Dance, ishq & rock 'n' roll with Hard Rock Hotels

Ishq was all around at Hard Rock Hotel's "Ishq Rocks" event, as travel partners gathered for a night of fun and entertainment to celebrate the rollout of Hard Rock's new Indian wedding collection. 

Guests were treated to sumptuous Indian desserts and cocktails, traditional Mehndi hand designs by local artists, and enjoyed contemporary Bollywood dance performances, with some even kicking up their heels and joining in on a Bollywood dance lesson led by Toronto-based DJ K-Square. 

Following a presentation showcasing the highlights of the Ishq Rocks Wedding Collection, Frank Maduro, vice-president of marketing for Hard Rock Hotel, announced a surprise agent incentive for those who were in attendance, offering a $1,000 credit toward their next Indian wedding booking.

Maduro and Ash Tembe, vice-president of global field sales for Hard Rock, were both on hand throughout the evening to discuss the company's new venture.

"Indian weddings are the hottest trend in the Southeast Asian market, so we want to make sure that we cater to that market the right way - meaning the Hard Rock way," Maduro told PAXnews.com.

"Canadians have a big Southeast Asian market, and we're looking to provide customized weddings to second-generation Indians who have made Canada their home and now want to have the best of both worlds,” he said.

Hard Rock's all-inclusive hotels are known for their on-site night clubs, DJ events and concerts, as well as its Colin Cowie wedding collections, which offer brides and grooms a variety of customizable themes ranging from 'Elegant Ivory' to 'Rocker Chic.'

"Today's luxury is about fun," Tembe said of the demand for all-inclusive packages that cater to large wedding groups looking for a good time, "and the biggest thing Hard Rock offers guests is a nightlife. I think a lot of other all-inclusive resorts tend to miss that, being more romance-based."

The Ishq Rocks (meaning "Love Rocks" in Hindi) Collection is geared toward providing Indian couples with weddings that remain true to cultural traditions – with an emphasis on style and entertainment.

According to Tembe, "If the bride and groom are 100 per cent focused on making sure their friends and family have a good time, Hard Rock Hotel is the only product for them. It's that simple."

For more information, visit hrhweddings.com.

PHOTO: Of Hard Rock Hotel: Ash Tembe, VP of global field sales; Sarah Smith, business development manager; Lauren Carvalho, sales manager; Dana Baasiri, public relations manager; Janet Martin, business development manager; Frank Maduro, VP of marketing.