A wedding less ordinary

More and more weddings are becoming increasingly identical to each other, and there is hardly any novelty left in them. In a sea of uniformity where every person is trying to outdo others with mindless opulence and ostentation, where does one draw the line? At the end of the day, a wedding celebrates the love and union between two people. 

For those looking for a much-needed respite from big city wedding madness, a destination wedding is the perfect solution. A ceremony that is held in a city, town or locale relatively far away from the place the bride or groom resides in is considered a destination wedding. It could be in a farmhouse, an estate located in the country, a seaside town or even somewhere abroad! 

Many couples who are ahead of the pack have considered this option and have managed to pull off stylish events with aplomb. In a Bangladeshi context, the options for unique locations are endless. 

The gorgeous tea estates and resorts in Sylhet are splendid in terms of scenic location, great service and logistics. Many new resorts have lavish banquet halls that are exquisitely decorated to hold wedding ceremonies. Alternatively, having a relative working in one of the hundreds of tea estates is always an added bonus, and might be helpful in choosing a convenient location for the ceremony. 

Other interesting options are farmhouses located in the outskirts of Dhaka city, such as Gazipur, Rajendropur or Sreepur, among many others. This is an easy way to have a wedding outside of the city without the added trouble of travelling to a faraway venue. Perhaps the most interesting and exciting location for a destination wedding is the stunning beaches of Cox's Bazaar. Miles and miles of uninterrupted beach ensure a splendid backdrop to say one's vows, while the whimsical sea breeze adds a magical touch to the happiest day of a couple's life. 

If you are craving for more adventure, then head overseas to say your vows! Countries such as Thailand and Malaysia are fabulous as they are closer to home. But for some, the world is their oyster, and the magical islands of Greece and Italy can be the perfect venue among many others!     

Having a destination wedding is a terrific idea to set yourself apart from your peers and truly have the time of your life. In order to pull off a stylish event away from the city, one needs to have certain things sorted out. 

First things first, decide on a venue and make enquiries. Ask questions regarding reservation rules, hidden charges and any other queries you may have. It is also crucial to discuss this matter with your significant other and in-laws. 

Inviting guests is the next step, and the one that requires most work and pre-planning. Instead of inviting the whole town and beyond, try to stick to a guest list consisting of close family members and dear friends who will take the trouble of showing up. 

Discuss plans in great detail with each and every one and make sure they RSVP. Try to figure out if the venue is convenient enough for every guest to travel to or not. Have practical goals. For instance, if your guest list consists mostly of elderly relatives and a few young friends and cousins, Cox's Bazaar may not be the ideal place since older people may not like to travel that far. Alternately, if you have a fun-loving group that would love a beach wedding experience, then Sylhet may not be a great idea. Discussion and open communication with your guests is key. 

Once you have the venue and the guest list sorted out, it's time to move on to logistics. Decide on the number of events. You could go all out and have six different events, but the goal of a wedding away from the city is to make it intimate and personal. 

Again, have realistic goals. It is customary to provide transportation for your guests if you are hosting a wedding outside of the city you live in. For events inside the country, there are many options. Sylhet and Cox's Bazaar both have direct flights as well as superb bus service from anywhere in Dhaka. On the other hand, arranging for rental cars is also an option for both these venues, as well any others. Once that is worked out, start working on the accommodation aspect. Your guest list will give you a clear idea of how many rooms you need to book. 

Give your guests an additional heads-up via save-the-date cards and messages once you've made reservations, because you don't need to deal with last-minute cancellations on top of the stress of wedding planning. It is a good idea to provide your guests with a basic guideline regarding the things you are paying for. For instance, if you want to pay for their lodging and food but not for other amenities, make your intentions known. Sticking to certain etiquettes will help you and your guests have a smooth and enjoyable experience.   

After having settled all that, it's time to move on to event planning. Many planners are eager to do out-of-town events, but hire a reliable one, preferably with experience. Charges may be high as transportation of equipment and materials are both involved. 

For brides, choosing the right outfits is the key. You don't want to be stuck on a humid beach in a heavy brocade lehenga, or light chiffon in the middle of winter in freezing Sylhet! For grooms, comfortable, lightweight sherwanis, panjabis or a light suit should suffice, depending on the location. 

Beach weddings are more casual and relaxed than others, so bear that in mind when choosing outfits. Then hire a makeup artist and hairstylist willing to travel to your destination. Arrange for their arrival and departure. 

Lastly, having planned your event to the very last detail, sit back, make yourself some flavoured tea and pamper yourself before stepping onto the next phase of your life in great style in a beautiful destination ceremony!

By Sabrina N Bhuiyan