Kathmandu:

Getting married is perhaps the most important decision that you will make in your life. However, just getting married is not the end of the story — the grand story is only just beginning.

From the moment you say yes till the time the last guest leaves the reception, it is requires planning, planning and more planning.

Planning it right

Right from fixing the dates to greeting the guest at the end of the reception, each and every member of the family wants to make the wedding special. For the parents, it is a major concern that it goes smoothly. There are thousands and thousands of choices to be made. From the choice of the banquet hall to the guest list, from the bride’s saree to the groom’s shoes — everything needs to be taken care of, every detail thought of.

Wedding extravaganza

So as soon as the preparation for a wedding starts, it is basically running around to find the right shop and the perfect service provider. And for all those who have decided to tie knot this season, things might get a bit less tiresome. A special ‘Wedding and Gift Expo 2007’ is being organised from April 12-16 at the Direct Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) at United World Trade Centre, located at Tripureshwore.

Under one roof

This is the first expo in Nepal that is exclusively dedicated to wedding. One can find anything and everything related to a wedding here — from mehendi to mandap, make-up to curds...

A total of 64 stalls will be put up covering everything needed to make a wedding special. The stalls will provide the necessary information regarding their service and products. You will be able to avail of the expert advice from those who are the best at their business. As it is being organised under one roof, you will be saved from running around from one end of the city to another in search of the right item.

Variety of choices

From mandaps made of bamboos to intricate mehendi designs — you name it and the Expo has it all.

At the stalls put up by Vastu ‘N Astrology and Astro-Vastu Consultancy, you can get your natal chart made as well as get the right information regarding the structuring of your house. They will even provide the required solution to get the dosh nivaran.

A bride’s day out

A bride is expected to look her best on her wedding day. The Expo has made sure she does not have any excuse to look drab and daudy.

Wedding Couture, Rewa’s Collection, Gem House, Taleju Jewellers, Shubhabivah, Vastra/Femilines, among others are putting up stalls to cater to the brides’ whims and fancies. Beauty salons like Neel David Hair and Beauty Parlour, Binu’s Cindrella Beauty Parlour, Shape-up Chinese Slimming Salon are ready to give you valuable inputs on how to look worth a million rupees on this day. There will be demonstrations on bridal make-up and hairstyling along with grooming tips. This is also meant for the grooms.

Though not a Nepali tradition, the intricate mehendi designs have managed to capture our hearts and palms. So, at the Mumbai Mehendi Training Centre stall you can get lovely designs on your palms and even get registered for a 15-day mehendi course. The stall includes a variety of designs like Arabic, Gold, Silver and of course, the Bridal Special.

Capturing moments

The most important day of your life, and you would definitely want it to be burnt in your memory forever. And what better way to capture those moments in film. The Expo will give you a choice from different colour labs to get your wedding photos developed. And Photo Concern has set up a studio on the wedding theme where you can go and strike a perfect pose for a memento with your fiancée. The treat does not end here — a special photo exhibition including photos of weddings of famous personalities will also be held. The exhibition will include some rare photographs of yesteryears.

Starting a new life

Wedding is the beginning of a completely new chapter of your life. Many couples settle into a new house or a flat. For a girl, decorating a new place that she is going to share with her husband for the rest of their life is very special. To make the job of creating cosy home easier, the Expo also includes stalls from Akarshan Interiors, Space Interiors, Thong na-ga-wa, among others. You can not only know how to utilise the space, but can also find the right piece of furniture to go with the decor.

Honeymoon travels

Wedding is the starting of a lifelong relationship between two people, but these two people are hardly left alone throughout the ceremony. A honeymoon is the best way to know each other better. Stalls by The Fulbari Resort and Spa, Lalit Mandap Travels and Tours will provide all the detailed information about the places to visit, and also the other necessary arrangements.

This four-day Wedding and Gift Expo 2007 can be very useful even for wedding planners and others in this business as it is a good opportunity for them to build strong business networks.

So if you are planning a wedding this season, you know where to head to.

Where and when

Wedding and Gift Expo 2007

Date: April 12-16

Venue: Direct Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC),

United World Trade Centre, Tripureshwore

Entry fee: Rs 50

Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm