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The last few years have witnessed several changes in the design and style of mandaps. But the basic religious and cultural sanctity attached to them by Hindus remains the same: Mandaps are also becoming popular amongst those of other religions such as Sikhs & Muslims, obviously more for aesthetic effect than religious significance - but nonetheless they go a long way to enhancing the wedding décor and provide a scenic focus for the couple to take their vows. Selecting a mandap has always been an important decision in planning a Hindu wedding, but in recent times, couples have been taking the selection process a stage further. Gone are the days when the mandap was an "off the shelf element" of the wedding décor. 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. For more fantastic advice and inspirations on Mandaps , log on to Your Dream Shaadi,UK’s Premier Online Asian Wedding Directory.
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