A beach wedding in Goa is hands down my favourite type of Indian wedding! Gentle breeze, relaxed vibe and the sound of waves crashing on the shore…what more do you need? Well, not much, but there are something’s to be kept in mind while planning a beach wedding in Goa. As wedding planners that specialize in destination weddings, over the last few years, we have planned a lot of weddings in Goa and would love to share our experiences with all of you…
LOCATION
Goa is divided in to North Goa and South Goa. While North Goa is more touristy and lively, South Goa has more scenic and private beaches. Baga, Anjuna, Candolim are some of the popular beaches in North Goa. Resorts like Taj Aguada, Aguada Anchorage, Marquis Beach Resort, Taj Holiday Village, Teso Waterfront are among the popular wedding venues in North Goa. South Goa is home to many wonderful wedding venues that have spectacular beach fronts. The most popular South Goan hotels that host weddings are Kenilworth Hotels and Resorts, Lalit Goa, Leela Goa, Zuri White Sands and Casino, Holiday Inn, Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt. The capital city of Panjim also has some lovely wedding venues like Marriott Goa and Taj Exotica.
Most 4 star and 5 star hotels and resorts in Goa offer flexible indoor and outdoor function spaces, making it one of the most ideal wedding destinations in the country. You can choose between lush gardens, private beachfront lawns, or choose from some of the most beautifully appointed indoor banquets.
Find out more on Average Cost of getting married in Goa: Wedding Cost in GOA
Goa has plenty of waterfront venues, heritage venues and beach side hotels and resorts. A beach wedding need not be right on the beach but in a beautiful beach facing venue like an outdoor hotel lawn or a fort overlooking the sea. Reis Magos Fort and Taj Aguada are popular heritage venues in Goa that host weddings.
If a 4 star hotel or 5 star hotel is beyond your budget, you can consider 3 star properties like Orion.
If you wish to have your wedding right on the beach, Zeebop is a good option. It is an open restaurant with space for more than 200 guests right on the beach. Zeebop is also close to 5 star hotels like Royal Orchid and Kenilworth Goa. Some other such private shacks also conduct beach weddings.
Check the amazing wedding venues in Goa, Goa Wedding Venues.
ROOMS AND RENTALS
Okay this is an important point to remember: If you are planning a wedding in Goa, make sure you start finalising your hotel at least 6 months in advance. This is because hotels in Goa get booked very fast in the peak seasons. Moreover, they have tie ups with online bookig sites and travel agents and may not have a sufficient inventory of rooms to host all your wedding guests. This is why it is very necessary to plan well in advance and block rooms as soon as possible.
Another thing to remember is that if you are looking at a budget wedding but still want a 4/5 star venue for one or two functions, it is possible to book a venue at a 4 star or 5 star without any room bookings. But this depends on the season you are getting married in. During high season, hotels already have many weddings booked and may not entertain this idea.
In the low season, some 4 star and 5 star hotels give out their wedding venues (indoor banquets as well as outdoor lawns) for weddings without the obligation of booking any rooms at their property. In this case they charge venue rental depending on the type of venue you choose.
BEACH WEDDING RIGHT ON THE BEACH
While most hotels and resorts in Goa have an access to the beach, the beach is not a private beach of the hotel. All beaches in Goa are public property. However many hotels and resorts in Goa make arrangements for private parties at the restaurant on the beach.
TIMING IS KEY
Goa is a tropical paradise. Swaying palms, blue waters and clean beaches are at every nook and corner of this beautiful state. However it is hot and humid for most part of the year. The best season to get married in Goa is from November to mid February. At this time the weather is pleasant and suitable for an outdoor wedding. The best time for a beach ceremony is in the late afternoon, 90 minutes before sunset. This is called the magic hour by photographers because they are able to capture the best quality of light.
IMPORTANT NOTES TO CONSIDER
While many hotels like Zuri White Sands and Cidade de Goa claim to have their own beach, please note that beaches in Goa are public property and no beach in Goa is the private property of a beach shack or hotel.
There are some beaches that are more private than others, but again in general beaches are public property.
You would require a beach venue licenses for the Ceremony from the Department of Tourism, Goa.
GIVE YOUR GUESTS A HEADS UP
Make sure to inform guests in advance if you are planning a destination wedding in Goa as they will have to make necessary travel arrangements. Also make sure you RSVP as you need to book rooms accordingly.
NRI WEDDINGS IN GOA
Please note that beach weddings are not legally valid and can’t be shown as legal proof of marriage. For a legal certificate a court marriage needs to be done in the Indian Court of law.
GOOD AND BAD SIDE OF HOSTING A GOAN BEACH WEDDING
The good news is that both food and alcohol are reasonably priced in Goa. However, transportation in Goa is quite expensive and hence logistics and wedding decoration are more expensive in Goa as compared to other major cities.
We have introduced a range of 4 cost effective wedding packages that caters to every style and budget: click here
Browse through our extensive range of activities and wedding themes as we strive to make your wedding the most memorable wedding there has even been! We take care of all your wedding functions and are well known in Goa for our wedding decorations. These packages can further be customized as per your unique requirements and budget.
Our team of experienced Wedding planners will organize everything for you from booking your hotel, flights, wedding venues to booking and negotiating with all your wedding vendors. We have our own production house in Goa and assure you a stress free wedding in Goa that feels as great as it looks!
Check out our wedding services here
Hope our article on planning a beach wedding in Goa makes it easier for you to plan yours. Do share your experiences with us, we are all ears! Be back soon for yet another fabulous real wedding feature on MWP Blog!
