A Moment in Time: Royal Wedding Dreams Fulfilled At Taj, Agra

Wedding Planner Mansi Kohli visits the Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra and lets us know  why the property is ideal for weddings.

If there is one destination that celebrates love, it is the Taj Mahal, and what better than Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, with a gorgeous view of the romantic monument of love, for the dreamiest destination wedding! Last month I had the immense privilege of being invited by the luxury travel and wedding connoisseur herself, Arati Thapa of Weddingfables, to visit this iconic hotel. Undoubtedly, it has been one of the most memorable experiences as I was instantly smitten by the grace and grandeur of this stunning hotel, and the breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal.

 

Entering the historic city of Agra was an experience in itself. There is simply something in the air, which just transports you into the pages of history as you stroll through the eclectic streets. Located within a walking distance of India’s most famous monument, Taj Hotel & Convention Centre stands out from the crowd with its modern and futuristic design. Obviously, I had high expectations given it is a Taj property, but what I was not prepared for is the next level and extraordinary hospitality that the entire staff of Taj Hotel & Convention Centre offered.

 

The two-day visit to the property was planned and executed flawlessly by Taj Hotel & Convention Centre. After a warm welcome at the reception by the General Manager himself, the Taj-viewing rooms at the hotel were nothing short of soaking in the Taj style luxury experience. Brimming with earthy colours with solid wooden flooring, the rooms are airy, large and sun-kissed, finished with armchairs and ottomans and elegant drop-down lights.

 

After the quick briefing I ws promptly whisked away for a sumptuous lunch, with a specially curated menu by the chef for the event. Every single item was lip-smackingly delicious and I just could not stop myself from taking extra helpings.

The lunch was followed by the most awaited event of the day, a tour of the Taj Mahal and a fun trip to Sadar Bazar, where we gorged on delectable street foods and shopped till, we dropped. Back at the hotel we were escorted to the Tea Lounge for a relaxing cuppa. Later we were served a sumptuous six-course Indian dinner at their regal Daawat-E-Nawab. From the biryani to sahi kebab and polishing off the meal with kulfi, the menu at Daawat-E-Nawab are actually dream flavours for any wedding menu. Calling it a sumptuous meal for the soul wouldn’t be an exaggeration. The interiors and performances of jaltarang were perfect for traditional photoshoot and the meal was simply out of the world! Dinner ended on a sweet note with the famous Agra pedas and paan kulfi. Stuffed like holiday turkey, I couldn’t wait to hit the bed!

Next morning, we started our day with another famous traditional Agra breakfast, bedmi poori and aloo bhaji, along with a fine spread of breakfast buffet at their fine dining restaurant, Palato. The décor of this all-day dining restaurant was chic, modern and stylish. The tables by the water were my favourite. What impressed me was how much care Taj Hotel & Convention Centre put into ensuring that everyone’s dietary choices and restrictions were taken into consideration.

After the hearty breakfast the next thing on our itinerary was an incredibly detailed and interesting guided tour of the Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort, followed by scrumptious Mughlai lunch! However, my highlight of the day was poolside cocktails at Infini-The Sky Lounge.

(It was here that the beautiful fashion designer Nandita Mahtani was proposed by actor and martial artist Vidyu Jmmwal.) It was, by far, my favourite part of the hotel as the Taj Mahal looked resplendent in the lights of the evening. As the moonlight hit the white marble, the majestic monument transformed into something straight out of fairy tale. This view is a rare privilege that I had thanks to my invitation to the Taj Hotel & Convention Centre. I could sit by the pool all night long, sipping cocktails and soaking in the splendour of the view.

 

A surprise and fun end to the day came in the form of sundowner party with mehendi and cocktails. My insight as a wedding planner is that The Taj Hotel & Convention Centre is an incredibly romantic venue with the Taj Mahal serving as the most romantic backdrop on can dream of! Spread over an area of 4.5 acres, the hotel has 239 rooms, which can host 430+ guests, a wedding party of 700+ and its multi-cuisine kitchens can whip up the most delicious buffet imaginable. With such space, view and wide range of food options, the Taj Hotel & Convention Centre is the perfect choice for a destination wedding.

 

In the end, I would like to say that bidding adieu to Taj Hotel and Convention Centre, Agra was a bittersweet memory as ending are tough especially when one has just delved into the exceptional

hospitality. Farewell Taj– until we meetagain, super soon!