A wedding in India is a celebration of love, family, culture and tradition. Many couples and families put in a lot of thought to choose an auspicious wedding date. At the same time, they strive to create an unforgettable celebration for their guests. At A Shubh Muhurat wedding, we blend traditional values of our clients with modern aspirations of luxury, design and hospitality.
From Royal Palace weddings in Rajasthan and Udaipur to Beach weddings in Goa and Kerala, to weddings on cruises, couples have numerous options to choose from for their celebrations. However, a great destination wedding also depends on the planning and the coordination for venues,
accommodation, transportation, food, decor, guest hospitality, entertainment, timings, logistics and so much more.
An experienced wedding planner in India takes all the above mentioned elements into consideration for a wedding. SMLW India provides wedding planning services for destination and luxury weddings.
What is a Shubh Muhurat Luxury Wedding?
A Shubh Muhurat wedding is one that is scheduled on an auspicious date and time, as believed by the couple and their families. The timing and sequence of the different rituals and functions of the wedding can also be influenced by the Muhurat.
LUXURY WEDDINGS ADD ANOTHER DIMENSION THROUGH:
- Unique Concepts
- Exclusive Locations
- Custom Decor
- Special Entertainment
- Fine Cuisine
- Guest Management
- Event Production
- Experiences Abroad
- Detailed, Wedding Day Coordination
In a luxury wedding, we integrate tradition with modern and contemporary elements to create an overall experience that our clients will cherish for years to come.
Why Hire Wedding Planners in India for a Luxury Wedding?
A luxury wedding involves many intricate details and numerous decisions to be made. A destination wedding compounds this, as guests usually travel from various cities and countries to attend the wedding.
Professional wedding planners in India usually coordinate different aspects of a wedding at the same time, including, venue, vendor, accommodation, transportation, decor, entertainment, and catering.
As part of their published planning services, SMLW India provides venue sourcing, budgeting, décor planning, hospitality, logistics, entertainment, photography, production and on-site management. Hence a professional planning team can be the central point of coordination of the couple, family, venue and vendors.
How to Choose the Best Wedding Planner in India
The best wedding planner in India means different things to different couples. Instead of relying only on pictures or promotional claims, evaluate potential wedding planners based on the requirements for your wedding.
- Consider the following before making a decision.
- Experience with the Type of Wedding You Want
- Are they experienced in the type of wedding you want
While planning a large wedding may involve similar steps to planning a small wedding, certain aspects may require different approaches.
Destination Knowledge
Local knowledge is essential for destination weddings.
A planner who is familiar with the destination may be able to explain logistics of local vendors and venues, available means of transportation, weather conditions, local accommodation and Customs, permits and/or certificates, and other local regulations.
Vendor Network
An established vendor network can help planners source decorators, caterers, photographers, entertainment, and other professionals.
Planning Process
Ask how the planner manage budgets and timelines, design approvals, vendor and guest management, and overall coordination on the wedding day.
A clear process can simplify managing a wedding.
Portfolio and Real Wedding Experience
A planner’s portfolio can help couples understand the planner’s design sense and wedding experience. While individual decor snapshots may be available, look for complete wedding stories.
What Else Do Luxury Wedding Planners in India Do?
Managing décor is only a small part of what a luxury wedding planner does. Other major responsibilities include vendor, sponsor and guest management.
Depending on the scope of services, planning may include:
- Researching, comparing and negotiating with venues
- Decor theme, floral design, mandap, lighting, and installations
- Guest welcome, accommodation and assistance
- Guest transportation and movement between venues
- Menu planning and coordination
- Artist and DJ management
- Photography and cinematography
- Sound, lighting, stage and production management
- Guest list, itinerary and timeline management
- Vendor supervision
The above mentioned aspects of planning may vary based on the planner and the wedding package selected.
- India has lots of different landscapes, cultures and architecture. That’s why many couples choose India for a destination wedding.
- Rajasthan has forts, palaces and lots of traditional and cultural affairs. So, lots of weddings in Udaipur and Rajasthan are very royal.
- Jaipur, another city in Rajasthan has a good combination of heritage and modern architecture.
- If a couple wants to keep a royal wedding with cultural affairs in Rajasthan and royal food and decors, they have lots of options.
- Goa has good beaches, and lots of tropical trees and plants. So, a lot of couples prefer to have beach wedding in Goa.
Also, if a couple is planning to host multiple wedding functions for their guests in a single location, a wedding planner in India can make all the arrangements from decor to entertainment.
LUXURY WEDDINGS IN KERALA
From Tropical Landscapes to Backwaters & Resorts, Kerala has it all!
Kerala offers several settings for weddings including landscapes, local cuisine, architecture and culture.
MOUNTAIN WEDDINGS
The Himalayan Region is another beautiful destination for an intimate wedding.
Planning a wedding in the mountains requires attention for details including transportation, accommodation, vendor movement, and accessibility.
What Makes a Destination Wedding Different?
In a local wedding, guests typically travel back home after each event. In a destination wedding, guests turn the wedding into a vacation as they get to enjoy several events with the family over a period of time.
Some of the events guests get to enjoy in a destination wedding include-
- Cocktail Evenings
- Sangeet
- Haldi
- Mehendi
- Wedding
- Reception
- Brunches
- Farewell
In a Destination wedding, the planner is effectively managing a temporary hospitality event in addition to a wedding.
What SMLW India Indicates About Destination Wedding Planning
Planning a destination wedding requires management of numerous vendors and tasks such as choosing a wedding venue, organizing guest travel and accommodation, deciding on wedding decorations, catering, photography and entertainment.
Cruise Wedding India: A Distinctive Luxury Wedding Experience
For couples wanting to try something different than a palace, resort or beach wedding, a cruise wedding experience in India can offer the convenience of combining the wedding and the destination in a single journey.
If needed, a cruise ship can replace the need to transport guests to multiple venues for accommodation, meals, entertainment and other activities.
Currently, SMLW India offers a cruise itinerary from Mumbai to the High Seas, Mormugao (Goa) and back to Mumbai, and describes cruise wedding options that include varying levels of wedding decorations, photography, catering, entertainment, guest management and accommodation based on the selected package.
A cruise wedding can include:
- Wedding ceremony and reception
- Group meals
- Entertainment
- Activities on the cruise ship
- Guest accommodation
- Pre- and post- wedding celebrations
Couples are advised to consider sailing schedules, guest requirements, inclusions, taxes, rules onboard, and cancellation policies prior to confirming a cruise wedding package.
How Luxury Wedding Planners Personalize The Wedding Experience
Luxury today means designing experiences with a greater degree of personalization and attention to detail, rather than adding more layers of extravagance. Weddings reflect a couple’s story, their family, their traditions, where they’ve lived or traveled, their cultural and intellectual interests.
Personalization can be seen in:
- Signature stationery
- Menus and signature cocktails
- Destination-inspired decor
- Welcome gifts
- Family performances
- Customized entertainment
- Ceremonies and cultural experiences
- Guest activities
This individualizes the wedding and makes it less of a generic event and more of a personal expression of the couple.
The Focus on Guest Hospitality
In an Indian wedding, guests are considered family. With the additional logistics of a destination wedding, hospitality has to be extra.
A tailored hospitality plan would include:
Assisted transfers
Welcome kits
Event itineraries
Arranged transport
Special considerations for the elderly and children
Dietary restrictions
Local activities and experiences
Emergency support
Departure support
For NRIs and internationals, a planner has to also take into account documented travel, currency, local transport, communication across time zones and more. SMLW India says it works with couples internationally and provides digital planning for customers in the UAE, UK, USA, Australia, Canada and other countries.
The Importance of Local Vendors and Destination Knowledge
A successful destination wedding takes a great deal of on the ground knowledge. A wedding planner needs to be destination familiar. Various factors like accessibility, site measurements, production needs, weather, local customs and vendor relationships can influence the final event plan.
For this reason, top wedding planners in India build relations with local vendors and venue teams.
SMLW India prides itself in leveraging its relationships with local vendors with its creative direction for destination weddings in India including locations like Udaipur, Jaipur, Mumbai, Kerala, Rishikesh, etc.
Why SMLW India for Luxury Weddings?
SMLW India is focused on personalized luxury and destination wedding planning, encompassing venue selection and management, hospitality, entertainment, logistics, and other related services. Their website shows their services for wedding planning in India and abroad.
As per them, in the last 12+ years, they have managed and executed more than 500 weddings across India and other countries.
In the case of a couple planning a luxury wedding, the process begins with the couple sharing potential wedding dates, approximate guest count, locations, and their vision. According to SMLW India, the team then has the opportunity to discuss potential venues and provide a ballpark figure for costs, as part of the complimentary consultation process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Planners in India
What does a wedding planner in India do?
A wedding planner takes charge of venue and vendor coordination. The exact responsibility varies by the planning package. Typically, a wedding planner takes care of venue, vendor, décor, catering, entertainment, guest hospitality, and logistics, and event day management.
What is the average cost of a luxury destination wedding in India?
The price of a luxury destination wedding in India varies based on many factors. These can include the specific destination, the number of functions, guest count, type and location of accommodation, F&B, décor, entertainment, travel, and production requirements. A personalized budget can only be finalized after these factors have been evaluated.
What are some of the best places to host a luxury wedding in India?
Some of the most preferred destinations for a luxury wedding in India can include Rajasthan, Udaipur, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Agra, and others. The best destination for a luxury wedding can vary based on many factors including the season, budget, and accessibility.
What is a wedding planner for destination weddings in India?
A wedding planner for destination weddings in India specializes in weddings outside of the couple’s home city. Generally their responsibilities include locating and coordinating the venue, accommodation, travel, vendors, décor, entertainment, guest hospitality, and wedding day management.
Is it possible to have a cruise wedding in India?
Yes, cruise wedding options exist in India with itineraries including Mumbai, the high seas and Goa. Currently, SMLW India has a cruise itinerary with Mumbai-High Seas-Mormugao-Mumbai route. Availability, cost, sailing dates, inclusions and other conditions need to be confirmed before making a booking.
When should couples start planning a destination wedding?
This would depend on the wedding season, guest list, availability of the venue, and how far in advance the wedding is being planned. Couples wishing to host a large destination wedding should start their plans well in advance.
Final Thoughts
A Shubh Muhurat luxury wedding in India offers the opportunity to blend the customs and traditions of a family with design, celebration and hospitality. Whether the backdrop is a palace in Rajasthan, a beach or a mountain resort, a cruise or an island, or a destination in Kerala, the planning has to be well thought out and coordinated.
Professional wedding planners are the connectors of these different yet important aspects of a wedding. From the choice of a destination, venue and vendor, to execution of the wedding, a good planner becomes an important member of the family for the duration of the wedding.
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