The number of functions and the back to back binging shouldn't leave guests with a feeling of just getting it over with. In all the excitement and effort that you put into deciding what to wear, which flowers to use, whom to invite and more, it is essential to also keep your guests in mind.

A wedding destination which has something for everyone, isn't that the dream? You can make it happen. Here are some ways you could 'wow' your guests:

Treat them to a different culinary experience each time

Food is an integral part of any wedding, and acts as an important parameter for your guests to decide if they are enjoying the wedding. Experimenting with different cuisines will keep the guests looking forward to the next meal. Complementing the choice of cuisine with the theme of the event works well. Innovative presentation styles can be used, accompanied by different seating styles, from a wide spread buffet to a pangat to a seated dinner, the pick is yours!

Play around withdifferent venues and eye catching themes

An Indian wedding includes a lot of rasams (functions).Pick a destination which offers you various venue optionswithin one roof. Do off with the routine, and charm your guests with a welcome twist in your wedding. How about a rooftop mehendi party instead of a pool deck one? How about a nightclub for the cocktails and sangeet party, which helps you do away with the décor element? How about an open air venue with a sunset for your pheras? How about a theatric ballroom for your reception? These are just ideas, but you get the drift. There are multiple ways to leave your guests awed. Adding themes to your events gives you the liberty to go as crazy or as subtle as you would like it to be.

Offer a taste of the local cuisine and access to nearby shopping and tourist areas

Make sure you choose a destination which also allows the guests to go sightseeing and visit nearby tourist spots. It is important to ensure that their itinerary gives them the freedom to indulge in little 'me' time. Giving them a guideline as to where to go and what to eat nearby the venue is a great idea!

Keep them engaged and entertained

As much as the wedding is about you, it is also about the people, the people who you value, and the people who will cherish the moments that they spent on your special day. Therefore, it is a must to ensure that there are ways to engage the guests. A coffee shop at the venue to simply unwind, a live performance while they are enjoying their seated dinner, a liquor tasting counter at the Cocktails party, a dance instructor to teach them the moves during Sangeet night are some options you can consider.

A fairy tale wedding is a fantasy for most of us. A little guidance from the wedding specialists and it isn't too far away for you!

• Congo: Brides and grooms are not allowed to smile on their wedding day. Talk about being serious about marriage!
• France:The couple must consume chocolate and champagne from a toilet bowl.
• China:The groom must shoot at his bride in front of relatives and then collect all the arrows. Just as Cupid would do!
• Fiji: The groom must present his future father in law with a whale's tooth to win his bride's hand in marriage. Now that's hard work!
• Kenya & Greece: The wedding audience must spit on you to ensure their blessings reach you. Raincoat, anyone?
• Cuba: Every man who dances with the bride on her wedding day, must clip money onto her wedding dress. This money is to be used for the honeymoon; brides are said to make as much as 1 Mill Cuban Pesos (INR 4 Lakhs)
• Mongolia:The bride and groom must cut open baby chickens to find a healthy liver which stays with them until they become successful in life. Here's hoping they paid attention during all those biology lessons.
• Sweden: All the women at the wedding ceremony must kiss the groom everytime the bride leaves the room and vice versa!

Some wedding traditions have not only stood the test of time, they now even have a modern variation!

Tradition: The Proposal

History: Formal contract between families. Often times the groom would send a group of friends or servants to state his intentions. The group would not continue on the journey if on the way they saw a monk, a nun, or a blind man. These were thought to be omens that the marriage would be doomed. If, however, they saw a nanny goat, a pigeon, or wolves, the union would be blessed with a lifetime of good fortune.

Modern Twist: Today, most couples become engaged as a matter of mutual agreement that, thankfully, has nothing to do with the sighting of omens. However, some couples still pay homage to the tradition by having the groom announce the engagement to the families after the bride-to-be has already accepted the proposal.

Tradition: Diamond Engagement Ring

History: Medieval Italians believed that the diamond was created in the Flames of Love.

Modern Twist: Today, the diamond engagement ring is a symbol of the commitment made between two people and of their intention to become husband and wife. It should be noted that an engagement ring is not always a diamond. Today's rings can be of any stone the couple finds attractive.

Tradition: The Bridal Shower

History: Originally intended to strengthen friendships between the bride and her female friends, in the 1890's, it evolved into an occasion for friends to present the bride-to be with small gifts. In fact, the gifts were placed in a parasol, which was opened above the bride's head, allowing the gifts to "shower" down upon her.

Modern Twist: Today, showers come in all styles. It isn't unusual for a bride to have a lingerie shower, a stock the bar shower, a kitchen shower, etc. The style of shower can range from traditional all female affairs to large parties or barbecues that include both men and women.

Tradition: The Bridal Shower

History: This tradition stems from the Anglo-Saxon tradition of a groom using "Brides knights" to ensure that the bride got to the wedding and got to his home after the ceremony without being attacked and the dowry stolen. As weddings became more elaborate affairs, the use of bridesmaids became more common. They were responsible for helping the bride get dressed and to help decorate for the ceremony.

Modern Twist: Today's bridal party usually consists of very close friends and family who have a special connection to the couple. It is not unusual for a bride to have a special male friend be an usher or a groom's sister to be an attendant. Modern brides thank their wedding party with small gifts of appreciation and friendship. Wedding party gifts are available at WhereBridesGo.com.

Tradition: Giving Away of the Bride

History: During times when arranged marriages were the norm, the bride was literally given to the groom by her father in exchange for some form of property.

Modern Twist: Today, the act of "giving away the bride" is used to show support the union. Many brides today chose to have both parents escort her down the aisle, or they choose to walk unassisted to symbolize their independence.

Tradition: The Veil

History: During ancient times, weddings were arranged without the groom ever having seen the bride. It was thought that if the groom saw the bride and didn't like what he saw, he might not go through with the wedding. The veil was not lifted until after the ceremony. The veil was also thought to ward off evil spirits by disguising the identity of the bride.

Modern Twist: In this country it is unusual for couples to get married without having spent a great deal of time together. Today, the veil is a beautiful accessory that symbolizes modesty and purity.

Tradition: Wedding Dress

History: Wedding dresses were not always white. In fact, until the 1840's, when Queen Victoria got married in a white gown, wedding gowns traditionally blue. In Biblical times, blue symbolized purity and fidelity-a reason that Mary, Mother of Jesus, is often depicted in blue robes.

Modern Twist: Today, brides wear wedding gowns of all colors. It has truly become a matter of personal preference. However, the most popular choices are white and ivory.

Tradition: Kissing the Bride

History: In Roman times, kissing was a legal bond that sealed all contracts.

Modern Twist: Today, the kissing of the bride signifies that the marriage ceremony is complete and that the couple is now husband and wife.

Tradition: Wedding Favors

History: Because the bride and groom were believed to be lucky, anything they touched was also seen as a good luck charm. Small gifts were given to wedding guests to bring them good luck throughout the year.

Modern Twist: Today wedding favors are given as a memento of the beginning of the marriage. They can range from personalized candies to engraved frames to bookmarks to centerpieces. Couples still give favors to symbolically pass on the luck!

Tradition: Tossing of the Garter

History: In the old days, guests would follow the newly married couple to their room on their wedding night, wait for them to undress, and toss their stockings at them. The first to hit the bride and groom would be the next to marry.

Modern Twist: Today, the groom removes the garter and tosses to a group of single men. The one who catches it is believed to be the next to get married. An updated version, involves the garter being auctioned off with the proceeds going to the couple for their honeymoon!

Tradition: Tossing of the Bouquet

History: This evolved from the old tradition of tearing a piece of the bride's dress for good luck. Single women would tear a piece off the wedding gown to ensure finding a husband.

Modern Twist: Today the bride tosses her bouquet to a gathering of single women. It is still believed that whoever catches the bouquet is the next to marry. Many brides choose to have their bridal bouquets preserved, and thus have a "disposable" bouquet ready to toss. Another modern twist on this tradition is dedicating the bouquet to someone special. The DJ can help you make this a very special part of your wedding.

Tradition: Bachelor Party

History: In 5th century Sparta, a groom and his military comrades would gather on the eve of the wedding to feast and toast to good fortune.

Modern Twist: While not held the night before the wedding, bachelor parties are still thrown and have been the setting for some pretty wild times! Though not always scenes of complete debauchery, they represent the last hurrah for the groom before he settles down to responsible married life. Brides will often have their own Bachelorette Party too!

Tradition: Honeymoon

History: Long ago, newly married couples would drink a fermented wine made from mead and honey for a month ("moon") following their wedding.

Modern Twist: Today the honeymoon is a vacation (not necessarily a month long!) for the newly married couple that usually immediately follows the wedding. It is a time for the couple to spend lots of time alone following the hectic planning of the wedding. Many couples choose very special places to commemorate their marriage.

Tradition: Changing the Bride's Surname

History: Because in olden times, women were treated as property, her name was changed to signify the change in "ownership" form father to husband. It was also believed to be bad luck to marry someone who shared the same last initial.

Modern Twist: Thankfully, women are no longer viewed as property. Today's brides can choose the name they wish to use. More and more, brides are opting to keep their own names, either for professional or personal reasons. It is even common for today's brides (and grooms) to develop new names from a combination of both names!

Honeymoon at Hill Stations in India is an experience in itself for newlyweds to embark into married life. The seclusion offered by the hill stations, the romance of the verdant nature, gushing mountain streams, emerald lakes and thrilling adventure sports activities are perfect ingredients to enjoy the bliss of love and romance.For couples seeking a quiet time with each other in the lap of the Mother Nature, Mussoorie in Uttarakhand is considered as one of the best hill stations in India and a popular honeymoon destination. When the couples visit Mussoorie they have a lot more to experience than just romance.

Calm, peaceful yet upbeat and full of chirp, Mussoorie is a destination bejeweled in the lushgreen elevations of Northern India at a height of 6,000 feet. A prized discovery of the British,the hill station still boasts of quaint colonial vestiges preserved through its century old churches,historical establishments and the vintage lifestyle of the locals. Hemmed by the scenic GarhwalHimalayas and offering breath taking natural vistas throughout the year, little wonder thatMussoorie has inspired renowned authors over the years. Rightfully bestowed with the sobriquetof 'The Queen of Hills,' this pristine mountain escape has the picturesque snow clad mountains in the northeast and the dazzling view of Shivalik Mountain ranges and Doon Valley in the south to offer the best ambience for honeymoon for any couple.

From an altitude of more than 6150 ft, views of Doon Valley, the surrounding hills and greenery could be glimpsed from anywhere one stands in Mussoorie. Mists hanging over Doon Valley and the forests of Pine are just the beginning of the spell that casted over this hill destination. The curvy road of Camel's Back, dense breathtaking forest of Landour, local rustic villages of Bhatoli and Kempty, adventure sports at George Everest, are only a few of recommended activities for couples wanting to spend their lifetime together.

Ever fancied having a romantic meal with your spouse in the middle of a stream, jungle or overlooking the hills? Mussoorie offers numerous outdoor venues with its Unique Dining Experiences of dining in the lap of nature. From having a breakfast in an unadulterated stream to lunch in a farm with the views of Gharwal Himalayas, from surprising your partner with a romantic meal amidst exotic flowers to reliving your childhood with a laidback picnic in the Pine forest, Mussoorie is idyllic for meals befitting every fancy mood of yours.

One thing that every couple dreams of while getting married is to begin their new journey with a beautiful start and to make their Honeymoon the most memorable and exciting trips of their lives. The Queen of Hills with its literary and cultural heritage promises to enthrall and leave you with memories to last forever.

"The best kind of walk, and this applies to the plains as well as to the hills, is the one in which you have no particular destination when you set out."

― Ruskin Bond, Roads to Mussoorie

One of the first steps that lay the foundation for all the wedding planning tasks is the selection of an ideal location! The location serves as a cornerstone in the entire process of wedding planning as it is not only the auspicious choice of place for the scared nuptials but also provides the backdrop for a plethora of ceremonies and rituals. The ambience of the location is also important as that is the setting where the families, friends and guests meet and greet each other for the first time and form new relationships, bonds and memories that last a lifetime.

While zeroing in on a perfect location for not only the wedding but all the festivities leading up to it is the first pre-requisite in the process. Depending on whether it is a large scale destination-wedding concept or a close intimate affair, a location that can house the required number of guests should be selected.

If it is a grand affair with an extensive guest-list, then accommodating the guests also needs to be factored in while selecting the venue. In such a case, a hotel with lavish indoor and outdoor spaces like the Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel would cater to all the necessary preparations and needs and preferences of the guests.

The wedding feast is also an extremely important element during Indian weddings! The food and beverage arrangements need to be planned well in advance to provide guests with the ultimate culinary experience that includes an array of cuisines, buffet counters, live cooking stations, dessert counters, cocktails, customizations and much more.

The availability of different services in the vicinity of the wedding venue, for guests to enjoy at leisure, acts as an added advantage while choosing the location. A rejuvenating spa service, fun activities, outdoor pool, various food & beverage outlets, room-service, get-together brunches, live cooking stations, outdoor lawns, etc could be a few elements that add to the entertainment value of the wedding.

A picturesque location with beautiful views and different types of landscapes provides for various photo-ops for the couple, friends and families thus making your wedding picture perfect at every moment!

A FAIRYTALE WEDDING

#TheFairytaleWedding #HappilyEverAfter

A 'Once upon a time' wedding is all a girl could wish for! Regal invitations or royal scrolls would set the perfect tone. Fulfill your childhood fantasies, ride to the ceremony on a horse or walk down the aisle covered in petals. Give the reception area an enchanted garden look with dramatic lighting and a floral canopy, elaborate centerpieces, candles, fancy crockery with imperial chair skirts. Twirl around the dance floor in your princess ball gown and tiara with your prince. Decorate a tree for guests to hang notes and wishes for the couple. End the night with fireworks and hire a Cinderella carriage with a 'Happily Ever After' signage to start your new journey, because Princess, you deserve it all!

THE GREAT GATSBY

#TheGreatGatsby #TheJazzAge

Travel back in time and get inspired byold-world charm, pearls and hats for your big day.Send out black and gold invitations, choose extravagant indoor and outdoor venues that lend a vibe of the all-time favouritejazz era and string hundreds of fairy lights to create that romantic 1920's glow. Girls dressed in gowns and guys in tuxedos, curl your hair to perfection and get all the glam accessories on! Hire a vintage for your way back. This would make your Gatsby wedding a talk of all the gabbles.

INDIAN MELA

#TheGreatIndianWeddingFair #MelaDiloKa

Give your Indian wedding a twist by turning it into a grand fair. Let the gendaphool, ringing bells, umbrellas and colors cover up the entire venue. Turn it into an Instagram friendly wedding with loads of quirky props like decorated cycles and an interactive bar truck serving great cocktails. Let the traditional Indian dhol and authentic Punjabi dancers take over the floor and dance the night away in true Indian style!

MUSIC FESTIVAL

#TheTomorrowlandWedding #MusicUnitesOurWorld

For all the music lovers, let the tunes do all the talking and inspire the crowd! Organize a music festival wedding which looks no less than a mini tomorrowland! Begin with sending out lanyard wedding invites which look like entry passes and get some outré wrist bands made with the bride and groom's names engraved on them. Choose an outdoor venue with a stage and schedule boards letting your guests know what time you will be exchanging vows! Instead of a food buffet, design it the food display like food trucks with innovative menus featuring your favourite cosine and dishes. Hire your favourite music band to make it extra-special.

BOLLYWOOD THEMED WEDDING

#LightsCameraShaadi #DilWaleDulhaniyaLeJaenge

Your romantic story is no less than a Bollywood movie, get inspired by it and plan your wedding around your favourite celebrities! Start with 'Ticket to Bollywood' invites, a grand red carpet with pictures of the couple in the backdrop, a photo booth to capture all moments with Bollywood related props entrance. Special performances by family and close friends, and movie posters in every corner. Let that Bollywood diva dance to the DJ all night long!

THE COLOR COORDINATED WEDDING

#ColorsOfLove

Don't like all that jazz and hype and prefer a humble and modest wedding? Keep it simple by choosing a colour of your choice and having the entire wedding designed around that. Turn that regular décor to a combination that would define your wed lock! Peacock themed blue and green sangeet, hot pink and orange for those perfect pheras and let the reception be dominated by the color of the present, Rose Gold and glitter, or choose a simple white to do away with the glamour!

THE BEACH WEDDING

#TheBeachWedding #LoveIsAtTheBeach

An exotic venue with a surreal backdrop is every beach-bum's dream come true! A beach is your own canvas, decorate it the way you like and tie the knot at sunset for a spectualr backdrop! Design a corner offering comfortable footwear especially shoes and flip flops, special tropical drinks, hammocks and a blackboard for guests to write special messages for the couple.

THE GREEN WEDDING

#TheGreenWedding #SimplicityAndSensibility

What can be better than having a spectacular green wedding with many plants and florals all around! Send out simple invitation cards made with recycled paper or just an e-invite. Choose an outdoor venue and embellishit with pretty flowers, plant arrangements, cloth, fruits and vegetable carvings. Plan a simple menu and design a system for no food wastage.