Udaipur, the "City of Lakes", is known for its exquisitely original
palaces and historic venues of The City Palace Complex.. Exotique Expeditions
is offering authentic Heritage Palace Hotels and historical venues for memorable
once-in-a-lifetime "Royal Weddings". A wedding where a traditional
welcome and red carpet is laid out for you, your family and your guests who’ll
be treated as royalty.
A SUITABLE WEDDING
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome Ceremonies
A
Grand welcome is accorded at the airport with a band and welcome drinks. Smooth
check-in for all guests, baggage tags for luggage are ready prior to arrival.
A royal welcome is organized at the hotels: shehnai players create the royal
wedding mood.
Each guest is individually escorted to their well-appointed room, by our hospitality
staff and briefed on the heritage of the rooms and the various facilities
offered. An activity brochure of the Royal Wedding informs about the details
of events. A separate hospitality desk is set up at the reception for the
wedding function to assist the guests within the hotel premises and to sight-see
around the historic city.
Lunch for all guests is organized at the Shiv Niwas Palace courtyard. Activities
within the City Palace Complex include oat cruise in the Lake Pichola, visits
to the City Palace Museum and the Crystal Gallery. The Vintage and Classic
Car Collection is another attraction.
INDIAN MEHNDI NIGHT AT THE ZENANA MAHAL
As the evening approaches, the guests prepare for the mehndi night and the
excitement grows. Rangoli with flowers is done at the entrance of the Zenana
Mahal, fairy lights are thrown over shrubs and mashaals are lit up Artists
perform the welcome dance of Bhavai. A well stocked bar lifts the spirits
and snacks are served. As the evening progresses, the tempo of dance and music
increases and the guests join in, to enjoy and celebrate. The chefs give a
final touch to the piping hot buffetwith all its accompaniments in order.
Dinner is announced at the appointed hour. After dinner return to your hotels.
Day 2: Evening at the Hunting Lodge
After
the previous night’s excitement, it is another day of leisure and relaxation.
Lunch is served at the Durbar Hall, venue to many formals durbars and state
banquet.
Shikarbadi Hotel, plays host for this evening. Shikarbadi was the hunting
lodge of the royal family and is today a tranquil royal retreat for you and
your guests. The Risala at Shikarbadi brings alive the hustle-bustle of village
bazaar activity, a special theme for the evening. Craftsmen and potters, blacksmiths
and sword makers, puppeteers and painters, palmists and astrologers will all
be there to hold your attention. The rustic ambience is heightened with lanterns,
haystacks and huts. The aroma of Rajasthani food fills the air and guests
can relish the buffet or sit-down dinner.
DINNER AT SUNSET VIEW TERRACE
Or you can choose to dine at the Sunset View Terrace. The Sunset View Terrace
is a part of the Fateh Prakash Palace, it overlooks the Lake Pichola and the
magical Aravali mountains. The backdrop of the majestic City Palace Complex
rising over the Lake creates a fairy-tale setting for a pre-wedding ceremonial
dinner.
Day 3: The Wedding Evening
The
day is at leisure. Lunch is organized either at the Shiv Niwas Palace lawns
or at the Promenade.
The morning is filled with momentous evening is filled with preparations for
the "Royal Wedding" in Udaipur. In the early evening gentlemen gather
in the Durbar Hall for tying safas (Traditional Indian Headgear of long tie-and-dye
scarves). The ladies also dress themselves in the traditional attire or designer-wear.
All guests then meet at the Shiv Pole at Shiv Niwas Palace or the Fateh Pole
at the Fateh Prakash Palace, where a welcome drink is served. A Royal procession
begins to form and the excitement grows. The procession comprises of girls
dressed in Rajasthani attire sprinkling rose petals and attar (rose water)
in the front, followed by Dhol/Nagada (Traditional drums used for all auspicious
occasions).
The guests follow a magnificently decorated horse bearing the bridegroom,
while liveried men with lances line up the entire route with mashaals in their
hands. The procession heads towards the boat-jetty at the promenade where
the Palace band welcomes; the guests are ushered into decorated boats to be
ferried across the Lake to Jagmandir, the island-palace on Lake Pichola.
THE ROYAL WEDDING
At Jagmandir, a traditional welcome is organized with a shower of rose buds
and flowers. A welcome drink is served. The island-palace is gloriously decorated.
Lit by lanterns, mashaals and fairy lights adding a bewitching aura of festivity.
The ‘Darikhana’, a colonnaded pavilion, is flower-decked for the wedding
ritual with traditional floor seating. While the priests conduct the wedding
rituals, the guests can begin celebrating with champagne toasts. The wedding
cake is cut and the dancing begins, amidst ovation from all present. The couple
can take to the floor for the first dance, joined by guests and relatives thereafter.
A spectacular fireworks display from the lakeside begins…….and the
buffet is laid out for the auspicious evening. The festivities go on till late
in the night……..boats are made available through the night for the
return to your hotels.
Day 4: Departure
The
departure is organized with car/coaches transfers to the airport and the fond
memories of the Royal Wedding will linger on for a long time.
Venues - JAGMANDI : A unique setting
Jagmandir, an island-palace on Lake Pichola was built by Maharana Karan Singh
in the early 1600’s Maharana Jagat Singh (1628-52) completed its magnificent
construction and lent its name to Jagmandir.
DURBAR HALL: A glorious venue
The Durbar Hall at the Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur, has hosted state banquets
and court celebrations, formal durbars, and royal weddings ever since it was
built in the 1910’s. It is resplendent with opulent crystal chandeliers
and velvet canopies, original portraits of the Maharanas of Mewar and a splendid
display of armory. From the gallieries that surround the Durbar Hall, one gets
a magnificent view of Lake Pichola, Jagmandir, Lake Palace and the Sajjangarh
Palace. The Durbar Hall is a glorious venue for indoor banquets. Multi cuisine
buffets or sit-down dinners can best be organized here to complement a royal
wedding in Udaipur. The first flooe gallery of the Durbar Hall houses the famous
Crystal Gallery, probably the largest single private collection anywhere in
the world.
ZENANA
MAHAL: For candle-lit banquets
The former palace of the royal ladies is now gloriously transformed to host
candle-lit banquets and ‘sangeet’ ceremonies during a Royal Wedding
in Udaipur. The Zenana Mahal, an integral part of the City Plaace complex,
was built in the early 1600’s and has witnessed innumerable royal weddings.
The huge courtyard, with its lush green trees, fountains and flower decked
canopies have witnessed the fun and frolic associated with Royal Weddings.
MANEK CHOWK: A Grand Affair
The beautifully landscaped Manek Chowk, in front of the City Palace, Udaipur,
has been the traditional venue for royal festivities since the early 1600’s.
Till date, the royal occasions, religious festivals and award functions are
held here. Manek Chowk provides the ideal venue for grand sit-down banquets,
with multi-course meals being served by liveried staff. The decorative lights,
the mashaals, the backdrop of the façade of the City Palace makes for
a memorable evening at Manek Chowk.
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