Milni

Once upon a time, my eyes feasted on a photograph of a modern bride and groom situated in the timeless splendor of Indian architecture. The unforgettable background was a 15^th century auditorium in a fort-palace known as Neemrana, now a heritage resort, located 118 km south of Delhi.  Incidentally, in a recent trip to India, I found myself in this very exact auditorium I had marveled upon years ago when I first saw this photograph.

Upon standing inside this regal, majestic fort-palace reminiscent of the Chauhan dynasty, one encounters a sense of ‘timelessness’ as hundreds of years of stories have unfolded in this royal venue. Alluring peacocks soar the Rajasthani horizon, while honey-colored passageways and tucked away rooms yearn to be explored – one wonders of this place as a potential wedding venue.

In the last decade, there has been a surge of North American couples seeking ‘destination’ weddings in exotic locales of Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica and the Caribbean islands. Alternatively, South Asia presents infinite possibilities to the ‘common’ exodus of matrimonial celebrations. India offers cultural diversity, an array of landscapes and architectural treasures. Most importantly India offers North American desis a sense of connection to their eastern roots.

As a Professional Photographer I aspire to merge people as foreground subjects in Indian backdrops, whether it is nature that lends itself in the form of the Pir Panjal mountains in Kashmir, beaches of Puducherry, backwaters of Kerala or the richness of the Red Fort in Delhi, bustling shops, busy Mumbai intersections or rickshaws that pepper urbanscapes, or fort-palaces with lavish backgrounds for those seeking extravagance. It is the juxtaposition of portraits in contrast with a background that adds another element to the story.  It tells us more about the couple – who they ‘are and what they value. If India resonates then begin to imagine the possibilities ‘India’ lends as a photographic background and unforgettable experience.

About the Author | Zehra Rizvi is a Professional Photographer and owner of Zinfinity Photography & Zehra Rizvi Photography. Visit Zinfinity Photography at www.zinfinity.ca & www.zehrarizvi.com

To learn about Neemrana Hotels visit www.fort-palace.neemranahotels.com

While incorporating a bit of the local culture in a destination environment has been popular for a few years now, a new trend is on the rise… brides and grooms are increasingly bringing their own personal culture and religion to the destination! LUXE has seen an influx of Hindu and Sikh weddings over the past few years, with groups going to the Caribbean to celebrate with the happy couple of upwards of 120 guests!

Destination couples these days want the best of both worlds: the gorgeous and pristine setting of a beach resort with the ocean as their wedding backdrop, in addition to all of the cultural traditions that would be included at a local wedding at home.

Having a traditional Indian wedding ceremony in a destination country is entirely possible, although many of my brides and grooms discover that an element of flexibility is required, especially because these wedding traditions are so incredibly detailed. From the garlands of flowers adorning the bride and groom, to the white horse the groom traditionally rides in on, and the covered ceremony area, Hindu and Sikh weddings are multi-faceted and a fun challenge for destination wedding couples!

Jessica and Sid were one of my most recent Hindu weddings performed at the Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The ceremony colors were a vibrant splash of red and gold, which worked perfectly with the tropical flowers available in the region, and the traditional post-ceremony meal was a simple affair of appetizers and drinks under the ceremony tent. The wedding party’s traditional saris were a gorgeous parade of colour and a perfect compliment to the tropical surroundings. An important lesson for brides and grooms who are considering a cultural destination wedding?  At the end of the day the true cultural elements are often simply brought with the presence of family and friends.

All photos are courtesy of the very talented Michael Steingard. Here is some information about their gorgeous wedding.

The Wedding Day
Wedding date: January 9, 2010
Number of Guests: 35
Her most memorable moment: Walking down the aisle and seeing Sid, I realized after this moment we would officially be husband and wife, what a great feeling!
His most memorable moment: The wedding ceremony could not have been more beautiful, but not as beautiful as my lovely bride.
Advice to others: Brides and grooms often get caught up in the numerous requests their families make.  Remember, you need to do what makes both of you happy and everyone else who loves you will support the decisions you choose.  Our families were hesitant at first at the thought of a destination wedding, and now they look back and rave how wonderful everything turned out!
Wedding song: Until the end of time – Justin Timberlake & Beyonce
Fave wedding detail: Everything about the ceremony from the chair covers and tent to the appetizers served afterwards.
Most unexpected moment: During our first dance there was a glitch in the sound system and our romantic song switched to a T-Pain song, so jokingly we started to dance to it!
Honeymoon: Australia and New Zealand
The day in three words: We can sum it up in two!  Perfect and Unforgettable

Wedding Info:
Ceremony location: Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana – garden gazebo
Reception location: Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana – Cafe Paris
Bridal gown: red and gold Indian attire
Bridal party attire: Pink Indian attire
Groom’s outfit: Ceremony – traditional Indian attire, Reception – Black Armani suit
Favours: Samsung digital frames
Music: Double AA, a DJ from Toronto made us a fantastic CD to take with us
Flowers: tropical mixture

COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH LUXE: Luxe did a fantastic job planning our wedding.  Our wedding planner, Rebecca, was a dream come true, she spent countless hours planning and researching which resulted in a flawless event.  Preparing for a Hindu wedding in another country was tough as we had numerous unusual requests and not to mention the language barrier with the resort!  Rebecca worked closely with the resort to ensure 100% of our requests were fulfilled.  She was extremely organized and creative, thank you Rebecca!

Email Luxe Destination Weddings today and  start planning your destination wedding:
contact@luxedestinationweddings.com
1-888-589-3933

Did you know that Destination Weddings are among the most popular venues for weddings today?

Barefoot on an island in the Caribbean, a Chateaux in France, beneath the stars on board a Cruise…the possibilities are endless. Surprisingly, the cost maybe a lot less than you think, with memories sure to last a life time. Destinations Weddings are usually much more intimate than traditional. You’ll be able to trim your list and celebrate with those nearest to you.

Being Engaged should be one of the happiest times of your life.  This is your time to relax and enjoy…leave the planning to Vision2000, where their ultimate goal is to eliminate any anxiety or stress during the planning process of a Destination Wedding or Special Honeymoon.

Legal requirements for saying “I DO” vary from destination to destination. You’ll find working with a Virtuoso Agent will entitle you to many benefits, at no additional cost to you.  From special group rates, complimentary upgrades, free meals, and all the exclusive benefits Virtuoso has to offer.  This can all be yours with a simple phone call or email to us.

We strive for perfection.  To ensure that every detail is in place for you. Whether it’s your first or fifth wedding, maybe you’ve decided to renew your vows.

Or are you still looking for that perfect Honeymoon spot?  Or, could you be eloping…not to worry we won’t tell!

Planning can be most time consuming and stressful.  Why not leave the details to us?

Your biggest decision should be where to celebrate! Therefore, at Vision2000 Travel, We’d love to hear from you and assist with all your travel needs!!

Please visit Travel Networks at Heidi Golfman’s Website or check them out on Facebook – YOUR DESTINATION WEDDING AND LUXURY HONEYMOON, where their page is updated almost daily with the latest in travel news and promotions.