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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". |
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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. |
