(9 October 2007 8:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Online matrimonial service Shaadi.com has launched Shaadi Pages (www.shaadipages.com), which it calls as India's first online wedding directory.

The idea behind launching it is the insight that couples these days are extremely occupied with hectic work hours. Shaadi Pages has been specifically created to help these couples plan their wedding in convenient schedules and not be limited by store hours.

Once on Shaadi Pages, couples simply enter the type of service they are looking for, along with their city, locality, pincode, vendor name or keyword, and Shaadi Pages will generate vendor listings meeting the criteria. Couples can then contact the vendors most suitable to their requirements.

Shaadi.com business head Vibhas Mehta said, "With Shaadi.com we brought people the convenience of finding their perfect someone from the comfort of their homes. With Shaadi Pages, we plan to go a step forward and escort customers through the entire process of making their wedding a memorable event."

According to an official release, Shaadi Pages offers over 10,000 listings spanning over 9 categories - astrology services, event services, music and entertainment, beauty and grooming, fashion and clothing, decorations, food and beverages, travel and tours and other related services like - invitation cards, wedding planners.

Wedding related service vendors can use this service as it connects customers to them through four wedding related gateways, namely - Shaadi.com, Shaadi Times, Shaadi Point, and Astrolife.com. Vendors are also allowed to create and maintain their personalized webpage, where they can display their products / services in great detail.

"We see great potential in the wedding industry in India which is currently pegged at Rs 75,000 crores, growing at a phenomenal rate of 25 per cent each year, and are extremely optimistic about the success of Shaadi Pages as India's very own first online wedding directory, " added Mehta.

Shaadi Pages is currently targeting audiences in India, USA and UK.