Planning a Wedding in India, Sri Lanka, or Mauritius

Have you always dreamed of exchanging vows in an exotic setting? In Lovetripper's interview with Reena Popat, the managing director of Bespoke Weddings Abroad, discover how to turn your dreams of a destination "I do" in India, Mauritius or Sri Lanka into reality.

Photos courtesy Bespoke Weddings Abroad

Is it difficult for non-residents to get married in India, Mauritius or Sri Lanka?  What are the wedding regulations for non-residents?

INDIA
You will need: certificate of no impediment, certificate from local police station that you have lived in the area for at least 30 days, all required documents above.
Residency requirement: 30 days

SRI LANKA
You will need: certificate of single status, if divorced your previous marriage certificate, full names, addresses, religions & occupations of couple and their parents, all required documents above.
Residency requirement: 4 days

MAURITIUS
You will need: photocopies of first 3 pages of passports, 2 passport photos each, non-resident certificate, if divorced your former marriage certificate, all required documents above, if bride has been divorced less than 10 months she must have a Mauritian doctor's certificate stating she is not pregnant.
Residency requirement: 3 days

How can couples who are blending two different cultures add elements of both to their wedding for a harmonious look?

We are very experienced with working with couples of different cultures. For example we have many couples where one of is of indian origin and the other is english, in such cases we often to do two ceremonies for the couple – one indian wedding and one christian/catholic wedding if desired. As it is a destination wedding many couples are looking for events for at least two days for their guests and this works perfectly.

Can you describe a recent wedding that Bespoke Weddings Abroad has planned or are currently planning?

We planned a wedding in December for a client in Udaipur in Rajasthan. This was a very unusual wedding as the groom was from the UK and the bride was from Russia and they had no real connection with India other than just wanting an exotic indian wedding! The couple had a two-day wedding celebration.

On the first night we held a Mehendi (Henna) and Sangeet (Music) evening for them at the exclusive Devi Garh Fort Palace. This was exquisite and the guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the traditional Rajastani food.  We also had local entertainment of Rajasthani folk dances, puppet shows and a firework display.

The second day – the wedding day. The wedding was held on an island in Udaipur at the sought after Jagmandir Island, this venue is the preserve of a lucky few as it is owned by the Maharaja of Udaipur.  The Baraat (wedding procession) made up of elephants, camels, vintage cars and a local band took the groom to the jetty, where boats decorated with mashals and live music transported him and the guests to the island. The wedding and reception both took place on the island with a priest translating the hindu rituals into english, and more local entertainment and fireworks to celebrate the happy occasion.

What are some of the most requested wedding sites that couples choose when looking for a wedding locale in your region?

The most requested in India are Rajasthan, Goa and Kerala; in Mauritius & Sri Lanka most people want a beach wedding on an private island or beach.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers about Bespoke Weddings Abroad?

We are a team of professional wedding planners and organisers who are passionate about creating weddings that fulfil all your dreams on your wedding day.

We focus mainly on destination weddings in India ,  Mauritius  and Sri Lanka . Whether you want a wedding in majestic Rajasthan with a palatial backdrop, or an exotic  beach wedding we can help. Your wedding day is the most important and memorable moment of your life. For many the idea of getting away from all the stresses of organising a wedding at home and having a wedding abroad can be a very attractive idea. Especially when we can organise the entire wedding package for you.

We offer a completely bespoke service and are totally committed to creating your perfect wedding. From concept to implementation, Bespoke Weddings Abroad ensures that all your needs and desires are met and that every element is coordinated with unfaltering perfection, unquestionable quality and impeccable organisation.

With offices in London, and alliances worldwide, Bespoke Weddings Abroad can create a spectacular wedding for you anywhere in the world.

For More Information:

• visit www.bespokeweddingsabroad.com