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Timeless Weddings in 2020: In conversation with Renu Basu, Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, IHCL
Wedding Planning - Jan 24, 2020
With unique locations, spectacular décor, out of the box themes and eclectic gastronomy, 2019 witnessed some monumental weddings. However, with the ever-changing trends, Taj has stood the test of time as an unerring symbol of luxury and sophistication, creating immaculate weddings for couples across the globe.
Renu Basu, Senior Vice President – Global Sales and Marketing, IHCL shares with us her thoughts on the future of the wedding industry and highlights the trends for 2020.
Based on your experience as trendsetters, what TRENDS & HIGHLIGHTS do you foresee in the wedding space for the New Year?
Over the years, wedding celebrations have evolved far ahead of being just an oath of togetherness between two individuals and their families. Weddings today are about soulful experiences and meaningful memories that take you through a lifetime. Each generation has its own unique way of celebrating this intimate milestone and every bride and groom dreams of a spectacular wedding celebration like no other. At Taj, SeleQtions & Vivanta hotels, we believe in going beyond the magnificent and memorable to create an experience that is truly momentous. As we look forward to 2020, these are a few trends we are most excited about, to see come alive in unique ways:
The Perfect Proposal: Dreamy, silver screen-worthy proposals are set to take center-stage, as young couples whisk away their loved ones to unique locations or destinations. Their life-altering moment of love can be captured in experiences, like a sunset proposal on a private yacht, far away in the wilderness or a candle-lit dinner in a romantic gazebo beneath the stars.
Mystical Memories: Couples today believe in creating priceless moments to be cherished by generations to come. Selecting exotic destinations for their picturesque photo-ops and unusual experiences is a trend that seems to be on top of the list for the year.
Micro Weddings: While lavish banquet celebrations still remain close to the heart of most families, younger couples believe weddings are about intimate celebrations with loved ones, in luxurious and exotic destinations. This year we foresee a trend of more personalized, sophisticated and more closely-knit events taking the front seat for young patrons. ‘Ambience and vibe’ will be the flavor of the season.
Gourmet Indulgences & Specialty Cuisine: Mouth-watering spreads, delectable hors d’oeuvres and custom-crafted beverages will always be the cornerstone of a perfect wedding, but today couples are taking a keen interest in catering to their guests’ specific needs and requirements. Vegan menus, molecular gastronomy, and various international cuisines are all finding their way into mainstream weddings.
Going Green: Some contemporary couples are opting for eco-friendly weddings. Venues that get plenty of sunlight and lend themselves to hosting daytime weddings will be sought after. Conscious hotels that recycle, use energy-efficient appliances, biodegradable products and have a lighter carbon footprint will be the top choice of millennial couples.
Innovative use of Florals: Modern couples never miss a chance to include natural elements in their weddings, so it comes as no surprise that edible flowers are the latest trend taking the spotlight. No more will you see flowers only as part of the decor and ambiance; delightfully scented floral infusions will permeate every course at millennial weddings, right from finding their way into cakes and desserts to ice cubes, exotic cocktails and more.
Pantone Palettes: Contemporary couples are bringing a more personal touch to their wedding color-scheme by selecting themes based on their personalities, or drawing inspiration from the venues and seasons. Neo-mints and pastel greens accented by lush green foliage, cantaloupe peaches with muted flowers, and ambient fairy lights will set the tone for 2020.
With Millennial couples always on the lookout for out-of-the-box experiences, which destinations do you see being most explored, for weddings in 2020?
From palatial architecture and heritage venues to breathtaking beach destinations and iconic city hotels, we craft exceptional weddings that exceed even the esteemed aspirations of our clients. It is the infusion of Tajness that never fails to bring the unmistakable flavor of enchantment to your most precious celebrations.
The definition of an out-of-the-box experience changes from couple to couple.
For those with an affinity for legendary grandeur and spectacle, our stunning heritage palaces serve as the perfect venue to capture some vintage charm. From Jodhpur and Jaipur to Hyderabad and Udaipur, these cities steeped in history served as seats of power for many generations of nobility. As such, they are home to several royal palaces that provide a romantic tryst with the past that no other venue can offer. Iconic pieces of Rajasthan’s heritage, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur as well as Rambagh Palace & Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur, welcome young couples to recreate their unique love story within the pages of history, as they exchange their vows against the backdrop of grand architecture and sprawling grounds. An elegant palace that has played host to some of the most spectacular weddings in the country, Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad invites patrons to create their own cherished memories within its walls. Udaipur, The City of Love, boasts some of the Taj’s most spectacular destinations; experience a romantic dream wedding come alive at Taj Lake Palace, while Taj Aravali Resort & Spa combines the peace of a resort whilst the latest addition to our roster of palaces is the Taj Fateh Prakash Palace – an immaculately maintained lake-top palace, overflowing with history.
For those seeking to reaffirm their connection with nature, our hotels offer the perfect wedding venues that range from the misty hill-tops to the sunny beaches. In the lush, hilly embrace of thickly-forested Coorg, Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa is perfect – a heavenly abode to celebrate a wedding amidst the clouds. Tucked away in the quiet backwaters of Kerala, both Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa, Kovalam, and Taj Malabar Resort & Spa Cochin, afford unprecedented natural beauty and the relaxed charm of a laid back seaside town. Enveloped by the wispy white clouds, in the foothills of the Himalayas the pristine Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa, Uttarakhand will resonate as a cherished memory of your celebration for the rest of your life.
For the couple seeking a sleek & cosmopolitan affair, the metropolitan hubs of Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru each offer a luxe urban gem like no other. Take your vows amidst the slick, big-city grandeur of the imposing, contemporary structures of The Taj Mahal Palace & Taj Lands End in Mumbai, Taj Bengal in Kolkata, Taj Krishna in Hyderabad and Taj West End in Bengaluru.
Do you foresee Goa as the next new trending wedding destination for 2020? Why?
Goa has always been synonymous with splendid beach resorts, relaxation, delectable local cuisine, and a warm welcome. As millennial couples open doors to non-conventional unions and breezy beach weddings top the charts, our iconic properties in Goa are sure to breathe life into even the most dreamy shore-side nuptials.
With our array of distinct hotels, each with their own style and signature flair, we are proud to be redefining the hospitality landscape of Goa. Unparalleled venues and exceptional service ethics are the keys to crafting the most memorable weddings. While Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa offers quintessential beachside nuptials with stunning views, luxury and service, Cidade de Goa offer a vibrant, vintage Portuguese persona and a more relaxed vibe for the quirky, offbeat bridal couple. For those leaning towards the contemporary, Taj Convention Center, Goa can provide the luxe seaside-town wedding with the largest banquet facilities in town, a generous inventory of rooms and suites, and a rooftop infinity pool to view the iconic Goan sunset.
A wedding is a moment that is remembered forever. What makes Taj leaders in Timeless Weddings?
At Taj, we have always believed that special moments do not have re-takes. We strive to go beyond the confines of duty to make our guest’s vision into ours. The personal touch that our seasoned team brings to each unique wedding is one of the reasons our patrons are happy to partner with us time and again. We pay great attention to aesthetics, visual details and making weddings a truly sensorial experience. The trust that our patrons invest in us inspires us to go the extra mile in always making celebrations at Taj something undeniably special. It is the intangible quality of excellence called Tajness that permeates all we do and pushes us to outdo ourselves every time. Our understanding enriched with our experience inspires confidence with our guests.
Our unique locations offer timeless settings; be it beach weddings, palace weddings, city weddings or international weddings. With our pan-global presence, legendary hospitality and painstaking attention-to-detail, we ensure that we remain market leaders year after year.
For a Timeless Wedding at the Taj, email winston.sampayo@ihcltata.com or call +91 2266651168
