From the first steps down the aisle to the last dance of the night, a wedding is one celebration that remains forever etched in our hearts. And, every couple goes to great lengths to pour love and creativity into the planning so as to make their wedding day a memorable one.
While Goa is widely celebrated for its stunning beach weddings, there is a growing number of couples seeking nature-inspired open-air celebrations to foster a deeper connection with their surroundings.
For those yearning for an unforgettable wedding experience, Joy n Celebrations, nestled in Gancim, Batim village, located in the picturesque Tiswadi taluka, offers a natural alternative.
Located just 15 km from the city of Panjim, this enchanting venue provides a serene backdrop enveloped in plenty of greenery and the soothing sounds of nature, making it a perfect setting for couples who dream of tying the knot in harmony with the environment.
WHAT MAKES THE VENUE SPECIAL?
The answer to this question lies in the location. Joy n Celebrations sits atop the highest hill in Gancim, which is cut away from the village below and is surrounded by a green cover flourishing with birds and other smaller wildlife.
The Church of St Simon and St Jude, just metres away, gives the place a profound sense of reverence and spirituality. Gancim remained largely unknown, until the apparition of Our Lady in 1994 and, then again, in 2019.
THE BEGINNING
Before it blossomed into a wedding venue, the 13,000 sqm property hosting Joy n Celebrations was a rocky terrain.
For Suncy Vaz and his wife, Mazel Fernandes, it has been an extraordinary journey of transforming this once-overgrown and jungle-like ancestral property into a stunning wedding venue, while working harmoniously with nature.
The metamorphosis involved countless hours of hard work, creativity and dedication, breathing new life into the landscape and turning it into a picturesque setting, perfect for a celebration of love.
A VISION
"When we began clearing the place in 2019, a wedding venue was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to develop the area for adventure, so we thought of having an infinity pool because of the location," Suncy recalls.
“Once the land was cleared, we started realising the potential of the place. The views we started seeing from atop were stunning. In that moment, the vision of a wedding venue became clear and strong," he adds.
"This project was not merely a business for me and Suncy; it was a labour of love. Whenever we faced doubts or problems, the warmth of friendship and family always came to our rescue," says Mazel with gratitude in her eyes.
LEAP OF FAITH
From then on, Suncy and his wife, inspired by their new vision, took a leap of faith. With determination and support from their parents and some bank loans, they began transforming the property, putting their hearts into the work.
As they kept on working, the transformation that began to unfold was something beautiful. Suncy continuously pictured couples celebrating their big day with stunning views around them.
DREAM COME TRUE
In December 2022, Joy n Celebrations celebrated a momentous milestone by hosting its very first wedding, and the event was met with an outpouring of glowing reviews across social media. The enchanting atmosphere and impeccable details left guests raving, making it a day to remember for everyone involved.
Today, it is among the five best wedding venues across San Andre constituency in Tiswadi taluka. The open-air wedding venue can host around 1,800 guests and has parking space for a maximum of 600 cars.
"At Joy n Celebrations, we pride ourselves on hosting a wide array of weddings, including not only beautiful Catholic ceremonies but also Hindu and Muslim celebrations. We curate unforgettable experiences that bring together various cultures and traditions, all in the spirit of love and unity," says Suncy.
FROM EVERY CORNER
When the venue is lit for a wedding ceremony, the illumination is visible from far and wide—even from the port town of Vasco. This stunning visibility from such a distance is possible because of the magical location.
People can see the lights from miles away due to the clear and non-polluting atmosphere around the venue.
IT IS NOT JUST FOR WEDDINGS
The venue is not exclusively for weddings alone; it also features a futsal ground, two infinity pools, and four cottages.
For the past two years, the venue has hosted the Sao Joao party during the monsoon, under the name ‘Bhizya Mare’ (Let's Get Wet).
"Before the wedding venue took shape, the futsal ground was my first project in the area. It was something new at the time. When it started, it was a craze and helped us raise money to complete the wedding venue work," Suncy recalls.
In 2020, he inaugurated his first infinity pool, naming it Wet 'n' Wild. This pool offers stunning views of the horizon, allowing visitors to see as far as the Agassaim-Bambolim flyover in the distance. From this vantage point, watching the sun go down offers a magical experience every evening.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Once you reach the Goa Velha market on the old Panjim-Margao highway, turn left towards St Andrew’s Church. Continuing onward on the narrow roads, you will reach the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Just a little further lies the Batim Lake, a bird watchers' paradise. A few kilometres from the lake, the road winds into a deep turn that leads you up to Gancim.
If one is travelling on the Old Goa-Panjim bypass on the Kadama Plateau, there is a road that branches off at The Fern Kadabma Hotel and Spa and leads to the 17th century St Anne Church in Santana village of Talaulim.
From the church, one can continue along the road to Batim, eventually arriving at Joy n Celebrations.
Whether it’s an elegant wedding celebration, a serene picnic under the open sky, or a cherished moment of solitude, Joy n Celebrations is a majestic testament to nature’s generous offering on this highest hill of Batim.
DETAILS
WHAT: Joy n Celebrations open-air wedding venue
LOCATION: Gancim, Batim, Tiswadi, North Goa
GOOGLE MAPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wXUEW43aLfx5y5SH8