Marry at an exotic Indian locale!

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Marry

at an exotic Indian locale!
November 11, 2008
If you're a die-hard romantic and want a truly unforgettable wedding, ditch those conventional marriage halls and five star hotels in your hometown!
More and more couples are opting for 'weddingmoons' or destination weddings, where they have both the ceremony and the honeymoon rolled into one super package.
So take your pick from the snow-capped peaks of Himalayas, the valleys of the Ganges, the lush Kerala backwaters, the forts of Rajasthan and the vibrant beaches of Goa!
The 'grand maharaja' wedding
Rajasthan, with its alluring romantic past, is definitely the answer to a dream wedding in an opulent setting.
Where to do it
Take your pick from the forts and the palaces of the pink, blue and white cities -- Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur respectively. The venues to watch out for in Jaipur are Rambagh Palace, Samode Haveli, Jai Mahal Palace and Raj Mahal Palace among others. If you like Udaipur, pick from Taj Lake Palace, Jagat Niwas Palace, Oberoi Udaivilas, Shiv Niwas Palace and the Fateh Prakash Palace. The blue city of Jodhpur is truly royal as it has one of the largest palaces, Umaid Bhavan; your other options are Ajit Bhavan and Taj Mahal Hari.
Most planners organise the entire wedding from the ceremony to the celebrations and they offer packages as well. However, customisation is the latest buzz word and they will get you a royal elephant if you wish one at your wedding!
What it will cost you
"There are several smaller boutique resorts which look like palaces and are not heritage properties and these are sought after by several couples," say Anvita Doegar, a coordinator working with India Wedding Planner.
According to her, a small group of 20-30 guests for 'a simple couple wedding' would cost around Rs 3-4 lakh. If your guest list gets closer to the 100 mark, the cost could be anything between Rs 10 to 30 lakh, depending on the venue and your wish list. "Most venues are expensive and they charge separately," says Anvita indicating "a small palace hotel with a capacity of 50 people will cost anything between Rs 5-7 lakh per day."
Adds Neeti Bharghav, a wedding planner with Mystical Moments, "The Maharaja wedding needs lots of detailing and if it becomes a lavish affair the cost stretches to even a couple of crores."
Caption: Lights iluminate Umaid Bhawan Palace of Jodhpur, famous for hosting the Arun Nayar-Liz Hurley wedding.
Text: Lakshmi Sharath | Photograph: Raveendran/AFP/Getty Images

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In the Himalayas

Marriages can make many shiver at the very thought of it. But if your dream destination is the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, then probably all the fears will melt at the very sight of the soft snow.
Where to do it
Destinations like Shimla, Manali, Mussoorie and Nainital are beckoning many couples who have the spirit of adventure and who explore the wild terrain as they discover each other.
The venues are mainly resorts that play host to the guests as well. The wedding season is, however, for a few months only, mainly from March to June as the weather plays an important role here. Says Neeti, "You can have only a limited guests at these places, probably 300 at the maximum, with a minimum of 30. Some of the prime venues are the beautiful Wildflower Hall in Shimla, JP Resorts in Mussoorie, Span Resorts and Manali Inn in Manali and Manumaharani and Naini Retreat in Nainital."



Caption: Take to the lofty snow-capped peaks of Manali for a memorable wedding celebration.

Photograph: STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images

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Tie the knot at a tea plantation
November 11, 2008
Go green in the lush lap of nature -- lush Indian tea estates make for a great setting.
Where to do it
Anvita says that queries for North East India have been pouring in and they include Assam and West Bengal, including the tea estates of Siliguri. With Sikkim and Darjeeling being popular honeymoon destinations, couples are exploring the areas close-by, which offer better infrastructure and connectivity for a wedding.
What it will cost you
The cost for a small group of 30 people would be around Rs 4 lakh for a no-frills wedding.



Caption: The green slopes of romantic Darjeeling beckon to those in love.
Photograph: Diptendu Dutta/AFP/Getty Images

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A beach party in Goa

If you wish to have some fun and frolic in the sand, then the beaches of Goa will beckon you. However, beach parties require a lot of logistics and permissions, especially if you want to have a wedding right on the beach and not in just another five star hotel.



Where to do it
Says director of Mystical Moments Neeti Bhargav, who promotes India as a wedding destination, "Beaches like Calangute, Baga, Palolem and Colva are a huge favourite. Tell your planner if you need a theme or the typical Goan touch with music and a rain dance."



What it will cost you
"Goa has become the most popular destination and here legal registration is a must, unlike Rajasthan," says Anvita, adding that for a couple who prefer a simple beach wedding with legal permission, a bit of music and a candle-light dinner, the cost is around Rs 60,000. Throw in about 50 guests, add some musicians, a theme and a sumptuous dinner and the cost could go up to even Rs 5 lakh. "The more the entertainment options, the more the cost. So if you want an expensive deejay or some laser shows and have over 500 guests and a five star property as your venue, the cost could even touch a crore," explains Anvita.



Caption: The beaches of Goa are a hot favourite with foreign and Indian couples alike.

Photograph: Rediff Archives

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Historic settings: Khajurao and Hampi

Temple weddings are hot favourites as well and if you believe that they aren't romantic, think again.



Where to do it
The erotic sculptures of Khajurao create a sensual setting and evoke passion and romance. Further down south, the ruins of the Vijaynagar empire at Hampi are another unusual locale. As the sun goes down on the musical pillars and huge boulders that have stood the test of time, the precious few moments of your wedding in that setting will stay with you forever. Says Neeti, "We have been promoting Hampi, but here the logistics and permissions are big issues and so it's preferable for simple, small weddings, not huge groups."
Closer to Delhi, Agra with the monumental Taj Mahal is an eternal symbol of romance and has several couples seeking to immortalise their love.



Caption: Tie the knot amongst the ruins in Hampi at sunset -- the ambience will take your breath away.

Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images