HYDERABAD: There isn’t one place to go to for all your wedding planning needs unless you go to a boutique wedding planning service. With an aim to simplify the process of wedding planning, Weddingz.in was started in 2015. Everything you want for your wedding, from venues to vendors to clothes to ideas, you’ll get it all here.
Whatever be your budget, Weddingz.in can give the most extravagant wedding one can dream of, mainly due to the preferred prices. “Our rates are up to 30 per cent lower than the market and you may be able to fit a better, bigger venue or vendor in the same budget,” says Sandeep Lodha, founder and CEO Weddingz.in. “We arrange weddings of all kinds – from budget weddings to lavish destination weddings. We have several venues and vendors for every budget and every need that customers can choose from,” he adds.
The company is looking to expand to Hyderabad in the near future. Considering the rich heritage and culture of Hyderabad, the beautiful Nawabi palaces, forts, the rolling hills and lakes will make for excellent wedding locations.
Talking us through the process, Ashu Garg Founder, Good Times Concepts Events, says, “At the beginning of every consultation I always start by asking the couple to share their love story. It’s a key into their personalities and the bond they share. Every story is unique and every love special. It’s part of the job that I truly savour. Getting to know couples in such an intimate way is such a privilege, learning about their families, favourite restaurants, and what they do in their free time. As we dive into the planning process, there is one thing almost every modern couple is craving at their big day, them. They don’t want a cookie cutter wedding day like their parents. They want their day to tell their story and be overflowing with their personality. And so, the journey begins.”
Under one roof
Everything you want for your wedding, from venues to vendors to clothes to ideas, you’ll get it all here.
“We have more than 2,000 venues and 2,000 vendors listed across 10 locations in India. There are more than 150 designers in categories like bridal wear, jewellery, accessories and gifting listed with us. One can login and shortlist/check availability of venues or call us to get help and recommendations,” says Sandeep.
Running here and there and looking for each section of the wedding is getting difficult. Make it hassle free by hiring a wedding planner who will get photographers, caterers, make-up, artists, decorations, venue choreographers, all under one roof. “It is the planners’ responsibility to make this day rocking and memorable,” says Ashu.
Designing weddings
The lush green open spaces and the tranquility accompanied by a heightened sense of privacy makes for a perfect setting to have the wedding you have always wanted. From royal palaces to great beaches, they have everything that a bride and groom need to express their signature styles in their wedding. “It can accommodate large groups of guests in its spacious banquet hall and other expansive venues for you to celebrate. Your destination wedding has to be fit into a perfect location. Places best for destination wedding are Goa, Udaipur, Farmhouses in Delhi, Kerala, Simla, Switzerland, Paris, Thailand,” says Ashu and adds, “We did a destination wedding last year in Thailand so that gave us exposure to destination wedding as well.”
Making it special
They also help the customer “celebrate planning a wedding as much as the wedding itself”. “We do this with the help of technology which removes a lot of hassles that people currently face and our team of experts who help customers with great recommendations. The customer does not have to take the pains of visiting each venue to find out availability and rate. He just has to login to our website and get all information about venues and vendors at a click. This simplification of the booking process is a luxury that our customers will vouch for,” says Sandeep.
Venues
Peacock at Marigold by Green Park, Lawn at Songs of Earth, Banquet Hall by Butta Convention, Lawn at Amrutha Castle.
Celeb wedding
“We have had a few celebrities like Ranjan Chhabra who has worked on movies like Phas Gaye Re Obama,” says Sandeep and Ashu adds, “We have handled shows for Abhishek Bachchan, Badshah, Pam Mehta, Avleen Sharma, Sona Mahapatra, Sumit Das Gupta, Riya Sena, Geeta Basra and more.”
Sandeep Lodha says:
More and more weddings becoming a longer than one-day affair
Destination weddings on the rise
Bride and groom very involved in the wedding planning process (this wasn’t something that was happening even ten years ago where families made all decisions)
Western wedding traditions making a way in
(for example, bachelor parties, bridal showers, gift registry, wedding wows, bride’s maids, etc.)
The prospective brides and grooms are tech savvy and research online for wedding ideas and service provider options
More impetus on doing things differently. Wedding planning focus is on creative ideas
More and more couples/families interested in using planning services
The emphasis is now on “every guest having a memorable wedding experience” rather than the wedding itself – ways to do this through funky photoshoots, games, parties, entertainment, etc.
Brides and grooms as well as friends and family are giving fashion a lot of thought - want to be trendy; Designer labels are the norm
Saying no to gifts and giving unique wedding favours are becoming more popular
Sangeet and mehendi events are being adopted by all cultures as a way to celebrate in
‘Bollywood style’
Using hashtags for each wedding, wedding websites and games – use of social media and technology has increased
Wedding websites/apps/e-invites are
common - bye bye to old fashioned invites
Wedding photography has also changed. No more traditional poses. It’s all about pre and post wedding shoots, cinematic films, candid photography, etc.
What’s trending?
Ashu Garg tells us
Rustic: Homespun barn weddings, filled with branches, lanterns, and nature-inspired décor, are more popular than ever
Vintage: The vintage wedding trend is still going strong! It’s no surprise – there’s just something that feels so romantic about adding old-world items and antiques to your big day. Many couples opt to include family heirlooms within their décor, giving a personal touch to their
vintage wedding
Pure Romance: Another popular theme with clients is simple, pure romance. From candlelit ceremonies to receptions lit by crystal chandeliers, this beautiful trend will melt your heart