VILLAS MAKE ROOM FOR THE BESPOKE INDIAN WEDDING

From memory-filled holiday homes to private beach retreats, villas are fast becoming a favoured venue for couples.

- Praachi Raniwala

Picture a sprawling villa by the sea with a canopy set by an infinity pool overlooking a golden beach. Framed by swaying coconut fronds, a close-knit group of friends and family stand barefoot and usher in the beaming couple towards the mandap. This is the other avatar of the big fat Indian wedding. Brides and grooms are increasingly choosing destinations that are connected to their love stories and stunning villas as the setting for their special day. This shift has been taking place over the last few years, with couples choosing personalised and mindful celebrations surrounded by their near and dear ones over lavish celebrations in star hotels. While the latter comes with advantages aplenty, if scale is not a priority, then a charming villa on hire, tucked away from the big city bustle is a perfect choice for a private and intimate wedding.

Recently, actor Athiya Shetty and cricketer KL Rahul tied the knot at the bride's family home in the hill station of Khandala. Last year, actors Shibani Dandekar-Akhtar and Farhan Akhtar chose to marry at the groom's farmhouse in the getaway town Lonavala.

As charming as it is to exchange vows in a home teeming with memories or a welcoming space that creates a homely ambience, planning these nuptials is never a walk in the park.

Yes, there are no hotel-like restrictions, and you can design a completely bespoke ceremony. But without the infrastructure of a wedding-friendly hotel, the couple is required to look into every little detail-from logistics, production, catering and décor to transportation and parking-even more closely. But it's still worth it, attests Bengaluru-based interior designer Vinita Chaitanya. Her daughter, Diya, who is a social media director, recently got married at their family holiday home in Coorg. "The energy of a wedding in your home is something entirely different. It feels very sacrosanct," she says.