While attending my niece Khushbu’s wedding (Dr Hirak Desai’s daughter) at a party plot in Valsad, my other niece Guddi (Mrunmayi Janak Desai) suddenly coined the phrase 'destination wedding'. My vocabulary evolved with a new phrase, with a special meaning. It is a special type of wedding hosted at a location, usually far away from home.
Here, the guests reach the venue and stay for a couple of days with all the people involved in the wedding celebration. The hosts plan the wedding and send the invitation with the details of stay, events, dress code and explaining the rituals planned to be followed. Yes, this is the same conventional wedding we’ve always seen, but with creative ideas of enjoying, dancing, playing games and simultaneously conducting the wedding in an authentic manner. It is a bit costly affair for the hosts, but I’m sure they are prepared for it.
Goa
Goa is one India’s most visited and liked tourist place, largely developed by the Portuguese rulers. Goa possesses a treasure of sea with breathtaking sunsets, sand and pleasure of soaking oneself in water. Goa has many luxury hotels with pleasant and comfortable stay options, dining, swimming pools, spas, and so. Goa is 600 km away from Mumbai. Considering all these points, my friend Dr Mukesh Joshi and his wife Nita decided to have a destination wedding for their son Digant, in Goa on 31-Jan-2019 at Royal Orchid Hotel. The invitation list had only close ones to join – close enough to be part of the organising family.
Royal Orchid Beach Resort and Spa, Utorda, Goa is right on the seashore with swimming pool, multiple lawns, surrounded by trees, dining hall and rooms. On reaching the venue all of us, nearly 140, were allotted the rooms. One of the reasons for picking 31-Jan-2019 as the wedding date was because it is the marriage anniversary of two of his relatives, one being his beloved uncle Jayesh and Binita.
Ganesh Pooja
This wedding included minimum rituals and so the first and a must was Ganesh Pooja - bride and groom did this in their neighbouring rooms.
Ring Ceremony and Sangeet Sandhya
On the lawns near the beach, a stage with light-effects and DJ was prepared. The ring ceremony was started by the groom's elder sister, Dharati's welcome speech. The rest of the event was compeered by a sweet and pleasing mannered master of ceremony - Binita Jayesh Joshi. She initiated the event by inviting Digant and Priya to perform “Ring Ceremony”. The different presentations began. Initially, Dr Mukesh and Nita with his brother Jayesh – Binita performed a dance sequence on a DJ song. No one would agree if I said Dr Mukesh Joshi demonstrated great skills in dancing. All of us were surprised and happy seeing them.
The guests on the groom-side were invited to perform on the stage. They preferred a Punjabi song. Later the crowd on the bride’s side came to perform. Digant and Priya were asked questions about their to-be-partners. Binita read poetry she wrote describing her emotions about Digant since his birth. Lastly, Digant’s friends narrated how this love affair groomed.
The performance by three Russian artists with white wings of illumination and second performance about their being birds spreading wings were the most pleasing acts of the evening. You cannot imagine anything of this, “only seeing is believing”.
The dress code for men was a formal shirt, trousers and blazer, while for ladies it was a western-gown.
Pool Party
This is a pleasure meeting held by the swimming pool. The dress code was floral shirts/tops and shorts. The DJ music and compeer made us play games on music, quiz and dancing amongst two parties of Digant and Priya. Last part was playing different games inside the swimming pool. All were happy, enjoying and passing a good time. Absence of alcohol does not make much difference! The friends of Digant and Priya were young and friends/relatives of Dr Mukesh Joshi were seniors. This made a good combo! They all were hilarious and dancing as never before.
Var Yatra, Wedding & Reception
If you are tired of DJ and so-called music band with only keyboard and drummers in wedding processing, then having different sizes/types of drums played with commentary and enthusiasm is a good option. All were in their best attires and so the best of their moods. The procession walked for a kilometre to reach the wedding venue just on the seashore. The sunset, the sea and decoration set for the wedding was a never seen trio. As usual, the wedding took place in no time. It was a formality with a pledge to be together for the lifetime. The pledge in the presence of relatives and friends with full sincerity and responsibilities. All of us were a blessing and wishing them the best for the rest of their lives. The reception was held at the hotel lawn with light music.
Here, the guests reach the venue and stay for a couple of days with all the people involved in the wedding celebration. The hosts plan the wedding and send the invitation with the details of stay, events, dress code and explaining the rituals planned to be followed. Yes, this is the same conventional wedding we’ve always seen, but with creative ideas of enjoying, dancing, playing games and simultaneously conducting the wedding in an authentic manner. It is a bit costly affair for the hosts, but I’m sure they are prepared for it.
Goa is one India’s most visited and liked tourist place, largely developed by the Portuguese rulers. Goa possesses a treasure of sea with breathtaking sunsets, sand and pleasure of soaking oneself in water. Goa has many luxury hotels with pleasant and comfortable stay options, dining, swimming pools, spas, and so. Goa is 600 km away from Mumbai. Considering all these points, my friend Dr Mukesh Joshi and his wife Nita decided to have a destination wedding for their son Digant, in Goa on 31-Jan-2019 at Royal Orchid Hotel. The invitation list had only close ones to join – close enough to be part of the organising family.
Royal Orchid Beach Resort and Spa, Utorda, Goa is right on the seashore with swimming pool, multiple lawns, surrounded by trees, dining hall and rooms. On reaching the venue all of us, nearly 140, were allotted the rooms. One of the reasons for picking 31-Jan-2019 as the wedding date was because it is the marriage anniversary of two of his relatives, one being his beloved uncle Jayesh and Binita.
Ganesh Pooja
This wedding included minimum rituals and so the first and a must was Ganesh Pooja - bride and groom did this in their neighbouring rooms.
Ring Ceremony and Sangeet Sandhya
On the lawns near the beach, a stage with light-effects and DJ was prepared. The ring ceremony was started by the groom's elder sister, Dharati's welcome speech. The rest of the event was compeered by a sweet and pleasing mannered master of ceremony - Binita Jayesh Joshi. She initiated the event by inviting Digant and Priya to perform “Ring Ceremony”. The different presentations began. Initially, Dr Mukesh and Nita with his brother Jayesh – Binita performed a dance sequence on a DJ song. No one would agree if I said Dr Mukesh Joshi demonstrated great skills in dancing. All of us were surprised and happy seeing them.
The guests on the groom-side were invited to perform on the stage. They preferred a Punjabi song. Later the crowd on the bride’s side came to perform. Digant and Priya were asked questions about their to-be-partners. Binita read poetry she wrote describing her emotions about Digant since his birth. Lastly, Digant’s friends narrated how this love affair groomed.
The performance by three Russian artists with white wings of illumination and second performance about their being birds spreading wings were the most pleasing acts of the evening. You cannot imagine anything of this, “only seeing is believing”.
The dress code for men was a formal shirt, trousers and blazer, while for ladies it was a western-gown.
Pool Party
This is a pleasure meeting held by the swimming pool. The dress code was floral shirts/tops and shorts. The DJ music and compeer made us play games on music, quiz and dancing amongst two parties of Digant and Priya. Last part was playing different games inside the swimming pool. All were happy, enjoying and passing a good time. Absence of alcohol does not make much difference! The friends of Digant and Priya were young and friends/relatives of Dr Mukesh Joshi were seniors. This made a good combo! They all were hilarious and dancing as never before.
Var Yatra, Wedding & Reception
If you are tired of DJ and so-called music band with only keyboard and drummers in wedding processing, then having different sizes/types of drums played with commentary and enthusiasm is a good option. All were in their best attires and so the best of their moods. The procession walked for a kilometre to reach the wedding venue just on the seashore. The sunset, the sea and decoration set for the wedding was a never seen trio. As usual, the wedding took place in no time. It was a formality with a pledge to be together for the lifetime. The pledge in the presence of relatives and friends with full sincerity and responsibilities. All of us were a blessing and wishing them the best for the rest of their lives. The reception was held at the hotel lawn with light music.
So, this was the destination wedding ceremony around 1100 km away from Ahmedabad, the host residence. Nearly 140 guests and hosts made the show. All enjoyed to their most – because of the venue, the food and the participant themselves. All were five-star! In fact, all present there made the event enjoyable and so memorable!