Welcome to Maharani Weddings

One of my dear friends, Shetal Vyas, of Number 29 Events, has stopped by today to help discuss the all important topics of Venues.  Your venue sets the mood for your event, and Shetal was nice enough to break them all down for us!

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Now that you’ve celebrated your engagement, it’s time to get your ducks in a row and start planning!  But where should you start?  While it seems natural to think location, location, location!  You should really think through the style and the formality for your wedding and each event leading up to it.  Once you have that high-level vision, then start thinking budget, yes, budget!  And if you are considering a wedding planner, now is the ideal time to hire one, so that they can help you navigate the complex decision on choosing a venue.  

Now you are ready to shop and choose a wedding venue, you’ll be able to set your theme and start hammering out the details. Whether you’re planning an intimate affair or planning an over-the-top soiree, consider these points to find a venue that will fit your needs.

THE LOFT

There’s nothing quite like the open space of a loft for a wedding. Ideal for city dwellers who love the downtown lifestyle, it’s both romantic and sophisticated. The best part: It’s a blank canvas. From lighting and linens to drapery and other decor, you can turn a loft into your dream locale. Are you in the mood for a Moroccan lounge or an elaborate winter wonderland? Anything is possible. Play up the city location with a classy wine bar setup and tasty hor d’oeuvres. Just watch out for hidden costs. The blank slate is great for playing with decor, but all of the equipment has to come from somewhere. Also, unlike hotels or reception halls, lofts often lack kitchen space and don’t have chairs, tables, or other basics that you need for wedding venues.  Remember to consider all of these factors to see if the cost matches your allocated budget.

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More Venue tips from Shetal, of Number 29 Events, coming right up!

If you are just joining us today, the lovely, Shetal Vyas, of No. 29 Events, has stopped by to talk about the all important Venue topic.  Before you start the hunt, make sure you read all of Shetal's fabulous tips!  Take it away, Shetal!

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THE OUTDOORS: BEACH; VINYARD; BACKYARD

Image by Imagique

One of our favorite trends for 2011 at No. 29 Events for Indian weddings!  The outdoors is perfect for a laid back couple looking for an earthy feel and incorporating natural beauty into their décor.  A great thing is the location is a theme in itself!  You can say your vows among sprawling grapevines, beneath a towering tree or sandy shoreline and crashing waves.  An outdoor ceremony brings the beauty of nature to your wedding day. For the reception, consider staying under the stars with tables set right beneath a collection of trees or consider my personal favorite option…put up a tent with a clear top and windows to overlook a field or lake. If your location is a farm, have fun with the barn setting.  Just make sure you have a Plan B. And consider the bug situation. The little creatures are likely to be on the hunt in the heat of summer, so have the area sprayed prior to your wedding or light citronella candles to keep them at bay.  Another major consideration is restrooms and space for the bride to get ready.  Make sure you ask about options to have all of this available upfront and note how it will impact your budget.

THE DESTINATION

Image by Megan Stark Photography

Couples are flocking to locations throughout the world for their wedding venues. Whether you want to elope in Vegas, have an intimate affair in a foreign country, or you’re heading a few states away for a spectacular setting, destination weddings are totally in! From the snowy mountaintops of Vail, Colorado, to the romantic elegance of Paris, France, a destination wedding has a built-in theme. The catch: They can be very expensive and, depending on where you get married, the rules vary. Be sure you know the ins and outs of getting a marriage license, how many days you have to wait to get married once you arrive, and any other legal stipulations. Also be sure to get your passport renewed as soon as possible so you don’t forget!

THE HOTEL BALLROOM

Image by Megan Stark Photography

The ballroom is the traditional and most convenient for multiple events as most large ballrooms can be split into sections to accommodate on-site ceremony and reception. There is a hotel ballroom to fit most bridal styles and budgets. The range varies from the more elaborate, plush ballrooms to those with a more simple design, and from the "old" style to new and contemporary. Hotels are practical venues because they can accommodate large groups and because the staff is trained to handle parties.  Many of our clients will overlook details of a ballroom such as carpet color and wallpaper.  These are important details to note and even take pictures of so that you can compliment and even build your color pallet based on what already exists.

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Back in a bit!