Marriages Are Made…In Malaysia Marriages are made in heaven, they say. And while that old adage may still ring true, if you're searching for that slice of paradise on earth, Malaysia’s great geographical diversity offers a chance to tie the knot in a splendid storybook setting, says Ivor Vaz

Marriages Are Made…In Malaysia

Marriages are made in heaven, they say. And while that old adage may still ring true, if you're searching for that slice of paradise on earth, Malaysia’s great geographical diversity offers a chance to tie the knot in a splendid storybook setting, says Ivor Vaz

Ivor Vaz

For well-heeled Indians - and you're certain to find a teeming swarm of this species in a country of 1.2 billion - there simply isn't any upper limit when it comes to spending on a wedding celebration. An Indian wedding is a status symbol, and families often save for years to host a big fat one. 'The bigger it is, the better it is!' That seems to be the operative mantra as far as we Indians are concerned. When it comes to planning a wedding, everything has to be lavish and larger than life - be it the sangeet ceremony, hotel accommodation for guests, the rituals, fireworks, festivities, celebrity appearances (and that may include live jigs by Bollywood stars), or the exotic honeymoon location - for this big-money magnum opus. And what about the global economic slowdown that has ripped into incomes and reined in extravagant spends the world over? GFC be damned; Indian weddings, as we know, are recession-proof, as the rich and famous will stop at nothing to host an unforgettable event. The latest trend that seems to have caught the fancy of Indian couples-to-be and wedding planners alike is destination weddings, wherein the entire ceremony and celebrations are shifted to a vacation-like setting at an fancy location to which the invited guests must travel and stay for a few days. This could range from an exotic beach experience in the tropics; an idyllic retreat in the mountains, or a lavish event in a metropolitan resort. Today, the Indian wedding has well and truly hit the road with each party trying to outdo the other. Evidently, there's distance that can't be bridged - the favourite wedding destinations for Indian couples include far-flung locales like Switzerland, France, Dubai, Thailand, Macau Mauritius and Maldives. Malaysia is quickly emerging as one of most hip and happening wedding destinations of the world. For Indian couples looking for something out of the ordinary with a dash of exotica, a Malaysia wedding may well be a classic recipe. Combining jaw-dropping natural landscape and scenery, mist-covered valleys and mountains, fantastical, often totally secluded beaches and deep green lagoons; Malaysia weddings offer the chance to tie the knot in an enchanted land. Each and every one of Malaysia's many resorts, including the world-renowned Penang and Langkawi, is imbued with the spirituality of past and present generations - and a Malaysia wedding ceremony is sure to reflect the local philosophy of achieving peace and tranquillity perfectly in tune with your surroundings. A former British colony, Malaysia comprises of the mainland peninsula; and the eastern states on the island of Borneo in the heart of South-East Asia. These are separated by the South China Sea with 11 states and 2 federal territories (Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya) in peninsular Malaysia and two states and 1 federal territory (Labuan) in East Malaysia. Being a land of fascinating sights and attractions, Malaysia never fails to leave its visitors in awe. From pristine rainforests to breathtaking mountains, unspoiled islands to amazing underwater kingdoms, bird watching wetlands to mega shopping bonanza, wherever you go the diversity of Malaysia guarantees you good memories that will last you a lifetime. Especially if you're planning to get married or have your honeymoon there!