'Go back to your roots when you plan a wedding' states Gurlein Manchanda, who's best known for organising Tanya Godrej's splendid wedding.

From resplendently elaborate receptions to intimate, fun-filled and nostalgic ceremonies, Gurlein Manchanda organises them all. Some of her clients include the Godrejs, Singhanias, Hindujas, Poddars and the Mittals. The ace wedding manager talks about wedding styles and advises to-be-weds to adopt a common sense approach to wedding planning.



A DAY TO REMEMBER

A wedding is the most important event in a couple's life. A true style wedding means creating a personal environment to share with the people whom the family is close to and also making every single guest as welcome and comfortable as possible. For us, a wedding is an occasion where the bride and groom want to exhibit their individuality by creating a fantasy that captures their imagination and work with them to make that day the most memorable in their lives.


A SIGNATURE WEDDING

We attempt to create a couple's signature wedding that is uniquely theirs to fit their personality, taste and style. And the challenges lies in ensuring that a consistent style is woven through every aspect of the wedding- invitations, the actual ceremony, attire, flowers, décor, table top design, reception formats and menus, music, cakes, thank you notes, photographers and gifts.


MY STYLE

I believe that a good wedding does not have to be expensive; it has to be different. The warehouse of our décor is in our mind and that's why each of my clients gets something different and exciting on every single occasion. 'Naturals' are my favourite theme. I always try to work with bamboos, canes and tropical flowers all of which transform any wedding venue into a beautiful natural garden. I also pay very special emphasis to lighting. In my opinion, the key to use lighting is to use it as a décor rather than use it to light décor.


GO BACK TO YOU ROOTS

When to-be-weds plan their wedding, I always tell them to 'go back to roots'. The most beautiful artefacts can be found in India. We often get awed by glittering new halls, five-star venues and sprawling grounds. And we often forget the old as gold venues. The settings of old homes, the serene atmosphere of temples and churches, the fabulous food at a gurdwara langar. all make for fantastic wedding venues. And with very little effort you can create magic.

TAPPING FAMILY TALENTS

You don't need to hire decorators alone to jazz up your wedding venues. Instead, tap the creative skills and talents of the ladies in your family. Request your grandparents, grand uncles and grand aunts to lend you their antique furniture, old artifacts and rich fabrics. You could use them to create wonders. When you travel to the interiors of India, look out for pillars, ganpatis, bells and fabrics. They could all come handy when you plan a wedding.

WEDDING VENUES

My favourite wedding venues in India include-

• The Old Portuguese homes in Goa
  
• Farmhouses in Panvel, Khandala, Mehrauli and Gurgaon
  
• The U.S. Club at Colaba, Bombay
  
• Turf Club in Mahalaxmi, Bombay
  
• The beautiful old, abandoned temples in the South