WEDDING CELEBRATIONS DURING a PANDEMIC

Virtual Weddings during a pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted so many lives and plans that we had for 2020. People who had planned their weddings in advance were suddenly hit with the reality that it would be cancelled. Or at least that’s what they thought. Covid-19 may have ruined all of our Goa plans but one thing that definitely thrived during this on-going pandemic are online conferencing platforms. We suddenly saw the rise in web conferencing platforms such as Google meet, Zoom among others. These platforms provide us with a virtual solution for our physical social problem. wedding celebrations during a pandemic you ask? How can one organize such a grand event online? well we got you covered on what procedures you should follow in order to have an amazing virtual wedding in Goa.

Choosing an online platform for your virtual wedding celebrations during a pandemic

A virtual wedding platform is the real life equivalent of choosing a venue for your wedding. Choosing which platform you’re going to organize your virtual wedding on is very crucial. This must be decided well in advance. Each platform has their own pros and cons and must be discussed well in advance. The last thing you want for your virtual wedding is a platform that squeezes the life out of your internet connection. What you should look for is a platform with a very minimalist interface. Which is lite on your internet connection and won’t glitch out halfway through the virtual wedding ceremony. This brings us to an all important point of choosing a decent internet plan for your virtual wedding. In order to choose a proper internet plan you have to first consider the length of your ceremony. Given this data you can choose the appropriate internet plan for your wedding celebrations during a pandemic.

Don’t forget those wedding invites

Inviting your family and friends for your wedding hasn’t changed whether you’re having a virtual or an offline wedding. Online or e-invites existed even before the pandemic. Now with the new covid-19 guidelines put out by the government which is in the benefit of the public we must adhere to them. Hence E-invites are absolutely a must as compared to sending invites through post or in person. According to early research of the Covid-19 virus, paper and other surfaces are likely to hold the virus for 9-12 days. Hence we must forget about sending invites in-person or through post and consider doing an E-invite. Besides it will cut costs of printing, packing, and posting.

Keeping your wedding celebration steady

After arranging your virtual platform, your internet connection and sending out those invites, the last thing you want is a shaky phone and a poorly lit wedding ceremony. You must also make sure you arrange your setup with sturdy tripods, soft lights and a little decoration. This usually goes unnoticed and your friends and family wouldn’t want to make you feel bad on your big day. So they most likely won’t point out a shaky camera or a harsh shadow, but these are the small things you can take care of that will enhance your virtual wedding. Another cool accessory you can invest in is a clip on wide angle lens. These lenses are usually inexpensive and can be of tremendous use. But taking all of this into consideration you still need someone to capture the smiles on your big day. This gets us to the next part of the blog.

Capturing the precious moments

Saving pictures of your big day so you can cherish them later on in life is something that goes without saying but how does one take snap shots of wedding celebrations during a pandemic? One way of doing this is by having someone tech savvy who can take screen grabs of the virtual ceremony. Having a screen recording software record everything in the background as it happens is also a cost effective method. You can go one step ahead and set up a cute little photo booth along with a DSLR mounted on a tripod.

FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES for wedding celebrations during a pandemic

This cannot be stressed on enough, Covid-19 is not a myth, it has claimed millions of lives and you should be grateful if it hasn’t affected you or your family and although a wedding ceremony either online or offline is something worth a grand celebration we have to strictly maintain social distancing, sanitize regularly, wash our hands effectively and at all times in the company of others WEAR A MASK!!

For bookings contact www.xorooms.com .

                                                     Post by: Sherwyn Couto

CREATIVE GOAN WEDDING THEMES

A wedding theme sets a picture of what the wedding will look like. It gives an idea of the tone and setting of that particular wedding. Goan wedding themes can range from various kinds, starting from Tropical, to a chilly December theme. It is important to choose the wedding theme well in advance since everything that has to do with the wedding will revolve around that particular idea or theme. Hence an event manager has to be creative in deciding one of the best Goan wedding themes.

Here are 5 different creative Goan wedding themes that will make your wedding stand out from the rest.

The Rustic Theme

When you think of the word rustic, the word, or thought, of wood immediately comes to mind. This is exactly where I’m getting at. Everything about this theme describes wood, it gives a sense of rustic feeling. This Goan wedding theme isn’t usually considered so for all you know you could be the first to consider it! This look can be brilliantly well put if the right factors are chosen to compliment the theme. Factors like lace, twine, mason jars with lace dressing, white candles, warm lights and twine makes the perfect combination to compete this theme. The location that will ideally suit this theme would preferably be on a barn. The hay will give the entire set up a flawless look and will also give off a homey vibe. You can also combine the look with peach or white roses.

The Christmas theme

This one is quite self-explanatory and it is obvious that the wedding can opt for this theme preferably in the month of December to go hand in hand with the vibe of said month. This Goan wedding theme The cold chilly winds of December sets a tone for itself and it makes you just wanna celebrate any kind of occasion. The colors for the theme are usually red, green, white, gold and silver. The said colors gives the whole look a slightly royal, but formal appearance and it blends in with the weather. The décor for this theme is completely focused on Christmas related appearances. Like the Christmas tree, ornaments, winter cocktails or the best and most preferred eggnog.

The Traditional theme

This theme is most recognised theme all around the world and it has a formal edge to it. It is more pompous and bright. The décor used for this theme are usually flowers, white curtains, complete table setting with wine glasses, posh eating, a well set up buffet, an exquisitely decorated cake with ornamented flowers and even chandeliers. This theme is aesthetically pleasing to see. Like I said this theme calls for those people who have a very or highly formal taste and don’t really mind the costs. Over all it is one of the best themes to go for if you’re into the formal taste.

The Simple theme

This theme is for those who aren’t really into classy and posh themed weddings, but for those who wish to keep their wedding as simple as possible, well, not too simple but decent enough to please the eyes. It consists of the basic décor that will make up for a good set up depending on the colours chosen by the client. Tables set up with flowers that will match the colours of the theme and curtains along with either a one man band or a band. The buffet is usually neatly set up as per the cuisine preferred by the client along with dessert.

The Tropical theme

Plants and flowers and again a lot of green should do the trick for this one. The vibrant and vivid look will bring out an amazon feeling to the theme giving it a fresh tropical look. The colors of the different flowers and palm trees will make the entire set up breezy and eventful. The snacks and drinks for the occasion can be focused on fruit based items and can also be for clients who are veg or vegans. This theme is exceptionally pleasing to the mind and will literally keep the people in a tropical state on mind.

So if you’re planning a wedding and aren’t in the position to choose the right theme, feel free to refer to this blog to have a clearer vision of what suits your taste and preference. For further details contact www.xorooms.com

POST BY: NEONA HEREDIA

Small and Intimate Weddings In Goa

Small and Intimate Weddings in Goa is the New Normal. This is because, with recent events like the ongoing pandemic, it is hard to meet the requirements of anything. So don’t get me started with weddings and other celebrations that were supposed to happen this year. However, like any other problems we humans always manage to find ways in dealing with stuff some way or the other.

Small and intimate weddings in Goa are planned and organized as per the requirements and protocols provided by the government. We are so used to celebrating or attending huge and crowded weddings of our near and dear ones. Sometimes we even attend weddings as uninvited guests. In this busy world before Covid -19, weddings in Goa used to help connect people and bring them together. Everything will change to small and intimate weddings in Goa as the situation demands the same for everyone to stay safe post Covid -19

Important Central Government Guidelines for Small And Intimate Weddings in Goa

Maximum people allowed for a Wedding is 50 in total.

This basically means that the guest list should be short and brief and must only contain names of the close and dear friends and family. This will help in meeting the needs of the guidelines and ensuring safety. Therefore, the clients ought to make sure that they do not exceed the number of people specified by the government.

Wearing a face mask is compulsory at all times, for all present at the small and intimate weddings in Goa (including the bride and groom)

This is one of the most obvious protocols to follow during these difficult times. By doing so, you’re not only looking out for yourself but for the health of your loved ones and friends as well. Wedding planners ought to make this a priority, in order to ensure safety.

Personal vehicles of the family or friends can be used for transportation purpose for the wedding.

Instead of making arrangements for transports from a travel company, it would be best if the family and friends could reach out and lend a helping hand to the soon to be married couple in providing a ride to those in need. This will avoid risks of the virus being spread from a person who isn’t family or a friend.

Guest staying in Containment Zones should not be in the guest-list for small and intimate weddings in Goa

This is quite self –explanatory. No one in their right mind would wan to add a person who is being contained to the guest list. This is to avoid the spread of the virus and for the well-being of the others and to avoid any risks as well.

Weddings or social gatherings should not to be hosted in Containment zones.

This one as well is quite self- explanatory. Just like the point stated above, in order to avoid any risks of anyone getting tested positive, an event planner ought to avoid planning a particular marriage in the said zones.

Sanitizers or hand-wash must be present at the venue for small and intimate weddings in Goa

As the protocol states, it is necessary to ensure that basic sanitization is provided and maintained at the wedding venue to ensure safety and a germ free environment to a great extent.

It is mandatory for all the guests to download the Arogya Setu app.

The Government of India developed this app to ensure the safety and well-being of the people. It provides basic information on health and safety for the people so as to curb the infection as much as possible. This is a step taken by the government of India to help the people.

In conclusion, these are the basic guidelines that the central government has curated to ensure the safety of the people while allowing life and celebrations like small and intimate weddings in Goa to meander its way into the “new normal.” Keeping this in mind clients and event planners has to find ways in organizing and making their clients wedding a memorable one while following the protocols.

For further details call on 9823472999 or email on xo@xorooms.com .

post by – NEONA HEREDIA

Grand Hyatt Goa – Covid Safe Resort

Why do we say that Grand Hyatt Goa is a Covid Safe Resort ?
Grand Hyatt Goa has 313 rooms and is overlooking the beautiful Bambolim Bay. Most importantly, Grand Hyatt is spread across 28 acres of tropical gardens. The abundant space and location provides for a smooth covid assessment procedure Situated in Bambolim and located just 7 kms from the capital city of Panaji and 25 kms from the Dabolim Airport. Grand Hyatt Goa is using Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment. This helps in protecting the guests and staff in staying safe. Grand Hyatt Goa is working towards having a Covid Safe Resort which follows all the sanitation and hygiene protocols.

The goal and areas which the resort is concentrating at present :

Health & Hygiene
Colleague Safety
Food & Beverage Safety
Travel Journey
Space Design
Contactless Technology
Wellbeing of everyone at the resort

In addition, the well structured and spread out design of the resort helps in planning events and activities that you prefer. Likewise the resort has Goa’s largest and most sophisticated luxury conference and wedding venue. The 3500 sq m area and prime location provides for a hassle free experience regardless. The following are the different functions you can have with appropriate social distancing protocols;

Weddings.
Meetings and luxury conferences.
Catering.
Dealer Meets

The next time you are planning for any of the above activities do write to us because we are based in Goa, and we will help you wherever possible.
Our email id is xo@xorooms.com .

5 Star Honeymoon Resort Goa

XoRooms.com recommends Taj Holiday Village Resort and Spa. Goa has a Honeymoon Resort a lovely experience for newly wedded couples, anniversaries, birthdays and also for weddings. This luxurious resort is located adjacent to the beautiful Sinquerim beach in north Goa.

In this current ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the honeymoon resort Goa follows the measures below for the safety of the guests :

Training at the resort to sensitize associates according to the guidelines prescribed by the Government of India for COVID 19 and other diseases accordingly.
The resort records body temperatures of all guests, associates and vendors while using non-invasive laser thermometers.
Repeated surface cleaning and sensitization of all areas, similarly increased access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers at prominent locations.
They will also start following contact less check inns and checkouts.

Even during the pandemic, couples who were staying at the resort, have posted their reviews of how well they were treated and kept safe.

Some Romantic Amenities at the Taj Holiday Village, Honeymoon Resort Goa :

Stunning beach views.
Cozy Bathtubs and showers.
Private dinning setups.
Couple Spa, massages and treatments.

Rooms at the the Taj Holiday Village, Honeymoon Resort Goa :

Superior Charm Cottages with Balcony are located on the first floor of a cottage structure in addition to a balcony and garden view.

Superior Charm Cottages with Sit Out are garden facing, ground level rooms with lush lawn sit outs.

Premium Indulgence Cottages – Sea View are sea-facing rooms, situated in blocks of two, with a balcony and a lawn sit out.

Deluxe Allure Villas – Garden View are luxurious stand-alone garden villas with a bedroom and a living room, a private lawn and garden furniture with parasols.

Premium Temptation Villas – Sea View are luxurious stand-alone, sea-facing villas. They have a bedroom and a living room, a private lawn and garden furniture with parasols.

The Luxury Bliss Villa – Sunset View is an incredible sunset view villa that stands alone, facing the sea.

If you need anymore information on the above honeymoon resort in Goa, feel free to drop an email on xo@xorooms.com

Introducing 9 Covid Safe Honeymoon Resorts in Goa

Soon after the lock down was announced due to Covid pandemic, the Resorts in Goa had to shut their operations. Life came to a standstill and all the owners of the resorts in Goa had only one thing in their mind. That is they should be Covid Safe Honeymoon Resorts Goa . Nevertheless, months have passed and most of the resorts in Goa have taken advantage of the situation. They have worked hard so that honeymooners travelling to Goa can choose their covid free resort in Goa blindly.

Below are 9 Covid Safe Honeymoon Resorts Goa :

Taj Holiday Village Resort and Spa, Goa : This resort is a 5 Star Resort in North Goa on the beach and ideal Covid Free Honeymoon Resorts Goa
Grand Hyatt, Goa : Another 5 Star Resort located in central Goa and having a very large inventory of rooms.
Planet Hollywood Resort, Goa : A 5 Star resort located in South Goa and on the beach.
Acron Waterfront Resort, Goa : The Resort is located in Baga, North Goa. The resort is located away from the crowd and noise.
Azaya Beach Resort, Goa : A new 4 Star resort located in Benaulim, South Goa.
Whispering Palms Resort, Goa : This Resort is located in North Goa and a minute walk to the Candolim beach.
Wildernest Nature Resort, Goa : A nature and eco friendly resort located on the Chorla Ghats
Mayfair Hideaway Spa Resort, Goa : A luxury boutique resort situated in South Goa at Betul.
Rock Valley Resort, Goa : Located in Ponda, North Goa.

Reasons why we Recommend :

They are having high levels of sanitation and hygiene with regards to rooms and food.
Free cancellation policy- so that one does not need to think twice while confirming a booking in Goa.
Free private pick and drop facility.
We are Based in Goa and care for our customers from the point of booking till departure.
Best rate guaranteed.

So the day you think of planning for your honeymoon….Think about Goa and let XoRooms.com do the planning. For details feel free to email us on xo@xorooms.com or call on 9823472999 !!

Wedding in Goa

Planning your Wedding in Goa, India’s topmost destination for destination weddings ?

Are you planning Wedding in Goa. Xorooms.com is Goa’s premier company specializing in Couples Vacation to Goa. One of the Specialization of XoRooms is Weddings .

Goa is one of the top destinations in India for Weddings and also Destination Weddings. At the Xorooms we have a office in Panjim, Goa and team dedicated to ensuring very wedding is truly a dream come true.

Each wedding that we are honored to be part of has its own magic, which is something we strive to capture when handling the weddings in Goa. The most important part of wedding planning is ensuring it is a day that celebrates your love in the way that best reflects you. Drawing from our experiences, we have though very carefully about what it means to truly definte what your wedding style is as a couple and find perfect ways to personalize your nuptials in a location that will make you fall in love with each other all over again !

We offer various option like :

Luxury Hotels
Villa Complexes
Nature Resorts
Beach Resorts
Even option of hiring private Yachts

From venue to florals to photography to car hire . You can count on us to cater all your needs. We have team of over 10 members in our Goa office team who will ensure very moment of your day is made special for you and you focus on what matters to you most which is your partner and family.

We at the xorooms.com promise you that your wedding day will be a magical way to start the rest of your life together.

Babymoon in Goa

Before baby arrives, treat yourself to a babymoon vacation to Goa.

Babymoon in Goa……Looking for some pampering and relaxation before midnight feedings and sleep deprivation become the norm? A pre-baby vacation is the perfect answer!

Babymoons is designed for optimum pampering and luxury for couples when they are in Goa. These “last hurrah” trips for parents-to-be provide the perfect setting to relax and reconnect as a couple before entering (or re-entering) parenthood.

Pre-baby vacations are one of the hottest trends in travel today, and with good reason. Moms and dads-to-be know that luxury vacations without sippy cups and bibs may be out of reach for a while, so they’re seizing the opportunity for one last romantic getaway.

Couples with baby on the way need to bond. Sometimes the journey of having a baby could be stressful both on body and mind and could distance the couple . Babymoon is ideal for couples who are expecting their baby soon and want to spend some quite time together away from hustle and bustle of life or possibly joint family so they can bond together as well as plan their journey ahead as parents. Goa gives you that privacy and solitude to make it happen.

Our goal is to help you find the perfect babymoon vacation in Goa. For more details visit : https://xorooms.com/babymoon-in-goa.php

Walking tours in Goa

Goa is one of the most adventurous and historic place in India. So out of all the ways to explore a new city during your travels, nothing beats a Walking tours in Goa. Meeting at landmarks with a rich history, listening to authentic stories, and discovering hidden gems which only the locals know, allow you to expand your knowledge about Goa, Goan people and Goan culture within just a few hours. Enjoy your walking tour with small groups and experience the sights, sounds, and the aromas of the vibrant historic place.

Following are the details about the different Walking Tours in Goa:

Fontainhas Walking Tour

Fountainhas walking tour takes us to the Portuguese past. It is an old Latin Quarter in Panjim that maintains its Portuguese influence. This tour covers the heritage precinct of St. Thomas ward, Famous Goan 31st January Bakery, the chapel of San Sebastian and a cluster of interesting buildings like Panjim Inn, Fundacao Orient, and Galerie Gitanjali, we also meet famous Goan musician and get an insight into Portuguese influence on Goan music, Marcou Artifacts’ a local producer of handcrafted ceramic souvenirs of Goa. In the end we conclude our tour to the Post Office by a different route. This tour is excellent for Photographers and Architecture lovers.

Old Goa Heritage Walk

Old Goa was the capital city of Goa. It is the historical link from pre – Portuguese times to the present day. Old Goa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing some of the best churches. The tour starts “outside the Archeological Museum which can be found on the left hand side as you enter the main precinct of Old Goa”. This tour Covers the pieces of ruined buildings displayed outside the Museum,Old Goa’s first church” Church of St Catherine”, the Old Wall of Goa and the rear of the Archbishops Palace, before we arrive at the Viceroy’s Arch and the Church of St Cajetan, the old main street of Old Goa, the Rua Direita to pass by the Se Cathedral and the Church of St Francis, before reaching the Basilica of Bom Jesus where the remains of St Francis Xavier are to be found.

Divar Island Walk Tour

Another tour that one should not missed. Divar is like a journey back in time. The lovely ferry ride to the wonderful island of Divar. It is great experience of time. Starts by taking the ferry across from Ribander to Divar, covers St Mathias Church, underground cave, Our Lady of Candelaria chapel built, ancient Saptakoteshwar temple tank, Naroa ferry, old Fort and the holy bathing site of the Hindus called the “Porne Tirth”, sluice gates to understand how the traditional Khazan system works. It also covers Piedade Church. The lunch is held at traditional Portuguese house at a local bakery to see how the goan Pav is made. Travellers can come to know some Goan recipes from our local chef. There are beautiful spots for natural photography.

Saligao Village Walk Tour

One of the most prosperous villages of Goa. It totally reflect the creative style of some of the renowned artists of Goa who have chosen to live a splendid village lifestyle.It starts from “Mae De Deus Church” at 4:30 pm with briefing about the early settlers of the region. Proceed to walk into the village wards through the trails flanked by beautiful rice fields. Procced to house that showcases Portuguese style architecture and interiors and also meet some the artists at their homes.

Chandor Walking Tour

Know about the dramatic history of Goa dating back to the pre-portuguese era over 1000 years old. Chandor then known as Chandrapur was a buzzing trade center.The walk Starts at “St. Tiago Chapel in Chandor” at 9.00 am on Saturday. It covers sites and ruins of historical importance that date back over 1000 years, the scenic view of the Kushavati River, heritage house that predates the Portuguese era and contains interesting artifacts which highlight the Mauriyan and Kadamba era.

Highlights of Walking Tours In Goa

– A guided tour by a friendly local guide
– Get insight to Portuguese Architecture
– Access to traditional Hindu House
– Access to a traditional house from the Portuguese era
– Meet a renowned Goan Musician

Inclusions
Local English-speaking guide
Entry to Heritage Home

Exclusions
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional food and drinks
Souvenirs and items of a personal nature

If you want to explore more of Goa, these walk tours of Goa will get you another view of Goan style of living. You can contact our local experts here to know more about how and when the next cycle tour will be scheduled.

Contact our Office in Goa for your next Holiday which could include a customized Walking tour for you and your friends. Email xo@xorooms.com or reach out to Jerry at 9823472999, for details about the activity.

Beach Candlelight Dinner in Goa

Goa, a state on the west coast of India may be a small state but it’ll never fail to keep you entertained. As far as the entertainment factor is concerned, we are quite familiar with the different aspects of entertainment Goa has to offer. One of the most highlighted entertainments lately, is the Beach Candlelight Dinner in Goa. This dinner can be organized for a group and a couple as well. To set the tone for a couple’s dinner in Goa, a romantic one is always the right way to go. These Candlelight dinners can also be arranged at resorts, restaurants or by the pool side, whichever makes you comfortable, given the variety of venues Goa has to offer.

Few decoration requirements that can be chosen for a lovely Beach Candlelight Dinner Goa:

Entrance With Flowers

This will lighten the mood for the evening and also make the couple feel special for the night. It will also make them look forward to what’s in store for them for the dinner.

Easel stands

Preferably wooden ones give a rustic touch which makes the décor look much more aesthetic for the evening. This one usually has the option of decorating it with flowers of different kinds depending on theme.

Pathway Decor in terms of Paper bags and T-lights

This one, is suitable for beach décor, it makes the set up look heavenly and beautiful. It creates a path for dinner set up and leads the couple to it in a really creative manner.

Gazebos with flowers

This brilliant set up, is appropriate for this setting as it represents sense of privacy for the couple. This gives a touch of and enchanted environment given the fact that it’ll be decorated and surrounded with flowers.

Fairy and LED Lights

This one is quite common but never fails to “light” up the mood for the evening. Fairy lights make anything look like a fairy tale honestly. So there’s nothing that go wrong with lights in general.

Fire Torches for Beach Candlelight Dinner in Goa

This is just a substitute for the above option. So basically instead of using electricity you can go for the option of lighting fire torches that provide the effect except there’s no consumption of electricity.

Candle Based Table Pieces

This one as well is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and gives an elegant touch to the whole set up. The candles can placed in a small decorated box or placed on the table directly along with flowers or paper cut outs.

Tie Backs for chairs

This one is a classic décor set up used by every decorator. It highlights the night and makes the seating arrangement very pleasing to look at. The tir backs makes the night all about the couple and gives more importance to them.

Music for Beach Candlelight Dinner in Goa

This is obviously a must for any occasion. In this scenario, the genre it calls for is romantic. It sets a tone for the mood and the set up and it also creates a romantic environment for the couple.

All of the above can make your Candlelight Dinner experience in Goa a must-do sensory delight. It is ideal for an ‘under the stars’ celebration that will make your dinner memorable. Something you will take back home and cherish forever. A photographer can be arranged for the purpose of collecting your precious special moments together. The scented candles will do its job by spreading the romantic mood. Delicious food along with the finest red or white wine at your table as the sea waves gently crash ashore in the background to the rhythm of the romantic music is specially curated for your listening pleasure.

Well now if you require a professional to handle the above for you so that you can enjoy your valuable time at a Beach Candlelight Dinner in Goa, then you are just a call away. The number to contact is 9823472999.

post by: Neona Heredia