Goa’s wedding forecast: 100% chance of love but 50% chance of scattered showers

Unpredictable rains crash the party, but Goan couples and vendors prove love conquers all; from ‘Indoor Plan Bs’ to waterproof décor, the wedding industry adapts to Nature’s whims
Goa’s wedding forecast: 100% chance of love but 
50% chance of scattered showers
Published on

KARSTEN MIRANDA

karsten@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: In Goa, where weddings are woven into the fabric of family traditions, an unexpected guest has been making its presence felt: unseasonal rain. Long coveted as a destination for dream weddings, Goa now faces a new challenge as unpredictable weather patterns begin to test even the most meticulously planned nuptials. This climatic shift has sent ripples through the entire wedding and event industry, forcing couples and vendors alike to adapt swiftly to nature’s whims.

One such wedding in South Goa saw thunder and heavy rains give the couple, Justin Dias and Philia Braganca, a shock.

The couple was in a state of worry when the duo was meant to be in glee. Their reception, planned for the evening, was threatened by a strong downpour between 6 and 7 pm, which left all the well-placed chairs, tables, and décor in disarray, making it impossible to continue at the outdoor venue.

However, as Emcee Royce Coutinho shares, all the vendors united with one mission: to wipe away the sadness from the bride’s face and try to give her the wedding she wanted. He recalls how they managed to shift the wedding indoors at lightning speed, ensuring the celebration went off without a hitch despite the unexpected problems.

“We accepted an uninvited guest: rain. The weather was beautiful for the ceremony and photoshoot, but it poured heavily as we headed to the reception. We had to shift the decor indoors. I’m grateful to our decorators for changing the setup in less than two hours,” said the bride, Philia, while recounting the experience.

A venue owner from North Goa lamented that the rains have changed the earlier booking patterns. Couples would typically book outdoor venues during months when rain was not expected, but lately, it has rained even in January and other traditionally dry months. However, they have managed to adapt to the situation by investing in machinery that quickly cleans floors and keeping indoor spaces available for last-minute changes.

Other stakeholders like event companies and sound managers also felt the impact. Sound providers expressed concern about potential damage to their equipment, while event companies are finding ways to deal with these challenges.

Qammar Hakim, a senior professional in the events space, shared his perspective: “Goa’s prolonged rainfall has tested the event industry, but we’ve adapted and innovated. Last year’s unusual weather patterns, even during the Xmas - New Year rainfall prepared us for this year’s extended monsoon. While increased costs may be a deterrent, clients recognise the value of exceptional events. Goa’s event industry has demonstrated remarkable agility, turning potential setbacks into opportunities.”

Elsewhere, shacks and open-air restaurants are also bearing the brunt but are maintaining the “show must go on” mantra. Cruz Cardozo, President of the Goa Shacks Owners Welfare Society, admitted that due to the rains, the number of guests is not as high as expected, which has dampened expected revenue.

He was quick to add, however, that regular guests still come, and they manage to deal with water downpours as they occur. This year, being the first in ages that shacks have started in mid-September, they are hoping for more sunny days or cold winter nights without rainfall.

Herald Goa
www.heraldgoa.in