Luxurious Oman is looking forward to hosting many more Indian weddings in 2015 and 2016. On Monday this week, Tourism Oman’s Mumbai office hosted an evening for select wedding planners and travel specialists. Among those present were Sushil Wadhwa of Platinum World Weddings, Purvi and Ajay Modgil of F5 Weddings, Sneha Tejwani and Anisha Bathija of Occasionz Unlimited and Manoj Gopalani of Var Vadhu.

Lubaina Sheerazi, India Representative, Tourism Oman

After the presentations by Mr Salim Al Mamari, Director General of Tourism Promotion and Mr Mohammed Al Riyami, Tourism Marketing Specialist and Lubaina Sheerazi, the India Representative the wedding and travel specialists interacted with board officials and representatives from different hotels in Oman. The conversations revolved around how Oman has become the preferred destination for discerning travelers seeking a distinctive experience that is unrivaled. Norman Eleazar of Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa (the 124 acre resort comprises three hotels and is sandwiched between the Gulf of Oman and the mountains) while interacting with Wedding Planners spoke about one of the biggest destination weddings they have hosted till date– a 3 day affair, the majority of guests totaling over 700 were from Gujarat, Mumbai and other parts of the world.

Mostafa Abdelfattah (Six Senses Zighy Bay), Lubaina Sheerazi and Rami Farhat (Al Bustan Palace)

Sneha Tejwani (Occasionz Unlimited), Lubaina Sheerazi, Anisha Bathija (Occasionz Unlimited) and Parthip Thyagarajan (WeddingSutra.com)

Purvi and Ajay Modgil (F5 Weddings), Aman Bhatia and J. Manoj Dass (Tour Oman)

Nomran Elezar (Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa), Lubaina Sheerazi and Aftab Syed (Millennium Resort)

Sushil Wadhwa (Platinum World), Sneha Tejwani and Anisha Bathija (Occasionz Unlimited), Parthip Thyagarajan (WeddingSutra.com)

With its wonderful climate during winter, glorious mountains and a thousand-odd miles of seaside, many resorts in Oman make for a picture perfect wedding venue. Rami Farhat of Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz Carlton Hotel talked about how many well-heeled Indians are interested in this relatively undiscovered destination for both weddings and social events.  Aftab Syed of Millennium Resort Mussanah, spoke about how they are looking forward to hosting their first big Indian wedding later this year. Mostafa Abdelfattah from Six Senses Zighy Bay, the uber luxury resort on a sandy beach below the sheer Hajar Mountains spoke about how their all-villa resort is ‘the’ destination for those seeking an isolated beach setting and a resort with the most exemplary service. Built in the style of a traditional Omani village, Zighy Bay has villas constructed with local materials, and each comes with its own private pool and butler service.

To know more about Weddings in Oman visit http://www.weddingsutra.com/travel/oman_tourism.asp

Also read
Interview with Lubaina Sheerazi
Our favorite places to stay in Oman

Photos Courtesy- Fotografia 9

Vivanta by Taj, Bekal, a 66-room spa resort in undiscovered north Kerala, is one of the most eclectic Taj properties in the country. Spread over 26 acres of landscaped gardens and backwaters, with an elegant, 3405 sq. ft. ballroom, the resort offers the perfect setting for a small and exclusive wedding. Not convinced yet? Here are our top five reasons to get married at Vivanta by Taj – Bekal.

1. The Kappil beach shoreline touches the manicured lawns and landscaped gardens of the resort offering wonderful views of the Laccadive Sea. And the scenic, palm-fringed Kappil river flows through the resort, which guests can explore by kayak, bamboo rafting or by foot along waterside trails.

2. Your guests will fall in love with the 66 gorgeous rooms and villas which have been inspired by the shape of traditional Keralan ‘Kettuvallam’ houseboats and reflect Chitra Pothi art on the walls. Many feature private courtyards, outdoor baths, plunge pools and terraces that offer panoramic views of the backwater.

3. Enjoy Chef Johnson’s surprisingly fresh take on fine food, namely the The North Malabar, Central Kerala and South Travancore cuisines and the delightful seafood menu. Your wedding will truly be a feast for all senses.

4. Spread across 165,000 sq. feet, the Jiva Grande Spa is at the core of the resort with eight suites offering traditional Ayurvedic treatments and special spa rituals for the bride-to-be.

5. Whether a couple chooses a traditional ceremony or a themed extravaganza, the Taj team ensures that the day is nothing short of perfection. With everything so adroitly handled, the to-be-wed couple is free to relax and enjoy their beautiful ceremony.

Our new series, ‘Featured Weddings’ brings you wonderful moments from weddings held at the finest venues across different cities. This presentation takes you to Kollam, Kerala, for the wedding of two self-confessed opposites, Swetha and Karan.

Swetha and Karan “weren’t supposed to happen”, says Swetha. “Our relationship was unexpected. Our opinions differ on just about everything. But perhaps that old adage, ‘opposites attract’ is true.” Those differences formed the foundation of an amazing, honest, open friendship. “Skyping into the wee hours of the morning, we’d share instances from our daily lives, our thoughts.” Now the couple knows that the differences are cosmetic. “Despite the height difference,” Swetha laughs, “we see eye to eye on the most important things in life.”

Marriage, according to Swetha is “about being yourself without a filter. Having a lifelong companion who will encourage and push you to chase your dreams. There is comfort in knowing that no matter what life throws your way, you have that one person who will stick by you. This is what Karan is for me.”

Swetha and Karan wanted a wedding by the water, Karan says, “We realized having a destination wedding abroad would make it challenging for our elders to attend. We considered Chennai, Goa and Kerala’s backwaters.” But all it took was a visit to WelcomHotel Raviz, Ashtamudi, the Resort and Ayurveda Spa in Kollam. “We fell in love with the rustic beauty, it is a perfect blend of the old and the new,” Karan grins, “The atmosphere mirrors my old soul and Swetha’s outgoing personality with uncanny precision.”

Swetha and Karan’s celebrations featured all the traditional Indian wedding ceremonies, starting with a simple mehendi ceremony, keeping in mind that several guests had travelled the previous night or were arriving only that morning. Says Swetha, “To keep people out of the sun, we hosted it in a covered patio area of the hotel, festooned with green parrots and yellow flowers. More pops of color with colorful bangles, takeaways and bright mocktails complemented the theme. The food was light; the chef created interesting, colorful chaat which was absolutely delicious!”

“At the Sangeet and Engagement later that evening, we wanted the night to sparkle so we hosted the party by the pool-side and unleashed the bling! There was a lot of focus on the right lighting as we wanted the same electric ambience as an upscale runway fashion show. The stage backdrop featured gold with pink flowers to add color and glamour.” Swetha and Karan’s family and friends took to the stage to entertain them and their guests. The highlight was Imran Khan, a Sufi singer flown in from Delhi who mesmerized everyone with his passionate songs. Swetha and Karan hosted an after-party for their party-animal friends. “We conjured up a club atmosphere in an indoor hall where our friends could dance the night away. DJ Ravish from Jaipur took us to a state of trance from 11 pm into the wee hours of the morning with his Bollywood beats.”

Having chosen Kollam for its breathtaking backwaters, the couple decided to have their wedding ceremony on the water itself, with a perfect blend of cultures and traditions from the North (Karan) and the South (Swetha). Swetha remembers how they discussed the dream-like floating mandap with the planner, “We wanted a red and gold colour scheme, a mandap filled with red roses, the view of the breathtaking backwaters as backdrop.” Wearing a gold sherwani with red trim, Karan rode an elephant as he entered with his baraat. The arrival of the beautiful bride, wearing a classic red Kanjeevaram and traditional temple jewellery was announced by a 10 piece instrument, the ‘panchavadyam’. As a perfect sunset unfolded behind them, the jaimala ceremony was conducted and the couple walked to the mandap to exchange vows following the Arya Samaj traditions.

Their reception, finale to the festivities, was a black-tie event with classic vintage décor. The walkway to the entrance of the hall was candle lit. The décor was simple yet elegant with a pastel color palette. DJ Ravish warmed the crowd up, bringing in the greatest hits from the 70’s and 80’s before raising the tempo with house, hip hop and selected Bollywood hits, keeping the party going into the early hours.

The Wedding Makers:

“We would recommend 3 Wedding Specialists to WeddingSutra readers.”

1) Make-up Artist– Jaanmoni Das
Says Swetha: I was blessed to have Jaanmoni Das, a very popular celebrity make artist in Kerala who was available and willing to work her magic. She is a thorough professional who spent hours discussing every look we would create for each event. I think I looked my best on my wedding day and I am truly indebted to Jaanmoni.

2) Our Photographer– Morvi Images
Morvi and her team have a way of capturing images that simply leave you speechless. Her work in black and white is timeless. The use of light in her color images seems to transport the viewer to the actual moment. Her work is hard to describe in words. She is incredibly passionate, easy going, straightforward and a wonderful professional who was easy to communicate with. She makes a real effort to get to know the couple and understands the value of time and deadlines.

3) Our Wedding Planners– The Wedding Factory
When it comes to wedding planning, Shana Selvam and her team (The Wedding Factor) are excellent at their work. It is obvious that Shana’s work is her passion as you watch her and her team spend hours planning. The team even created 3D renderings of the décor. Her meticulousness breeds confidence and she far exceeded our expectations. Spend a while talking to her and it is easy to see why The Wedding Factory is the right choice, no matter what or where the event.

Swetha’s Outfits
Mehendi- Neeru Kumar, Dubai
Sangeet- Amish Agarwal, Delhi
After Party- BCBG Max Azria, Dubai
Wedding- Seematti Sarees, Cochin
Reception- Shantanu & Nikhil, Delhi

Karan’s Outfits
Mehendi- Anjali K, Dubai<
Sangeet and Wedding- Shantanu & Nikhil, Delhi
Reception- Naraians, Gurgaon

Photos Courtesy- Morvi Images

Mumbai is talking about the scintillating engagement ceremony held at the Crystal Room of The Taj Mahal Palace on 18th July. Parth Jindal, the youngest son of business magnate Sajjan Jindal and philanthropist Sangita Jindal got engaged to Anushree Jasani and the venues were transformed into a ‘Tropical Forest’. One guest quipped: “This was indeed one of the finest banquet celebrations I have ever attended in Mumbai”. On further probing we learnt Sangita Jindal met with the most sought-after wedding designers in Mumbai and Delhi and the task was finally assigned to Tanaz from Mumbai’s ‘Daver Decorators’ who worked along with top florist Havovi Readymoney to execute the project which was mammoth by Mumbai standards.

When we walked by the lobby of the Taj on Saturday evening, the place was buzzing with shaadi activity, as is always the case on auspicious dates. We spotted Makeup Artist Vipul Bhagat, Saree Drapist Dolly Jain, and the Talent Managers of Singers Pritam and Kanika Kapoor, both of who performed at the celebration on Saturday night.

And now for the all-important question. Where will the wedding be held? The grooms parents hosted one of the most talked about Destination Weddings in 2010 when their younger daughter Tanvi wed Krishna Shete at the Villa Le Rose in Florence. A year later Tanvi’s elder sister Tarini’s was a home town wedding when she married Vikram Handa from Delhi. The pre-wedding party was at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives, after which  the mega wedding was held at the Jindal farmhouses in Delhi. So will Parth who is currently pursuing his MBA at the Harvard Business School get married in Mumbai or will it be a destination wedding in Europe or at the finest Taj properties in India like Umaid Bhawan or Rambagh Palace? According to close friends, the wedding will take place next year and in all likelihood the destination is Vienna, Austria. Wow! We’ll be watching and will keep you updated!

Singers Kanika Kapoor and Pritam performed at the Engagement at Crystal Room

Whether it will be a cosy, intimate wedding with your loved ones or an uproarious ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’, Naturally Langkawi is the perfect destination. Here are our top 5 reasons why…

Amazing beaches
Where the Andaman Sea meets the Straits of Malacca, crescents of soft white sand and azure blue seas provide the most spectacular backdrop for the beach wedding of your dreams. Imagine gentle breezes bringing in a breath of the ocean as the sun sets into the limitless horizon, on the most special day of your life.

Luxurious Resorts
Langkawi is home to professionals with decades of experience in luxury. Choose from a range of world-class resorts for your dream destination wedding. Every resort can offer multiple venues for each of your celebrations: a mehendi by the pool, a private beach for the wedding ceremony, banquet halls for the reception. WeddingSutra recommends– The Four Seasons Langkawi, The Datai and The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa.

Accessibility and Connectivity
Your guests will be delighted to know that connectivity to Langkawi is superb: a short flight out of most SE Asian capital cities like Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Look forward to hassle free planning of itineraries to your wedding from around the globe.

Honeymoon
No one wants to get into the hassle of travel immediately after a hectic wedding. So planning a destination wedding at one of the world’s most beautiful honeymoon locations just makes sense. A short trip within the islands could take you to our favourite resort, Vivanta by Taj, Rebak Island. The lush, green island is surrounded by stunning turquoise seas, beautiful sandy beaches and has excellent weather, making it the perfect honeymoon hideaway. Relax on the powdery sand under the swaying palms or unwind in a spa session at the Jiva Spa.

Hospitality and Wedding Vendors
Langkawi hospitality is legendary. Decades of catering to highly discerning travellers means you can find the perfect choice locally amongst a wide, varying range of experienced wedding designers, florists, makeup artists, photographers and videographers. With a blend of natural beauty, ease of access and the best wedding professionals, Naturally Langkawi is the most intuitive choice for your entire wedding celebration and beyond.

Our Masterclass- Thailand edition held at Taj Lands End, Mumbai attracted a wonderful mix of wedding industry professionals– from top destination wedding specialists, emerging wedding planners, wedding photographers and film-makers to creative professionals– like invitations & gift specialists, make-up artists & stylists.

The session started with an engaging presentation by duo Neha and Darshan of Momente Weddings, who shared their experiences of planning/ managing weddings at the destination wedding hot-spots in Thailand. Khun Soraya Homchuen, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand- Mumbai spoke about the incentive schemes for families/ planners planning an Indian wedding in Thailand. Disha and Harsh Munshaw of Customizing Creativity shared their visual communication created for destination and beach weddings while Ankita and Akash of WeddingNama shared their wedding films shot in Bangkok and Krabi. Gaurav Arora Director- Business Development of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts spoke about their magnificent properties in Bangkok and Chiang Mai which are among the most preferred destinations for Indian weddings. Ace wedding photographer Dev Purbiya shared his Canvera Photobooks featuring amazing weddings in Thailand.

Neha and Darshan Shroff of Momente

Anisha and Noopur of Final Fling and Harsh and Disha Munshaw of Customizing Creativity

Gaurav Arora of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

Umesh Sawan (Wow Entertainment & Media) with Ms Supakan Yodchun and Ms Soraya Homchuen of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai Office

The lunch hour witnessed a lot of networking and informal experience sharing– with young and senior wedding planners exchanging notes on their journey in the shaadi business. The second half of our Masterclass featured two sessions– the before and after of weddings. Anisha and Noopur of Final Fling, a company specialising in Bachelor and Bachelorette bashes presented some cool ideas for very stylish and personalised pre-wedding parties. After which Ashmi and Ayushi of A Travel Duet spoke about how they craft unique travel itineraries for those seeking a bespoke holiday. The session ended with a presentation by Parthip Thyagarajan of WeddingSutra on how our e-magazine is the most useful online resource for anyone planning a destination wedding, especially in Thailand!

Parthip Thyagarajan of WeddingSutra.com

Ashmi and Aayushi of A Travel Duet

Gauri Pradhan and Pallavee Duggal of KnottyTales

Many of you have written in enquiring how you can be a part of our Masterclass, and when we are organising one next. We will announce the dates and venues here as well as on our FB page (www.facebook.com/weddingsutra). Please note, our Masterclasses are for all wedding industry professionals, as well as brides and grooms-to-be seeking ideas and inspiration. So we look forward to meeting many of you there!

Photos Courtesy- Dev Purbiya

Planning for your destination wedding or honeymoon to Spain in a couple of month’s time? Let Turkish Airlines take care of you onboard and sweep you and your partner off your feet! Turkish Airlines is renowned for its world-class customer service experience and can cater to special needs as well, leaving you with no stress and allowing you to enjoy your flight completely!

Boeing 777-300ER flying across the Red Sea, fleet used for the Mumbai-Istanbul route

Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has grown into a 4-star airline today with a fleet of 298 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 280 destinations worldwide with 230 international and 50 domestic. Turkish Airlines flies to 110 countries, more countries than any other airline!

According to the Skytrax survey of 2015, Turkish Airlines was chosen “Europe’s Best Airline” for the fifth and “Best Airline in Southern Europe” for the seventh consecutive time. Turkish Airlines won world’s “Best Economy Catering Service” (2010), world’s “Best Business Catering Service” (2013/2014) awards. This year, Turkish Airlines was awarded the world’s “Best Business Class Lounge Dining” and “Best Business Airline Lounge” prizes in the Skytrax survey.

Turkish Airlines deploys Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the Mumbai-Istanbul-Mumbai route

As part of the airline’s expansion and to meet the growing passenger base in India, Turkish Airlines deployed the B777-300ER on its Mumbai-Istanbul-Mumbai since 2013. The aircraft is the most fuel and cost-efficient in its class departing punctually 99.5 percent of the time making it the most reliable twin-aisle aircraft in the world.

With its 49 Business class and 300 Economy class seats, it is the biggest aircraft in the Turkish Airlines fleet. It has more capacity for cargo and offers full flat beds in Business Class.

Business class seat converted into a bed

Enjoy Drinks in Business Class, winner Best Business Catering Service 2013 / 2014

Couple enjoying their food in Business Class

Every seat across both cabins is fitted with individual TVs with which to enjoy the inflight entertainment system. Turkish Airlines provides one of best in-flight Entertainment systems presenting a wide range of games, films (Bollywood and international), and music (Hindi film included). Our integrated Planet Browser connects passengers to the World Wide Web and keeps them updated on all happenings taking place 30,000 feet below. LCD screens, USB and Ethernet connection ports on every seat bring each passenger a personal touch to their flight experience. Turkish Airlines also offers free Wifi on all Boeing 777 aircrafts for Business class passengers. Stay connected always with Turkish Airlines!

Inflight entertainment experience onboard Turkish Airlines

Inflight Catering

Our award winning inflight catering offers various special meals. We cater especially for the Indıan traveller with specific Hindu and Jain meals.

Turkish Airlines has introduced a new catering concept on all long haul flights which offers lots of surprises at 37,000 feet. These include freshly brewed tea served in traditional Turkish style, a candlelight dinner or an espresso in specially designed cups.

Inflight catering in Business Class

Inflight catering in Economy class

Lounges

“Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul”; the place to be when travelling.

With the world’s most comprehensive network, Turkish Airlines’ newest addition to its hospitality is the expanded and refurbished lounge at Ataturk Airport, Istanbul; the crossroads of world travel and the airline’s hub city.

“Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul”, already a world-class facility, added another 2400 m2 to its existing 3500 m2, increasing the size by over 40% in order to meet the needs of growing passenger numbers. Located in the departure area of Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, the expanded lounge adds a second floor to the existing space.

Spiral staircase of the recently refurbished Turkish Airlines lounge, Istanbul

The additional space increases the capacity of the lounge to over 1000 guests. In addition to the existing facility, which included a children’s playground, library, billiards area, prayer room and teleconference section, the rest and shower space has been enlarged and additional massage beds installed. The enhanced lounge caters to virtually every passenger need whether it is quiet relaxation or a choice from a wide range of activities and services.

The lounge, operated by Turkish Airlines’ catering partner, TURKISH DO&CO, a group that has repeatedly won awards for Turkish Airlines’ in-flight cuisine, provides the same attention to detail and variety to the lounge guests. Meals and snacks are provided, appropriate to the time of day and many items are cooked on site to ensure maximum flavour and freshness.

Newly refurbished Turkish Airlines lounge, Istanbul

Boeing 777-300ER flying above the Kilimanjaro, fleet used for the Mumbai-Istanbul route

Turkish Airlines is one the best ways to connect to Spain from India. Turkish Airlines flies from Delhi and Mumbai to six incredible Spanish destinations via Istanbul – Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Málaga, Santiago de Compostela and Valencia.

Please visit www.turkishairlines.com for more information on flights to Spain and book your destination wedding or honeymoon flight tickets online!

Visit www.spain.info for more information on Spain.

Participate in Barcelona of My Dreams Contest to win a romantic trip for two to Barcelona. Click here to enter.

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WeddingSutra’s eye in the sky brings you a roundup of the most high profile, fashionable nuptials this season. Across royal palaces in Rajasthan, exotic resorts in the Middle East to the most luxurious villas in Italy, this season too, the big fat Indian wedding is a globe-trotting one.

Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa’s Al Waha Hotel, Oman
“This wedding season it’s R’Oman’ce all the way”, says a top destination-wedding planner. He is referring to Oman, the hottest new wedding destination. Enquiries about how to organize a wedding in the stunning Sultanate of Oman are flooding Indian wedding planners. Krupa Khimji, an Oman based Indian wedding planner is reportedly at the helm of two magnificent weddings taking place there. The venues for the shaadis include the Shangri-La’a Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, a luxurious and romantic wedding venue situated between the Hajar mountain range and the Sea of Oman, and the Al-Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Millennium Resort. The wedding at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, is expected to be a grand destination wedding with Bollywood glitterati in attendance– the bride, Sasha Rawal, is the sister of a leading Bollywood designer (Kunal Rawal) while her fiancé Samarth Bajaj is the scion of a big business family.

Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah
A 40-minute drive from Dubai, this beach-front resort offers palatial rooms, stylish dining and an 18-hole golf course. Situated between the desert, the mountains and the shores of Ras Al Khaimah, this property was built with luxurious weddings and big events in mind. One of the biggest destination weddings of the season takes place here in November. The Kolkata based Belanis are hosting their son’s wedding and the functions include a welcome dinner at Amasi Beach at Al Hamra Palace Hotel, the Mehendi on the lawns of the Waldorf Astoria, the Sangeet at Bassata Desert and a reception dinner at the Al Hamra Golf Club.

 Villa Corti, Florence, Italy
“Amiamo l’Italia!” Indians cannot resist this stylish, sparkling gem in Europe. Every wedding season, at least one big Indian wedding finds its way to Florence, which has now emerged as one of our favorite wedding destinations. November will witness a Dubai-London alliance in stunning Firenze. Over 400 guests have received an exquisite invitation to the three-day celebrations (a Florence-Indian themed card designed by Delhi’s Vivek Sahni). Guests will reside at the St Regis and The Westin and the celebrations take place at five different venues including Villa Corti, a lavish renaissance villa set in a small town in the Tuscan countryside near Florence. With its own vineyards and olive groves, this property is a blend of traditional European luxury with modern-day pampering.

Samode Palace, Rajasthan
Rishabh Thakkar, a Mumbai based businessman is tying the knot with writer and actress Sukhmani Sadana, at Samode Palace, Jaipur. The wedding is expected to be a chic, elegant affair. Though Jaipur’s Fairmont is the hottest new venue in Rajasthan, Samode Palace set in a village, a long drive away from Jaipur, deep into the Rajasthan desert, is a popular haunt for the rich and famous seeking privacy for a traditional wedding experience. Last year, actress Anjori Alagh, daughter of Sunil and Maya Alagh also tied the knot there.

Another Jaipur celebration (a post-wedding affair) that is marked on the calendar of the country’s who’s who is of Aditi Kothari, daughter of top investment banker, Hemendra Kothari. Aditi tied the knot with Vikram Desai at a very simple ceremony in Mumbai some months ago but the post-wedding celebrations in Jaipur are expected to be a lavish affair at iconic properties like the Sujan Rajmahal Palace and Jaigarh Fort.

Qasar Al Sarab, Anantara, Abu Dubai
The Anantara managed resort set in the largest uninterrupted desert in the world, spells luxury and opulence like only an Arab experience can. Its villas and spa are designed to reflect the quintessential royal lavishness of the Middle East. This will be the venue for a high profile wedding (the bride’s family is from Dubai while the groom is a scion of the Raheja family). We asked one of the close friends of the groom on why he chose this unusual desert property. “It’s a place where no Indian wedding has ever taken place. Also, Abu Dhabi is just a short flight away from Mumbai so it’s a win-win, offering privacy as well as a novel experience”.

Grand Hyatt Goa
When the bride is the daughter of the owner of India’s top events & wedding company you can be sure that this celebration will be incredible. But Khushi Singh, daughter of Percept’s Chairman & MD Harry (Harindra) Singh who also manages Percept’s wedding division, laughs, “I’ve been busy planning other weddings, so in all likelihood my own wedding will be a simpler affair!” The venue is the Grand Hyatt, Goa. “Needless to say it’s being planned by Percept, with some help from my dear friend and ace wedding planner Aditya Motwane”, states Khushi.

And speaking of old money families, we can’t help mention the home-weddings. After all, some of the most well-heeled yet low profile own the most stunning weekend homes. Later this year, the Crishna’s (actor/ corporate head honcho Vijay Crishna and his industrialist wife Smita Crishna Godrej) host their daughter’s wedding at their beach-side home in Alibaug. The groom-to-be is a scion of Indore’s Holkar family.

And train your sights on Austria in the coming year. Parth Jindal, the son of Sangita and Sajjan Jindal will tie the knot in old world city Vienna. Incidentally, Sangita and Sajjan Jindal hosted one of the first high profile destination weddings in Europe, when their daughter Tanvi wed Krishna Shete in Florence. The Jindals are now in the process of finalizing the venues for the fairytale wedding, which is expected to take place across four different imperial palaces and idyllic venues. Watch this space for more!

The Wedding & Event Management companies planning some of these weddings include:
Motwane Entertainment & Weddings (MEW)
Kamal Khera
Weddings by Tamarind Global
Divinity Weddings
Percept Weddings
Svaha Events
Mosaic Events, Muscat

The much-in-the-news destination wedding this season is of Roshni and Rohan. Roshni is from London and Rohan’s father Yogesh Mehta is a Dubai-based business magnate. Here’s more about the RoRo wedding and the pics courtesy Daily Mail and dotdusk studios (New Delhi).

The three day celebrations took place across different hotels and venues including The St Regis and Villa Corti, a lavish renaissance villa set in a small town in the Tuscan countryside near Florence. Over 500 guests flew in from all over the world to attend the luxe affair.

The wedding was managed by Mumbai’s Aditya Motwane and his team at MEW (Motwane Entertainment & Weddings) while the décor & design was conceptualized by WDC (Wedding Design Company).

The bride & groom wore creations by designers Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra, both of whom were also present at the celebrations. The invites were designed by Vivek Sahni Design.

Initially, the groom was to arrive on an elephant but the city’s council objected to the idea citing health and safety issues and animal welfare concerns. But that didn’t cause any hindrance to the festivities. The groom arrived atop his friends’ shoulders amid a sea of pink turbans while Popular Bollywood Singer Sukhbir belted classic shaadi songs. DJ Zubair and DJ Sameer from Dubai kept the energy levels high at all the celebrations.

The guests feasted on a lavish spread planned by Delhi’s Ritu Dalmia (Diva Restaurants) and Puneet Sikand (The Kitchen Art Co.), luxe restaurant Indian Accent and Italy based Federico Salza.

The groom’s father is one of the largest independent petrochemical distributors in the Middle East. He also owns the Raging Tiger events company, which stages a number of concerts and balls across UAE.

Our latest Masterclass- Thailand edition held at the newly opened Shangri-La Hotel in Bangalore attracted a wonderful mix of wedding industry professionals– from top destination wedding specialists, emerging wedding planners, wedding photographers and film-makers to creative professionals– like invitations & gift specialists, make-up artists & stylists.

The session started with a presentation by Neha and Darshan Shroff of Momente Wedding Planners. The co-founders of Momente, one of India’s top wedding management companies shared their own experiences of planning/ managing weddings at destination wedding hot-spots in Thailand. Khun Soraya Homchuen, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai spoke about the incentive schemes for families/ planners planning an Indian wedding in Thailand. Harsh Munshaw of Customizing Creativity spoke about the visual communication their company has created for shaadis in Thailand. Akhil Kulkarni of Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts spoke about their magnificent properties in Bangkok and Chiang Mai which are among the most preferred destinations for Indian weddings. Ace wedding photographer Dev Purbiya shared his Canvera Photobooks featuring amazing weddings in Thailand and his experiences at picture perfect venues.

The lunch hour witnessed a lot of networking and informal experience sharing– with young and senior wedding planners exchanging notes on their journey in the shaadi business. The second half of our Masterclass featured two sessions– the before and after of weddings. Noopur Badkar of Final Fling, a company specialising in Bachelor and Bachelorette bashes presented some cool ideas for very stylish and personalised pre-wedding parties. After which Deepti Punjabi of A Travel Duet spoke about how they craft unique travel itineraries for those seeking a bespoke holiday. The session ended with a presentation by Parthip Thyagarajan of WeddingSutra on how our e-magazine is the most useful online resource for anyone planning a destination wedding, especially in Thailand!

Many of you have written in enquiring how you can be a part of our Masterclass, and when we are organising one next. We will announce the dates and venues here as well as on our FB page (www.facebook.com/weddingsutra). Please note, our Masterclasses are for all wedding industry professionals, as well as brides and grooms-to-be seeking ideas and inspiration. So we look forward to meeting many of you there!

Neha and Darshan Shroff of Momente Wedding Planners. Soraya Homchuen (Tourism Authority of Thailand- Mumbai office).

Dev Purbiya (Dev’s Photography) and Noopur Badkar (Final Fling).

Akhil Kulkarni (Shangri-La) and Harsh Munshaw (Customizing Creativity).

Deepti Punjabi (A Travel Duet)

Parthip Thyagarajan (WeddingSutra.com), Pritie Jain (Bling Mushrooms) and Sofia Mathew (Watermark Events, Kochi).

Radha (Eventia, Mysore), Mahendra G (Neferrtiti, Bangalore), Soraya Homchuen.

Canvera Photobooks- Weddings in Thailand photographed by Dev Purbiya.

Thailand Wedding Invites designed by Customizing Creativity

Photos Courtesy- Dev Purbiya

Documenting the most talked about wedding of the year (reported in the international media as a 14 million pound extravaganza) in captivating Florence is a daunting challenge. A challenge that destination-wedding favourites, DotDusk Studios from Delhi, were more than up to. With their inimitable skill of fusing a journalistic immediacy with a timeless, artistic aesthetic, Team DotDusk bring us a handpicked selection of perfectly captured moments from a superlative wedding.

Dubai-based Indian magnate Yogesh Mehta’s son Rohan Mehta and London-born Roshni Khemlani, co-founder of luxury brand Izaak Azanei, wed at historic venues across Florence. The “magical RORO wedding” – as the groom’s father aptly coined the event on Twitter – was a five-event Bollywood-style celebration. Obviously, some of the most preferred wedding specialists of the rich and famous Indians were involved with the wedding- Mumbai’s Aditya Motwane (MEW- Motwane Entertainment and Weddings) and team managed the wedding while the decor & design was conceptualized and executed by Vandana Mohan’s The Wedding Design Company (WDC). The invitations were designed by Delhi’s Vivek Sahni Designs, while chef Ritu Dalmia of Diva, Delhi’s Indian Accent restaurant and Puneet Sikand of The Kitchen Art Co. catered to the lavish spread at some of the events.

Welcome Lunch
Four hundred and fifty friends and relatives were flown to Florence from across the globe. The wedding party stayed at St Regis and The Westin Excelsior at the Piazza Ognissanti or the All Saints Square. The celebration commenced with a welcome lunch party hosted at the square between these two luxury hotels. A beautiful marquee was erected in the square to create a cozy, homely lounge space where guests were served food and drink round the clock. From a live Napoli pizza station that is known to serve the best pizza in Italy to a Panini bar, a gourmet popcorn stand and Indian street food stations, the menu featured a mouthwatering spread.

Mehendi
The venue was done up in fresh vibrant color and ethnic flavor for the Indian Bazaar style mehendi. The dance floor had an ethnic painted mosaic with umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. The centerpiece of the ceremony was a hanging flower-bedecked wall as in an Indian flower market. The bride wore a peach and pink lehenga by Tarun Tahiliani. There was a live caricaturist, a tea leaf-reading fortune teller and live music by Indian-born American singer Vidya Vox. Sicily’s Michelin starred chef, Tony Lococo, created an Italian street food menu.

Welcome Dinner
The wedding dinner was hosted at the Palazzo Gerini in Firenze – an aristocratic villa with high ceilings and huge chandeliers, and stunning décor that lent itself to the alta moda theme. Mime artistes painted as historic statues taking photos with the guests, and serving the bubbly were human tables and chandeliers! A dedicated party room had been created for the youngsters, where the couple’s favourite song lyrics were displayed on neon signs above the bar. The dining area had been set up in the garden, with two-Michelin starred chef Maurro Uliassi cooking at a live station, alongside Delhi’s Indian Accent.

Wedding
On the wedding day, the groom arrived in a white vintage convertible, an Excaliber, accompanied by historic Roman cavalry. His carnival-style baraat had several mobile bars and trucks with huge speakers as Sukhbir performed classic Punjabi wedding songs with his dhol team alongside the DJs. The couple tied the knot in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony. The bride wore a traditional red Sabyasachi lehenga with a diamond and ruby set. Her bangles were inscribed with the groom’s name and her own.

Reception
The wedding reception was hosted at the grand estate of Villa Le Corti in San Casciano, with its centuries-old cypress trees, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The 16th-century villa was transformed into ‘An Enchanting Winter Wonderland’ which was the theme. The driveway was lit up with candles. The main reception dinner set up was adorned with ivory flowers, crystal chandeliers and candelabras, white trees, more candles, and a magical water fountain cascading from the ceiling into various shapes. The couple danced their first to Michael Jackson’s Butterflies.

Rohan and Roshni, very thoughtfully, had Italy’s most famous perfumeries create a unique fragrance that was packaged in a RORO monogrammed glass bottle as a wedding memoir for each guest.

Photography- DotDusk Studios

Alice in Wonderland meets Art Nouveau and Haute Couture at the #RoRoWedding Sangeet in Florence, orchestrated by Vandana Mohan of The Wedding Design Company (WDC).

Like a Toulouse-Lautrec canvas come to life, the venue for Roshni and Rohan Mehta’s sangeet, the historical Stazione Leopolda in Florence came alive on a surreal night. Featuring décor and character piques reminiscent of late 19th century Parisian nightlife, references to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and with live entertainment, the #RoRoWedding Sangeet was visually, aurally and conceptually enchanting.

When guests walked in, the first thing they saw were the arches festooned with mirrors, creating fanciful illusions and light play, bringing the story alive and inspiring guests to imagine their own ‘six impossible things’…  Because, as night fell, there appeared the characters out of Carroll’s gorgeous tale – the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the March Hare, the Duchess and the Snap Dragonfly on stilts, the Playing Cards, the Talking Flowers, entertainers on stilts – one perched on a dodo, another atop a flamingo. A delightful Mad Tea Party buffet spread with cookies in the shape of playing cards and pretty ‘potion’-filled vials with ‘Drink Me’ tags. The décor incorporated telltale elements from the novel, strategically placed around the venue – alarm clocks, life-like stuffed-toy rabbits, colourful keys, mushrooms, red and white roses and four-suit-motifed cappuccino cups used as flower holders.

Then came the jugglers, dwarves, fire-eating acrobats electrifying the dreamy, dramatic narrative… In and out they weaved, through lounge spaces like the one with a mural, suspended chairs and bicycles or another with pinwheels and graphic prints as backdrop. The high ceilings were hung with chandeliers fashioned out of lampshades and red glass jugs. When the authorities refused to permit a real elephant, the couple chose a statue of one, covered in fuchsia mosaic tiles.

The palette of references moved to Eric Chauvin’s dramatic flower-bedecked walls for the 2012 Dior runway. The dining space was covered in English roses, hydrangeas, heleniums, chocolate cosmos and dendrobium orchids. These were brought alive by a constellation of candles set in crystal glasses and candelabras that complemented the handpicked crystal ware set at each table.

A bar was set up at one end of the venue. At the other, a stage with a giant LCD screen backdrop saw dance performances by the family, friends and the bride and groom. Roshni and her friends performed to Saiyaan and Superstar, while Rohan and his friends danced to Palat Tera Hero Idhar Hai. The bride wore a Manish Malhotra lehenga with a regal trail, complementing it with an uncut diamond set. The groom wore a Manish Malhotra sherwani.

Music kept them moving and the performers in attendance included American clarinetist and music composer, Shankar Tucker and vocalist Vidya Vox, the Italian-Canadian classical-crossover singer, Natalie Di Luccio, Bollywood music director, Shamir Tandon and team and the Prince of Bhangra, Sukhbir. DJ Sameer and DJ Zubair then took over, spinning the tunes that kept the energy high all evening.

The #RoRoWedding Sangeet raised the bar on crazy, cool, culturally inspiring nights to remember! Thank you DotDusk Studios, Wedding Design Company and Motwane Entertainment and Weddings (MEW) for sharing these amazing images with us.

Photos Courtesy- DotDusk Studios

Destination Vienna
Parth Jindal, son of industrialists Sangita and Sajjan Jindal is marrying Anushree Jasani, daughter of Mumbai builders Uday and Nunu Jasani, in Vienna next month. Over 800 guests are expected at the 3-day celebrations to be held at different venues including Belvedere Palace, one of the palaces of the former royal family of Austria. International sensation Enrique Iglesias will be there to enthrall guests though whether he’ll be performing at the Sangeet or the post wedding reception is a secret for now. Top shaadi singer Mika will be flying in to Vienna too. A host of big names from the world of weddings and their teams (over 180 in number) are travelling to Austria for the Jindal-Jasani wedding. Mumbai’s Aditya Motwane (Motwane Entertainment & Weddings) is orchestrating the wedding along with local hospitality and event specialists. Delhi’s Vandana Mohan is conceptualising the design and décor. Ritu Dalmia is curating the menus in coordination with high-profile chefs from Europe while the family has roped in haute couturiers like Rohit Bal and Abu-Sandeep for the ensembles.

From top left (clockwise)- Belvedere Palace Vienna, Anushree and Parth Jindal, Sangita and Sajjan Jindal, Enrique Iglesias.

Whispers of Weddings in Monaco and Spain
Curious to know where the grandest Indian weddings are taking place in 2016? As always, you’re reading about it here first. This winter will witness some mega weddings in Jodhpur, Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan, power weddings in Delhi and Mumbai of course; but finally it’s the few uber-glam yet elegant weddings in Europe which make big news. This time the locations are Monte Carlo in Monaco and Barcelona in Spain. An NRI family will host the Monte Carlo wedding in July. Spain is expected to witness two spectacular destination weddings – one celebrated by a London based NRI family and the other by a Gujarat/ Mumbai based business tycoon. The planners have requested us to keep the details under wraps now, so we can’t reveal more!

New Horizons for Middle Eastern Magic
While Thailand, Turkey and Bali will always be the international hotspots for Indian Weddings, it’s the surge in weddings in the Middle East since 2014 that is an interesting development. A little birdie tells us Isheta Salgaoncar (Mukesh and Anil Ambani’s niece) and Neeshal Modi (Jewellery czar Nirav Modi’s brother) who were formally engaged at The Trident, Mumbai last week are now checking out some wow venues in the Middle East. While Shangri-la Muscat and the Ritz Carlton properties in Abu Dhabi and Muscat have hosted some high profile Indian weddings, the newest Middle East destination that is keen to get a slice of big Indian wedding pie is Jordan and the Delhi office of Jordan Tourism is working hard to get the wealthiest Indians to celebrate their special events there.

Isheta Salgaoncar and Neeshal Modi with her parents Dipti and Raj Salgaoncar

Gurleen’s Round the World Roundup
With so many options around the world, where does this leave good, ol’ big fat Indian weddings held at the country’s iconic hotels and sprawling grounds? “They’re thriving,” smiles ace Wedding Designer Gurleen Puri. “Destination Weddings at the newest locales may be more fashionable, but for many families a home town affair continues to be very practical”, says Gurleen. “But there’s no denying that destination weddings are shaping trends and aspirations for well-heeled brides and grooms”, observes Gurleen who enjoys the local flavour of home town weddings as much as the fun-spirit of destination weddings. “In 2015 wedding work took me to Gujarat and Rajasthan several times and each of the assignments were challenging yet emotionally satisfying; on the travels and leisure front I enjoyed a wedding recce to Oman, after which I attended a wedding at the newly-opened Anantara property in Abu Dhabi. As a guest, each of these experiences were unique and that is what hosts look for – to give guests a unique setting through decor, food, entertainment or an all-new venue of course.”

All love stories are perfect, but when it involves the union of two business scions (Anushree Jasani & Parth Jindal) and their illustrious parents (Nunu & Uday Jasani, Sangita & Sajjan Jindal), renowned for their hospitable generosity, luxurious tastes and love for the good things in life, you can be sure even the most well-travelled billionaires will be looking forward to this wedding!

The Jindals and Jasanis will host over 800 guests between the 7th and 9th of May across the most aesthetic and interesting venues in Vienna, at themed celebrations inspired by music, love and a history of Austrian culture and the arts.

Hofburg Imperial Palace – Welcome Dinner
Seat of the illustrious Habsburg Empire, Hofburg Imperial Palace today houses the official residence and offices of the President of Austria. Its lavish structure and grounds were originally created in the 13th century and continuously improved upon over the centuries with the most recent addition completed in the 1900s. A symbol of history, the arts and ultimate luxury, the first celebratory dinner will be hosted here, themed ‘A Symphony in Love’.

Liechtenstein Palace – Mehendi
Palais Lichtenstein is an architectural jewel and residence of the aristocratic Lichtenstein dynasty and venue for the Mehendi. Recently renovated and restored to its full heritage glory, guests will be able to enjoy its Baroque stucco ceilings, Rococo Revival interiors and dance on parquet flooring by Michael Thonet. On the Bankgasse, in the heart of Vienna, close to the Burgtheater, it will be decorated in accordance with the theme ‘Floral Orchestra’ and we can’t wait to sing its praises!

Art for Art – Sangeet
We cannot get over the sheer genius of choosing Art for Art, one of Europe’s biggest art studios as venue for an electric sangeet! In the middle of Vienna, surrounded by the historic, green Arsenal, painters flock these halls painting and creating stage sets for the likes of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Volksoper, the Burgtheater and other internationally renowned theaters! Through a huge glass front, you can see the Arsenal and the historic dome of Heeresgeschichtlichen. Wedding designers are crackling with excitement and anticipation at the idea of the sangeet and its theme “The Sound of Music”.

Belvedere Palace- Wedding
It doesn’t get more classic Vienna than the baroque architectural jewel that is Belvedere Palace. The two palaces, (Upper and Lower Belvedere) house a wealth of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. The grand wedding will take place at the Upper Belvedere that incorporates the Sala Terrena, Grand Staircase, Carlone Hall, Marble Hall and Palace Chapel and perhaps as a nod to marriages made in heaven, is themed ‘Celestial Rhapsody’.

Parth, Jindal scion and son of industrialists Sangita and Sajjan Jindal is marrying his childhood sweetheart Anushree, the daughter of Uday Jasani, a construction mogul. Society butterflies will remember their gorgeous engagement at the classic celebration venue, the Crystal Room, Taj Mahal, Mumbai last year. The couple both former school-mates at the Cathedral and John Connon School then took off with their closest friends for a pre-wedding celebration to the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur.

Now, their wedding celebrations will commence with a ‘Symphony in Love’, a welcome dinner at the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Celebrations continue at iconic venues across venue and will crescendo with a wedding hosted at the Belvedere Palace, themed ‘Celestial Rhapsody’. Read more here

The guest list includes a host of high-profile and high-society folk who the Jindals and Jasanis count as family and friends. The revelers will fly in to Vienna on the evening of the 6th looking forward to a delectable few days of luxurious hospitality (and even deliciously, a performance by none other than Enrique Iglesias!)

The wedding makers have already made tracks to Vienna. These include Aditya Motwane and Team (Motwane Entertainment & Weddings), Vandana Mohan and Teams (Backstage Productions and The Wedding Design Company), Aman Anand and Nemish Sanghvi of Kickstart Entertainment, Chef Ritu Dalmia, US based Photographer Mili Ghosh, DJ Gaurav Malvai and DJ AJ, Makeup Artists Shamlee Arora and Vipul Bhagat and Bollywood Mehendi Artist Veena Nagda.

A day at the beach or a classic city isn’t quite complete without your travel  essentials. Celebrity Stylist Tanya Ghavri is back with her newest property: ‘The Honeymoon Trunk’. After basking in the success of the Dhoom Dhaam Wedding Trunk, holiday wear is what she shed light on with chic fashion houses. She has moved to the step beyond: to taking the styling decisions off of a tensed bride’s back as she sets sail to her honeymoon destination. The Honeymoon Trunk will bring together a handful of talented designers and offer holidayers an opportunity to find hidden treasures lurking in our country before they jet off elsewhere.

The Honeymoon Trunk offers something for everyone with labels like Ritu Kumar, Studio Tia, Verandah, Kanika Goyal, Lola by Suman B, Deme by Gabriella, Flirtatious, Pause,  Guape and Cord and Rengé.

Venue: Thalassa, Bandra, Mumbai
Date: 16th December 2016
Time: 12 pm to 8pm

WeddingSutra opens the doors on the newest and best hotels and resorts with extraordinary spaces and glamorous set ups perfect for dreamy destination weddings.

1. Shangri-La Hambantota Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
Overlooking the azure waters and peaceful seascapes of the southern coast of Sri Lanka, the Shangri-La Hambantota Resort and Spa is a luxurious venue for an exotic, tropical destination wedding. The hotel boasts 300 spacious rooms and a 1200 sqm grand ballroom space which are ideal for a wedding with a huge guest list. The outdoor pavilion and the Bojunhala area work wonderfully as outdoor settings for your pheras or celebrations under swaying palms, on the magnificent lawns of the property. The resort also has a special 50% off on restaurants, bars and spa treatments for the bride and groom.

2. Radisson Blu Resort and Spa, Karjat
Nestled in the picturesque setting between the Ulhas River and rugged green hills, the Radisson Blu Resort and Spa, Karjat, strategically located between Mumbai and Pune is the perfect venue for destination weddings in Maharashtra. The hotel can host about 500 guests and has an expansive banquet and outdoor grounds for reception parties. Its outdoor pool area is particularly beautiful and will inspire you to plan a poolside wedding with glorious views of the mountains.

3. Intercontinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, Chennai
A beautiful example of traditional temple architecture, the Intercontinental Chennai, Mahabalipuram Resort is located in a UNESCO World Heritage site. Close to the beach, the hotel is perfect for a dreamy beach wedding. The hotel has a 3368 sq m banquet space that can accommodate up to 250 guests for a private reception or an indoor after-party. It also features a gorgeous lily pond that is simply spectacular for a cocktail or a festive sangeet by the water.

4. The Gateway Resort Pushkar Bypass Ajmer, Rajasthan
This desert oasis is framed by a backdrop of the beautiful Aravalli Hills, nestled between the culturally rich, stunning cities of Pushkar and Ajmer – a perfect introduction to the golden state of Rajasthan. The majestic property features architectural delights reminiscent of the area’s old havelis including intricate jaali work but its modern luxuries include a terrace garden and a pool area with a special ‘stage’ for pheras and reception parties etc. The resort will allow you your own choice of décor artists and DJs if you plan to travel with your favorites to your destination wedding here.

5. JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa, Mussoorie
There’s always a special magic associated with the peace and serenity of the hills. The JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort and Spa is perched amidst the beautiful heights of Mussoorie and offers tantalizing glimpses of the glorious Himalayas. The terraced lawns offer gorgeous views and are an unparalleled outdoor venue for your pheras or even a mehendi sundowner that is out of this world.

6. The Courtyard Marriott Agra, Uttar Pradesh
The Courtyard Marriott Agra has one of the most romantic views in the world. Its 26,000 sqm lawns outdoors offer incredible views of the ultimate symbol of eternal love, The Taj Mahal. The perfect backdrop to you exchanging your matrimonial vows, plan your wedding around a full moon night and you’re guaranteed some stunning photographs. If you prefer an indoor setting, the hotel’s Grand Ballroom is a more contemporary venue and can easily accommodate up to 400 guests.

7. Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa
Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar is the perfect venue if you want to be surrounded by the natural beauty of the hills on your wedding day. Whether you want a stylish indoor wedding in the exquisite banquet space or a sprawling lawn that leads to a pool, the resort is equipped to help you play the gracious host.

8. W Retreat & Spa, Goa
Lazy beach vibes and hippy chic are what you imagine when you think about a Goa wedding. But you can raise the style quotient a notch at the W Retreat and Spa. Plan an exclusive, A-list level private celebration in the scenic paradise of this resort hidden away on a secluded Vagator beach in North Goa. A whimsical beach wedding awaits you, surrounded by coconut palms, red cliffs, a rock pool and a backyard garden which is maybe one of the best places to exchange your vows in the sparkling moonlight.

9. Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa, Rajasthan
Minutes away from the UNESCO heritage site, Jaisalmer Fort, the Jaisalmer Marriott Resort and Spa is a heady combination of tradition and culture for a picturesque destination wedding. You’ll have your dreams of a palace wedding come true here as the Marriott’s newest establishment offers a 6200 sq ft of indoor banquet space, truly fitting for a royal reception. You can also choose to party in no less than 50,000 sq ft of outdoor spaces, a comvination of lush green lawns and an outdoor pool area perfect for a fun mehendi night.

10. Taj, Bangalore
You don’t have to make the daunting trek into the city – the Taj Bangalore is just a short distance from Kempe Gowda International Airport. It’s a special Taj property with its panoramic garden landscape and a huge waterbody adjoining it. With its contemporary banquet hall, the hotel is perfect for an indoor or outdoor ceremony, a reception or even a chic cocktail event.

Reshma and Krish’s unique wedding invitation, designed by Hong Kong-based Moor Designs, was planned like a traveling diary and each event invite includes a country or city that is close to the couple’s hearts.

Reshma shares memories of her romance and the inspiration behind the artistic wedding invitations. “Mumbai has a funny way of bringing people together when they least expect it. We both met for the first time on the 14th of February, 2015, on a night out partying with our friends. After that night, I thought I would never see him again. We only spoke a little to each other that night but connected over social media. I left for Barcelona, and he left for the US to finish his medical rotation. Four months later he decided to travel to Barcelona and that’s how our love story began. He arrived single and left with a girlfriend!”

Reshma and Krish are having a destination wedding in Phuket in April this year. The happy bride-to-be shares that the wedding venue will be Angsana Laguna Phuket in Thailand. “After a lot of research, we came across this beautiful resort which is a modern tropical getaway on the scenic Bang Tao Bay. It has a lot to offer. Every event at our wedding will have its own unique venue representing a country or a city that has been close to our hearts. We are thrilled to be taking our loved ones all the way to Thailand and sharing our traveling diary wedding adventure with them.”

Wedding Invitations
The inspiration behind each event invite was based on Krish and Reshma’s fond memories.

Flamenco Fantasy
“I was born and raised in Barcelona, a cosmopolitan city that attracts a lot of tourists every year and is vibrant with culture. This city is where our love story began, so we will commence the wedding functions with a Spanish flamenco theme that will add a deeper layer of meaning to the occasion and give us the opportunity to relive those moments we had.”

New York City of Lights
“Our sundowner pool party will have a ‘New York City of Lights’ theme representing the skyline, lights and the vibe of a city that never sleeps. There is something about New York that is so addictive. Once you leave, you just feel like returning to it again and again. Krish was living in New York for six months while finishing his medical rotation and I decided to do a diamond course there at the same time. There is so much do when living in the fastest city in the world – you go out, you work hard, you meet tons of different people every day and balancing all that is what made our relationship grow strong.”

Love Locked in Paris
“A ‘Paris’ theme is incredibly versatile and romantic. Attaching a ‘Love Lock’ on a Paris bridge was on the top of our bucket list for a very long time. Unfortunately, Paris banned it recently. So we decided to have a bridge set up at our mehendi where our family and friends can have the opportunity to fasten padlocks to symbolize their love.”

Mughal Mystique
Inspired by the opulence and grandeur of Rajasthani palaces, we want to recreate a ‘Royal Sangeet’ experience for everyone. Every girl grows up wishing that her wedding day will be dreamy and elegant, and so she pays attention to the smallest of details, be it in clothes, bridal jewelry and the wedding decor. Krish and I are fascinated by Rajasthani culture and we wanted to represent it’s beauty and grandeur on our big day.”

Winter Wonderland
“I lived in London for four years, and Hyde Park’s Magical Winter Wonderland was my favorite place to visit every year. It’s the perfect world where there is only happiness and that’s the feeling we want to bring to our wedding. It goes perfectly with our all-white decor at our American reception. I hope to take Krish there one day.”

WeddingSutra wishes the couple a lifetime of happiness.

The post A ‘Traveling Diary’ Wedding Invitation that Showcases a Romantic Journey appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

The luxurious hotels in the Middle East continue to attract high-profile Indian destination weddings, especially places like Oman which offer stunning landscapes, palatial resorts and waterfront views depending on what takes a couple’s fancy. Now, Bahrain is set to lure the well-heeled wedding crowd thanks to its stunning properties such as the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay in the capital city of Manama.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay will host the grand wedding of Diya Mehta, daughter of Russell Mehta, the CEO of Rosy Blue, to Ayush Jatia, son of Amit Jatia, MD of Hardcastle Restaurants (McDonald’s India Franchise) in the last week of April. The engagement in December last year was a low-key affair, but the wedding is expected to be a spectacular affair spread over three days, with over 750 guests from India, Belgium, UK, USA and several other countries expected to attend.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

A soaring architectural statement built on its own exclusive man-made island, Four Seasons Bahrain Bay rises 68 storeys on a 12-acre private man-made island that can be accessed by a causeway, boat or water taxi. This towering property offers unparalleled views of the Arabian Gulf at day, and the glittering city at night, especially from Skypod, its penthouse-level restaurant.

According to a close friend of the Jatias, most of the wedding celebrations will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay and a majority of the guests will also be put up there. Others will be booked into the luxurious Ritz Carlton Bahrain, a 245-room hotel located on 20 acres of private beachfront swept across a picturesque lagoon.

Ritz Carlton Bahrain

Guests at the wedding will include business associates, relatives and close friends of the bride and groom and some of their former classmates (Ayush schooled at Cathedral and John Connon, and Diya at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School). After graduating from New York University, Ayush is working in his family business. Diya, an alumnus of the London College of Communication, runs a lifestyle blog named ‘Madhatter Di’ featuring her experiences in Wandering, Styling and Eating.

(Left) Mona and Russell Mehta with their daughters Shloka and Diya, at their son Viraj’s wedding to Nisha, (Right) Diya Mehta and Ayush Jatia

A few years ago, Diya’s brother Viraj married Nisha Sheth, the daughter of a shipping tycoon and the grand Mumbai wedding was the talk of the town. Orchestrated by Mumbai’s 70 EMG, the guests included the who’s who of Mumbai. The glitterati gushed over the awe-inspiring designs, flawless hospitality and wow cuisines. This time Diya and Viraj’s parents Mona and Russell Mehta will be hosting a celebration far away from the diamond community wedding hub (Taj Mahal Palace, Trident Nariman Point, Turf Club and NSCI in Mumbai) in Bahrain’s business district. In recent years, uber luxury hotels and heritage sites around the world have replaced local hotspots as wedding venues for some of India’s most exclusive families, and Four Seasons Bahrain Bay is the latest example.

We predict that the glittering Mehta-Jatia wedding will put a sparkle in the image of Bahrain and Four Seasons Bahrain Bay as a prime island wedding destination, and we look forward to bringing our readers more details.

The post Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay set to host first big Indian Wedding appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

Location, location, location – that’s ultimately what sets one luxury destination wedding apart from the others. We suss out places that top wedding planners are recommending to clients looking for swanky locations.

There is a reason why we take a cue from what the rich and famous are doing when it comes to weddings – they can command the ultimate in services and experiences for their elite guests as they can easily afford it. So when it comes to destination wedding locations, illustrious names are opting for unique and interesting places around the globe. We checked in with top luxury wedding planners such as Aditya Motwane of MEW, Pawan Mirchandani of Horizon WIE, Farid & Bhavnesh of WedNiksha, Mahesh Shirodkar of Tamarind Global, Neha Seth Arora of Var Vadhu, Devki Hemlani of I Do Etc. for their input and insights.

1. The Royal Myconian Resort, Mykonos, Greece
This luxury hotel on Elia Beach in the southern part of Mykonos offers unparalled views of the blue Aegean Sea from all its rooms and suites. It hosted the intimate wedding of Aditya Parekh and Mallika Tarkas in 2015. Aditya is the son of HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh, and his wedding had top names from India attending the memorable event in Mykonos. The resort’s stunning facade is inspired by its Cycladic history, and its spacious rooms, top-notch Thalasso spa alongside modern events spaces continue to be a lure for high-end weddings.

Photos Courtesy – Sotiris Tsakanikas

2. Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Seychelles
With perfect weather almost all year around, Seychelles can be considered a prime destination wedding location. With the trinity of sunshine, scenic views and surging waves of the Indian Ocean, this blessed island nation off the east coast of Africa boasts impressive luxury resorts such as Kempinski Seychelles which lies just 20 minutes from the international airport. Situated on the south end of the capital Mahe, on the Baie Lazare beach, the resort inspires creative nuptials with sandy expanses that are perfect for setting up wedding gazebos and photo shoots, and enjoying sun-kissed festivities.

3. Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE
The seven-star iconic Burj Al Arab is the magnet in the Middle East with its uber luxurious amenities and spacious, glitzy ballrooms. The Terrace, a manmade luxury beach facility, which was launched in May last year, is an outdoor deck built as an extension to the hotel. Spacious for grand events (and offered only to a very select few), it hosted its first large-scale Indian wedding there when Vivek Bhatia and Shruti Sethi tied the knot there in December last year. For high-flying couples, there is always the option of booking ‘Weddings in the Sky’ experience where they can tie the knot on the Burj Al Arab’s iconic helipad, which at 212 metres above the Arabian Gulf, offers unparalleled views of the glittering desert nation.

Photos Courtesy – Gregory Grytchenko of Blue Eye Picture

4. Constance Ephelia, Seychelles
Named after Ephelia, a legendary goddess of Seychelles, the rugged yet ravishing Constance Ephelia in Seychelles is the largest resort in the island nation. Two of the most beautiful beaches of the capital Mahe are situated here, and a 40-minute drive from the airport brings visitors to the 120 hectare resort which boasts four swimming pools, a luxury spa and 313 spacious rooms and villas which can house up to seven people. Winner of the Best Luxury Resort Award in Seychelles at the World Luxury Hotel Awards in 2016, Constance Ephelia is perfect for intimate or elaborate breezy, barefoot beach weddings – and we won’t be surprised if the resort’s wonderful wilderness and amenities tempts couples to re-book into it as a honeymoon destination too.

Photo Courtesy – Andrej Pavlov

5. Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
Fancy an exotic wedding in exquisite natural surroundings? Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa in Sri Lanka, located along the ancient Spice Route, is fast becoming the preferred choice for luxury destination weddings. This relatively new luxe resort which opened in June 2016 boasts sprawling green tropical gardens next to the brilliant blue waters of the Indian Ocean which provide scenic backdrops for wedding photo shoots. The resort has also incorporated the best of Sri Lankan flavors, aesthetics and creativity in its offerings which is bound to delight guests visiting for the first time. With 300 rooms and 21 suites alongside a main ballroom, it is perfect for both intimate and elaborate indoor/outdoor weddings.

6. Rosewood London & Grosvenor House, London, UK
With the elegance of an English country manor set in the hip, urban High Holborn area of London, the Rosewood London hotel’s beautifully spaces translate into sophisticated experiences for guests. From the Pavonazzo marble staircase to the picture-perfect arched entrance, the hotel’s multi-million pounds renovation has included a stunning ballroom, two standout restaurants and 306 rooms including a magnificent suite with a private entrance. Last week top London socialite Rekha Mehtani hosted her son Vinay’s wedding to Sonam Dhall here, as well as in the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane which is a JW Marriott property. With multiple reception venues, the stunning Great Room for weddings and recently refurbished spaces, the Grosvenor House offers rich history and haute-ness at one central location.

7. Disneyland Paris, France
A fairytale wedding and Disneyland Paris are a match made in heaven as dedicated planners here take care of every step, be it creating a magical garden with giant flowers and animals, unique events such as a Jet-Set Dinner under the stars or a DJ Party. A gala dinner can include touches from favorite Disney classics such as Cinderella’s carriage, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and even sets from Beauty and the Beast. What’s a Disney experience without fireworks? From pyrotechnics to lasers, everything is lit the way couples want it.

8. Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Sabah, Malaysia
Situated in Sabah in the north of the Borneo Island, the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa lies 30 km from the Kota Kinabalu airport. A popular wedding destination for well-heeled and discerning Indian families in India, Phillipines, Hong Kong and Malaysia, this luxury 499-room haven is situated in a location that abounds in natural beauty, wildlife reserves, beaches and coral reefs. The resort has been divided into the Garden Wing and the Ocean wing, and both offer access to the sea, have beautiful lawns in between alongside multiple bars and restaurants. The country club and in-house golf course are ideal for day weddings.

Photo Courtesy – Picture Perfect India

9. The Saluting Battery, Malta
One of the most spectacular fortifications in Malta’s capital Valletta, the 16th-century Saluting Battery is attracting truly discerning visitors and wedding clients according to Aditya Motwane, Director, Motwane Entertainment and Weddings. Malta is an island nation located in the center of the Mediterranean ocean in Europe, and lies 93 km off the coast of Sicily in Italy. The Saluting Battery which is located on the colonnaded Upper Barrakka Gardens offers stunning views of the Grand Harbor and historic structures of Valletta such as Fort St. Agnelo. The ceremonial firing of the historic cannon at a wedding here can be arranged to make the occasion truly stand out. There are many world class hotels around this popular attraction to house guests.

10. Shangri-La Le Tousserok Resort & Spa, Mauritius
Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort and Spa is situated directly on the white sand beaches of Trou d’Eau Douce Bay overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Visitors will be swept off their feet with the ‘Mauritian perfection’ that is evident in each of the 200 rooms, suites and exclusive villas here. The resort offers many elegant venues and enchanting outdoor locations for both large-scale or laidback, close-knit weddings. Unique to the resort is the little island of Ilot Mangénie, which is exclusive to Shangri-La guests. So whether you host a sundowner beach wedding or a cool function in the Hibiscus Gardens or amidst the lush greenery of the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Course with a lagoon view, you are assured of perfection in every moment in this heavenly location.

For more ideas and inspiration on Wow Venues, please visit the following:
Oman
Shangri-La
Taj

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