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Article Sponsored By Rangeela
Arts, Exclusive Mandaps & Decorwww.rangeela-arts.com
Contact them on 020 7409 1974 or email them at
info@rangeela-arts.com Evaluating
Service Providers
The chances are that there will be quite a few
companies whose mandaps appeal to you, so the real
differentials will be their efficiency, level of service
and of course the price.
The companies that come across as the most flexible
and willing to go the extra mile to explain things to
you, help plan your wedding day, put attention to
detail, elicit your ideas, offer you fresh and
innovative design concepts and get to know you as a
couple are the ones who will put a smile on your face
on the big day
Its always an idea to request a viewing of your
shortlisted mandaps on video/DVD so that you can
appreciate them from all angles. Many mandap companies
will also happily invite you to a venue where the
mandap has been set up for a wedding so that you can
view it in all it's grandeur.
Discuss your wedding requirements in depth with each
company you are evaluating, with regards to creating a
wedding theme as well as how you would like to
customize your mandap with flowers, drapes, lighting,
carpets, foliage, seating etc and find out exactly
what you will be getting for your money. (Remember to
check whether prices include or exclude VAT.) All your
requirements should be discussed and fully quoted in
writing, so that you can compare like for like across
various companies and you are not unpleasant surprised
with charges for "hidden extras".
A complete mandap package should include the mandap
of your choice, havan kund (container for the fire),
lighting, mandap carpet and aisle carpet, mandap
entrance, valance (if you are having the mandap set up
on a stage), mandap backdrops, chairs, kanyadan
asania, four choris, bajots and patlas.
You may also like to discuss charges for foyer
displays, aisleway displays, head table décor,
garlands, bridal flowers, button holes, table flowers,
table decorations, linen and cutlery hire, food huts
and décor for your other wedding functions,
including mehndi, sangeet and wedding reception. The
longer your wish list, the higher will be the cost,
but you should be able to request a discount if decor
is being provided for more than one function.
Price Range
Mandap packages can range in price from 950 for
the most basic requirement to a whopping 3000 depending
on the materials used and work involved in the mandap
and the accessories and extras you choose to enhance
your wedding theme. As a general rule of thumb the more
fresh flowers your mandap and decor requires and the
more manpower needed to set things up (i.e. for double
and triple mandaps) the higher will be the cost.
Whilst its worth shopping around and bargaining,
companies providing unique designs and excellent
service do get booked up quickly, so it's worth
remembering that you by and large get what you pay
for. Once you have decided on the company to whom you
will entrust your wedding decor, request them to draw
up a sales contract stating all your requirements to
the last letter and quoting an exact price with the
amount of deposit they require to secure the order.
Don't forget to get a receipt for your deposit in case
any unfortunate disputes occur down the line.
Practicalities To
Consider
Your mandap should compliment the venue you have chosen
and the height of the venue is an important
consideration. Will the mandap be sitting on the floor
or on a stage? If on a stage will it overpower the venue
and will there be enough space for it to fit? Most
mandaps are at least eight feet tall. Pre-inspection of
the wedding venue is a must before finalizing the height
and location of the mandap. Although you may have many
ideas, the logistics of a venue can often change the
concept you had in mind. Previewing a mandap at your
chosen venue will help you decide how best to arrange
things.
Other practicalities that need to be looked into in
advance include the proximity of the car park to the
venue entrance, availability of double doors to bring
equipment in, and lifts if the wedding hall is on
first floor. This helps estimate the time it will take
to set up the mandap. Its best to inspect and discuss
practicalities with the venue and mandap company prior
to the event to reduce set up time as much as
possible. This is especially true if its the first
time that your mandap company are working in your
chosen venue
On arrival at a venue it normally takes a mandap
company between one and a half to two hours to
completely set a mandap, foyer display and table
arrangements, so you should ensure that you have
booked the hall in advance to cover this. However if
clients require fresh flowers on the mandap this can
add a couple of hours to the set up.
With the popularity of summer weddings, mandaps are
also being used outdoors, though obviously given the
British weather you need to have a contingency plan
for the mandap to be moved indoors in case of bad
weather. If you would like photos of deceased
relatives or your guru or family deity to be installed
in the mandap, or are supplying any of the decor
yourself, deliver this to the mandap company
beforehand, with a signed inventory of what you have
dropped off. Lastly, make sure your mandap company and
you agree on a full and accurate checklist of what
they should be bringing to set up on the day of the
wedding and get a close friend or relative to ensure
that everything is in order and has been fulfilled to
your satisfaction.
Health & Safety
Another very important factor to consider is health
and safety. Mandaps contain enough flammable material
to make guy fawkes have a field day, so preventative
measures must be taken to avoid fire hazards. Your
mandap company should provide assurance that all the
materials used have been sprayed with a flame
retardant spray. The fire can be small and confined to
a brazier or dish for safety and there should be a
clear pathway to remove the fire from the hall once
the ceremony has finished. Fire blankets must be
provided as a matter of procedure, all lighting and
electrical equipment must be checked before every
event and the mandap company must confirm that they
hold public liability insurance.
Conclusion…
Your married life starts underneath the sanctified
roof of the mandap. That's reason enough to choose one
that is stunningly beautiful and speaks volumes about
your taste and style as a couple. Creativity combined
with practicality will ensure that you take your
wedding vows under the mandap of your dreams.
Article Sponsored By Rangeela Arts, Exclusive
Mandaps & Decor ~ www.rangeela-arts.com
Contact them on 020 7409 1974 or email them at
info@rangeela-arts.com
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