Your personal involvement makes all the difference, say Lagan Rai and Noel Mac Pereira.

Inter-religious weddings are often a subject of interest. Arranging a wedding that satisfies the needs of people from two different religions can be sensitive and challenging. We spoke to a couple who managed the show extremely well, thanks to their personal involvement. Noel Mac Pereira, a Goan Catholic and Lagan, daughter of noted Photographer Raghu Rai.

Noel is a freelance director/producer, while Lagan is an aerobics instructor. They shuttle between Mumbai and Manali where they run a summer agency for trekking, skiing, white water rafting and paragliding.

They've been married for just over four years, and as we see it, their honeymoon isn't over.

What are Noel and Lagan's tips on organising an Inter Religious wedding?

Weddings are a serious business

• There's nothing funny about organizing a wedding it's a serious business. So get all the help and advice.

Your personal involvement

• Oversee everything personally, especially if you're having a mixed marriage where the other party doesn't have any idea of what you want.

All ceremonies on the same day

• Have all the ceremonies on the same day so the other party does not have a chance to crib. We witnessed the complaining and bickering at our friends wedding. The Hindu wedding was held first, followed by the Christian wedding a day and a half later. There were all sorts of tensions. If you have all the ceremonies on one day, nobody has the time to think and it just hits them all at once.

The Pundit and the priest

• Yes. Having an understanding pundit and priest makes all the difference. Spend some time with them to learn the significance of the customs and traditions. Get to know them well.

Wedding reception, enjoy!

• We had a typically Christian reception, the only difference being that even in a Christian wedding the bride and bridegroom never really enjoy themselves. Mac sang with the band, though grooms don't generally sing. You have to enthuse everybody and ensure that they enjoy the occasion.

The new innings

• After the wedding don't stay with either parents, at least for the first couple of months because that's the trial time when you actually learn about each other. You can do without the interfering.