10 Wow Wedding Gifts & Giveaways
Nov 1, 2011 Destination Weddings, Marriage & Wedding Trends
The most fun and creative part of any wedding is planning the wedding gifts and giveaways. With Indian weddings getting larger than life every year, the wedding gifts and giveaways are also getting a makeover, and are now exotic, personalized and fabulous. Jaspreet Soni talks about 10 ‘wow’ wedding gifts that make the occasion even grander:
Jiva Spa Vouchers
What can be a better wedding gift than exclusive experiences from the luxurious Jiva Spa at the Taj Hotels! Jiva Signature Experiences draws on the rich and ancient wellness heritage of India; the fabled lifestyle and culture of Indian royalty; and the healing therapies that embrace Indian spirituality. One of their must-try experiences is the 30 minute nourishing scrub followed by the 60 minute Indian Aromatherapy. Available at Jiva Grande, Taj Wellington Mews and Jiva Spa at Vivanta by Taj President in Mumbai.
Silver and Sterling Silver
Silver makes the perfect gift for well traveled people who look for trusted products that add to aesthetics and are yet functional. Wedding Planner Sneha Tejwani of Occasionz Unlimited says, “Silver and Sterling Silver is among the most sought after wedding gifts and giveaways this season, brands like ‘Episode’ and ‘Gorham’ offer photo frames, vases, intricate boxes, bowls, candle stands and much more. You can even order customized items designed exclusively for you.”
Digital Frames
Photographs are the best way to relive memories. Kodak’s Easyshare P86 Digital Frame is a great gift because it has stunning image quality and can store up to 1000 images. Simply put in your USB and you are ready to walk down memory lane.
Local Flavors
If you’re having a destination wedding in exotic locales don’t forget to add local flavor in the form of personalized giveaways. Says Bangkok-based Intiporn Kordonis who specializes in organizing Destination Weddings in Thailand: “The wedding gifts often come in pairs– unbreakable, exotic and a reminder of great moments. Typical local gifts like a pair of crystal slippers, handmade luxury trays made of wood, silk from Jim Thomson and bags from Naraya are very popular.”
Designer Candles
Candles have moved on to become luxury items ranging from non-drip, scented to beautifully crafted pieces in the glass moulds. One much sought-after brand is Dimple Kapadia’s Faraway Tree. From Indian fragrances like cinnamon, rose to special series like ‘Tranquility’ for stress relief, they have it all. Diptyque is another premium brand for which fashion maestro John Galliano has created signature scents.
iPads and iPods
The latest and sleekest addition to the wedding gifts genre is electronic media. Wedding planner Neha Seth Arora states: “iPads, iPods and iPhones will be all-popular this season. Some families are also sending the wedding invitation through iPads.”
Patchi’s Collection
Patchi chocolates are pure indulgence. They are as much a temptation to eyes as to the palate. This premium global brand has a dedicated wedding line of beautifully decorated chocolates in giveaway boxes that are nothing less than genuine craftsmanship. They also offer a complete range of collectables and gift platters from renowned international brands like Ferro Murano and Limoges.
Original Artwork
Artworks make the ultimate wedding gift for they combine beauty, culture, heritage and investment. The high potential gains is what makes this gift special.The artworks of artists like H R Das, and Aniket Khupse who are emerging fast on the art scene, have doubled in price in less than two years. Artists like Viraj Naik and Sudipto Tewari have also shown great potential.
The Nuptial Nest
If you are looking for something edgy, contemporary yet functional then you must checkout the collection ‘The Nuptial Nest’ by AA living, the luxury home interiors store in Mumbai. The collection designed to add ‘wow’ to the bridal wardrobe has the finest silk quilts, lustrous satin bed sheets, Turkish towels, accent cushions and beautiful jewelry organizers.
Sabyasachi Sarees
Sushil Wadhwa of Platinum Weddings says: “Swarovski embellished Pink Dom Perignon bottles with the brides and grooms initials are not adequate to elicit the ‘wows’, select guests receive a creation by a Couture King too. Recently, when a South-based baron’s daughter got married, many family friends received an exquisite Sabyasachi saree alongwith the invite. Business barons hosting a Big, Fat Wedding often get designers like Suneet Verma or JJ Valaya to design sarees, jackets or kurtas not just for the extended family but for close friends and business associates too.”
Tags: AA living, Aniket Khupse, Episode, Exotic, Gorham, HR Das, Ideas, Intiporn Kordonis, Jiva Spa, Kodak Digital Frame, Neha Seth Arora, Patchi, Personalized, Sneha Tejwani, Sudipto Tewari, Sushil Wadhwa, Viraj Naik, Wedding Gifts
Fun-in-the-sun Weddings, in Goa
Jun 11, 2010 Destination Weddings, Marriage & Wedding Trends
Everyone enjoys holidaying in Goa, and many love to host their life’s most special celebrations there. Says Neha Seth Arora, who heads Var Vadhu, a wedding management firm: “In Goa, there are enough options for those with different wedding budgets—you can host a small and simple function for less than a lakh, arrange an intimate celebration at a posh resort for a few lakhs or organise a big fat wedding at a grand resort. Since many traditional families especially from the Marwari, Sindhi and Gujarati communities are hosting grand destination weddings there, our unique challenge lies in offering special desi food, entertainment and decor, in a very Goan locale”
The choices in the land of fun, sun and sands are many—a church wedding or pheras by the beach, and parties by the pool side or at an old Portugese bunglow. Some of the highly placed Grooms who are marrying in Goa in July this year include the head-honcho of a top gems and jewellery firm, the Editor of a leading business channel and the CEO of a luxury accessories house.
Ace event manager turned restauranteur AD Singh popularised Goa as a wedding destination among the swish set when his team organised his fabulous celebrations there. Actress Ravee Gupta, Models Mark Robinson, Reshma Bombaywalla, Nisha Harale got married in Goa, but many celebrities have preferred a traditional wedding ceremony in Mumbai or Delhi, and a second celebration or post-wedding party in Goa. Jewellery designer Poonam Soni’s daughter Esha Soni married New York based Ketan Setha at a traditional wedding ceremony in Mumbai followed by a family and friends fun celebration in Goa. Raja and Rita Dhody did the same for their daughter Aneesa’s wedding. Few years, ago model turned choreographer Anu Ahuja married in Delhi and the next celebrations were held in Goa– a church wedding and beach side party at the Calamari Party Shack. Bandana Tewari of Vogue and Ravi Krishnan of IMG had a traditional South Indian wedding on the lawns of the Oberoi poolside after which their post-wedding party was held in Deepti Dutt and Ranjeev Mulchandani’s restaurant—Axirvaad located at a 120 year old Portugese mansion.
Neha of Var Vadhu has received many enquiries for managing a destination wedding at a luxury resort next year and she has just returned from Goa after a quick visit to select properties. She says: “Intercontinental, Park Hyatt, Taj Village Aguada, Zuri and the Alila Diwa would be the best resorts for a large destination wedding. Intercontinental is fairly flexible and cost-effective, Park Hyatt is most classy and their magical forest and sunset beach give it a special touch; for those who’d like a hotel with a boutique-like feel, the newly opened Alila Diwa is a great choice.”
Tags: AD Singh, Alila Diwa, Anu Ahuja, Bandana Tewari, Calamari Party Shack, Deepti Dutt, Destination wedding, Esha Soni, Goa, Gujarati, Ketan Setha, Mark Robinson, Marwari, Neha Seth Arora, Nisha Harale, Park Hyatt, Portugese Bunglow, Raja Dhody, Ranjeev Mulchandani, Ravee Gupta, Ravi Krishnan, Reshma Bombaywalla, Rita Dhody, Sindhi, Taj Village Aguada, Var Vadhu, Weddings, Zuri
Ex Hotelier Neha Seth to head Var Vadhu
Feb 14, 2010 Wedding People & Planners
Neha Seth Arora who earlier worked as Director (Events) at Grand Hyatt, has joined hands with 7ty7 entertainment to form ‘Var Vadhu’ where she will be the CEO and Managing Partner. Says Neha who has close to 10 years experience in different roles in the hotel industry: “At Var Vadhu we will provide clients a complete one-stop shop wedding experience. We will be their concierge and provide a unique and customized experience. Besides offering the regular wedding management services some of our unique offerings will include Legal Assistance (like name changes on the passport/ pan card), Event/ Wedding Insurance, Setting up the Gift Registry and a customized Wedding Website.”
We wish Neha and Var Vadhu all luck in their new, unique endeavor!
Tags: 7ty7 entertainment, Neha, Neha Seth, Neha Seth Arora, Var Vadhu, Wedding Management, Wedding Planners, Wedding Services
