Destination Weddings

Weddings! the very word brings in visions of imported flowers, diamonds, designer wear and mouth watering buffets of food .A few decades earlier , weddings meant a simple function at home for near and dear ones, a lot of work for the elders and a few days of unsupervised play time for kids. Everybody had fun in their own way, whether it be ,gossiping while cutting vegetables in the kitchen or discussing the latest budget while instructing the local household help where to place the banana leaves ,it was family time for all.

But changing times, shrinking spaces, relatives all over the globe, fewer children and most of all bundles of Reserve Bank rupee notes in the bank have brought in the “ Big fat Indian wedding” and there is no end to what money can buy. If you want to say ‘I do’ in the middle of serene backwaters with your close friends and relatives watching you, it can be done, or if you want a royal style wedding, you can arrive on a decorated elephant and tie the knot under a flower bedecked pandal with the waves of the sea roaring in the background, it can be done, and if you are a film buff and would like shahrukh khan to add that additional glamour at your wedding, it can be done, all you need is money and a competent wedding planner.

A wedding planner is a must, if you want to enjoy your own wedding. From the wedding invites to the honeymoon package they make the ride smooth and fun. They are trained to do what you tell them and what you don’t and ensure that you will like, all they do.

Through the sea of questions which a wedding planner asks, say, who, whom, why, when, how there is also the question of where. Where do you want to be when you say ‘I do’ and ask God’s blessings? Of course in ‘God’s own country’. Kerala is a union of lush green carpeted mountains, serene backwaters, hidden harbors, pristine lagoons, coconut groves , warm sun, golden sands and blue seas. You will only be spoilt for choice, it could be a beach wedding , a house boat wedding or a palace wedding. Kerala has it all.

Here are some of best wedding venues and destination weddings venues in Kerala.

1) Backwater Ripples

If you fancy an outdoor wedding on the banks of the Vembanad lake, The Backwater Ripples, a Wedding destination in Kumarakom, has it for you. The beautiful landscaped lawn can accommodate around 800 guests with silvery moonlight flowing over the backwaters in the backdrop. There is also banquet hall which can accommodate around a 1000 guests with a view of the backwaters.

2) The Leela, Kovalam

A wedding by the beach could be your dream. Cradled between two beaches and situated on a cliff top, The Leela, a wedding destination in Kovalam, could be the answer to your dream. After a beautiful wedding by the beach, you could have a reception in any of the two beautiful halls namely The Rajiv Gandhi Convention centre which can house around 900 guests or The Pandhal ,which can house around 500 guests or an intimate gathering for about 100 guests in the garden by the beach.The Pandhal has a traditional kerala style stage décor, which your guests will love.

3) Camelot Convention Center

Alappuzha, the land of beaches and art in coir has a world class convention centre to boast of .The Camelot convention centre , a wedding venue in Alappuzha can accommodate around 1000 guests with service to match.

4) Contour backwaters

If you are hosting a wedding for more than 1000 guests then Contour Backwaters , a wedding destination in Changanassery , is for you. There are convention centres for all kinds of events, from a small intimate gathering of around 14 guests to a mega event for around 1850 guests.There are other halls for a wedding which has around 1700 invitees and also for pre wedding or post wedding functions for around 75 guests. Set in beautiful landscaped gardens, this resort is situated in central Travancore region, Kottayam district.

5) LeMeridien,Kochi

What would you do if you have VVIP guests on your big day, who are arriving in their private helicopter and you would like them to see why Kerala is actually called God’s Own country and your guest list is too long for you to accommodate them in the convention centre, near the backwater of your choice? Le Meridien , with a helipad of its own,a wedding venue in Kochi could be the answer to your prayers. You could say your vows in the traditional ‘Kettuvallam’ ,in the midst of swaying palms and serene backwaters, with your select guests looking on from other boats and have a grand reception for a maximum of 2500 guests in one of the 14 convention centres in Le Meridien.