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Highlights from WeddingSutra Engage at InterContinental Fujairah Resort
WeddingSutra Engage, Wedding Summit & Masterclass - Nov 27, 2019
Our latest WeddingSutra Engage event was held at the hottest new wedding destination – the stunning InterContinental Fujairah Resort in UAE.
WeddingSutra Engage is an exclusive event that serves as a powerful platform for professionals in the wedding industry to explore the changing dynamics of this business as well as bring fresh perspectives to the table. The latest session brought together leading destination wedding planners from Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Dubai. Over the course of two days, guests were treated to impeccable hospitality and activities as well as insightful discussions and observations. Here is a glimpse of all that unfolded at the event.
While the Middle East has been on the radar of to-be-weds for a while now, Fujairah has evolved into an increasingly popular location for destination weddings. The visit kicked off with a tour of this fabulous emirate as well as an exploration of the elegant InterContinental Fujairah Resort. Cradled between the Al-Hajar Mountains and overlooking the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the luxurious five-star resort is situated on the idyllic Al Aqah Beach.
WeddingSutra Engage at InterContinental Fujairah Resort
A sumptuous breakfast and lunch was served at the resort’s flagship restaurant, NAMA which offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean. Drift Seafood Kitchen and Bar provided a sensory delight for evening cocktails and dinner. Guests were also invited to pamper themselves at the L’Occitane Spa and take a dip in the property’s impressive infinity pool.
WeddingSutra partnered with Events by Saniya, Wedding Management Institute (WMI), and Magic Motion Media to pull off this spectacular event. It commenced with a welcome note by Parthip Thyagarajan, Co-Founder and CEO WeddingSutra, followed by an address by Vijai Singh, General Manager, InterContinental Fujairah Resort.
Parthip Thayagarajan, Co-Founder and CEO – WeddingSutra, welcomes the guests
Vijai Singh, General Manager, InterContinental Fujairah Resort
Next, Mr. Saeed Al Samahi, Director General, Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority, shared his views on what one can expect when hosting a celebration in Fujairah, and why Fujairah is an upcoming favorite with couples looking for a glamorous yet unique wedding destination. Following him was an address by Bastien Blanc, Vice President Operations (MENA), IHG, on the long relationship of InterContinental hotels’ world class services and luxury hospitality, and why InterContinental Fujairah is a perfect venue for Indian weddings. He shared, “What we have is something you cannot find anywhere else in the world. The experience you have had over the past two days in this unique location between the ocean and the mountains, along with the culinary expertise, makes the InterContinental Fujairah a perfect fit for Indian weddings. We all know how important food is to Indian Weddings, and we have a large number of Indian experts within our staff to create the best.”
Mr. Saeed Al Samahi, Director General, Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority, Bastien Blanc, Vice President Operations (MENA), IHG, Vijai Singh, Parthip Thyagarajan, Co-Founder and CEO of WeddingSutra
Bastien Blanc, Vice President Operations (MENA), IHG, Mr. Saeed Al Samahi, Director General, Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority
An Expert Speak by Sushil Shamlal Wadhwa, Chairman of Platinum World Grroup, was followed by the first panel discussion of the day on ‘The Future of Fashion and Luxury.’
Sushil Shamlal Wadhwa, Chairman of Platinum World Grroup
The panelists included Global Fashion & Retail Strategist Asil Attar; Divya Chadha, Founder – A Klass Apart; Ekta Saigal Lulla – Founder, Weddings by ESL; and Journalist/ Curator Sujata Assomull. The talk was moderated by Parthip Thyagarajan and touched upon the current dynamics of the industry and the growing reach of Indian consumers than ever before.
Retail Strategist Asil Attar; Divya Chadha, Founder – A Klass Apart; Ekta Saigal Lulla – Founder, Weddings by ESL; Journalist/ Curator Sujata Assomull and Parthip Thyagarajan
After a spectacular cultural dance by the Fujairah Tourism Authority, was another Expert Speak by Darshan Shroff, Co-Founder – Momente Wedding Planners, about his experience of planning an extravagant Indian Wedding at the InterContinental Fujairah.(at InterContinental Fujairah Resort)
Expert Speak: Darshan Shroff, Co-Founder – Momente Wedding Planners
This was followed by the second and last panel discussion for the day on ‘Destination Fujairah: Opportunities and Challenges,’. It was a detailed conversation with renowned wedding planners on what actually goes into hosting a wedding in Fujairah. The panelists included Arun Bablani, Director – Vivaah Weddings; Chetan Vohra – Founder, Weddingline; Rachna Chadha – Founder, BAQAA Glamour Weddings and Events; and Rahul Kumar – Director, Vivaah Weddings.
Rahul Kumar – Director, Vivaah Weddings, Arun Bablani, Director – Vivaah Weddings, Chetan Vohra – Founder, Weddingline, Rachna Chadha – Founder, BAQAA Glamour Weddings and Events, and Parthip Thyagarajan
With 35 years of remarkable experience in the UAE wedding industry, Rachna spoke about what has changed over the years, and the evolution of the UAE into the perfect global destination for overseas weddings, be it from India, US, or anywhere else.
Arun spoke about how Fujairah and InterContinental is uniquely positioned in the wedding market, saying, “InterContinental Fujairah is a great example of how a single property can put an entire Emirate on the map. It is positioned beautifully in so many aspects, in terms of rooms, guest buyout which we have already done twice. When a family steps out of their comfort zone and invites their guests to a destination, they are looking for newer experiences. Just two hours outside Dubai, this is haven nestled between the Al-Hajar Mountains and the ocean. It is perfectly positioned for the avid traveller as well as destination weddings”.
Arun bablani, Rahul Kumar Director Vivaah Weddings
Sharing his view on how well Fujairah and InterContinental compete in the destination wedding market comprising of popular places like Thailand and Bali, Chetan said, “It’s definitely something fresh we all have woken up to. I am in talks with a client who dismissed the idea of Fujairah saying he didn’t want to get married in a dessert, and could not believe his eyes when he saw the pictures I shared of the property, its unique location and vistas, and is flying down here to see it. It ticks off all requirements from a client’s perspective. It has great connectivity and it’s a retreat but is close enough to commercial activities. It’s in Fujairah yet not in Fujairah.”
Finally, the guest of honor, Parvin Dabas took to the stage to address the audience, followed by Parthip Thyagarajan and Vijai Singh who thanked everyone for being a part of the event.
Parvin Dabas
This WeddingSutra Engage event was conducted at the luxurious Events Centre, a perfect indoor wedding space, and was followed by a delectable high-tea spread. Following the dinner at the majestic Grand Lawns, which is perfect for lavish outdoor functions, everyone got together to enjoy a glamorous after-party featuring a performance by Dubai based Rooh Band, which was the final event of this session of WeddingSutra Engage.
Parvin Dabas, Preeti Jhangiani, Parthip Thyagarajan
Event Partner: Wedding Management Institute, Delhi NCR
Venue: InterContinental Fujairah Resort
Event Partners: Events by Saniya (Decor, Production), Wedding Management Institute, Delhi NCR (Hospitality and Logistics)
Photography and Videography: Magic Motion Media
