SAWC planned and coordinated a magical South Asian destination wedding. Want to know how we did it for Shobhit and Amrita? Read on!

Photography by Tara Weddings.

A destination South Asian wedding is a magical journey that unfolds over a series of events, creating memories that last a lifetime. To ensure that your special South Asian wedding week is as enchanting and seamless as possible, it’s essential to plan a well-structured event flow. While working with Shobhit & Amrita for their special wedding week in White Oaks Resort, Niagara-on-the-Lake, we collaborated together on a schedule that would best suit their wedding needs and goals.

From welcome gestures to carefully curated Indian and fusion menus, these five tips will guide you in scheduling the perfect sequence of events for your destination wedding.

Tip 1 – Provide a welcome bag or a thank you for coming gift

As your guests embark on their journey to celebrate your love, consider offering them a heartfelt welcome gesture. A welcome bag filled with local goodies, personalized notes, and useful information about the destination can set the tone for a memorable experience. Alternatively, expressing your gratitude with a thank-you-for-coming gesture can make your loved ones feel appreciated and cherished from the moment they arrive. In Shobhit & Amrita’s case, their families provided a very sweet thank you for the coming gift for their guests and had us hand deliver those to the rightful guests. 

Tip 2 – Balance Private and Group Events 

While your destination wedding is undoubtedly a celebration of your love story, not every gathering needs to be a private event. Balancing intimate moments with group activities can create a harmonious atmosphere. Consider organizing a casual group dinner or a pre-wedding excursion, allowing your guests to connect and bond before the main event. This will foster a sense of camaraderie and elevate the overall experience. In Shobhit and Amrita’s wedding weekend, guests had the opportunity to have breakfast (which was included in their stay) in the mornings at the resort and mingle with everyone in a casual setting.

Photography by Tara Weddings.

Tip 3 – Spread out your events

The beauty of a destination wedding lies in its ability to extend the celebration over a few days. To avoid overwhelming your guests with back-to-back events, spread them out thoughtfully. For example, consider hosting the welcome party a day before the wedding, followed by a relaxing day for your guests to explore the destination or simply unwind. This pacing not only allows everyone to enjoy each event fully but also adds an element of anticipation to the festivities. Alternatively, you could also have a “goodbye brunch” as well, whichever works for you and the majority of your guests.

Photography by Tara Weddings.

Tip 4 – Variance in Culinary Experiences 

Cuisine plays a pivotal role in creating memorable experiences. Varying your menu choices across events adds an exciting dimension to the celebration. While the wedding reception could feature elegant gourmet dishes, opt for a more casual and regional menu during the welcome party. This approach not only satisfies diverse palates but also reflects the destination’s culinary culture, leaving a lasting impression on your guests. Because this was a South Indian and Punjabi fusion wedding, the food was varied in each event. The wedding menu consisted of Idli, sambar and various chutney while the reception consisted of chilli chicken, dhal makni, veg manchurian biryani, and much more.

Tip 5 – Embrace the Power of Fewer Events

 While the temptation to plan a multitude of events is strong, remember that quality often surpasses quantity. Consider prioritizing a few well-thought-out events over a flurry of gatherings. This approach allows you to dedicate more attention to each event’s details, ensuring they are executed flawlessly. Fewer events also give you and your guests more time to savor every moment without feeling rushed. Here are two different event flows you can adopt for your wedding week. 

Photography by Tara Weddings.

Event Flow A

Wednesday – 7-11PM – Bridal Mehndi
Thursday –10AM-12PM – Haldi Ceremony
Thursday – 7-11PM – Mehndi and Sangeet
Friday – 2-4PM – Wedding Ceremony
Friday – 7-1 am – Reception

Why Event Flow A works

Flow A allows your guests coming for just 3 nights to still attend every important event and still allows them a few hours each day to relax, unwind, and enjoy the destination without cramming too much on any given day. This flow resembles Shobhit and Amrita’s wedding weekend the closest as they had their Sangeet followed by their Haldi in the same evening.

Event Flow B

Wednesday – 7-11PM – Bridal Mehndi
Thursday – 6-8PM – Welcome Party
Friday – 10-12PM – Haldi Ceremony
Friday – 7-11PM – Mehndi and Sangeet
Saturday – 2-4PM – Wedding Ceremony
Sunday – 7-12 am – Reception

Why Event Flow B works

Flow B is becoming quite common. Having a Sunday reception does scare some at first, but at the end of the day, your guests end up taking at least 1 day off of work anyways. So sliding the events a day back doesn’t really impact your guest count or how much time a guest is away from work. We also love how Flow B adds in an extra welcome party but keeps it light with it being just 2 hours – it’s a great way to welcome your guests without having to invest too heavily in the event (ie – no dance floor). Sticking to 6-8PM allows guests to mix, mingle, and grab some apps before heading to one of the restaurants at the resort or destination they are dying to try! Plus, anyone unable to come on Thursday wouldn’t miss much as long as they get there by Friday!

Photography by Tara Weddings.

Your destination wedding is a reflection of your love story, and crafting the perfect event flow will make it an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. By providing a warm welcome, balancing private and group events, spacing out your celebrations, offering a diverse menu, and embracing the power of fewer, carefully curated events, you’ll create a seamless and captivating journey that leaves everyone enchanted. We loved planning Shobhit & Amrita’s wedding. If you are considering multiple events for your destination wedding, then reach out to us so we can help you get started!