India is increasingly being seen as a popular destination for saying ‘I Do’. Many westerners, non-residential Indians as well as celebrities are looking upon the country as a unique and exotic venue to ‘get hitched’ at. It is not just the foreigners; native Indians too are opting to get married in spectacular Indian locales. Couples-to-be, wishing to add an element of spice to their wedding ceremonies, are doing so by choosing exotic deserts of Rajasthan or serene beaches of Goa rather than monotonous and standard choices like local banquet/marriage halls. Destination weddings are glamorous affairs; your guests are sure to consider your wedding ceremony as a mini vacation and bound to remember the occasion for a long time to come.
Let us consider some of the popular Indian wedding destinations:
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- Royal Rajasthan weddings-Rajasthan is a destination famous for its surreal palaces, forts, deserts, folk artists and cuisine. Many of the state’s heritage havelis and palaces that were once inhabited by Maharajahs have been converted into hotels for hosting wedding ceremonies. An example is the Jai Mahal Palace which was once the residence of the prime minister of Jaipur. It has lawns designed in classic Mughal styles and is considered one of the most popular wedding venues in the state. It is not just the venue; the wedding processions here are also arranged in a grand style. Exotic animals like elephants, camels and (even monkeys) along with vintage cars are sure to add charm to your Baraat procession. Recent additions to royal wedding destinations in the city of Jaipur include The Rambagh palace, The Raj Mahal Palace and The Hari Mahal palace. In fact; there are more than a dozen heritage buildings to choose from. Hosting a wedding here can cost anywhere from 4 to 6 lakh INR. For more budget-friendly options, you can consider the Alsisar and Mandawa Havelis.
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- Romantic Goan Weddings- If the couple- to-be loves water and beaches, then Goa is a great place for a Destination wedding. You can approach a wedding planner or one of the grand luxury hotel resorts which can take away all the hassles of planning a wedding in this place. For a quiet ceremony; the Taj Exotica (on Varca Beach) is quite popular. Additionally, you can opt for The Leela on the serene Morbor Beach or the Turiya Villa Spa, in case you are looking for a quiet ceremony with close friends and family.
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- Kerala wedding-Kerala is known as God’s Own Country; what better place to tie the knot in than this one! Kerala destination weddings are sure to appeal to couples looking for a serene and quiet place to get married in. The Zuri Kumarakom resort in Alleppey is a popular wedding venue and couples can also honeymoon in the cozy and romantic houseboats on the breathtakingly beautiful backwaters of the region. Kerala beach resorts like The Leela and Varkala also offer scenic spots for wedding ceremonies.
- Amby Valley-This is a recent addition to Indian destination weddings. It is located in Maharashtra near Lonavala, and about 100kms from the Mumbai International Airport. The Pond2 is a popular venue for the sangeet ceremony and the wedding vows can be exchanged at the aptly named Banaras Ghat.
Apart from such exotic destinations, one can even opt for special themes on their D-Day. Popular themes include Bollywood, Peacock theme (accordingly one can color-code one’s wedding apparel) as well as exotic Arabian themes. These unique venues along with such distinctive wedding themes are sure to leave you and your guests breathless!
Do you have any favorite spots for destination weddings in India? Do let us know!