Kochi:  Dull walls. Fluorescent lights. Stacks of files. This is usually the backdrop for thousands of weddings happening at the registrar’s offices in Kerala. Not anymore. If all goes according to the Greater Cochin Development Authority’s (GCDA) plan, Kochi may soon have a venue where weddings feel less like paperwork and more like the celebration they were always meant to be. 

GCDA is moving ahead with a plan to transform Rajendra Maidan, one of Kochi’s most centrally located open spaces, into an intimate, picturesque and affordable wedding destination. Tendering processes are underway, and officials promise couples a setting that blends charm, elegance, and affordability. 
GCDA Chairman K Chandran Pillai highlighted that weddings registered at registrar offices, including those under the Special Marriage Act, often lack the celebratory atmosphere that couples desire. 

“At present, scores of weddings in Kochi take place inside registrar's offices. They are functional but far from festive,” said Pillai. “The GCDA wants to change that. A wedding is one of the most important days in a person’s life, but when it happens in a busy government office, often the couple doesn’t even get a decent photograph. Rajendra Maidan will give them the serenity and beauty they deserve at a cheap cost.” 
Pillai told Onmanorama that the project has already secured approval from both the registration and LSG departments, and the GCDA is in talks with the district registrar regarding implementation. The project, expected to cost ₹95 lakh, is set to see a tender initiated soon. 

Under the new plan, couples visiting the registrar office for a marriage date can instead choose Rajendra Maidan as their venue. The registrar will still officiate the marriage, but in a far more scenic location. GCDA officials say the space could even host mass weddings, giving multiple couples a chance to celebrate together in style. 

What the venue offers 
The project isn’t about grand ballrooms or extravagant decor. Instead, it focuses on simplicity with elegance. GCDA officials say the basic package, costing just about ₹500, will cover essentials like a customised stage, ornamental lighting, selfie spots, toilets, and dressing rooms. Electricity for photographers and videographers is built in. Couples can then add what they wish — floral arches, themed decorations, or catering — at preferential rates through approved vendors.  
“The aim is to give families the ambience they want at a cost they can manage. It’s about creating beautiful memories without a hefty price tag. Rajendra Maidan, with a leafy patch with sweeping views of the water, already has the perfect stage. All we are doing is adding a little sparkle to it,” Pillai said.