TIMELESS WEDDINGS AT THE TAJ

AN ABSOLUTE GUIDE TO YOUR1 DREAM WEDDING 2 3 is said that marriages are made in heaven. but we stumbleIt upon them on earth. over companionable silences when the need to make conversation is over.

far from the din of saturday nights, making the most of what etta james called a “sunday kind of ”.

walking hand-in-hand with our ideal travel companion. catching ourselves using the old cliché - “soul mate”.

sharing a sunrise, a breakfast, an unmade bed, a record.

and when in love, even the most hardened cynic dreams of a beautiful wedding. a wedding replete with everything and everyone you love, a venue that makes it magical, and all the tiniest details that make it yours alone.

it is to this legendary celebration of love that the first issue of timeless weddings raises a toast.

santé!

4 5 there is a heaven on earth, ‘'If this is it, this is it, this is it’

TAJ , 6 7 contents

destinations

PROPOSALS Be it dreamy, glamorous or exotic, our exclusive bouquet of ideas makes your 10 special moment unique and unforgettable. WEDDINGS & GRAND BANQUETS A wedding that your heart desires: The grandest locations, the most lavish banquets, and the 16 choicest wine lists. Make a wedding or banquet at the Taj an event to remember.

HONEYMOONS Live it up. Celebrate. Unwind and indulge. Begin your new life together 56 in any style you like with us. RENEWAL OF VOWS Rediscover the joys of taking your vows together as we turn this 66 special day into a rare and intimate occasion.

dining

CUISINES From opulent dishes to small plate wonders, the Taj offers culinary delights for every 72 kind of palate.

SERVICES

PREPARING YOU We help you plan your wedding to make it the unforgettable experience 80 that you always dreamed of. JIVA SPA Drawing on the goodness of nature, Jiva Spa offers you a chance to take time off for 82 luxurious pampering before your wedding day. BRIDAL BOUTIQUE The Taj Khazana offers you a collection of breathtaking designs, to 84 make sure you look your splendid best. TRAVEL Allow us to take care of all your travel arrangements, be it by road, by air or by yacht. umaid bhawan palace, jodhpur 8 9 86 proposals

when? where? how? what were you wearing? did he buy flowers? how did he slip in the ring?

generations ahead will be listening. make it count.

10 11 proposals

for a proposal that is no less than cinema, look at our unique bouquet of ideas at 11 most exclusive taj locations. you can rest assured that while you hear a resounding 'yes', our discreet staff will have made your private moment unique and unforgettable.

sea lounge taj kumarakom reosrt & spa , 1the taj mahal palace, mumbai 4 kerala Since the 1970s, in the early evening hours, the Sea Lounge Lazy days. Star-kissed nights. Fabulous local cuisine. The sharp has been ideal for matchmaking. Everything from the meeting taste of pepper. The heady aftertaste of toddy. Make your of brides and grooms for the first time to families getting proposal one that stands the test of time against the beautiful, together for the finalizing of the match went on under the roof still backwaters. of the Sea Lounge. Decades later, you too, can surprise her with a square ring box during the high tea service and make the most taj safari lodges of a time-honoured tradition. 5All proposals require courage. Some, a little more than the others. In the wild atmosphere of the Taj Safari Lodges, you could the sunset point pick a gourmet dinner at your charming rustic suite or kutiya to 2taj fort aguada resort & spa, goa propose or do it on your own private Safari. An old fort. An uninterrupted view of the Arabian Sea. The balmy, soothing air of Goa. The Sunset Point at Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa presents many possibilities for a proposal. All of them warm, sensual and romantic.

gol bungalow 3taj falaknuma palace, hyderabad The original residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad, the Taj Falaknuma Palace is a place that has history, the Kohinoor diamond and romance on its menu. You don’t just travel there for a proposal, you travel back in time.

sea lounge - the taj mahal palace, mumbai

12 13 proposals proposals

taj lake palace, udaipur vivanta rebak island, langkawi

taj lake palace, udaipur taj exotica resort & spa, maldives vivanta rebak island, langkawi vivanta view, srinagar 8A private sit-out dinner for two on Lake Pichola. A sunset and 9taj coral reef resort & spa, maldives 10 It’s a private island reserved for romance. Making it 11 Perched on the Kralsangri Hill, it has the finest view of the a beautiful white palace for company. A boat that takes you there Why propose to her in solitude when you can propose amidst a perfect for a proposal. Sun, sand, cocktails and the sea make the Dal Lake and the majestic Zabarwan mountains. One glimpse of single and brings you back engaged. This kind of a proposal calls crowd? Shoals of marine life surround you as you slip the ring on perfect setting for languor and love and yes, a storybook proposal. this green valley, littered with tulips, will tell you why a proposal for a sari, a tux and a complete hark-back to the days of royalty. her finger and make for an absolutely original proposal. here, aided by fabulous service, is sure to be truly memorable.

taj exotica resort & spa, maldives vivanta dal view, srinagar

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your wedding day

is the day you begin to fill a treasure chest with secrets that are yours alone.

is the day you inherit each other’s friends, families and belongings.

is the day you decide to walk together, no matter what.

when isn’t a wedding romantic? as the french saying on poesy rings went, “my whole heart, for my whole life”. weddings are open announcements of love. and love, as we all know, is a stranger to restraint. before you set the mood for your wedding, remember the assault on your senses when you first fell truly, madly, deeply in love? didn’t silk feel softer? didn’t the smell of autumn leaves make you leave your windows open despite the chill? didn’t you walk long hours in the rain, forgetting the effect it had on your new coat? your wedding should be a magnificent celebration of this joy and more. be it a bachelorette, a sangeet, a wedding or a reception, a grand banquet at the taj is an orchestra of beautiful venues, mood lighting, great , attentive service, and spectacular food and wine - all lending the event a sumptuous air that needs to surround a celebration.

16 17 ICONIC CITY WEDDINGS AND BANQUETS

the taj mahal palace, mumbai

a mumbai wedding just has to be at the taj mahal palace. and who better to host it than the city's own grand dame?"

It is, after all, the palace that took its place in history 21 years before the Gateway of . It is the dome that features in every artist’s etchings of the Mumbai harbour. It is the first hotel in India to have had electricity. It is the hotel that housed India’s first ever licensed bar. It is where Hussain, Jahangir Sabavala, Ara and V.S. Gaitonde hang their works in a manner that can only be described as matter- of-fact. It is the place where the old Palace Wing still makes you speak a little softer once you enter its hallowed corridors. It is the Taj. And as for the romance that surrounds it? How would you like to be married in a place where Lennon and Yoko Ono spent five days in a suite without stepping out for even a minute? Or where the Beatles could have composed a love song? As for the experiences that The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, offers, we recommend a wedding night at our heritage Rajput Suite – where a single-touch button lights up this carefully restored suite that is distinguished by an antique swing. Or an intimate dinner at Hemant Oberoi’s signature Chef Studio – where ambrosial food decorates Versace designed Rosenthal crockery and wine is drunk in Riedel goblets as a toast to the beginning of your life together.

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ballroom and crystal room - the taj mahal palace, mumbai

true to tradition, the ballroom and the crystal rooms still echo with the sounds of lavish feasts being served on pure silver salvers. making them the perfect venue for glittering wedding events such as yours.

In the 1920s, it where the Maharajahs entertained lavishly as guests vied with each other for a repeat invitation. In the 1930s, it was the first place in India to witness the birth of jazz, cabaret and the tango. In the 1940s, it was the first air-conditioned ballroom. In 1980, it was the first to bring down Michelin-star chefs and change the palates of the country forever. Today you’ll find that these versatile rooms are still reminiscent of the twelve-bar blues. They still tell tales of sit-down dinners, when Mumbai was Bombay and Bombay ended at Bandra. They still tell tales of how they were resplendent with the bejewelled turbans of the Maharajahs. The three Crystal Rooms - Central, North and South - with their imposing carved pillars and late 19th century chandeliers remember tradition while functioning as a modern gathering space. The rooms can be used on their own or combined as one room, with the North and South Rooms serving crystal room as adjunct rooms for cocktails and dinner.

ballroom - the taj mahal palace, mumbai

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seaside lawns ballroom durbar hall taj lands end, mumbai taj palace, new delhi

A ringside view of two blue waters – the Arabian Sea and a wedding night. Or get a little more adventurous and pick a retro A modern classic that stands tall in the exclusive diplomatic swimming pool, the Taj Lands End has the ability to make a night for your cocktails at our Poolside Lawns. enclave. A Delhi wedding doesn’t get any bigger than this. Mumbai wedding feel like a destination one. The regal Ballroom gives you the perfect venue for hosting black-tie durbar hall and raja rani bagh - An invite that banquets - Situated in the heart of Bandra, Mumbai’s center events. Pillarless and accentuated with mirrors and opulent mentions the Taj Palace, has guests airing out their best saris and of swing, Taj Lands End, has the distinction of having had jazz chandeliers, this grand space boasts of an exclusive entrance, a tuxedos. It is where shehnais welcome them to the best lawns maestro Herbie Hancock on its guest list. You could take this as pre-function area, a 16-foot high ceiling and a sense of absolute in the capital city. Where you make a grand entry with a fleet inspiration and let our spacious Seaside Lawns make room for luxury. Whatever you choose, this charming city hotel can of vintage cars. Turn your banquet into a spectacular affair with a dance floor. Have your guests sway to the unforgettable tune transport your guests far from the madding crowd to swaying themes that can range from Shaolin temples to the shimmer of of “What a wonderful world” creating the perfect sentiment for a palm fronds, a cool breeze and an unparalleled sea view. 5000 candles. The sprawling lawns measuring 9,253 sq. ft. seat upto 800 sated guests.

One of Delhi’s largest venues, Durbar Hall makes for a breathtaking wedding banquet. The elegant Indian style is derived from the architectural vernacular of Mughal Delhi, inspiring a sense of heritage. The dark American walnut columns draw the eye towards the gently vaulted ceiling. Traditional motifs and massive crystal chandeliers are accompanied by discreet lighting to emphasize the dramatic scale of this exquisite venue that can host up to 1,000 people theatre-style and up to 1,100 people for a cocktail reception.

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taj coromandel, chennai

Named after the 'Kalpavriksh' or Coromandel, the wish-fulfilling tree, Taj Coromandel literally gives you a wedding with everything you could wish for. From breathtaking venues and legendary service, to the finest cuisines and live classical performances, the iconic hotel has been offering guests the very best of hospitality since 1974. Reason enough for you to get married here.

banquets - The Ballroom, the largest pillar-less hall in Chennai, is an opulently decorated space, measuring 6,146 sq. ft. with a ceiling height of 11.5 feet and featuring the unique INOVA automated lighting system. This venue can seat 250 people classroom-style and up to 800 people for dinners.

taj krishna, hyderabad

In the past, it has played host to the late Princess Diana, the Dalai Lama, Kofi Anan, His Highness Aga Khan and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Today, it can play host to your wedding guests for an absolutely royal wedding. A grand structure complete with pearl shops, Pochampalli fabric boutiques, rich local cuisine and stunning venues, the Taj Krishna makes sure that your wedding is as gorgeous as a true Hyderabadi wedding should be.

banquets - The Grand Ballroom can easily accommodate up to 600 people and is the largest of its kind in the entire city. This massive hall can be partitioned into 3 separate spaces with attached lawns that can host up to 175 people individually, allowing you to play with your wedding venues as you like.

taj bengal, kolkata

There are those of us for whom Kolkata will always remain Calcutta. For whom this city will always be a hark-back to the days of the Raj. And for those of us, a Kolkata wedding can only be held taj mahal, new delhi at a place that still retains the stately elegance of the colonial era. If you have a soft spot for history, the nostalgic charm of Taj Bengal There’s a lot that could be said for contemporary wedding settings. you in to a sprawling 4,392 sq. ft. room that holds up to 500 coupled with its exemplary service, makes it a perfect venue for But there’s a lot more that could be said for a wedding set in the people reception-style. With its regal décor, spectacular Mughal your wedding day and some legendary romance. charm of Lutyen’s Delhi - a place where time has refused to architecture, abundant natural lighting and beautiful view of the lush make way for anyone. And it is here that Taj Mahal's timeless surroundings, this hall is a favourite venue for myriad occasions. banquets - The Crystal Hall is probably the most versatile hall hospitality, quiet luxury and assiduous service blend effortlessly in Taj Bengal. A spacious hall measuring 5,400 sq. ft., it can seat to give you the perfect setting for an unforgettable wedding. If you’d prefer a more intimate gathering, the quaint Diwan-I-Khas up to 800 guests and can be partitioned into 3 different venues to provides the ideal space. This banquet hall measuring 1,458 sq.ft. suit your fancy. The sophisticated interiors of woodwork and ornate banquets - Enter the majestic ambience of Diwan-I-Am, the holds up to 80 people and can be interconnected with Diwan-I-Am, crystal make it an appealing setting for your wedding events. largest of the banquet halls. A plush, exclusive anteroom leads Aftab Mahtab or both as a private lounge or buffet area.

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ballroom aura - the ballroom

taj west end, bengaluru taj yeshwantpur, bengaluru

How would you like to get married in a 125-year-old hotel? It’s a modern city hotel with the ability to play host to a wedding banquets - Let your guests walk in and feel the pulse of this In the presence of a 150-year-old rain tree? With flowers in the that can be as grand as you’d like it to be. It’s a hotel that can stun delightfully urbane space. Let its fluid, clean lines welcome them hedges everywhere? How would you like to get married at Taj you with its innate hospitality and new-found glamour, making it as our sound, lights, themes, and hip staff put on a show. Our West End, Bangalore? a great choice for a grand wedding or wedding celebration. grand ballroom seats 800 theatre-style and our fusion cuisine and mixologists create an evening of great wining, dining and romance. banquets - Taj West End, with its gabled roofs and carefully- preserved architecture is Bangalore’s most coveted patch of green. Go from red candles to twinkling fairy lights to antique colonial lanterns in our Prince of Wales Lawns - a lush you can play with. You can create romantic havoc or let the acres of landscaped gardens tell their own tale with quiet simplicity. Whatever you do, these heritage lawns are a great backdrop for heritage lawns your guests’ Kanjeevarams.

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the pierre, a taj hotel, new york

It is the only place you can stand at a majestic height and get a view of detail making it perfect for any couple’s dream wedding. If there’s Central Park in all its glory. It’s the undisputed choice for Manhattan’s anything that stops and makes time for love in the crazy, whirling world most discerning brides, with personalized service and attention to of New York, it is this. And that’s why you ought to get married here.

the grand ballroom - It’s where you ought to dance sets the tone for a glittering event, this stunning second-floor location your wedding waltz in complete Hollywood style. At 8,526 sq. allows you to seat up to 700 guests. The uninterrupted flow of banquet ft., this historical ballroom has been part of a 100 million dollar spaces, cocktails at the Garden Foyer before or during the event, and hotel renovation, preserving its status as one of New York’s most a legacy of white-glove service remind your guests that this is no sought-after venues. With a beautiful silver and gold canopy that ordinary New York wedding. It’s a New York wedding at the Pierre.

the pierre, a taj hotel, new york

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edwardian i st. George's room the grand ballroom taj 51 buckingham gate suites taj cape town taj boston and residences, london Taj Cape Town combines rich history with contemporary It’s famous for its Afternoon Tea Ritual, Champagne Sunday Brunch This beautiful Victorian property, dating back to 1897, offers an architecture, located in an area alive with art , culture , cuisine and and location on Newbury Street, the Rodeo Drive of Boston. You’ll elegant selection of banquet rooms for weddings, social gatherings entertainment. Offering panoramic views of the Table Mountains, find that this Crown Jewel of all Boston hotels, located near the and receptions. The Courtyard at 51, with its landscaped gardens you can either just visit Cape Town or stay in it! The Taj Cape Town, Theatre District, is more than equipped to add a touch of theatre and fountain, is the perfect backdrop for picture-perfect memories takes up residence in the meticulously restored Board of Executors to your wedding. while your guests enjoy a champagne reception. Stunning and and the old Reserve Bank that date back to 1896. Spectacular unique Shakespearean surrounds the entire Courtyard architecture, exquisite aesthetics and warm hospitality come the grand ballroom - It’s a ballroom where the creating the quintessential setting for wedding day romance. together to give you a wedding that is truly legendary. sparkling chandeliers do justice to a bride’s baguette diamond ring. It’s a ballroom that offers the perfect reason for guests to rent limousines. It owns the views of the famed Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. It is where guests soak in the aura of Boston’s most prestigious venue that measures over 3,825 sq. ft. Two storeys high, it is surrounded on three sides by a balcony, with a grand staircase descending to the Ballroom below. This majestic venue just calls for a band playing “The Blue Danube” for 75 to 250 the dining room guests to dance to. Or seat up to 500 guests reception-style.

30 31 PALACE WEDDINGS AND BANQUETS

taj falaknuma palace, hyderabad

in urdu, it means the “mirror to the sky”. in history, it stands for the decadent and extravagantly beautiful home of the nizams.

durbar hall

Taj Falaknuma Palace is the palace that was once home to only at the Buckingham Palace – the list could go on and on. the world-renowned Kohinoor and Jacob diamonds. It is said This palace is now lovingly restored under the personal supervision that the treasure chests of this palace held enough pearls to of Her Highness Princess Esra and stands gleaming 2,000 feet pave the streets of Piccadilly. As the former residence of the above the rest of the city and many feet above the rest of the most extravagant of all members of royalty, Taj Falaknuma world. With a banquet on the world’s largest dining table and a Palace is a museum of luxury. Chatoyant tapestries made night at a suite that comes with its own private swimming pool, a of metallic copper yarn, Venetian and Belgian cut-glass wedding here is as much of a glorious journey into the past as it is chandeliers, a Jade room, a billiards table that has its duplicate a celebration of your present.

taj falaknuma palace, hyderabad

32 33 weddings and banquets weddings and banquets

101 dining hall - taj falaknuma palace, hyderabad

this fabulous dining room boasts of a table that was built in seven parts and still has the aura of one that groaned under the weight of the nizam’s shikaar. traditional butlers lead you to a room that gleams with royal silver. and a hundred and one leather-covered chairs invite you to a sit-down meal that’s lit by a hundred and one candles.

Not content with having the largest dining table in the world, this room also possesses the largest chandelier in the palace. Chefs swear that the pictorial menus on the walls still inspire them to outdo themselves. Originally built as a table to echo even the quietest whisper and therefore avoid conspiracies, you will now find your guests conspiring to tell each other about how fabulous the authentic six-course traditional is. For an unforgettable after-dinner experience head to the Hookah Lounge, where jazz, rare cognacs, single malts and Cuban cigars create the perfect ambience for a game at the Nizam’s own billiards table. This, along with the Palace Facade for your cocktails, the Gol Bungalow with its stain-glassed dome, and the 2,000 sq. ft. Durbar Hall that allows for a reception- style gathering, is sure to make your wedding banquet an event palace facade 101 dining hall as royal as the Nizam’s once was.

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umaid bhawan palace, jodhpur

If you’re in the mood for a royal wedding, it’s only fitting that palaces in the world where royalty still holds fort in style. And you have it in one of the largest living residences in the world. you will only be inspired to follow suit. This living, breathing museum of Art Deco is one of the few

umaid bhawan palace, jodhpur

36 37 weddings and banquets weddings and banquets

the marwar hall and baradari lawns - umaid bhawan palace, jodhpur

baradari lawns

Legend has it that the Maharajah’s private functions at the Marwar In today’s times, modern-day royalty can mingle freely in this 4,462 Hall, split into one and a half levels, had the Maharani and her sq. ft. hall that hosts an elaborate buffet of Marwari, Rajasthani, retinue sitting above, as the male members of royalty participated Indian and continental cuisines. Wedding events can extend to the in the merry-making below. And, at a banquet, all the guests were marble Baradari, a lawn that measures 17,820 sq. ft., and a royal marwar hall given two butlers each, who took care of their slightest whims. tent at the back-lawns that measures up to 450 sq. ft.

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taj lake palace, udaipur

This pristine white palace, built on the equally pristine waters of descendants of the original palace retainers. With a view that Lake Pichola, was once the palace for royal parties. You could allows for uninterrupted sunrises and sunsets, this hotel has the say its past is untouched as well - after all, its royal butlers are reputation of being one of the most romantic in the world.

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taj lake palace, udaipur

conventional weddings are held at one palace. unforgettable weddings at two.

For if you let history plan your wedding, it’s only fitting that your guests stay at the summer palace – the Taj Lake Palace – and wine and dine at the pleasure palace – the Jag Mandir. Let your Sherwani and sari-clad guests enjoy the novel experience of being ferried back and forth over the lake’s pristine waters for every event. What’s more, revel with your guests in the unique butler service - where royal butlers are able to discern your every need and anticipate your wants even before you know they exist. Built on Lake Pichola, Jag Mandir has been everything – from a pleasure palace for parties to an asylum for refugees on two separate occasions. You will, however, only remember taj lake palace, udaipur the former as you walk by its elephant-flanked façade on to its Verbena-scented gardens for a dazzling wedding reception.

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rambagh palace, jaipur jai mahal palace, jaipur

It’s a palace that began as a royal hunting lodge and was eventually once upon a princely time, you had to built into the grand residence of the Maharajah of Jaipur. It’s a be on the maharajah’s guest list to visit palace that flaunts in history in absolute style. And it’s a palace that makes a breathtaking venue for smaller functions while you it. today, a privileged few can choose to experience an authentic royal wedding at Jai Mahal Palace. Walk have a wedding or reception here. from room to room amongst rich textures, opulent furnishings and exquisite objects d’art. Step out into expansive, ornamental This palace is not only one of the finest examples of Indo-Saracenic gardens arranged in brilliant symmetry. Retire to suites that architecture, it also dates back to 1745 A.D. You can take advantage were once the sanctuaries of kings, princes and their guests. of its history and its landscaped gardens, all 18 acres of them, as Rambagh Palace exudes an unmistakable sense of the past. It’s you plan a truly grand wedding for up to 2,500 guests. an architectural masterpiece that transcends time. 18 acres of Mughal gardens show Jaipur in its best avatar, with Have an intimate celebration at Suvarna Mahal, the gilded palace your guests breathing in the rarefied air of this authentic sandstone ballroom, where your guests can feast on a lavish spread that’s palace. You can make the most of Jaipur and take your guests truly fit for a king. Or turn the romance up a notch, and host a vintage sari shopping, peacock spotting or palace hopping. You dinner in the gardens, under a star-studded desert sky. Rambagh can also add a spectacular ghoomar performance to your wedding Palace lets you and your guests soak in experiences that resound functions or even make this authentic palace hum with the strains with the memories, luxuries and extravagances of a bygone era. of live instrumental music on your wedding night.

44 45 BEACH WEDDINGS AND BANQUETS

beach weddings are when time gives way to tide and everyone is immersed in the magic of salt, seawater and sand. they are when brides and grooms elope with a chosen few to escape reality for romance. they are when menus depend on fishing lines and plans revolve around afternoon siestas. they are when everyone takes a few days out of life to do only one thing – celebrate the coming together of two people in love.

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taj bentota resort & spa, sri lanka

The Indian Ocean beckons. The green landscape coupled with A banquet at Taj Bentota Resort & Spa, should have the a beach view makes for a spectacular setting. The Sri Lankan guests making the most of everything can peppers, , - together whet your appetite. The Arrack offer - from its spicy curries and stews to Lumpa Rice, makes you giddy. The breeze on the Sea View terrace intoxicates. Balsamic Red Snapper and Steamed King Prawns, along with a And the stage is set for a fabulous beach wedding. live band and a Fisherman’s theme.

taj bentota resort & spa, sri lanka

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a beach wedding in goa is unique. after all, goa has susegaad – the fine art of taking it easy, feni, its own recipe of coconut milk and spices, and a breathtaking landscape that boasts of a sea view, a hill view, and a mountain view.

Your wedding can take on many forms in Goa. It can be a casual, fun-filled affair. It can be a solemn, traditional event. You can use our many backdrops to make it different - an old 16th century fort, a Portuguese village, a sprawling tropical resort - all of them available with the best in local seafood, live music and a flavour that is quintessentially Goan.

taj fort aguada resort & spa, goa

A 16th century Portuguese fort and lighthouse add some history and an old-world romance to a conventional beach wedding. Celebrate at our 4,000 sq. ft. Fish Tail Lawns and 10,000 sq. ft. Bay View Point that give you a view of the fort and the Arabian Sea. It’s Goa, but with a twist. And perhaps you can celebrate that twist with a theme wedding?

taj fort aguada resort & spa, goa

52 53 weddings and banquets weddings and banquets

taj exotica resort & spa, goa

taj holiday village resort & spa, goa taj exotica resort & spa, goa

How does a wedding banquet under a 300-year-old banyan tree Sun in its atriums. Shade in its corridors. Flowers in its many sound? Or dancing on the beach under the open skies? The dress patios. There is nothing as romantic as the slow waltz of a beach code can go from flip-flops to exotic themes. The cuisines - from wedding at the Taj Exotica, Goa. Mediterranean to Indian to Goan. What remains unchanged is the When you have 56 acres of gardens to play with, you can do spectacular view of the sea, the perfect ambience for romance, anything. And we recommend you celebrate everything Goan. a private butler on call, and an absolutely laidback flavour of a Bring in the live music, the giant seafood platters, the dancing wedding that only comes at the Vivanta, Holiday Village. taj holiday village resort & spa, goa and the Portuguese beer and wine. Put every event before or From Portuguese cottages to fresh fruit martinis, the hotel captures after the siesta. Let this wedding be as much about Goa as it is the essence of a Goan beach wedding beautifully. about falling in love.

54 55 honeymoons

beginning The of knowing how she takes her coffee. of knowing he reads the paper back-to-back. of knowing which side of the bed she likes. of knowing you can take each other for granted. of knowing you won’t.

56 57 honeymoons

forever starts with your honeymoon. and you can choose to wind down or live it up together in any style that suits you at the taj. where would you like to begin your new life together?

n the eighth-happiest country in the world at the Buddhist- If it’s the ramparts of a Dutch fort that inspire romance, pick the inspired Taj Tashi, Thimpu, Bhutan? In the greenest Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa, Chennai. Taj valley in the country at the contemporary Vivtanta Dal Greencove Resort & Spa, Kovalam, is half backwater, half View, Srinagar? In the wilderness where three isn’t a beach and also draws you in with its Balinese influences in crowd with the two of you and a Bengal Tiger at the exotic décor and architecture. And if that’s not enough, there’s the Taj Taj Safari Lodges? Or in a Ketuvallam-style villa that dictates you Madikeri Resort & Spa, Coorg, a complete hideaway that lets you drink toddy at midday at Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, Kerala? find out that being cocooned in a rainforest is one of the most romantic honeymoon getaways of all. Or simply pick out the most romantic suites in the world. The award-winning Rehendi Suite at the Taj Exotica Resort and 1 the taj mahal palace, mumbai Spa, Maldives, is the most luxurious that sand and saltwater can offer. The Tata Suite at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, entices 2 taj lake palace, udaipur you with history, original masterpieces on its elegant walls and 3 rambagh palace, jaipur a staff of 13 for your every whim. The Presidential Suite at the Taj Cape Town, woos you with a magnificent view of the Table 4 umaid bhawan palace, jodhpur Mountain and the prospect of some quiet sunbathing for two. The Suryavanshi Suite at the Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, tempts 5 taj falaknuma palace, hyderabad you to turn your back on its breathtaking view and within its regal interiors. The Maharani Suite at Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, 6 taj nadesar palace, varanasi with its exquisite interiors of pinks, blacks, chrome and mirrors, offers you Maharani Badan Kanwan’s royal lifestyle to revel in. 7 taj exotica resort & spa, maldives The Chandraprakash Suite at Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, serves up 8 taj coral reef resort & spa, maldives the best sunset in the world. Spoilt for choice? The Nizam Suite at Taj Falaknuma Palace invites you with its legacy of being the 9 vivanta rebak island, langkawi private quarters of the richest man in the world. 10 taj fisherman's cove resort & spa, chennai If you’d like your honeymoon to be about an unforgettable dining experience, you could skip conventional tables and dine in the 11 taj safari lodges, madhya pradesh middle of the Indian Ocean at the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Maldives. Or even dine as you watch the fishing boats go by at 12 taj 51 buckingham gate suites & residences, london the boardwalk of the Rebak Island Resort, Langkawi. 13 taj cape town For a honeymoon that is as much about discovering yourself as each other, pick the spa at the Taj Coral Reef 14 taj tashi, bhutan , Maldives. Where the trained professionals of Resort & Spa 15 taj bekal resort & spa, kerala the Jiva Spa use ancient Ayurveda to bring an element of rejuvenation to the romance of your honeymoon. 16 vivanta dal view, srinagar For those who like a bit of Victorian romance, there’s Taj 51 17 taj green cove resort & spa, kovalam 28 Buckingham Gate, Suites and Residences, London, with fabulous gardens next to it. And for those who’d like to mix a grand taj madikeri resort & spa, coorg palace with the vibrant atmosphere of a souk, there’s the Taj Palace Marrakech. For history, culture and spectacular views of the Table Mountain, pick the Taj Cape Town.

private sala - pashan garh, panna national park

58 59 honeymoons honeymoons

rehendi suite, taj exotica resort & spa, maldives presidential villa - taj fort aguada resort & spa, goa

presidential suite, taj cape town taj tashi, bhutan

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chandraprakash suite, taj lake palace, udaipur

sukh niwas suite, rambagh palace, jaipur rajput suite, the taj mahal palace, mumbai tata suite, the taj mahal palace, mumbai

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machaan - baghvan, pench national park taj madikeri resort & spa, coorg

jiva spa - taj nadesar palace, varanasi taj bekal resort & spa, kerala jiva spa - taj bekal resort & spa, kerala

64 65 renewal of vows

don’t just renew your vows to each other.ou you reaffirm your commitmenty to each other. you take time out to remember long-forgotten promises of never-returned phone calls, of cancelled vacations, of forgotten anniversaries, of flower shops that you passed by and don’t stop at anymore.

you take time out to drink all the bottles of vintage you ought to have opened and made a weekday special. all the kisses you somehow forgot to steal by moonlight. all the islands and exotic far-flung places you had promised to visit together and yet didn’t.

you don’t just renew your vows to each other, you renew the vows you made to yourself when you first decided to spend the rest of your lives together.

66 67 renewal of vows

rediscover the joys of taking your taj lake palace, udaipur 3It all begins with a vintage car ride, and then a ferry across vows together as the taj turns the waters of Lake Pichola. You are, of course, fascinated by its this special day into a rare and history - it is, after all, a Bond girl's lair in Octopussy, and one of the most romantic hotels in the world. And then, slowly, it begins to intimate occasion. seduce the two of you - dinner on the Pontoon, its sunset cruise, its spa treatments by the pool, its exquisite Shambhu Prakash suite, its silver-white interiors - and you promise to renew your vows taj exotica resort & spa and taj here again, and again and again. That's Taj Lake Palace for you. 1coral reef resort & spa, maldives There isn't much to distract you from each other but for the sun, taj falaknuma palace, hyderabad sand, sea, coral spotting and snorkelling. Relax in Taj Exotica's 4 The readers of Conde Nast Traveller UK have ranked it lagoon villas with private decks and secluded bathtubs that amongst the top 5 hotels in the world. An understatement, really, overlook the Indian Ocean. Or spend a luxurious afternoon considering it was once the private residence of the world's richest rediscovering yourself as the Jiva Spa's trained professionals man. You should, consider this a great place for renewing your use ancient Ayurveda to rejuvenate you. Built in the midst of an wedding vows, for there is so much to lose yourself in - billiard earthly paradise, surrounded by nothing but serenity, the Wedding rooms, smoking rooms, pools, ballrooms, croquet lawns, private Pavilion gives you the perfect venue to renew your vows and gardens, the world's largest dining table, a library, turret rooms, rekindle that spark. Whatever you do, make sure your to-do list stables, terraces with views of the city, a private petrol pump and has romance and not much else on its agenda. royal garages filled with vintage cars.

rambagh palace, jaipur taj cape town 2How would you like to play Polo like the Maharajahs and 5A building that was once the Reserve Bank and then the then toast your victories in an authentic royal bar with a Polotini? Temple Chambers. A quirky Twankey Bar that is known for How would you like to walk across the private suite of Maharani its Guiness, champagne, seafood and oysters. A Presidential Gayatri Devi's husband’s ancestors? How would you like to spend Suite famed for its private terrace with a full view of the Table the night in the Peacock suite - a suite that celebrated Holi with the Mountain. An authentic Ayurveda spa. The Taj Cape Town can Maharajah every year? How would you like to renew your vows be adventurous, sensual, romantic and what the locals call an at an authentic royal palace? unforgettable "Mother City" experience.

rambagh palace, jaipur

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taj exotica resort & spa, maldives taj lake palace , udaipur

70 71 cuisines

a legendary wedding banquet is the legacy of a legendary chef. for it is he who masterminds a seven-course meal, a sit-down dinner or a buffet. it is he who makes meals for hundreds and thousands taste like they've been plated and prepared by hand for a table of two. for it is he who walks the dusty markets picking out the freshest salmon and the greenest asparagus. he who insists on the sous chef's pasta being only al dente. he who patiently pairs every dish with a bottle of claret, cabernet or pinot noir. he whose art of intuition and innovation creates a symphony of masterpieces. it is his that makes food look as good as it tastes to the discerning gourmet. it is his careful anticipation of a thousand palates that sets the tone for an unforgettable breakfast, brunch, high

tea, cocktail or dinner. at the taj, our chefs command an intricate knowledge of all local and world cuisines and enough flair to experiment for fusion as well. it is a well-known fact that the dignitaries who dine at our hotels are served by celebrities of equal stature in their own culinary circles.

72 73 sample menus

an exclusive peek at our sample menus painstakingly put together to suit every palate.

regional indian cuisines and world cuisines like

south east asian  pan asian  japanese  french

italian  spanish  mediterranean  mexican

to name a few

74 75 sample menu i sample menu ii

circulatory snacks Porcha Yera (Prawns with South Indian Spices), Gosht Nukti on Jeera Khasta, agaaz -the beginning Chicken Spring Roll, Sarson ke Phool, Khumbh Karwari Lemon Grass with Air Dried Berries (Curry Leaf Tempered Mushrooms), Shahi Mirch Bhare Aloo, Matar Makai Seekh, Camembert filled Crisp Wontons mezban SELECTIONS FROM CLOSELY GUARDED SECRETS OF NIZAM’S CULINARY REPERTOIRE salads Glass Noodle Salad, Bean Sprouts and Tofu Sala, Kimchi, Hara Seb, Pan Seared Kaireple Kara Dusted Scallop Sukhe Tamatar aur Barley Salad, Ankoorit Moong aur Anardana, Sweet Caramelized Tomato Kutt Achari Aloo Asparagus, Hare aur Lal Patton ki Numaish, Guntur Crab Masala Valluli Kara Crab Stick Salad Panache with Croutons Tandoori Salmon with Pineapple Relish or soup Pan Seared Zimmikand Shikampuri with Sandalwood Dust Khousey Station Ambade Corn Masala with Kalmi Babycorn ACCOMPANIMENTS: Red Pepper, Yellow Pepper, Capsicum, Baby Corn, Tandoori Sweet Potato with Pineapple Relish Leaves, Brown Onions, Noodles, Rice Noodles, Flat Noodles, Steamed Rice, Prawns, Chicken, Lamb waqfa TOPPINGS: Chilly Paste, , Lemon Wedges Charcoal Chocolate and Raspberry Sorbet

main course mashgool dastarkhwan SELECTION OF ROYAL DELICACIES FOR YOUR INDULGENCE masala art Lamb Galouti/Vegeterian Galouti, Taaza Methi ka Murgh, Miriyal Masala Grilled Lobster Hyderabadi Station (Haleem Served with Sheermal and ), Tarmezi Chooza Katliyan Aloo, Paneer Khatta Pyaz, Aloo Wadi ka Bharta, Langarwali Dal, Gungura Mamsam Subz Parda , Ulte Tawe ka , Laccha Paratha / / Missi or Stuffed Malai Gucchi aur Dhingri Badami northern spice Gutu Vangai Masala Bhuna Gosht, Tawa Machli, Lasooni Palak aur Corn, Mushroom Matar Rizzala, Paneer Taztar Prunes Curry, , Yakhni Pulao (Chicken), Tandoori Baingan ka , Dahi Bhalla with Saunth, Dhakini Saag Freshly Baked Tandoori Breads, Papad / Pickle Khota Kura Papu Bhindi Raita golden dragon Prawns with Sweet Bean Sauce, Panfried Fish with Spicy Mustard Sauce, Andhra Subz Pulao Mah La Tofu , Stir Fried Haricot Beans, Spicy Sichuan Chachoi, Indian Breads American Corn wild Pepper, Wothib Asparagus, Stir Fried Hakka Noddles, Theen Mirch Ka Laccha Onions and Beansprouts, Ginger Capsicum Fried Rice Chilli Olive Naan TAPANAYAKI COUNTER: Assorted Vegetables served on site with choice of your sauces Masala Cheese

desserts dessert Tofu, Date Pancake with Vanilla Ice Cream, Apple , Holy Basil White Chocolate, Texture of Passion Fruit Green Tea Mousse, Kale Jam ka Lancha, Dark Chocolate Mousse, (Basil White Chocolate Ganache, Passion Fruit Leather, Seeds, Coco Gulla, Anjeer , Cut Fruits on Platter, Meringue, Gel, Coconut Creme, Tapioca Pearls, Vanilla Dust) Chocolate Fountain served with accompaniments

76 77 cuisines

sample menu iii

amuse bouche Baked French Goat Cheese drizzled with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Spanish Paprika

hors d ‘oeuvres Scottish Smoked Salmon and Creamy Egg Scramble with Sauce Maltaise, Irish Soda Bread

Chilled Green and White Dutch Asparagus an innovation in wedding cuisines with Truffle Béarnaise by grand master chefs

potage The days of lavish feasts and opulent dishes are passé as our Fumet of Langoustine accented with X.O. chefs' bite-sized culinary delights decorate Noritake platters with Mushroom Cappuccino enhanced with Dust flair. Most suited for an intimate and exclusive celebration, the options that play havoc with your palate could be as diverse as dimsums and sushi, tapas and salmon, cold spread buffets, turkey entrée and tortilla wraps, chicken , pita pockets and tempuras. Crispy Black Cod, Roasted Tomato with Morel Sauce To liven up any buffet, experiment with a range of bars. The Pan seared White Shrimps with Sauce Vierge most notable being chilli bars, bread bars, green bars, pasta bars, Fricassee of Black Truffle and assorted Fresh Mushroom salad bars and dessert bars. With a range of cuisines offered over the counter, these bars add to the festivity of any occasion. Each of these bars devotes itself to a particular type of food, specializing symphonie de sorbet in it and cooking up a riot of flavours. Fusion cuisine could be another talking point with caviar plat principal , shrimp papdis with Indian spices and tamarind Baked Spring Free Range Chicken Breast, Prunes, Fresh Porcini capsules. The more adventurous could let the fine Bouillon based Poached Silver Pomfret with Creamed Green Peas wines give way to a refreshing range of sugarcane, guava Gnocchi of New Potatoes flavoured with Roquefort and Parsley and black masala sorbets. For dessert, anything from Rigatoni cooked with Champagne Beurre Blanc silver salvers arranged with -garnished dessert to exquisitely arranged dessert stands of crème brulee goes. no matter what you choose, the grand desserts Citrus Fruit Minestrone served with Ice Cream master chefs at the taj will give your wedding feast a culinary twist.

78 79 preparing you

at the taj hotels, we help you mehendi artists: The groom will have to search long entertainment: Make it an event to remember by 1and hard for his name, hidden in exquisite, classic, traditional 6choosing from the best DJs in the country. You can also have plan your wedding to make it Indian Bridal Mehendi or modern motifs, by the most skilled the untainted melody of live entertainment with some of the most mehendi artists. talented musicians and bands. the unforgettable experience pandit/priest: As you walk around the fire or down the fireworks: Technicians can be hired to create a spectacular that you always dreamed of. 2aisle, we will make sure that you have a priest to guide you 7display of pyrotechnics that will enthral all your guests. through and perform the sacred ceremony. decorators: It’s the most beautiful day of your life. From make-up artists: Look your best on this momentous day, flowers, and draping centrepieces to ceremonial pavilions, our our expertise in planning weddings 8 3as we connect you to some of the most reputed and trusted list of decorators will make your setting look the part. comes from years of experience and make-up artists. photographer: Memories are wonderful, but being able settling for nothing but the best in hair styling: From traditional judaas with jasmine 9to summon scenes of such revelry by just flipping an album flowers to elaborate coiffeurs to salon-straightened hair, our cover is priceless. We can arrange for the best in the business to the business. we can connect you to 4 selection of versatile hair stylists can give you a beautiful hairdo capture your special moments on camera, so you can preserve that matches your flawlessly made-up face. the right people and help create the them for posterity. intricate nuances that make for a choreographer: Left feet have no place on your flowers: Our floral decorators can give you various 5wedding day. We will connect you to a wedding choreographer 10 themes that go from exotic hothouse flowers to traditional spectacular evening. who will make sure that you get every dance step just right. Lotus-in-Urli settings.

80 81 jiva spa

the best way to prepare yourself for your big day is to go back in time. the jiva spa presents the bridal bouquet, four fairytale weeks of soothing rituals and treatments that draw on the ancient indian secrets of beauty. As much as you might enjoy planning your wedding, both you and your body need a break from the hectic schedule. And since there is no instant mantra for beauty, you may as well take the time off and pamper yourself at the Jiva Spa. Choose from our menu of therapeutic and traditional beauty treatments and plan your rejuvenation programme with our therapist, without even checking in. Our services are especially crafted, offering brides and grooms the perfect way to unwind before their wedding day. You could begin with rejuvenating scrubs and wraps like the Prithvi Mrit and detox scrub, and refreshing facials such as the Anna Lepa facial and the Jiva Signature Facial. Calming yoga and meditational therapies like Pranayam and Yoga Nidra could follow as part of your beauty treatment. And if you're really feeling indulgent, opt for our exotic Indian therapies that include Champi - an invigorating head massage, Pada Mardana - a soothing foot massage, and Prista Mardana - a relaxing back massage. We even offer you expert make-up and hair styling services at most of our hotels. Our beauty rituals are spread over one month, giving you all the time you need to revitalize your senses and look your stunning best on the most important day of your life. And if you can't get enough, come back to us for 'soma', a special couple’s treatment, to celebrate your love for each other.

82 83 bridal boutique

wedding trousseaus are as much of a wedding ritual as taking your vows. it's where girlfriends and aunts get together over endless cups of tea and debate the merits of a benarasi over a paithani. it's where fittings are events with much oohing and aahing. it's where brides and grooms, bridesmaids and best men, mothers-of-bride and so on take the most momentous decisions - what to wear on this important day.

The Taj Khazana is bursting at the seams with rich fabrics and gorgeous weaves. You can even get your bridal trousseau custom-made from Benaras with intricate heirloom designs that celebrate royalty, the abundance of nature or the mystique of the Indian jungles. And when it comes to fine jewellery and gifting and fine artworks and souvenirs, you will find that we have the genuine article - superbly crafted, original masterpieces that are a quiet reflection of the many influences on India's heritage.

84 85 travel

BY CAR Your travel arrangements for your guests can be all taken care of by Inditravels. You, on the other hand, can make a fabulous style statement with a fleet of 32 Jaguars and Land Rovers across India, a Bentley at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai or a 1931 Stude Baker that has been awarded “full classic” status at the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur.

BY AIR For those who wish to charter an aircraft, Taj Air brings you the best in aviation and hospitality in India. We give you access to an extensive range of light to long range business jets, turboprops and helicopters, operating from 5 cities in India. The Taj Air fleet itself comprises the Falcon 2000LX Jet, Falcon 2000 Jet and the P.180 Avanti II Turboprop, which can seat 6 to 9 passengers, and have flown to more than 150 airports in 56 countries.

BY YACHT Available at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, and the Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Maldives, our luxury yachts offer a variety of cruises and escapes, with a private butler to boot. You can complete the experience with fine wining and dining and some spectacular views in both locations.

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