Destination weddings look very different now. Couples and wedding planners have opened themselves to some unexpected, awesome and crazy places to say the two lovely words. Couples are getting married in a 120,000-gallon shark tank, at a haunted castle, in midair, in a cave, on a glacier, next to a volcano, on a roller coaster and the list is unending. Opening the doors to a new world of wedding destinations, ICWF 2016 had Mr. Samit Garg, Founder, E-Factor and Co-Founder, 5 Guys Project in conversation with Maharaj Kumar Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Prince of Udaipur and Executive Director of HRH Hotels; Aditya Motwane, Director, Motwane Entertainment & Weddings and Satish Ramnani, Founder and Director, Veydaa Events sharing their thoughts on the new destinations for weddings.
Maharaj Kumar Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar says, “It’s the taste and personal choice of people when they choose a destination for their wedding. With people preferring locations outside India, not only the Indian wealth is going out, but a lot of business and opportunities are going out. Our country has so many places and venues, which are now more user-friendly and functional. I agree with the thought that the heritage properties have to be made more accessible. Strong will power and dedication is required to do so. In fact, it is the strength of everything and weddings require these in abundance. The ideas need a quick buck. We cannot be in this for the short term.” The Prince adds, “My family started the business in the 80’s and today it is where it is! It is the patience and commitment that is required. India is a place that should be explored more. We have a great site and taste and exploration will take you to new places. Experience within one place, twist and take to things. ORIGINAL has a sole and feel to it and people want it. The industry is supporting the global platform and so are we and ICWF is a perfect example of it”.
Aditya Motwani says, “Destination Wedding has its own charm and people want to do something different. With the kick and high of going abroad, the trend of destination weddings has picked up in India”. He adds, “Companies have started specializing in everything. Top players have segregated into a niche. My preferred place for a destination wedding is Europe as I feel it is still a virgin territory for weddings. Though Europe is expensive than India and has a limited clientele.”
Discussing the criteria’s that a planner keeps in mind while choosing a destination, Mr. Motwani shares, “Infrastructure, hotels, great venues which can cater up to 1000 people, people of that place play a very vital role. As a matter of fact, the tourism boards are becoming more active. Italy, Barcelona, Russia, etc. is promoting wedding tourism.”
Satish Ramnani says, “Baku, Bucharest, and Prague will be the hot destinations over the next 3-4 years. There are so many new offerings that International is giving. In addition to great venues and hotels, there are amazing facilities which attract both the wedding planners as well as the clients. In fact, their government is also promoting these destinations which give encouragement to these unexplored destinations. In the same way, even India is being marketed to other countries.”
On a concluding note, Indian weddings are a massive pie and everyone country wants to take some part of this pie. A lot is being done at the ground level so that Indian planners can tie up with the planners abroad and vice versa. At the end of the day, it is the survival of the fittest, so it is important to do best.
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