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Weddings in Sri Lanka

country:Sri Lanka
location:Negombo
price:From £375 per wedding ceremony excluding flights. Additional resort charges apply, please see full details below
vouchers:Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
 
description
If you are looking for a tropical, exotic and unique wedding, we will be delighted to organise a typical Sri Lankan wedding ceremony for you and members of your party. The weddings are conducted according to Buddhist religious and cultural rites going back to over thousands of years. In addition the wedding ceremony is conducted with colourful and vibrant dancers of Sri Lanka making the whole event an authentic colourful and unique experience.

In one of our typical weddings, the bride is ferried on a raft across the river to meet the groom, after which a group of traditional dancers and drummers will guide them to the Poruwa, a raised platform on which the couple stands for the ‘nuptial’ ceremony.

Beach front, Weddings in Sri LankaThe music included in the ceremony represents Sri Lankan folk traditions i.e. two types of drums specially played at wedding ceremonies (Magul Bera), blowing the conch (Huggediya) and chanting of stanzas by young girls to evoke blessings on the couple. After the ceremony we can play music of the couple's choice if CDs are supplied.

After a colourful and oriental wedding ceremony the couple and the guests are invited to a garden tea party where specially made traditional sweets are served. (If they marry in the morning they could have an a la carte lunch along with their invited guests).

At the end of the day, there is the option to enjoy a ferry cruise with dinner as the ferry glides along the scenic river bordering the Resort. There will be a personal butler, cook and a ferryman in attendance and the couple can select any one of three specially designed menus (five courses with a main course of seafood or Sri Lankan/Eastern dishes or meat). A complementary bottle of sparkling wine is offered and tea and coffee will be served at the end of the meal.

Traditional dancing, Weddings in Sri LankaThe Wedding Package includes:
  • Registration and stamp fees
  • Translation of marriage certificate
  • Decorated Poruwa and venue (hotel garden/beach or lobby)
  • Decorated ferry raft
  • Dancers, drummers and singers
  • Bouquet for the bride and button hole for the groom
  • Wedding cake, traditional Sri Lankan sweets and fruits, tea/coffee/fruit drinks (up to 10 pax)
  • Special river dinner with a bottle of sparkling wine on board a raft
Optional Extras: 36 photographs (£75), edited video (60min, £145), traditional wedding outfit for bride and groom (£180), hiring of traditional jewellery for the bride (£40), hair dressing and make-up (£65), wedding lunch/dinner for guests (Sri Lankan or Western Food, £16 per person).
resort facilities
Bedroom, Negombo beach hotel in Sri LankaWe offer bungalow-type accommodation constructed with local building materials, in a unique ethnic style resembling a typical Sri Lankan village.

The 72 individual bungalows (sea view) and 12 family rooms (river view) nestle within a forested environment and provide comfortable accommodation. The bungalows offer privacy and an excellent view of the sea and/or river – an exotic tropical setting for a peaceful holiday.

All rooms are air conditioned, with private bathrooms that are sunlit from an open court and with solar powered hot showers to provide ventilation and natural lighting, substantially conserving energy. Rooms are also equipped with a sitting area, terrace, ceiling fans and telephone. The interior décor includes terracotta pots, brass lamps, artefacts produced by local craftsmen, and hand-made local fabric.

Sitting area, Negombo beach hotel in Sri LankaRestaurant bar: Our restaurant offers a delicious buffet and a la carte Sri Lankan and international cuisine. Vegetarian meals are available on request and during all buffets.

There is an outside Pavilion Bar by the swimming pool which provides snacks and beverages. This is a favorite meeting point of guests to enjoy the ambiance and sunset. Also a small fruit stall offers fresh fruit, juices and herbal drinks of medicinal value.

Other facilities: Swimming pool, sports facilities (see above), a selection of shops (eco, personal items, jewellery), and conference facilities. Every night we offer some live entertainment (dance, music, magic etc.)

Family friendly accommodation: As we are situated in a peninsula the property is totally free of pollution. We can provide a complimentary baby cot with soft baby pillows and net. There is extensive space for prams pushchairs and we have a special swimming pool for children with parent/adult supervision. For under fives our chef will be happy to liaise with parents to provide appropriate food.
resort rates
Rates are per person per night half board, inclusive of bird watching, nature trail, service charge and taxes.

Accommodation type 1 May 2008 - 31 Oct 2008
Single US $89
Double US $54
Triple US $46

Tsunami update
The hotel was not damaged causing closure but with the post-tsunami low occupancy the swimming pool and surrounding area, rooms and public areas were refurbished. The beach rehabilitation is complete with our clients having the added advantage of a wider beach, and the property is in top condition.
how to find us

By air: We are 18km from Colombo International Airport.
By bus: We are 10km from Negombo bus station
By train: We are 1Km from Waikkal train station.
By boat: We are 50km from Colombo's port.

Airport transfers cost US $25. We will arrange a complimentary service for stays of over 3 nights.
how this holiday makes a difference
Swimming pool, Weddings in Sri LankaMinimisation of environmental impacts: We are committed to the protection of the natural habitat and practice efficient disposal of waste, treatment of solid and liquid waste, and treated water  is recycled in the garden.

Our Pavilion Bar was contructed with eco-frienly and biodegradable material. We have a strict purchasing policy, have our own organic vegetable plot and only offer facilities sports which are environmentally friendly. Hot showers are solar powered.

Promoting environmental and cultural education:
We have environmental education meetings with our employees and guests and sponsor the school's Nature Club.

Supporting conservation: We are an institutional member of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES). The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL), an affiliate of "Bird Life International", has designated the hotel as a 'Bird Friendly Resort' after a professional survey. The terrestrial wetland and aquatic plants, shrubs & trees in the environs are protected and conserved.

Benefiting the local community: The primary construction material for the lodge was obtained from the village. The company continues to purchase construction material from the village as well as locally produced vegetables and fruits.

Weekly programmes are offered by invited local artisans in pottery, basket/mat/cadjan weaving, rope making, preparation of honey etc. exposing traditional arts & crafts to our guests and opening a market for local artisans, allowing for a more even distribution of benefits.

Over 43% of the permanent and contracted employees are from the village. Furthermore, more than 40 persons (including taxi drivers, suppliers, artisans) derive indirect employment on a regular basis, thus continuing the cordial relationship with the village. This has prevented tourism-related social distortion and allowed a more even distribution of benefits.

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