Industry’s Best Planners Suggest Top Wedding Venues for Destination Weddings

by  Madiha Khan Weddings | April 18, 2018 | Feature

Momente Wedding Planners AccorHotels Wedniksha Monaco Government Tourist Bureau Studio Neelabh

Selecting a venue for a destination wedding can be a difficult task when there are so many to choose from. Here, industry’s best destination wedding planners pick the best venues for a dream wedding - 

Darshan Shroff – Momente Weddings

The Umaid Bhavan Palace – For obvious reasons, this is the top hotel in India and the grandeur and palatial feel afforded by Umaid Bhavan, can simply not be replicated anywhere in the world. The Baradari lawns with the palace as a backdrop are in itself enough to make it on anyone’s bucket list. Also, the ability to use Meherangarh Fort for an event is just the icing on the cake. Add to that the fabulous Taj hospitality and food, make it an unmatched venue for a wedding.

The Leela Palace Udaipur – This is again a fabulous property, with Lake Pichola and the entire City Palace complex as the backdrop, this property is a favorite. Arrival at the venue via a boat ride across Lake Pichola, the excellent Leela hospitality, and food, the various venues around Leela and possibility of using Jagmandir has an added charm to the property. 

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Resort – The hotel lies on an untouched beach about 30 minutes from Krabi. The property has 256 rooms, which makes it perfect for an Indian wedding, and the 500 meters long pool makes it a dream to have water associated activities (mandap, pool party, etc). Also, you can hire a private island off the coast of Krabi via speedboat transfers, which adds a wow element to the wedding. 

Arif Patel, VP Sales, Marketing, Distribution & Loyalty, AccorHotels said, “Sofitel Hotels & Resorts believes that at the heart of luxury, lays human emotions. Our magnifique boutique weddings are known for globally recognised unrivalled facilities. Our hotels personalise each element to create intimate and bespoke weddings amidst romance, elegance, and luxury. The dedicated wedding planners at Sofitel suggest creative and customized banqueting options, themes, unique settings and international flavours make the bride and groom rejoice the beginning of a new life.” 

Bhavnesh Sawhney – Wedniksha

Hotels in Malta - Malta is an ideal location for destination weddings in Europe. The beautiful island has so much to offer. The sunny weather, beautiful beaches, thriving nightlife and very friendly locals makes it the perfect location for a destination wedding. Guests can sit back and enjoy the ceremonies atop a cliff overlooking the stunning Mediterranean Sea, or within a garden.  Or they can enjoy it amidst the setting of Malta's 7,000 years of intriguing history, including medieval towers and wayside chapels.

Rajeev Nangia, India Director, Monaco Government Tourist Bureau said, "Monaco is emerging as the most sought-after destination for Indian Weddings. The Mediterranean seaside luxury has a bouquet of quality customization options, packed with elegance and excitement for grand celebrations. Be it, a string of ceremonies with large gatherings of guests or just a special arrangement, exclusively for the bride and groom, Monaco is perfect for a fancy wedding soiree". 

Hotels in Dubai - As a destination, Dubai has a more metropolitan vibe. They offer plenty of luxury five-star resorts, with lavish nightlife experiences, which can be used to set an opulent and impressive tone for the destination weddings executed there. We recently held the Welcome Dinner of one of our recent weddings at Lakeview Restaurant at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, to which guests were transferred by luxury yachts across the water body, from the 5-star luxury hotel Palazzo Versace. On the other hand, we also held a spectacular Sangeet Function in the midst of the desert land of Al-Maha Luxury Desert Resort & Spa, designed as an enchanting Arabic souk.

Antalya, Turkey - A memorable experience for many including us is the month of April in 2016 when Wedniksha executed a wedding in the beautiful city of Antalya, Turkey. Such a destination again provides exclusive options for wedding themes. For instance, Wedniksha had organised a function based on the theme of the Ottoman Empire of Turkey, to which the rich blue and gold colour combination of the night added further elegant.

Neelabh Kapoor – Studio Neelabh

Bab Al Shams, Dubai – It is an expansive venue perfect for a grand social function. We recently created an unimaginable experience for a Gala Dinner Ceremony for the royal family of Dubai.

Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur – Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur is synonymous with luxury and grandeur. The royal architecture and features of this palace make it perfect for a regal wedding in India.

Palazzo Versace Hotel, Dubai – We recently did a 5-night wedding at the Palazzo Versace in Dubai. It is a luxurious property with various indoor and outdoor venues that are perfect for Indian weddings.

Aarti Manocha – Milestones to Memories

Emirates Palaces, Abu Dhabi – Emirates Palace has one of the best banquets in Abu Dhabi. It has a lavish façade with a great backdrop and outdoor venues. It is the best wedding venue for an Indian wedding.

Qasr Al Sultan, Dubai - I recently got a chance to go and see the newly opened Qasr Al Sultan Dubai venue. It is a very new venue, perfect for lavish Indian weddings. It has an Arabic theme décor with modern amenities, and a royal touch of elegance. The venue is perfect for a Sangeet or other pre-wedding function.

Taman Bhagwan, Bali - A very nice option for weddings, Taman Bhagawan has an ancient and surreal architecture. It has outdoor venues, semi-outdoor venues, and indoor venues. It has lush green lawns that are perfect for receptions; the beachfront pool space is perfect for weddings.  

Aditya Motwane – Motwane Entertainments and Weddings

Hangar 7, Austria - Hangar 7 Salzburg in Austria is situated on the airport runway. It is owned by Redbull. We did a welcome party there for an Indian wedding. The Hangar-displays a remarkable architecture where f you are standing inside the vaults it seems to open up above the historic aircraft and exhibits and if you look at the construction from outside, the similarity to a wing which radiates uncommon dynamism and weightlessness looks striking, despite the 1,200 tonnes of steel and 380 tonnes of special glass used in the construction.

Cipriani, the Granai in Venice - Cipriani, the Granai in Venice is another great wedding venue for a big fat destination wedding. You can see the entire city of Venice from this venue. We worked on this venue for a sit-down dinner, for a grand Indian wedding.

Sporting Club, Monte Carlo – We did a welcome night event at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club for a lavish Indian wedding.