IDEAL VENUE

My friend was looking for a decent venue for her daughter's wedding. I happened to be with her in her search mission. We looked at so many wedding halls meant for the very purpose. We could not feel good about those halls. There was nothing wrong about them but did not suit our requirements. One last chance we said, let's take a look at city hotels. They might help us solve our problems. The manager at the front desk was kind enough to take us for a tour round the hotel. We gave him our requirements and list of functions to be held along with their religious significance. We told him the theme of wedding and a bit about our guests. Yes, yes and yes was the answer we got. We both looked at each other and smiled with a big sigh of relief.

On our way back, I was just thinking about both venues. On one hand we had a proper wedding hall especially designed for that purpose. On the other hand, we had this hotel not exactly meant for wedding but still they were ready to take care of all requirements. I was confused. How is this possible?  Why is the wedding hall not working for my friend I thought. With this thought ringing in my mind, I switched on the TV. Just clicking a few channels I got my answer.

One channel was showing yoga being performed on the terrace of an unfinished building with lots of steel rods, bricks and cements bags. Second channel was showing food being prepared at sea beach. Third channel was making an album in a dilapidated fort. They all had one thing in common. They were on  a look out for a different mood, atmosphere, more flexible spaces  and  hundred percent return for the money. Grand success of the function depends mainly on the venue. It starts with an inspection from approach road till the last detail in the venue. 

Every small detail matter a lot. Hosts worry about parking as they do not want their guests to walk a mile to reach venue. Apparently hotels provide this facility to some extent compared to wedding halls. Demands like small rooms, fairly big rooms and large halls can be possible in hotels without much hassle. Another important thing is to look after guests; Hosts prefer one to one attention when it comes to guests. Generating that kind of manpower is almost impossible in case of wedding halls.

Some hosts prefer stage  for wedding at the end of the hall and some prefer right in the center of the hall. Hotels turn out to be better option when it comes to DJ party which is a must in the present trend of marriages. Continuous functions like haldi and  mehandi demand open lawns and semi open areas for the function to take place in the most elegant way. Decoration for each function as per the theme gets changed without any hick ups if they are held in hotels.

In the process of looking for a change, we are directly or indirectly guided towards being with nature-the most soothing effect any one can ask for. There is a great demand for venues like lush green lawns, serene atmosphere by the side of swimming pool, or even a done up haveli like structure. They are considered as ideal location for any wedding or even any party for that matter. This cannot be offered by wedding halls. Guests and host go back home completely satisfied.

 In search of nature, the sunrise, the sunset, the palm trees,  the beaches, we do not mind sharing unfinished terrace with cement, steel and bricks as long as we have direct contact with sky. Food cooked in open tastes better. It feels good to prepare food in such environment.  Music albums make a new record.  Whatever is the function, with nature around you the feel good factor is at its peak.

Mrs. Srilakshmi Swamy