Imagine a 400-year-old heritage stone temple in its grandeur as your wedding venue. Earlier this year, actor Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth lived this dream, with an intimate wedding at the Sri Ranganayaka Swamy temple in Wanaparthy, Telangana, which hosts more than 200 weddings every year, all small, intimate, and not yet grand. For decades, wedding venues have been private for families and couples. Mother’s house, family farm, and temple are the main choices.
Over the years, couples have moved into more commercial spaces, using glitz and glamour. However, after the small wedding of Covid, there is a trend of couples returning to their roots, and choosing meaningful places that are closer to their story.
An understated, yet luxurious option is to host a party in the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu. Many mansions spread across towns like Karaikudi and Kanadukathan have been carefully restored and converted into historical resorts that give tourists a taste of the Tamil cultural sect. Lately, many couples have chosen this mansion to be the background for their intimate wedding. “We recently hosted a big wedding. They came with a wedding planner and booked all the hotels – The Bangla, Chidambara Villas and Vishalam, and had events all over the place,” said Yacob George, General Manager at The Bangla.
A wedding in Chidambara Vilas, Chettinad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
Because the property is hundreds of years old, there are restrictions to protect the integrity of the building. “We do not allow decorators to change anything in the building, such as nailing walls or painting. Decorators often come and respect the property,” he added. Since the mansion only has 15 to 35 rooms per property, the guest list is limited to 150-200, which makes for a great wedding.
Growing up in a coastal city, if the beach is a major part of your love story, you can choose to get married by the sea. For example, Samaaya Beachside in ECR, offers seven different spaces to choose from, like orchid and tulip lawns, German-style tents, beach front, terraces and more. The venue can accommodate up to 1,500 guests depending on the venue. “Celebrations are a big part of our culture, and the Bay of Bengal is an underutilized beach in our country. We want to use it well and create a place that can accommodate various celebrations,” said Rajiv Sampat, chairman of the Samson group, which owns Samaaya, adding that clients can bring their own vendors and will have complete freedom to manage. marriage
ECR is also home to other five-star and boutique properties like the Intercontinental and the Sheraton Grand, which host weddings with the sound of the sea.
Samaaya Beachside at ECR, Chennai | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
Another option is to look at heritage buildings. Apart from the many palaces and forts of Rajasthan that host lavish weddings, there are other heritage properties across the country that have been converted into resorts and hotels, which can create an aesthetic setting for your special day. “There are about 170 heritage hotels in India that are part of our association. All of them are located near big cities, so they make perfect wedding venues. We are environmentally conscious and do not allow the use of plastic, or allow animals to be part of the ceremony said,” said Steve Borgia, vice president, Indian Heritage Hotel Association.
From the mountains of Shimla and Srinagar, to the hidden gems of Kerala, properties that have been heritage houses, forts, and palaces have been transformed into resorts that embody the values and traditions of the property and the region. This is the perfect venue for an eco-friendly wedding. “We are aiming to reduce the amount of waste generated so we like to use eco-friendly materials for decoration, and even help guests pick thoughtful gifts that are made locally,” added Steve.
Indeco Hotels Swamimalai | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
Take the mystical path
Located at the foothills of Nandi, 50 kilometers from Bengaluru city, it is a place straight out of a fairy tale. Amitarasa, a 28-hectare site dominated by Nature, is decorated with stone architecture that draws attention from the region’s heritage.
It has five distinctive places – the pavilion (Mantapam), the amphitheater (Kalyani), the dining room (Aahara), the courtyard and the villa. Sales and marketing manager Shakeeb Syed said, “The space is designed in such a way that it compliments the aesthetics of a traditional Hindu wedding. We provide all the services to the couple, but they are free to choose their own service providers.
Amitarasa can accommodate anywhere between 300 to 800 guests. Beyond the seven rooms on the premises, there are two sister resorts – Kosh Retreats, and Discovery Village, where guests can be hosted.
Amita Rasa, Nandi Hills | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
For the oenophiles among us, walking down the aisles of the vineyard is a dream come true. Located on the banks of Gangapur Lake in Nashik, is the Sula vineyard. With its Greek-style amphitheater and stone stage, this is an unforgettable destination for winter parties. “Apart from the venue, we also provide private tastings and vineyard tours for a small number of 30 to 35 people during weddings. During the harvest season, we do grape stomping,” says Amit Kulkarni, general manager – operations, Sula Vineyards. “We also offer discounts on wine for weddings along with helping couples plan the right decor and catering,” he added. The vineyard can accommodate up to 1,500 guests, and also houses The Source resort with 67 rooms.
Apart from Sula, other vineyards that will be celebrating the special day are Soma Vineyards in Nashik, Grover Zampa Vineyards on the outskirts of Bengaluru, and Big Banyan in Bengaluru.
Wedding in Sula | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
If getting married in a museum excites you, Dakshina Chitra Heritage museum has been hosting weddings for over 15 years.
“We have several places that can accommodate about 200 guests, and we provide all the necessary services, from catering to decoration. Our vendors already know the rules of the museum, so we recommend it, but you are also allowed to bring your own,” said cultural tourism manager Francis M.
Wedding at Dakshina Chitra | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
Wedding at Dakshina Chitra | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
If you and your partner are avid movie lovers, getting married on the set of a movie you share could be the perfect start to your blissful life.
AVM Studios, Chennai, and Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad can make your film dreams come true. “We do everything from Shaadi for heresy and in any style or theme you want. Couples often ask us for unique sets like those from certain movies, village scenes, places decorated in different aesthetics and cultures from different traditions and countries to build for their functions,” said TLR Rao, associate vice president at Ramoji Film City. .
Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
If you are attracted by beautiful scenes from Bollywood movies Dilwale Dulhania Le JayengeWhere the couple takes a train into the sunset, prepare their walking shoes and jump on any Indian luxury train. The Palace on Wheels, Maharajas Express, Deccan Odyssey, and Golden Chariot can be hired for your wedding. Hitching a ride as unique as this will definitely make a story of a lifetime to tell.
Maharaj Express | Photo Credit: AFP PHOTO DESHAKALYAN CHOWDHURY
“Clients can charter all trains with all 40 cabins to ferry guests from one venue to another,” says Rajiv Varma, director, Royal Indian Trains adding that they have also hosted conferences and business events on board. If traveling with the entire wedding party from one venue to the next is what you want to add to your big day, hire luxury on wheels all to yourself, starting from ₹1.5 crore for a three-day package including 24×7 concierge service, and all meals . The train can accommodate up to 80 guests, making it perfect for intimate weddings.
Maharaj Express | Photo credit: AFP
A wedding venue, big or small, brings the weight of vision and breath of life to the ceremony. Whether it’s the stone walls, the sound of the waves, or the history behind the place, the place doesn’t just host the event – it becomes part of your story.
Published – 23 October 2024 18:16 IST
