taj exotica goa travel weekly

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 4,516
• Very Good 716
• Average 154
• Terrible 65
• All languages ( 5,517 )
• English ( 5,250 )
• Russian ( 128 )
• Chinese (Sim.) ( 70 )

" Don’t visit this place , they don’t care about there guests "

" Breakfast gets crowded past 9 - go before 8.30 if you want a more relaxed time. "

" Its too hot and humid during aptil and may "

" Please do visit this property for an Experience. "

" Check their dress code before booking. Only book if you are happy dinning with other guests in their pyjamas. Taj Exotica don't care. "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

TAJ EXOTICA RESORT & SPA, GOA (Benaulim) - Hotel Reviews, Photos, Rate Comparison - Tripadvisor

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

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• Excellent 4,516
• Very Good 716
• Average 154
• Terrible 65
• All languages ( 5,517 )
• English ( 5,250 )
• Russian ( 128 )
• Chinese (Sim.) ( 70 )

" Don’t visit this place , they don’t care about there guests "

" Breakfast gets crowded past 9 - go before 8.30 if you want a more relaxed time. "

" Its too hot and humid during aptil and may "

" Please do visit this property for an Experience. "

" Check their dress code before booking. Only book if you are happy dinning with other guests in their pyjamas. Taj Exotica don't care. "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

TAJ EXOTICA RESORT & SPA, GOA - Updated 2024 (Benaulim)

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

Benaulim Beach, 403716 Benaulim, India – Excellent location - show map

Cleanliness

Value for money

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Excellent staff and fantastic location. Property was very clean. Food was excellent.

Exceptional service from the staff and entire team of Taj exotica . Great hospitality… special mention of Ayaan for taking care of us from welcoming us to arranging a special surprise set up for our wedding anniversary. Thank you Taj exotica Goa …

Everything... Specially dedication of everyone to serve, do their best.

Great breakfast selection and all the staff very friendly and helpful

Great location, very helpful and kind staff. The staff was the best part, everyone was very helpful. Accommodating her food needs especially.

Excellent hospitality by taj, had an amazing stay with kids

Lovely position in the beach, good facilities, very good rooms

Hotel was Amazing. Staff goes extra mile to make your stay memorable. Special shoutout to Sidharth. He made it so easy the entire trip.

Superb place, superb food, superb service, superb staff . Nothing else to say.

It was fresh well maintained and clean surrounded by nature

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa Reserve now

Lock in a great price for Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa - rated 9.1 by recent guests.

Enter dates to get started.

• Pets allowed
• Swimming Pool
• Free parking
• Air conditioning
• 24-hour front desk

Experience world-class service at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

Spread across 56 acres of landscaped gardens, the Mediterranean-style Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa sits along a private beach overlooking the Arabian Sea. It boasts golfing facilities, a full spa and outdoor pool and 6 dining options await guests. Decorated in neutral colours, rooms feature classic dark wood furnishings. Each comes with a balcony overlooking the garden, pool or sea. Select rooms offer a private pool or hydromassage bathtub. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa is 3 km from Colva Beach and 12 km from Madgaon City. It is a 45-minute drive from Goa Dabolim Airport. Free parking is available. Sunny afternoons can be spent playing tennis or getting a relaxing massage at "J Wellness Circle". The resort also provides a fitness centre and 24-hour room service. Little ones can enjoy a lineup of activities at the Children’s Activity Centre.

Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.3 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

• 2 swimming pools
• Spa and wellness centre
• Room service
• 3 restaurants
• Tea/coffee maker in all rooms
• Exceptional breakfast

Property highlights

Top location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.4)

Want a great night's sleep? This property was highly rated for its very comfy beds.

Breakfast info

Continental, Asian, American, Buffet

Free private parking available on-site

Activities:

• Tennis court
• Fitness centre

Saved to 5514 lists

Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Property practices

Categories:, see what guests loved the most:.

Property surroundings

Restaurants 3 restaurants on site.

• Cuisine Local • Asian • International • Latin American • European
• Open for Breakfast • Brunch • Lunch • Dinner
• Cuisine Portuguese • Local
• Open for Dinner
• Cuisine Seafood

Resort facilities of Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa Great facilities! Review score, 9.3

• Picnic area
• Outdoor furniture
• Bicycle rental Additional charge
• Live music/performance
• Cooking class Additional charge
• Happy hour Additional charge
• Themed dinner nights Additional charge
• Walking tours
• Badminton equipment Additional charge
• Tennis equipment Additional charge
• Kids' club
• Water sport facilities on site Additional charge
• Entertainment staff
• Mini golf Additional charge
• Table tennis
• Children's playground
• Tennis court Additional charge
• Coffee house on site
• Fruits Additional charge
• Wine/champagne Additional charge
• Kid-friendly buffet
• Kid meals Additional charge
• Special diet menus (on request)
• Breakfast in the room
• Tea/Coffee maker
• Valet parking
• Parking garage
• Electric vehicle charging station
• Accessible parking
• Invoice provided
• Concierge service
• ATM/cash machine on site
• Luggage storage
• Currency exchange
• Express check-in/check-out
• Kids' outdoor play equipment
• Indoor play area
• Board games/puzzles
• Babysitting/child services Additional charge
• Daily housekeeping
• Trouser press Additional charge
• Ironing service Additional charge
• Dry cleaning Additional charge
• Laundry Additional charge
• Fax/photocopying Additional charge
• Business centre Additional charge
• Meeting/banquet facilities Additional charge
• Fire extinguishers
• CCTV outside property
• CCTV in common areas
• Smoke alarms
• Security alarm
• Key card access
• 24-hour security
• Safety deposit box
• Designated smoking area
• Packed lunches
• Soundproof rooms
• Barber/beauty shop
• Facilities for disabled guests
• Non-smoking rooms
• Lower bathroom sink
• Higher level toilet
• Toilet with grab rails
• Wheelchair accessible
• Open all year
• Pool with view
• Shallow end
• Swimming pool toys
• Pool/beach towels
• Sun loungers or beach chairs
• Suitable for kids
• Kids' pool
• Fitness/spa locker rooms
• Personal trainer
• Fitness classes
• Yoga classes
• Full body massage
• Hand massage
• Head massage
• Couples massage
• Foot massage
• Neck massage
• Back massage
• Spa/wellness packages
• Spa facilities
• Body treatments
• Hair styling
• Hair colouring
• Hair treatments
• Waxing services
• Facial treatments
• Beauty Services
• Sun umbrellas
• Water slide
• Hot tub/Jacuzzi
• Massage Additional charge
• Spa and wellness centre Additional charge

See availability House rules

Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in

Until 12:00

Cancellation/ prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required room.

Children and beds

Child policies

Children of any age are welcome.

Children 12 years and above will be charged as adults at this property.

To see correct prices and occupancy information, please add the number of children in your group and their ages to your search.

Cot and extra bed policies

Prices for cots and extra beds are not included in the total price, and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

The number of extra beds and cots allowed is dependent on the option you choose. Please check your selected option for more information.

All cots and extra beds are subject to availability.

Age restriction

The minimum age for check-in is 18

Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable.

When booking more than 7 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

Accepted payment methods

Cash Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.

The fine print Need-to-know information for guests at this property

Please note that for security purpose all Indian guests are required to present a valid photo ID proof (Voter's ID, Driving Licence, Aadhar Card, any other ID with address approved by the Government of India. Pan Card is not acceptable). All international guests are required to present a valid passport and visa.

Airport Transfer Inclusion - Please note that the property provides complimentary airport transfer by private car for a minimum 2 nights stay for Plunge Pool Villas and Suites only (applicable only from Dabolim Airport - GOI).

Pet Policy Terms - Please note that pets are allowed only in Villa Room Garden View and Premium Villa Room Garden view room categories. Pets will not be allowed in the Food & Beverage outlets, lobby, pool and the fitness center. A non refundable fee of INR 2000 plus applicable taxes per pet per night will be applicable and charged separately (a maximum of 2 pets are allowed in the room). The property accepts pets (cats & dogs) weighing less than 30 pounds.

Room rates on 25th December 2023 and 31st December 2023 include a gala dinner. Any guests in excess of the maximum occupancy of the room, including children, will be charged separately.

Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Please inform Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation.

License number: HOTS000198

FAQs about Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

How much does it cost to stay at taj exotica resort & spa, goa.

The prices at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates you select, hotel's policy etc.). See the prices by entering your dates.

Does Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa have a restaurant on site?

• Miguel Arcanjo
• Sala da Pranzo
• Lobster Village

What is there to do at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa?

• Children's playground
• Themed dinner nights
• Bicycle rental
• Cooking class
• Tennis equipment
• Badminton equipment
• Water sport facilities on site

How far is Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa from the centre of Benaulim?

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa is 1.1 miles from the centre of Benaulim. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

How close to the beach is Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa?

The nearest beach is just 150 yards from Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

Does Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa have a pool?

Yes, this hotel has a pool. Find out the details about the pool and other facilities on this page.

What kind of breakfast is served at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa?

Guests staying at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa can enjoy a highly-rated breakfast during their stay (guest review score: 9.5).

• Continental

Does Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa have a hot tub for its guests?

Yes, there is a hot tub. You can find out more about this and the other facilities at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa on this page.

Is Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa popular with families?

Yes, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa is popular with guests booking family stays.

What type of room can I book at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa?

What are the check-in and check-out times at taj exotica resort & spa, goa.

Check-in at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa is from 15:00, and check-out is until 12:00.

The best of Benaulim

Business areas.

• Verna Industrial Estate
• Martins Corner
• Mother of God Church
• Indian Naval Aviation Museum

Popular areas

• Cabo De Rama Fort
• Dabolim Airport (GOI) 11.7 miles
• Manohar International Airport (GOX) 34.1 miles
• Sindhudurg Airport (SDW) 58.3 miles

Railway stations

• Margao Railway Station

Most popular cities

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Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

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Rooms & Rates

Book direct on MICHELIN Guide and feel secure with our dedicated travel specialist team ready to assist. Best prices are guaranteed. Find a better rate? Let us know.

Amenities & Services

• Free parking
• Off street parking
• Valet parking
• Room service
• 24 hour room service
• Outdoor swimming pool
• Beauty salon
• Steam rooms
• 24 hour front desk
• Doctor on call
• Adjoining rooms
• Air conditioning
• ATM/bank office
• Babysitting (on request)
• Multi-lingual staff
• Wake-up service
• Luggage storage
• Pet Friendly
• Pets allowed (charges apply)
• Business center
• Bikes available
• Golf nearby
• Shopping area nearby
• Cribs (subject to availability)
• Swimming pool
• Kids' club
• Tennis court
• Wheelchair accessible
• Designated smoking area

Need to Know

• Rates under Rs 7,500 per night the VAT will only be 12%.
• Up to 2 children below 12 years of age can stay in the parents room at no additional charge (on room only basis) without an extra bed.
• Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa will not be able to honour any request for a room to be shared by more than 2 adults and 2 children below the age of 12 years.
• Each room can accommodate only one extra bed on chargeable basis.
• Infant cribs for children 0-2 years of age are available on complimentary basis on request.
• Extra bed is available on request at extra charge per night.
• Pets are allowed only in the Garden Villa rooms.

Credit cards accepted

Sustainability Measures and Certifications

Certifications and sustainability programs.

• EarthCheck Certified, Platinum

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Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

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Rooms and Suites

Spend an ideal vacation surrounded by the abundant natural beauty of Goa, the luxury and impeccable service that Taj is known for. Enjoy unparalleled views of the sea from the private balconies and verandahs, ideal for a summer afternoon siesta or a romantic evening drink. Stay at the best luxury rooms and villas, at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa.

Garden Villa Rooms

These rooms overlook the lush landscaped gardens that surround the resort. The four-room villa is spacious and has either a private balcony or a verandah. There are interconnecting rooms for family vacations as well. Enjoy the cheerful atmosphere created by the bright and colourful interiors flooded with natural light.

1 king-size or twin bed

Garden View

Amenities [ ]

Bed and bath.

• Bathtub/Shower Comb
• Shaving/Beauty Mirror
• Seating Area with Sofa/Chair
• Bedside Telephone

Entertainment

• High-definition Television
• Internet Access

Amenities and Services

• Coffee/Tea Maker
• Dry Cleaning
• Complimentary Newspaper
• Full-size mirror
• Iron/Ironing Board
• No Smoking Room
• Smoke Detector
• Cable/Satellite TV

Deluxe Sea-View Rooms

Enjoy unparalleled views of the Arabian sea beyond the lush green lawns from the private verandahs of these comfortable and spacious rooms. It also features a luxurious bathtub, separate shower cubicle, and a well-stocked mini-bar.

Premium Sea-View Rooms

Spend a romantic evening watching the sun set into the Arabian Sea from the large private verandah, or spend a lazy morning in the luxurious bathtub. These rooms also offer stunning views of the Arabian Sea and the resort gardens. It features a well-stocked mini-bar as well.

1 king-size bed

Sea & garden view

Garden Villas with Personal Plunge Pool

Large luxuriously spaced 612 sq.ft. two-unit villas with a private plunge pool overlooking landscaped gardens, these are a favourite with guests. Relax in the private sit-out and enjoy a beautiful view of the lush lawns. The villas are surrounded by the verdant gardens, and are an oasis of calm and quiet.

Garden view

Premium Villas with Personal Plunge Pool

Relax in the personal plunge pool or enjoy a drink while lounging in the large private sit-out that offers a beautiful view of gardens and the Arabian Sea in the distance. It also features a well-stocked mini-bar.

Sunset Villas with Personal Plunge Pool

With a stunning view of the rolling golf course and the Arabian sea, these sea-facing villas are the ultimate luxury retreat. Enjoy the fresh sea-breeze and majestic sunset while soaking in the personal plunge pool or enjoy a cup of coffee in the large private sit-out. The two-unit villa also offers a well-stocked mini-bar and flat screen TV with satellite entertainment.

1 king-size Bed

Sunset & Garden views

612 sq ft (57 sq m)

Luxury Suite

With a separate living room and a spacious bed room, this luxury suite can further be connected to a deluxe sea-view room if desired. They are tastefully designed with luxuriant fabrics and elegant furnishings. The large private sit-out is ideal for a romantic evening watching the sunset. They also feature a well-stocked mini-bar.

Sea and garden views

1,250 sq ft

The Presidential Villa

The epitome of luxury and comfort, the Presidential Villa offers an experience like no other. Features a master bedroom with dressing area and guest bedroom with ensuite bathrooms, a private garden and plunge pool for uninterrupted privacy. Also, it features a kitchenette for a home away from home feel for the duration of the stay.

2 king-size beds

Paronomic garden view

1,785 sq ft (166 sq m)

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 4,516
• Very Good 716
• Average 154
• Terrible 65
• All languages ( 5,517 )
• English ( 5,250 )
• Russian ( 128 )
• Chinese (Sim.) ( 70 )

" Don’t visit this place , they don’t care about there guests "

" Breakfast gets crowded past 9 - go before 8.30 if you want a more relaxed time. "

" Its too hot and humid during aptil and may "

" Please do visit this property for an Experience. "

" Check their dress code before booking. Only book if you are happy dinning with other guests in their pyjamas. Taj Exotica don't care. "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

TAJ EXOTICA RESORT & SPA, GOA: UPDATED 2024 Hotel Reviews, Price Comparison and 5,137 Photos (Benaulim) - Tripadvisor

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• Children (Age: 0-12) - +

Signature Experiences at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Goa

Essence Of Environment

Afternoon Tea At Goa

All About You

Kids At Taj

Unique Dining

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India Chevron

Goa Chevron

How We Pulled It Off: A Beachside Wedding in Goa With a Side of Bossa Nova

By Kaitlin Menza

Despite having met as college students in Los Angeles and currently living in New York City , Mitali Gupta and Nick Ruzicka have always known they’d get married in India. Mitali grew up in Delhi, and always assumed she’d return to her native country for her wedding one day. For Nick, who is half-Indian and grew up in the Bay Area, it was a bit more complicated: his mother left the country at age 17 and his exposure to the culture was limited to less frequent visits to his grandfather.

The decision to hold their nuptials abroad, then, was not about reconnecting with heritage, per se. “It was about the joining of two families and a symbol of us going on an adventure, together, with everyone else,” Nick says. “The warmth you feel joining an Indian family is unparalleled to any culture.” Here, the couple share how they settled on a region of the subcontinent, embraced local vendors, and bridged cultural gaps over multiple events.

Mitali opted for a mirrored gown that would reflect the sunset during their ceremony.

Nick wore a bandhgala in colors that matched the bride's dress

Choose a city based on your vibe

Mitali’s family is still based in Delhi, but the couple weren’t entirely sure where in India they wanted to hold the wedding. Indeed, the capital provided some logistical ease, but they also considered other major cities in the north before landing on Goa. “We’d been to a lot of weddings in Jaipur and Udaipur, and it was kind of cold. It also gets a little bit more stressful over there,” the bride explains.

Goa was a place that held warm memories for Nick, who had visited the state as a child, and it seemed like it would set a significantly more relaxed tone for their celebration. “We wanted our guests to feel like they were on a vacation. India can be a lot to handle for westerners unused to it,” he explains. Proximity to the beach would make it feel like a getaway—even for the Indian guests.

The bride took floral inspiration from the lotuses found around the property

Mitali was showered with flower petals during the haldi ceremony, when the couple is typically painted with turmeric.

Have one event closer to home to appease some guests

Holding the wedding hundreds of miles from Delhi also allowed the couple to avoid the traditionally massive Indian wedding. Instead, their guest list clocked in between 120 and 150. “We wanted something a bit more intimate. We’re both very intentional people, and we wanted a chance to talk to everyone,” Mitali says. “We actually would’ve liked it to be under a hundred, but this was a good compromise with our parents, and we got to spend time with a lot of people this way.”

That said, the couple decided to host the sangeet, a night of song and dance performances, in Delhi before the rest of the celebration, which served two purposes. “We wanted that energy at the beginning,” says Mitali, “so we had a much larger sangeet with 250 people in Delhi for the people that either didn't get invited to the more intimate wedding, or for people who couldn’t make it [to Goa].”

During the baaraat, or procession, the groom entered the space in a vintage car.

Mitali sourced her gown and accessories from shopping trips in India

Take the time to visit venues in-person

Since the couple was hoping to host all of their wedding events—not to mention house their guests—on the same property, it was crucial they find just the right place. They opted to work with a travel agent at this stage, rather than a wedding planner, and took two trips to check out several resorts. “[The region] is divided into north and south: The north is the younger, partying spot, whereas the south is considered more of the luxurious, romantic area,” says Mitali. “The W was a strong contender, but it was in the north and had more of an upbeat vibe, and we wanted a romantic destination.”

They ultimately locked in the St. Regis Goa Resort for several reasons: It was actually on the beach, so they could hold at least one wedding event in the sand; the architecture and landscaping had more traditional Indian charm, while many other properties were cool and modern; and there were lotuses throughout, which is a flower the bride always happened to love. Plus, “It was… the farthest south in south Goa, meaning it was the most secluded, and the beaches around the property are not crowded,” says Nick. “The property had everything you needed for a close, intimate set-up.”

Mitali shows off her henna from the pre-wedding mehendi ceremony.

The couple held their mehendi in an area of the hotel along the river, known as Coconut Grove.

Go with a local wedding planner

The couple initially assumed they would work with a bigger, Delhi-based wedding planner to pull their events together. “Because it’s a bigger city that’s more exposed to international trends, I was at first keen on working with a Delhi-based company,” Mitali says. Ultimately, though, they went with VLW Global , a company they felt better understood some of the logistical concerns in the area—and was more reliably on the ground to tackle any issues that might come up. With that team in place, the bride only made two planning trips to the region in the year-and-a-half lead-up to the celebration. “The rest was all over Zoom,” she says.

A true Californian, Nick rode a skateboard into the mandap.

The priest explained the ceremony in English so all the guests could follow along.

Prepare for limitations with local vendors

A trade-off of having their wedding in a more romantic location away from the bustling major cities was that there weren’t as many suppliers to choose from. Some vendors—including their photographer, Light Chamber ; and Mitali’s makeup artist, Aman Mendiratta —were too important to compromise on, and the couple flew them out from Delhi. For others, they embraced Goan flavor.

“Goa has a really big art scene, and a lot of Portuguese history, so we decided to lean into that and found local DJs and musicians who added local flair,” says Mitali of hiring Portuguese samba and bossa nova band Sambucada and guitarist Bors Bey She also adapted her aesthetic visions to what was locally available; while she’d hoped to use a lot of mogra (or jasmine) flowers, the plant doesn’t grow as well in the beachy climate and was cost-prohibitive to fly in. Instead, they decorated with more of the lotuses that had made Mitali love the St. Regis in the first place.

Mitali had to adjust her floral vision to what was available in the area at the time, but made sure the ceremony had plenty on display.

Anticipate a culture divide

Even though the groom is half-Indian and the bride grew up in the country, the couple still encountered some difficulty in communicating some occasionally more Western, modern needs to their wedding team. “We wanted some of the events to be more low-key or serene, while at Indian weddings it’s a lot more common to have dancing and DJs,” Mitali says. “That idea was very hard for people to understand. They kept trying to add dance floors, and we had to explain that that’s not [for us].”

Harrison Pierce

Alex Erdekian

Charlie Hobbs

A divide was also felt around the vow ceremony, particularly with the traditions recommended by the Hindu priest who led the proceedings. Parts of the vows didn’t fully align with the couple’s personal beliefs, but they managed to “finesse our way out of them” in the moments under the mandap (or altar), and didn't let the cultural differences dominate the moment.

After the vow ceremony, the party and dancing carried on into the wee hours of the night.

Make the rituals your own

Those minor instances aside, the couple were able to carve out nuptials that felt like them, and which welcomed in any guests who might have been unfamiliar with Indian weddings. Their priest translated and explained the ceremony in English as he went, and printed materials were distributed to guests so they could follow along as well. The bride chose to have both her parents walk her down the aisle, and wore a long, trailing veil—both of which are more common in modern American weddings.

But the moment that felt most memorably like them? When the groom approached the ceremony site not on a horse, as is traditional with the baaraat procession, but in a vintage car, followed by rolling up to the mandap on a skateboard. “I felt like I was pushing some boundaries there so I was happy to see the crowd get into it and seem excited about the variation on the tradition,” Nick says. “This was me adding a bit of California to the whole thing and we all thought it would be funny—which it was.” The image of Nick rolling through stands as a perfect encapsulation of their contemporary Goa celebration.

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