Alok Kaul

Director of Operations JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity

UNIQUE ENTRY CONCEPTS

In terms of trends, people are requesting new décor concepts and unique concepts for the bride and groom entry. Flowers are slowly being replaced by LED lights. Stage seating is becoming more grand, while eating tables are fast fading away.

BASIC CHALLENGES

Two out of 10 weddings are residential weddings. Thus, filling up banquet spaces with nonresidential weddings becomes a challenge to fill rooms in hotels of higher inventory. Music and bar timings are also challenging at times as some weddings start late, leaving only two hours of music or bar at the event.

Indian weddings are growing in terms of number of events, which includes both pre-wedding and post-wedding functions. Lack of venue options is also a challenge at times.

DEMONETISATION AND THE INDUSTRY

Demonetisation has definitely affected the wedding market; weddings are now being downsized. Liquor ban and GST, however, have not had much affect.

OUR VENDORS

We work with Q Events by Geeta Samuel, E Factor, Karsun Events, and Aura to name a few. Katalyst is our partner for entertainment and artist management.

RITUALS FOR REGIONAL WEDDINGS

There are a number of rituals in Indian weddings that surround the main function. Some of them are:

Godh Tikka: It is a pre-wedding function that can be termed as an engagement ceremony. Family Sangeet: An evening for family performances and cocktails.

Mehendi: Afternoon brunch where the bride’s arms are being tattooed with mehendi.

Ghurchari: A ceremony where the groom gets ready for the wedding and the wedding entourage departs for the venue.

Vidai: The ceremony where the bride is bid farewell.

Reception: A dinner for family and friends of the groom.