck. The Mehendi and Bhajans are at the Elephant Courtyard, the theme of the Engagement is ‘Fashion forward’ and after the traditional nuptials is a ‘Royal’ theme dinner at the Grand Ballroom. The finale is a Royal Gala at the Super Bowl Entertainment Center. In between all the hectic festivities, the guests will spend their leisure time pursuing a variety of leisure and water-borne activities- hot air balloon rides, game drives and water sports on the lake.

A week after the newly-weds and their families return to India, a Grand Reception for over 5,000 guests takes place in Saharanpur, where the bride’s father runs a Chemical, Investment and Real Estate company. Groom Aakash Garg Jahajgarhia, a post graduate in International Business from London works in his family business, the Jahajgarhia Group headquartered in Punjabi Bagh, Delhi.

Wedding Details

Event Management: Wizcraft
Bollywood Extravaganza: Performances by Sonu Nigam, Vishal-Shekhar and Shankar Mahadevan
Special Invitees: Actor Anil Kapoor, Actress Esha Gupta
Bride’s Wardrobe Styling: Manish Malhotra
Food: All-Vegetarian fare, Indian and Continental prepared by a team of Chefs from India and South Africa under the direction of legendary Chef Marut Sikka
Invitation Cards: A colorful box with invitations and six fancy containers containing a delicacy from six different continents, designed by Puneet Gupta Luxury

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Big Indian Wedding in Venice

Sep 11, 2012 Destination Weddings, Wedding Photographers

Last year, a London based billionaire hosted his second daughter’s magnificent wedding in Venice. With celebrations at the most exotic locales, awe-inspiring decor by Sumant Jayakrishnan and acts by international sensations like Shakira, the three day celebration with over 800 guests was referred to as one of the grandest Indian weddings. After we featured a post talking about the ‘to be held’ wedding we received many calls from Indian and international media wanting to know how they could get photographs of the wedding. The very private family did not share any photos of the wedding, but here is the wedding film by Delhi-based Raja and Badal Jain who photographed and filmed the entire affair. They state: ” “We’ve been to the grandest destination weddings around the world, but this wedding in Venice was really special”.

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Indian Wedding in Mombasa

Jul 24, 2012 Destination Weddings, Wedding Photographers

Four days of festivities, fun and non-stop partying. Ankeet and Nisha from London got married at Leisure Lodge, a beach & golf resort in Mombasa, Kenya. The venue was exotic and the couple chose Leisure Lodge because they wanted a beach destination wedding, and since they have family in Kenya, it was convenient for all. The experience was truly special for Magnus Bogucki, the photographer not only because it was his first Indian wedding but also because the couple were very sporty and adventurous. Says Magnus, who is based in Switzerland, and who the couple found through his facebook page. “It rained every single day. But just because there is no sun, doesn’t mean you can’t get good and fun photos. Ankeet and Nisha were not afraid of trying anything I suggested- running around, climbing trees or getting wet. In the end, we got some great photos and everyone had so much fun.”


Engagement Photo Shoot


Mehendi and Sangeet Night


Wedding


Reception


Photographers favorite- “It rained heavily but that did not stop everyone from enjoying the party. Here is a photo of the couple”

Photographs courtesy: Magnus Bogucki
www.magnusbogucki.com
www.facebook.com/magnusbogucki

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Big Indian Wedding in Bangkok

Jul 20, 2012 Destination Weddings

We loved this wedding highlight film themed on the ‘Red Carpet’. The wedding was held at different venues in Bangkok city- The St Regis, Grand Hyatt Erawan and The Hansar Hotel Bangkok.

With warm vibes, bright colors, lots of fun & chaos, the film beautifully depicts the Big Indian Wedding.

Film courtesy: Doodle Studio

 

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A Beautiful Summer Wedding@ Ciragan Palace

May 21, 2012 Celeb Weddings to Watch out for

In the recent years, a few high profile Indian families have hosted the most stylish wedding extravaganzas in Turkey. Last year, Lakshmi Mittal’s niece got married at Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace, a venue that is considered incomparable with many venues in the world. This week, the majestic Palace plays host to an entourage from Jordan and India. Adil, the son of Lubna and Irfan Allana who run Mumbai/ Dubai based foods giant Allanasons Limited is marrying Fatimah, the daughter of a Jordan-based billionnaire. All the functions we are informed take place at different spaces of the gorgeous Ciragan- the waterfront, the gardens and terraces.


The Ciragan Palace, Istanbul

Mumbai’s rich and famous friends of the Allanas have received the most elegant card alongwith an intricately carved silver bowl. And while everyone loves attending a Destination Wedding, the holiday for the privileged few will be a refreshing break too, since Istanbul enjoys a wonderful spring and summer.

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Shakira to perform at Big Indian Wedding in Venice

May 9, 2011 Celeb Weddings to Watch out for

This is the fortnight of shaadis @ the world’s most beautiful locales. Last week Steel King Lakshmi Mittal’s brother Pramod hosted his daughter’s wedding in Istanbul, this week his good friend Pramod is hosting a 3-day wedding extravaganza in Venice. Pramod Agarwal is a UK based billionaire and his daughter Vineeta is marrying Muqit Teja; the wedding venue is the San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort


The wedding spaces@ the San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort, Venice. San Clemente Church and (below) the dining halls

Lakshmi Mittal’s niece wedding in Istanbul, was an intimate wedding affair, but the Venice wedding is expected to be a grand, bollywood style extravaganza. According to newspaper reports from Italy, over 800 guests will be present ‘at the most incredible wedding’. A huge team of co-ordinators and specialists from Mumbai and Delhi will be there—these include the logistics & hospitality teams, decor king Sumant Jayakrishnan, ace photographers Badal & Raja Jain, DJ Gaurav Malvai and a host of prominent artists. A team of well-known chefs from India will take care of the desi khana, and the Italian vegetarian spread will be created by Italy’s celebrity chef Federico Salza. The wedding festivities commence on 12th May with a welcome party at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia. Singing sensation Shakira will perform on Day 2. The celebrations on Day 3 will be at different spaces in the San Clemente resort, the highlight being a grand show conceptualised and directed by the famous artistic director Franco Dragone.


The Churchyard and (below) the centuries old Park

According to one of the guests@ the Mittal wedding in Istanbul, the event was one of the most low-profile weddings of the Mittal family. There were no Bollywood or International artistes, and it was all about the personal touches, with dance and entertainment performances by the family members. No Mittal wedding is complete without Kolkata’s Munna Maharaj who prepared the North Indian cuisines, the South Indian delicacies were prepared by Mumbai’s celebrated Chef Mutthuswamy.

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Steel King hosts Big Fat Wedding in Istanbul

May 4, 2011 Celeb Weddings to Watch out for, Destination Weddings

Vartika and Utsav

Lakshmi Mittal’s niece Vartika, is tying the knot in Istanbul on 5th May. And the buzz in Turkey is that the Steel King’s niece’s wedding is much grander than UK’s Royal Wedding. ‘Wedding fit for a King, niece of the six wealthiest man in the world to wed at Ciragan Palace’ reports a newspaper in Istanbul. Vartika, daughter of Lakshmi Mittal’s brother Pramod Mittal got engaged to Utsav Goenka, in October last year, at one of London’s hottest new exciting venues—The Boiler House in the Battersea Power Station.

Over five hundred guests from around the world have flown in to Turkey for the three-day festivities and three hundred rooms have been booked at Istanbul’s most exclusive hotel Ciragan Palace Kempinski (reports state the Mittals have paid over two and a half million Euros just for the rooms). The festivities commenced with a welcome dinner at the Sait Halim Pasa, a charming mansion. The pre wedding ceremonies– the Bhaat, Mudda Tikka and Mehendi were at the Ciragan Palace Ballroom after which guests were ferried on boats to the Sangeet venue– Suada, the private island. The main wedding function and post wedding cocktails are at the Ciragan Palace Gardens. The Wedding Planners are Meptur Luxury, Turkey’s leading destination management company and Cineyug, the entertainment services company run by the Morani brothers.

Istanbul has become one of the most preferred international wedding destinations for billionaires. The destination offers anonymity and all lavish western comforts; it’s a shopper’s paradise, a gourmet’s delight and a centre of culture with ancient Ottoman palaces, treasury of miniature art and architectural marvels.


Ciragan Palace Kempinski

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