Goa Weddings
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Goa Weddings
Goa, located in Western India is the smallest state in India. It has as its borders the Arabian Sea and the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It has a 105 km coastline made up of simmering sand beaches and villages. Goa is divided into North and South Goa by the Mandovi River. The capital of Goa is Panaji . Goa joined the Indian Union and became India’s 25th state only in May 1987. Until 1961 Goa was ruled by the Portuguese who first arrived here in 1510. The Portuguese were desirous of securing the spice route to the East and also wanted to spread Christianity and they made Goa their base. St Francis Xavier a Jesuit Missionary who is revered as a saint today arrived here in 1542 to spread Christianity his mortal remains are preserved in an airtight coffin in the world heritage site of Basilica of Bom Jesus a beautiful church in Old Goa which is a pilgrimage site. The evidence of this Portuguese rule can be seen in the various Portuguese Villas scattered around the state. One of the most famous of these Portuguese Villas is Braganza House which is a restored Portuguese villa located in Chandor Village. Goa of today has a culture which is an intriguing blend of Hindu and Christian traditions.
Traditions
A typical Catholic wedding in Goa has its own traditions and rituals which have been passed on from generation to generation and reflect the Portuguese rule that lasted here for three centuries. The process starts with the proposal or ‘Utor’. Tradition dictates that it is always the boy’s family who asks for the girls hand in marriage. Once the proposal is accepted the groom’s family seals the deal by sending a present of sweets and flowers to the girl’s family. This ceremonial gift is called ‘Fulam’ and is shared by the bride’s family with their friends and neighbors.
Once engaged the bride sets about making her ‘Denem’ or trousseau. Her trousseau consists of household linen and clothing. Many of these items are exquisitely embroidered and embellished. In the days gone by the bride and members of her family would embroider these garments themselves but now these tasks have been outsourced. These are accumulated in sets of seven each. The theory being that the sets of seven would be durable and will last her for the years to come.
A few days before the wedding a ceremony called ‘Saddo’ is celebrated by the bride’s family. Saddo is the name given to the garment that the Bride wears the day after her wedding. The Saddo is usually red in color. The tailor who is to cut and sew the Saddo also is a participant in the ceremony along with the bride’s family, friends and neighbors. The ceremony is accompanied by the singing of traditional folk songs called ‘Ovio’. Tea and delicious Goan deserts like Bebinca (coconut cake) and dol dols are served. At the end of the ceremony the tailor receives tips from all the guests present to do a good job of the ‘saddo’
Another wedding ritual is a feast called Bhum jevonn which is held a few days before the wedding by the families of both the groom and the bride separately. This is a feast held in the honor of ancestors and the belief is that by feeding the ancestors the union is blessed. Two days before the wedding the ceremony of ‘chuddo’ is held at the bride’s home. This ceremony is very similar Hindu ceremony of 'Chudda' held at the home of Punjabi brides. The bride invites all her relatives, friends and neighbors to join in the ‘chuddo’ ceremony where a bangle seller is brought in and she chooses 30 glass bangles which will depict her future status as a married woman. Traditionally 15 glass bangles are to be worn on each hand. These bangles are green and red, with the green bangles indicating fertility and the red bangles being the symbol of marriage. Today most modern brides perform the ceremony but don’t wear quite as many bangles they often wear only two red bangles to indicate that they are married. In the ages past the married woman was expected to smash her glass bangles on the coffin of her husband if she outlived him.
Like the Hindu brides who have the Haldi ceremony the day before the wedding the Goan bride has the Ros ceremony. This is essentially the bride’s toilette. The bride sits in the middle of her room in old clothes while friends and relatives come and rub coconut milk into her skin. This is done to render her skin smooth for the wedding day. The vegetation of Goa is largely made up of coconut palms with the coconut being a constant in Goa life and cuisine hence it is this juice of the coconut which is chosen to anoint the bride.
Traditionally the bride has to fast on the day of wedding and before leaving for the church the bride visits her immediate neighbors to ask for their blessings. After the solemn church wedding a raucous wedding reception with much traditional Goan music and ‘ Feni’ ( a liqour made from cashew nuts) rounds up the event.
Why Goa?
Goa has a long coastline composed of many beaches and is often called India’s ‘Sunshine’ state because of the congenial nature of its people and its extremely laid back vibe.The term which best describes the lifestyle of the people of Goa is 'Sosegad' derived from the Portuguese root word 'Socegado' which means quiet. In spite of a general laid back vibe Goans tend to live life to the fullest music,good food and the locally produced cashew liqour called 'Feni' feature prominently in this lifestyle. It was for these reasons that Goa became a haunt of hippies and flower children in the 1960’s. The hippies with their ideals of free love often scandalized the local population who inhabit the Goan villages. Some of these hippies still live on in Goa today and are likely to be seen at the Anjuna Flea market held weekly on Wednesdays. Over recent years Goa has become a fashionable tourist destination with Indians as well as foreigners. Many resorts both high end and budget have sprung up on Goa’s many gorgeous white sand beaches.Apart from being a holiday destination Goa has become a popular for weddings as well. Indian citizens and Foreigners decide to marry in Goa because of its holiday like stress free ambience and also because of the cost factor.
Getting married at a Goa luxury hotel is cheaper than getting married at Mumbai Luxury Hotel as taxes are lower in Goa. Wedding planners estimate that a wedding which would cost R.6-10 lacs ($15000 to$ 25000) to host in Mumbai hotel would cost only Rs2-4 lacs( $5000 to $10000) in a similar type of a hotel in Goa. The budget of a Goa wedding depends on the season in which the wedding is held, weddings held in the off peak monsoon season are generally cheaper than the ones held in the height of the tourist season from October to March. The number of guests invited to the wedding also dictates the budget of the wedding held in Goa.A wedding in Goa has a greater sense of privacy at least for Indian citizens who chose to marry there as they don’t have to invite quite as many guests as they would have to if they married in the city in which they reside as not everyone would travel to attend a wedding.
According to the estimates of personnel at the Taj group who have helped numerous weddings at their hotel properties in Goa, Indians generally like to have many guests at their weddings and hence choose the off season when many hotels in Goa have substantially discounted packages while foreigners who invite just a few guests to their weddings chose the peak tourist season as it coincides with the holiday season all over the world and hence is convenient. Also at this time Goa is at its festive best. Lester Melo a prominent wedding planner in Goa has wedding packages that range from $270 upwards which involve a simple blessing ceremony at a church or a renewal of vows to packages that start at $1080 upwards which include a church wedding with all the works. The destination of Goa is associated with fun and is perceived as exotic hence many people choose to stage a wedding here
Marriage License Requirements
All marriages in Goa have to be registered. Both Hindu as well as Christian religious weddings have to be registered. Catholic weddings are governed by the Colonial laws. In order to marry in Church both the people getting married have to be Catholic or convert to Catholicism. The parish of the Church is considered to be the office of Civil Registration of the Marriage. Though the marriage is solemnized in Church a ‘No Impediment Certificate’ has to be obtained from the office of the Civil Registrar before the wedding takes place in the church. The Law that requires registration is the Code of Civil Registration Chapter VII which prescribes that marriages shall be made in accordance with the Decree Law No.1 dated 1910.
The Law of Marriage in Goa treats marriage as a civil contract which is solemnized between two people belonging to the opposite sex with the purpose of legitimately constituting a family.
The marriage can be conducted between a male who has attained 21 years of age and a female who has attained 18 years of age. In case the girl is under 18 she requires the consent of her parents and if her parents do not consent she can approach the court. The boy if he is over 21 does not require the consent of his parents. A person who has been married before and whose marriage has not been dissolved cannot enter into a union until the previous marriage is dissolved. Also illegtimate or legitimate brothers and sisters cannot get married.
The normal process involves personally or through their attorneys appearing before a judge to get an order to get married in Goa. They need to produce four witnesses who may include the two sets of parents of the couple who know the couple and who know that the either party is not already married. The parties then approach the Civil registrar who affixes a public notice in his office inviting objections within 10 days. This is known as the EDITAL PERIOD. If the couple is in a hurry to marry they can make an application in front of the assistant public prosecutor of the district who is empowered to give an exemption of waiting through an Edital Period.
This marriage law in Goa is a uniform marriage law which applies to all communities in Goa. Moreover the Law also allows for interfaith marriages so parties belonging to different faiths can easily marry under the civil law in Goa.
The registration of the marriage has certain requirements one has to produce Birth Certificates of both parties with the names of the parents clearly mentioned. One has also to produce a Domicile certificate for both parties. This is a requirement for even foreigners who choose to marry in Goa and this poses a problem for foreigners who choose to register their marriages in Goa . In order to acquire a Domicile certificate they need to complete a 30 day continuous residency requirement which is not always possible. So it is prudent for foreigners to register their marriage in the country where their live and just have a spiritual ceremony in Goa. Along with the Birth and Domicile certificates also required is the all important “ No impediment marriage certificate’’ which proves that either of the party is not already married. Foreigners also need to produce their passports at the time of the wedding
If a foreigner marries a Goan resident then these documents are needed:- The Foreigner has to apply to the Goan court under Article 248 of the Civil Registration Code. The court has to be satisfied that the foreigner is not already married by producing the No Impediment Certificate either from the Registrars office or from the embassy of country of residence. Then the foreigner is issued the court order to marry and has to produce it before the Civil Registrar
If the foreigner or the Goan spouse to be is divorced a Decree Absolute has to be produced while in the case of a widow/widower the death certificate has to be prouduced.
The birth certificates of both the Goan resident and the foreigner have to be produced.
The passport of the foreigner has to be produced as well along with the domicile certificate of the Goan.
A marriage in Goa involves much paperwork and bureaucracy. Though there are reputable wedding planners in Goa ,there are some unscrupulous planners who are out to make a buck and suggest circumventing the 30 day residency requirement for foreigners who want to marry in Goa. These planners should be avoided at all costs.
How to Get There
Goa is easily accessible from by Air from major Indian cities such as Mumbai and Delhi. A plethora of budget airlines along with the domestic carriers Indian Airlines www.indian-airlines.com[1] and Jet airwayswww.jetairways.com[2] fly into Goa. The budget airlines which fly into Goa include carriers such as spice jet www.spicejet.com[3],goair www.goair.com[4],indigo airlines www.goindigo.in[5], Kingfisher airlineswww.flykingfisher.com [6] and Air Deccan www.flyairdeccan.net[7]. All these airlines have online booking facilities for reservations. Goa’s Dabolim Airport located at Vasco de Gama city is also used by the Indian armed forces . Apart from the domestic flights several charter companies from UK and the rest of Europe operate direct charter flights to Goa . These flights are usually operated from mid-October to mid April by companies such as Thomsonfly, Condor Airlines, First Choice Airways etc. Few international airlines fly directly to Goa some of these are Tiger Air from Singapore and Srilankan Airways from Colombo. Other international airlinks to Dubai, Kuwait and Sharjah are provided by Air India, Indian Airlines and Air India Express. One can even get to Goa by Train. Goa has several train stations and the Margao train is one of the major train station into which many of the long distance trains come in from Delhi, Mumbai, Rajkot, Trivandrum. The Konkan railway service operates two train services to Goa from Mumbai the Jan Shatabdi Express and The Konkankanya express. These trains traverse along the scenic route of the konkan coast and take about ten hours to get to Goa. More information about these trains can be had the website of the Konkan Railway Corporation at www.konkanrailwayas.com[8]. Information about other trains and online reservations can be accessed through the website of the Indian Railways at www.indianrail.gov.in[9].
Goa is also accessible by Road from other cities in India. The two main highways that connect Goa to other Indian states are the NH-17 and the NH-4. These highways are generally in good condition but they can be treacherous during the monsoon season when they take a beating due to the relentless rains. Buses, private cars, taxis traverse these highways . The Kadama Transport Corporation operated by the Government of Goa operate many of the bus services to Goa. There are different grades of Luxury buses which ply on theses highways and they al arrive at depart at the KTC Bus Stand in the city of Panaji which is the capital of Goa. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation also operate bus services to Goa as do several private bus operators. These buses offer a reasonable albeit a long access to Goa. An average bus journey from Mumbai to Goa takes nearly 15 hours and if you traverse the distance by car it takes 8-12 hours depending on the length of breaks taken during the journey. The easiest and the most convenient way to get to Goa is by air on one of the budget airlines from one of the major Indian cities, if you are not flying into Goa directly on one of the many direct charter flights.
Insider Tips
Goa is generally a safe destination but one should exercise normal caution while visiting and holidaying in Goa. Depending on the type of lodging you choose for your wedding it is always prudent to ask for access to a hotel safe deposit box to store jewelry and money.
Goan Taxi drivers can be quite unscrupulous so it is always prudent to ask the hotel concierge for the fare to your destination before embarking on a journey. You must set the fare with driver before you start out. Bargaining with the taxi driver is a normal custom. For an airport pick and drop off for you and your wedding party call the hotel beforehand once you have made your booking. In most cases Hotels especially the Luxury hotels offer a free pickup and drop to Goa’s only airport the Dabolim airport near Vasco De Gama.
The best way to get around Goa and visit its sites is to hire a two wheeler such as a motorcycle or a scooter but before you venture out to hire out a two wheeler please make sure you have an International Driver’s License which is required to hire and ride a two wheeler in Goa. If you don’t want to drive you can always hire a car with a driver from one of the numerous car rental agencies in Goa. The rates depend on the type of car hired but usually the cars are rented out on a eight hour and eighty kilometer basis. Car rental agencies also hire out Luxury buses for transport for big wedding parties. One could contact the Goa government agency the Goa Tourism Development Corporation via their websitewww.goa-tourism.com [10] to get more information about reliable car rental agencies in Goa. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation itself conducts river cruises on the Mandovi River with Luxury Launches called the Shantadurga and the Santa Monica which can be hired for a wedding related event.
Though the official language of Goa is Konkani, English is widely spoken and understood. The shopkeepers and vendors of Goa are used to the planeloads of foreign tourists who come to Goa every year as well as the resident European population; hence they tend to speak a smattering of French, German and Spanish. Hindi and the regional language Marathi are also widely spoken in this state where Hindu customs and traditions coexist with the descendants of the Portuguese colonists who are largely Christian. Some indigenous Goans even speak Portuguese the language of their forefathers. Another tip to bear in mind is that Goa follows the custom of afternoon ‘siesta’ and most establishments are shut in the afternoon from 2pm to 4pm. Also most Goa restaurants and nightclubs such as Souza Lobos and Club Cabana adhere to the seasonal schedule and operate only in the peak tourist from October to March.
When visiting the golden sand beaches and swimming in the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea even in the winter one must look out for the strong underwater currents and jelly fish which lurk in the waters. Lifeguards do patrol the beaches attached to the beaches belonging to the hotel resorts but many of the other beaches are unregulated. Also topless sunbathing is illegal on the beaches of Goa and should be avoided.
In the months of the peak tourist season many parties and raves are held all over Goa in keeping with its hedonistic reputation. While it is great fun to attend a rave and dance the night away one must be aware of certain facts. Drugs are often freely available at these raves and the possession of even a small amount of hashish is punishable by law in Goa. A few years ago the scions of a big Indian industrialist’s family had organized a huge rave at Club Paradiso on Anjuna Beach over the millennium. It was slated to be the largest rave in the world but before it could take place there were several drug busts and sons of prominent Indian families who had come to Goa for the rave were arrested and jailed on possession of drugs charges. The rave itself was cancelled due to fears of drug abuse and public nudity
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to Goa is usually in the high season which lasts from October to March. This is also one of the most expensive times to be in Goa as most resorts charge top dollar for their rooms. Indians usually prefer to have their Goan weddings in the monsoon season that lasts from June to September as this season is the off peak season when hotels such as the Taj resorts and others offer substantial discounts.
The climate in Goa is steady with maximum temperatures hovering around 31°C (88°F) all through the year except in the monsoon season from June to end September the maximum temperatures dip slightly to 29°C( 84°F) when the south west monsoon rains lash Goa and the landscape becomes even more verdant. During the monsoon Goan fisherman cease to venture out into the stormy Arabian Sea and swimming in the Arabian Sea is not advisable in the monsoon months as well. In the winter months of December, January and February the Goan nights are decidedly cooler with the temperatures are about 19°C(66°F).
Ceremony
Religious Sites
In their quest to impose Christianity on the local population the Portuguese built numerous churches in Goa during the Inquisition period. Many of these churches were built on the sites of standing Hindu temples which were razed to the ground in order to build these churches. Many of these churches today are located in the UNESCO declared World Heritage site of old Goa. Both the Hindu and Christian populations of Goa frequent these churches which are centers of cultural, social and religious life in Goa today. They operate under the Archdiocese of Goa. Weddings and feasts are held in many of the Goan churches which are not protected sites. A popular choice for weddings is the extremely picturesque Chapel of St Lawrence situated on a hill top in the vicinity of Candolim Beach. The chapel is dedicated to St Lawrence who was the patron saint of sailors in Goa. At this Chapel visiting clergy are allowed to conduct a wedding ceremony. The Reis Magos Church located on the banks of the Mandovi River is yet another chosen wedding ceremony site. This church which is located six miles from the beach is also the site of a unique feast dedicated to the Three Wise Men of the Bible. This feast is celebrated every year on January 6th. The Reis Magos Church was built in 1555 and it was maintained by the Franciscan friars who built a small seminary here. The interiors of this historic baroque church are quite spectacular. It has an elaborately carved wooden ceiling and a colorful wooden relief behind the altar that depicts the scene of the three wise men bearing gifts for the infant baby Jesus. There is evidence that this church was also built at the site of a Hindu temple as the entrance of the church is flanked by two bas relief lions which are typical of the architecture associated with the ancient Southern Indian Hindu Vijayanagar Kingdom. The Hindu populace of Goa have a number of temples which are sites for celebrating their weddings. Sri Nagesh Maharudra Samshthan Badivadem at Bandora is one such temple. This temple successfully withstood the Portuguese onslaught and it was not destroyed during their reign. The temple was constructed in 1780AD. The main deities of the temple are Sri Laxmi Naryan and Ganpathi or Lord Ganesh. The temple has a beautiful tank and a beautiful statute of the bull Nandi in black Granite at the entrance of the temple. It has several antechambers called Agrashalas which are used for weddings. Sri Mahalasa Narayani Samsthan, Sri Shanthadurga Samsthan, and Sri Kamakshi Samsthan are other Hindu temples which are sites for Hindu weddings. These temples are also visited by the local Christian population. Most of Goa’s temples are located in the district of Ponda in North Goa.
Civil Sites
Beaches :
Both North and South Goa have numerous shimmering sand palm fringed beaches. The Beaches of North Goa are however more developed and commercial while the beaches of South Goa are more isolated and remote. The beaches of north Goa start from the north bank of the Mandovi River. Located here is the Fort Aguada, a sixteenth century Portuguese fortress on the ramparts on which is located the Taj Hotel property of the Fort Aguada Beach Resort. Adjacent to this beach resort are the Taj properties of the Taj holiday village and The Taj Hermitage. These hotels especially the Taj Holiday Village are often chosen as locales for weddings with wedding parties taking over the entire resorts for their guests. The banquet department of the Taj Holiday village is well equipped to plan a raucous Indian wedding with a distinct Goa flavor. This is usually a weekend affair. The event usually starts on a Friday with a welcome party on the beach with fire eaters, Goan musicians and limbo dancers accompanied by a buffet loaded with Goan cuisine which features a lot of sea food. The property has its own beach and can organize the necessary licenses to have a late night party on the beach. The beach party is followed by a ‘Mehendi’ the next day at a specially built pavilion on its lush lawns around the pool which is later, followed by a boisterous ‘Sangeet’. The wedding ceremony and reception dinner are held the following day at their adjoining beautiful cliff top Hermitage property which over looks the cerulean waters of the Arabian Sea and provides a perfect setting for a romantic wedding. Both the bridal couple and their guests usually enjoy a Goa wedding which is generally more relaxed because of the ambience. The beach close to the Fort Aguada resort is the Sinquerim beach.
Some other beaches of North Goa are Calangute( called the Queen of Beaches),Bogmalo, Candolim, Baga, Mandrem , Arambol, Vagator and Morjim. The last beach Morjim is rather isolated and it is the nesting ground of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles. A control center has been set up on Morjim beach to track these turtles. The beaches of North Goa see much tourist traffic in the peak season and are hubs of activity with their beach shacks (beach restaurants) doing brisk business. One popular beach shack on Candolim beach is called Tidal Wave. These shacks provide beach revelers and sun bathers a constant supply of ice cold drinks and Goan seafood delights all throughout the day.
The beaches of South Goa are more isolated and virgin. Benaulim,Palolem,Agonda, Mobor and Cavelossim are the beaches located in South Goa. Resorts have sprung up on the beaches of South Goa as well; here we have the Taj Exotica and Spa at Benaulim Beach, The Leela Palace on Mobor and Cavelossim beach and the Park Hyatt on Arrossim Beach. Since these beach resorts are relatively isolated people who plan weddings at these resorts tend to host all their events and their guests at the resort itself thereby increasing the interaction and also ensuring an aura of privacy at the wedding. The couple and their families usually try and work out special packages for their guests as rooms at these luxurious resorts can be very expensive. Most of the Luxury Hotels in Goa have full fledged departments that cater to the planning and execution of a wedding given the popularity of these locales for weddings
Parks
Goa, with its verdant landscape and lush vegetation has a number of parks and sanctuaries. The Bondla Wildlife sanctuary is situated in North Goa and covers eight square kilometers. The sanctuary has tourist cottages for hire which are maintained by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation and a small restaurant that serves simple fare. You could spot a variety of animals here such as the sambar deer, the Indian Bison, jackals and wild boar. The Dudhsagar Waterfall which is the second highest waterfall in India is located in North Goa on the border with the state of Karnataka. The Dudhsagar which when literally translated means a ‘Sea of Milk’ has waters which thunder down from a high cliff located in the wooded Western Ghats. They are a spectacular sight in the monsoon season when the waters are at full flow due to the rains. The waterfalls are accessible by train from Margoa as well as by bus and taxi. Located on the island of Chorao in the River Mandovi is a small bird sanctuary named after India’s prominent ornithologists called Dr. Salim Ali. A large variety of migratory and native birds can be found here
Monuments
Most of the monuments in Goa are located in the city of Old Goa which is a UNESCO declared world heritage site. Located in North Goa , the town served as the Portuguese capital until the capital was shifted to Panaji in 1843. Old Goa has several opulent churches and cathedrals as well as the ruins of a gateway dating from the times of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur. The most famous monument of Old Goa is the Basilica of Bom Jesus This church holds the remains of St Francis Xavier the missionary who was credited with the spread of Christianity in the Far East. On December 3rd each year the feast of St Francis is celebrated here and the fingernail of the Saint is displayed publicly. The exposition of the body which lies embalmed in a silver casket takes place once in ten years. Also in Old Goa is the imposing gothic structure of the Se Cathedral which houses the largest church bell in Asia. Yet another church is the Church of St Francis of Assisi which is adorned with much woodwork and multi hued murals. Church of St Monica and the Church of St Catejan are some of the other churches located in Old Goa which are worth visiting
Historic Sites
There are many historic sites in Goa, which provide a charming setting for a wedding. These historic sites are the many bungalows and homes which were built during the Portuguese era. One such Portuguese home which has been converted into a small boutique hotel is the Hotel Siolom House. This gorgeous edifice served as the home of the governor of Macau three hundred years ago. In 1996 it was lovingly restored by the founder family into a Luxury Heritage hotel which is perfect for an intensely private Goa wedding in an historic setting. This scenic 12000 sq ft property is still home to the founder family which continues to reside here as well. More information about tariffs, amenities and reviews can be accessed at www.siolimhouse.com[11]. The hotel is located a stones throw away from the relatively isolated beaches of Morjin, Ashwem and Mandrem. Yet another historic setting for a small wedding party is the Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel located at the mouth of the Tiracol river in North Goa. The hotel is located within a sixteenth century fortress from the Portuguese era. Operated by the owners of the super exclusive Nilaya Hermitage hotel, the accommodations at Tiracol house evoke a sense of history and provide a perfect setting for a Goan wedding infused with Portuguese flavor. www.nilaya.com/tiracol.htm[12].
Reception
A reception on the beach is the perfect culmination to a wedding in Goa but hosting a beach receptions require prior permissions from the Government and can be troublesome due to intrusions by the public. A popular venue for Goan weddings and receptions is a venue called Emerald Lawns located in the village of Parra in North Goa. Parra is renowned for its sweet red watermelons and The Emerald lawns have the capacity to host big noisy Goan receptions with all the trappings . Other popular outdoor venues apart from the beach resorts and hotels are Severina Gardens and the rustic Fermino Gardens. These venues specialize in hosting wedding receptions. Contact information for these venues can be found at www.goaah.com[13]
Wedding Service Providers
[[Category:Wedding Planning]Honeymoon
Though all of Goa would be consider ideal for a honeymoon there are some gorgeous exclusive resorts that offer one the privacy that one wants on one’s honeymoon.The Nilaya Hermitage is one such resort located ten minutes away from the beach at Arpora. It has just eleven guest rooms each of are named after different cosmic elements and are decorated accordingly. The hotel has an Aryuvedic massage center as well and a tranquil peaceful vibe. Information about rates and reservations can be obtained from its websitewww.nilaya.com[14]. Yet another exclusive boutique hotel called Sur La Mer is located near the virgin beach of Morjim in North Goa. It is built is the style of a Spanish hacienda and is an idyllic location for a honeymoon. Information of the amenities available at Sur La Mer can be found at the resorts websitewww.surlamergoa.com[15]
Guest must dos
Every Wednesday a colorful flea market is held at Goa’s Anjuna Beach in North Goa, this flea market features vendors who come from Gujarat, Rajasthan and the Lamani tribals of Karnataka. The antecedents of the flea market can be traced back to the 1960’s when the flea market featured mainly hippies who sold their personal belongings here in get funds to stay on in Goa longer. Today the Lamani tribals are the big sellers at the flea market with their wares which consist of silver jewelry, mirror work and embellished textiles , brass trinkets and other knick knacks from all over India. The market begins at 9 am and continues until sun down. The Anjuna Flea market is a must do for a visitor to Goa. Another must do for your guests is the sampling unique Goan cuisine at the many local restaurants such a Souza Lobos at Calangute, Bobs Inn at Candolim, Brittos at Calangute. Local Goan cuisine is hot and spicy and features dishes such as Pork Vindaloo, Sorpotel( pig liver) and Prawn Balchao( shrimp curry). Goa being coastal, seafood is abundant and very fresh
Wedding Dresses
Traditional bridal gear can be custom made at various establishments in Goa . Step in Style at Nagoa and Perfect Creation at Calangute are two such boutiques that specialise in traditional bridal wear. A designer called Marie Nogueira located at Parra is sought after by local brides to do their wedding trousseaus dresses. For more contemporary and designer wear one can head to local designer Wendell Rodricks salon called Wendell Rodricks Design Space(Tel:00 91 832 223-8177) at Campal in Panjim. Sonali Design Salon (Tel: 00 91 832 2518707) run by designer Sonali Salkar located at Vasco De Gama is another boutique that specializes in contemporary wedding ensembles. Silk House, Bombay Bazar both located at Panjim are other stores that feature wedding outfits and saris on their racks. SOSA’s is a fashion boutique located in Panjim that features the garments of many of India’s leading designers such as Savio John,Sabina Singh and Sandeep Mahajan.
Planning
Given the growing popularity of Goa as a wedding locale ,there exist a few wedding planners who could help plan your wedding and sort out the legal formalities. The popular companies are www.goaweddings.org.uk[16], www.weddingplannersgoa.com[17], www.lestermelo.com[18], www.indiaweddingplanner.com[19] and www.regal-weddings.com[20]
Cakes
Pastry Cottage in Panjim ( phone: 0832-226561,227782) and Mr. Baker 1922 also in Panjim ( phone : 0832-224622) are some of the good bakeries in Goa that specialize in made to order wedding cakes.
Flowers
A number of Goa florists specialize in wedding décor some of which are Garden Glory in Panjim( phone: 00 91 832 2230139 ), Clares Florists Calangute (Phone : 00 91 832-27742) ,Fascinations Florists in Ponda ( Phone : 00 91 834 316986)
Music
Goan’s love their music and a wedding in Goa would not be complete if it is not accompanied by much dancing to a live band. Blue Waves( phone :00 91 832 231058) , The Revivals( 00 91 832 212738), Shree Renuka new musical band are some of the live bands in Goa that provide music for weddings
Guest Accommodations
Luxury hotels and resorts can be frightfully expensive in Goa especially in the month of December when hotels raise their prices substantially es pecially during the Christmas week. Your guests who come to Goa for your wedding may not be wiling to spend that much to attend your wedding. It is prudent to make other more reasonable arrangements for them as there is a wide variety of budget accommodation available in Goa.Casa Sea Shell in Candolim, Dona Paula Beach Resort in Don Paula, Colva Beach Resort in Colva South Goa and Cavala Resort in Baga offer budget accommodations in Goa. Its best to book at least 6 months in advance at these resorts as they get sold out very quickly.The first dates to go are for the last week in December
Favors
Paperworks at Campal ,Panjim sells many hand made paper products which could be used as favors at a wedding. Velha Goa Galleria in Panjim also sells tiles which have reproductions of local artist Mario Miranda’s black and white works on them, these too would work well as favors for your guests who would be taking back a little souvenir of Goa with them.
Invitations
Techno Print in Ponda ( phone : 00 91834-314168), Signature in Margoa( phone : 00 91 834-723408, 777079), Outline Advertisng,designing and printing ( phone : 91 00 834-720584) are some printers who specialize in the printing of wedding cards and invitations in Goa