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August 2008 |
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MGM Grand hosts wedding party of 700 from India |
Some 500 guests and a service staff of around 200 arrived in Macau from overseas, with most of them coming via specially chartered flights from Mumbai, to attend a lavish wedding held from July 7 to 11 at the MGM Grand.
The traditional Hindu Marwari wedding was presided over by hosts Mr. and Mrs. Yogesh Karia and Mr. and Mrs. Suniel Mutha, parents of Sidaarrth Mutha, the groom, and Niyati Karia the bride. The gala event was highlighted by lavish entertainment and performances by Bollywood celebrities. Distinguished guests included government officials and prominent members of the Indian business community.
Long before preparations for the gala wedding were underway, the parents of the bride and groom approached MGTO's Macau Business Tourism Center for support and assistance. MBTC helped to coordinate and also arranged musical performances and a colorful traditional Chinese lion dance. Recently, more and more event planners are calling upon the professional skills available through MBTC to arrange impressive events like this one, and this is one more way that the Center contributes to the growth and success of Macau's MICE industry.
A team of professional planners, decorators and chefs worked for months in India and in Macau to prepare for the festivities, and had authentic Indian materials and foods shipped in advance. On the day of the wedding ceremony, an elaborate procession of bride and groom, led by drummers and musicians, started from the main entrance of the hotel, and even included a richly groomed and ceremonially outfitted horse for the occasion. They wended their way through the lobby and into the wedding hall, which had been furnished with a special platform and elaborate decorations, including many works of art. Even the brocade coverings for the guest's seating were imported from India.
For the celebrations, Mr. Mutha said, "we have kept every tradition and every ritual that we would have had in India," and expressed his gratitude to MGTO for the support they provided in coordinating details. He estimated the cost of the wedding was in the "millions of US dollars." In addition to entertainment at the MGM Grand during all four days, including high tea around the swimming pool, the guests were also entertained at Macau Tower, and were able to take in the sights of the city while they were here.
Mr. Karia said he chose the MGM Grand hotel resort in Macau because he had been visiting Macau on business recently and had decided at that time that this would be the perfect venue for the couple's wedding. Until now, Indian weddings of this scale had not been held here, but he said that he had been impressed by the hotel's ambience and the helpfulness of its staff.
MGM Grand Director of Sales Irene Wong was actively involved behind the scenes. "I think it's a very good experience to bring this kind of event to Macau," she said, adding, "We hope to do more. It's a beautiful experience." |
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Note: All information is correct at the time of printing.
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