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Now that you have found your groom-to-be it’s time to start planning. Traditionally, the entire village was invited to a wedding. Even today many South Asians continue to over-invite guests and the idea of a small intimate affair becomes non-existent.
If a large wedding just isn’t you, the answer to your problem could be a destination wedding. A destination wedding is a great way to simplify planning. Typically, closer family and friends attend out of town weddings, keeping the party small and manageable.
Choosing a destination for your South Asian wedding, however, may not be as simple as you think. To help you out, CitySaheli put together some useful tips for planning a South Asian destination wedding.
1. Food. Think carefully about your catering needs. For instance, you may want to have Indian cuisine or require Halal food at your wedding. Although today you can fly your favorite chef anywhere, it would be easier and more cost effective using a caterer at your destination. Research the restaurants and catering services available. Also, remember to ask the hotel what its capabilities are with respect to heating and preparing food.
2. Size and Location of Island. Getting married at a remote hideaway sounds perfectly romantic but can turn into a logistic and economic nightmare. Remember, the more remote the island, the more difficult and costly it is for your guests to get there. If there are few hotels on the island, it may be difficult to negotiate rates with the hotels. Although you don’t need to pick the most commercial island to make your event manageable, keep the convenience factor in mind.
3. All Inclusive. All inclusive resorts are a great option if you don’t want to worry about food and drink. But, the all inclusive option may not work for all types of guests. Think about the number of vegetarian guests you will be hosting or, those that require Halal food. All inclusive resorts may not cater to special dietary restrictions.
4. Transportation around island. If you plan on having events at different locations within your destination, consider how your guests will be transported. Inter-island transportation can be extremely costly.
5. Vendors. Working with vendors on the island will cost much less than flying a team in to handle your event(s). If you require a mundap, check if there is a vendor that is able to provide you with this service. Want Desi music? See if there is a DJ that can cater to your need. Don’t forget to ask for pictures or recommendations to ensure you are getting a professional with experience.
6. Restrictions. Most resorts will have other guests and as such potential restrictions around your event. Think about the type of party you want to have. For example, if you’d like your guests to dance all night long, make sure this is permitted by your hotel. If you want a private beach wedding, find out if the hotel will keep an area just for you.
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