Our series ‘Young and Inspiring’ showcases fresh, exciting new talent powerhouses from the fashion and events domain who specialize in creating dream weddings for couples with stars in their eyes. Meet Noureen Morani, Head of Weddings at one of Mumbai’s premier entertainment companies, Cineyug.
Q) Tell us a little about your education and early work life.
I finished my Bachelors in Commerce, with an associate degree in Fashion Merchandising from FIDM in Los Angeles. I lived in the US and ran my own design business for many years. Although I grew up in a media and entertainment business family, it wasn’t until I moved back to live in India 4 years ago, that I really started to explore my love for the big, fat Indian wedding and all the elements of design, creativity and sharp organization that go into it!
Q) What do you love most about your job as the Head of Weddings at Cineyug?
The fact that someone has called on me to accompany them as they embark on planning their most significant dream! I’m an absolute romantic at heart. Whether it is the bride or her parents or the groom and his family, the Indian wedding is an amalgamation of so many closely held dreams and aspirations, you end up feeling quite overwhelmed to have the privilege to have been part of that process.
Q) How have weddings changed from the time you got married, and today?
The core emotion, the stress parents go through, the format, rituals and functions we absolutely must celebrate, these have endured. What has changed dramatically is the sheer scale! And entertainment. I don’t remember weddings being so much about entertainment acts and performances as they are today. It has its upside and downside, but that’s where we come in as experts. This is ‘our part of the business’. We understand exactly how to bring in the right amount of glamour and spunk without losing the personal intimacy of a family function.
Q) One input/ piece of advice you’d like to share with every bride-to-be or to-be-wed couple.
I know the last thing a planner needs to advise a couple is ‘enjoy your big day!’ because that’s why they’ve hired you in the first place, so you can facilitate that but I am a firm believer in the power of positive energy. I’ve seen an optimistic, smiling, hopeful bride have the most spectacular sunset wedding in Thailand after waiting out three days of a frightful tropical storm! Somewhere I believe it all comes down to how firmly you choose to just enjoy this day, no matter what! Everything works out!
Q) One of the most memorable wedding planning experiences.
I had jumped into the deep end with one of my first weddings. It was for the Goenkas in Jodhpur and had everything you could ask for – a fabulous setting (The Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace), a multi-cultural mix of people, a beautiful vibe, great vendors who really handheld and guided me like family through those weeks of planning and the events, and of course a dream client who was open to ideas, creatively involved and just as excited about every little detail as I was!
Q) One destination where you would like to organize a wedding.
The colours of the Mediterranean have always fascinated me. Greece is one of my favourite holiday destinations and though I haven’t had the opportunity to plan a wedding there yet, I have a lot of ideas constantly swirling around for a Greek island wedding that I am waiting for the right client to come along and bring those to life for. And I’m also looking forward to visiting Oman, the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa and Al Bustan Palace in Muscat are the hottest new international destination for weddings.
Q) How do you unwind and what hobbies do you pursue in your spare time?
Fitness and wellbeing are very important to me, so time spent doing yoga, swimming, reading something light or inspiring and, spending time with my daughter Athina are some of my favourite things.
Q) The Indian Wedding only seems to get bigger and bigger. Do you agree?
Yes and I am constantly in awe of the fact that just when you think you’ve seen it all, that it can’t possibly get anymore extravagant, it just does! From 2-mile long baraats and entourages of 100 dancers for bridal entries, the lines are quickly blurring between the awards shows we also produce and actual, real-life weddings! It feels good of course to be constantly on the top of that game, in terms of what we can pull off being Cineyug and given our history with grandeur and scale.
Documenting the most talked about wedding of the year (reported in the international media as a 14 million pound extravaganza) in captivating Florence is a daunting challenge. A challenge that destination-wedding favourites, DotDusk Studios from Delhi, were more than up to. With their inimitable skill of fusing a journalistic immediacy with a timeless, artistic aesthetic, Team DotDusk bring us a handpicked selection of perfectly captured moments from a superlative wedding.
Dubai-based Indian magnate Yogesh Mehta’s son Rohan Mehta and London-born Roshni Khemlani, co-founder of luxury brand Izaak Azanei, wed at historic venues across Florence. The “magical RORO wedding” – as the groom’s father aptly coined the event on Twitter – was a five-event Bollywood-style celebration. Obviously, some of the most preferred wedding specialists of the rich and famous Indians were involved with the wedding- Mumbai’s Aditya Motwane (MEW- Motwane Entertainment and Weddings) and team managed the wedding while the decor & design was conceptualized and executed by Vandana Mohan’s The Wedding Design Company (WDC). The invitations were designed by Delhi’s Vivek Sahni Designs, while chef Ritu Dalmia of Diva, Delhi’s Indian Accent restaurant and Puneet Sikand of The Kitchen Art Co. catered to the lavish spread at some of the events.
Welcome Lunch
Four hundred and fifty friends and relatives were flown to Florence from across the globe. The wedding party stayed at St Regis and The Westin Excelsior at the Piazza Ognissanti or the All Saints Square. The celebration commenced with a welcome lunch party hosted at the square between these two luxury hotels. A beautiful marquee was erected in the square to create a cozy, homely lounge space where guests were served food and drink round the clock. From a live Napoli pizza station that is known to serve the best pizza in Italy to a Panini bar, a gourmet popcorn stand and Indian street food stations, the menu featured a mouthwatering spread.
Mehendi
The venue was done up in fresh vibrant color and ethnic flavor for the Indian Bazaar style mehendi. The dance floor had an ethnic painted mosaic with umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. The centerpiece of the ceremony was a hanging flower-bedecked wall as in an Indian flower market. There was a live caricaturist, a tea leaf-reading fortune teller and live music by Indian-born American singer Vidya Vox. Sicily’s Michelin starred chef, Tony Lococo, created an Italian street food menu.
Welcome Dinner
The wedding dinner was hosted at the Palazzo Gerini in Firenze – an aristocratic villa with high ceilings and huge chandeliers, and stunning décor that lent itself to the alta moda theme. Mime artistes painted as historic statues taking photos with the guests, and serving the bubbly were human tables and chandeliers! A dedicated party room had been created for the youngsters, where the couple’s favourite song lyrics were displayed on neon signs above the bar. The dining area had been set up in the garden, with two-Michelin starred chef Maurro Uliassi cooking at a live station, alongside Delhi’s Indian Accent.
Wedding
On the wedding day, the groom arrived in a white vintage convertible, an Excaliber, accompanied by historic Roman cavalry. His carnival-style baraat had several mobile bars and trucks with huge speakers as Sukhbir performed classic Punjabi wedding songs with his dhol team alongside the DJs. The couple tied the knot in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony. The bride wore a traditional red Sabyasachi lehenga with a diamond and ruby set. Her bangles were inscribed with the groom’s name and her own.
Reception
The wedding reception was hosted at the grand estate of Villa Le Corti in San Casciano, with its centuries-old cypress trees, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. The 16th-century villa was transformed into ‘An Enchanting Winter Wonderland’ which was the theme. The driveway was lit up with candles. The main reception dinner set up was adorned with ivory flowers, crystal chandeliers and candelabras, white trees, more candles, and a magical water fountain cascading from the ceiling into various shapes. The couple danced their first to Michael Jackson’s Butterflies.
Rohan and Roshni, very thoughtfully, had Italy’s most famous perfumeries create a unique fragrance that was packaged in a RORO monogrammed glass bottle as a wedding memoir for each guest.
Alice in Wonderland meets Art Nouveau and Haute Couture at the #RoRoWedding Sangeet in Florence, orchestrated by Vandana Mohan of The Wedding Design Company (WDC).
Like a Toulouse-Lautrec canvas come to life, the venue for Roshni and Rohan Mehta’s sangeet, the historical Stazione Leopolda in Florence came alive on a surreal night. Featuring décor and character piques reminiscent of late 19th century Parisian nightlife, references to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and with live entertainment, the #RoRoWedding Sangeet was visually, aurally and conceptually enchanting.
When guests walked in, the first thing they saw were the arches festooned with mirrors, creating fanciful illusions and light play, bringing the story alive and inspiring guests to imagine their own ‘six impossible things’… Because, as night fell, there appeared the characters out of Carroll’s gorgeous tale – the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the March Hare, the Duchess and the Snap Dragonfly on stilts, the Playing Cards, the Talking Flowers, entertainers on stilts – one perched on a dodo, another atop a flamingo. A delightful Mad Tea Party buffet spread with cookies in the shape of playing cards and pretty ‘potion’-filled vials with ‘Drink Me’ tags. The décor incorporated telltale elements from the novel, strategically placed around the venue – alarm clocks, life-like stuffed-toy rabbits, colourful keys, mushrooms, red and white roses and four-suit-motifed cappuccino cups used as flower holders.
Then came the jugglers, dwarves, fire-eating acrobats electrifying the dreamy, dramatic narrative… In and out they weaved, through lounge spaces like the one with a mural, suspended chairs and bicycles or another with pinwheels and graphic prints as backdrop. The high ceilings were hung with chandeliers fashioned out of lampshades and red glass jugs. When the authorities refused to permit a real elephant, the couple chose a statue of one, covered in fuchsia mosaic tiles.
The palette of references moved to Eric Chauvin’s dramatic flower-bedecked walls for the 2012 Dior runway. The dining space was covered in English roses, hydrangeas, heleniums, chocolate cosmos and dendrobium orchids. These were brought alive by a constellation of candles set in crystal glasses and candelabras that complemented the handpicked crystal ware set at each table.
A bar was set up at one end of the venue. At the other, a stage with a giant LCD screen backdrop saw dance performances by the family, friends and the bride and groom. Roshni and her friends performed to Saiyaan and Superstar, while Rohan and his friends danced to Palat Tera Hero Idhar Hai. The bride wore a Manish Malhotra lehenga with a regal trail, complementing it with an uncut diamond set. The groom wore a Manish Malhotra sherwani.
Music kept them moving and the performers in attendance included American clarinetist and music composer, Shankar Tucker and vocalist Vidya Vox, the Italian-Canadian classical-crossover singer, Natalie Di Luccio, Bollywood music director, Shamir Tandon and team and the Prince of Bhangra, Sukhbir. DJ Sameer and DJ Zubair then took over, spinning the tunes that kept the energy high all evening.
The #RoRoWedding Sangeet raised the bar on crazy, cool, culturally inspiring nights to remember! Thank you DotDusk Studios, Wedding Design Company and Motwane Entertainment and Weddings (MEW) for sharing these amazing images with us.
Parth, Jindal scion and son of industrialists Sangita and Sajjan Jindal is marrying his childhood sweetheart Anushree, the daughter of Uday Jasani, a construction mogul. Society butterflies will remember their gorgeous engagement at the classic celebration venue, the Crystal Room, Taj Mahal, Mumbai last year. The couple both former school-mates at the Cathedral and John Connon School then took off with their closest friends for a pre-wedding celebration to the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur.
Now, their wedding celebrations will commence with a ‘Symphony in Love’, a welcome dinner at the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Celebrations continue at iconic venues across venue and will crescendo with a wedding hosted at the Belvedere Palace, themed ‘Celestial Rhapsody’. Read more here
The guest list includes a host of high-profile and high-society folk who the Jindals and Jasanis count as family and friends. The revelers will fly in to Vienna on the evening of the 6th looking forward to a delectable few days of luxurious hospitality (and even deliciously, a performance by none other than Enrique Iglesias!)
The wedding makers have already made tracks to Vienna. These include Aditya Motwane and Team (Motwane Entertainment & Weddings), Vandana Mohan and Teams (Backstage Productions and The Wedding Design Company), Aman Anand and Nemish Sanghvi of Kickstart Entertainment, Chef Ritu Dalmia, US based Photographer Mili Ghosh, DJ Gaurav Malvai and DJ AJ, Makeup Artists Shamlee Arora and Vipul Bhagat and Bollywood Mehendi Artist Veena Nagda.
Our series ‘Young and Inspiring’ showcases fresh, exciting new talent powerhouses from the design, fashion and event domains who specialise in creating dream weddings for couples with stars in their eyes. Meet Dipansh Bhasin, Founder of Ozel Design, a creative design house creating beautiful custom invitations for high-profile clients and patrons throughout the country.
Tell us a bit about your journey? What inspired you to get into the wedding invitations business?
I come from a family that has been in the paper business for 25 years. So I thought, why not venture into something related to it? I realized that there was a gap in the wedding invitation market. It was either the high-end Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per invite kind of places or the Chawri Bazaar wholesale market that people would have to choose from. There are regular middle-class families in New Delhi and India that desire good quality products but don’t want to pay a bomb for it. That has been my target group for the past five years since I began this company. Just because it’s nice, doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. One can put creative ideas to good use and create something classy.
What kind of invitations do young couples look for?
Couples these days choose invitations with a multipurpose utility, instead of the usual mithai box and invitation card. A lot of couples want to personalise their invitations and gifts. One of our clients wanted to send out a special message to each guest with every invitation, so we had a calligrapher pen down those personal notes. Another couple was having a destination wedding, so we made them a hangover kit to go with the wedding card. It’s a beautiful way to create excitement and anticipation of what was to come. You know that you’re going to party hard and you’ll probably have a hangover, so the couple had already provided the remedy quite thoughtfully. Also, it made for a wonderful keepsake.
What are the trends in wedding invitations and wedding gifting this season?
We create something different every season, but wedding invitations or gifting options are always in reference to a theme and personalised as per a client’s tastes. An invitation represents a couple and elements from their wedding or love story. Some couples want all the colours of their wedding to be featured in the invitation. That’s absolutely unnecessary. Last year we experimented with utility boxes and they were a big hit. This year we’re making travel utility boxes that denote an adventurous spirit and are great for destination weddings. For example, we created a travel utility box with a map, a handmade compass and some sand for a beach wedding this year.
What is the range of wedding gifts you cater to? Do you make care packages as well?
We create everything from save-the-date cards, wedding stationary, placards at the airport and wedding, pocket itineraries for guests and ‘Thank You’ letters to little gifts and games that can be played during the wedding period. We’ve customised Jenga and Snakes & Ladders recently. So when guests are relaxing in their rooms during the wedding, they can enjoy some group activities instead of just watching television. We don’t do any off-the-shelf sales. We do show couples what we’ve done before, but we always customise gifts and create mock-ups for them. We understand the colour palette they want as well as their personalities, and aim to create something unique to their wedding.
What is the most unusual request that you have ever had?
A well-known and respected entrepreneurial family from Punjab, the Libra family, had asked us to create an invitation that reflected their family transportation business. So we created miniature wooden trucks to scale, with wheels that could roll, in which we placed the invitation cards. Another unusual one that I recall from a destination wedding in Mauritius was called ‘Be Still’. It was a small wooden box with white sand and a wooden pen-shaped dangler. It was meant to illustrate how we run around all the time without so much as having a 15-minute window where we do nothing. We sent out a note with it on how to use it to relax the mind. We sourced kinetic sand for this piece so it would not leave any residue when you played with it.
Do you have a favourite among the invites that you’ve created… Anything you hold close to your heart and why?
A very close family friend was getting married and wanted an unusual invite that wasn’t made of cardboard and paper. He emphasised that it should have utility value. We brainstormed to come up with a veneer invite. Each and every detail was engraved on the veneer and personalised for each guest. He loved it and that’s how our veneer series happened. This was a game changer, a first in India, and will always remain special to us. Had he not demanded that we create something unconventional, we would never have considered wood veneer as a material to use in an invitation. It has now become our USP.
What’s your advice to couples who want to send out e-vites? Any other tips for them?
A milestone event requires a physical invite. Once you set a wedding date, you usually have about six months on hand to meet relatives and invite them. Don’t underestimate the charm of inviting your loved ones. The joy that this gesture brings is worth much more than all the time you will save by hitting ‘send’ on a digital invite. I would also like to advise couples to stop trying to make everything perfect. Don’t try to incorporate all your trousseau colours in the invite and décor, or get worked up about making things picture-perfect for your social media profile. It’s not worth it. People tend to get stuck in making the ‘best’ choices, and in the process lose out on the beauty of that momentous occasion. You’ve found the right partner and are setting out on a journey together for life. That is the most important. Revel in that. You’ve already done your best. Everything else is secondary, and possibly as perfect as it will ever be.
Mehendi celebrations are a joyous precursor to the more emotional main event and offer themselves as a great opportunity to tweak the traditional. Henna Sabhlok did just that when she hosted a Mehendi Sundowner at the family’s private farm in Chattarpur that was nothing short of spectacular.
As dawn broke on the day of the mehendi, the bride was really excited, knowing this would be a day that was out of the ordinary. For one thing, Wedding Duo’s Vishal Chand and Aliya Vij had designed the event. Their inspiration was easy, “The whole evening was an evocation of the bride’s lively, easy-going charm. This was not a single design story but a carnival of elements, an extension of the multi-faceted personality of this young woman. And that’s how a traditional mehendi ceremony was sculpted into an off-beat sundowner, theatrical in every way!”
The décor set the tone to magic. Created to wow a guest list of 600 people, the design was elemental, whimsical and a bit crazy. At the entrance, an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ inspired installation of paper flowers towered over the guests in welcome. The lawns were covered in two canopies – one black, one white. Under the white canopy hung floral chandeliers and lounge seating. Under the black, a surreal dining set up was lit with hundreds of glowing white umbrellas suspended upside down amongst thousands of fairy lights glistening like stars in the night sky.
As backdrop to the bride’s mehendi ceremony, a wall was created out of fresh flowers while giant tea cups overflowing with roses and carnations were hung from a tree wrapped in fairy lights.
The island bar carried the wedding monogram and over-blown menus of the bride’s favourite cocktails. More whimsy followed with profusions of lycra flowers, Edison bulbs and iron cubes. The bar was further accessorized with shot towers, beer barrels, wine bottle holders and beer caddies. Further down, an elevated wooden hookah corner added a hint of decadence. By the wee hours of the morning the raised scaffolding constructed for the DJ had the bride’s brother and his friends rocking the show!
This sundowner mehendi will certainly be regarded as a trendsetter in celebrating the best of traditional customs but with a gorgeous, modern twist. And the happiness and delight on the bride’s face made a memorable evening timeless.
Reshma and Krish’s unique wedding invitation, designed by Hong Kong-based Moor Designs, was planned like a traveling diary and each event invite includes a country or city that is close to the couple’s hearts.
Reshma shares memories of her romance and the inspiration behind the artistic wedding invitations. “Mumbai has a funny way of bringing people together when they least expect it. We both met for the first time on the 14th of February, 2015, on a night out partying with our friends. After that night, I thought I would never see him again. We only spoke a little to each other that night but connected over social media. I left for Barcelona, and he left for the US to finish his medical rotation. Four months later he decided to travel to Barcelona and that’s how our love story began. He arrived single and left with a girlfriend!”
Reshma and Krish are having a destination wedding in Phuketin April this year. The happy bride-to-be shares that the wedding venuewill be Angsana Laguna Phuket in Thailand. “After a lot of research, we came across this beautiful resort which is a modern tropical getaway on the scenic Bang Tao Bay. It has a lot to offer. Every event at our wedding will have its own unique venue representing a country or a city that has been close to our hearts. We are thrilled to be taking our loved ones all the way to Thailand and sharing our traveling diary wedding adventure with them.”
Wedding Invitations
The inspiration behind each event invite was based on Krish and Reshma’s fond memories.
Flamenco Fantasy
“I was born and raised in Barcelona, a cosmopolitan city that attracts a lot of tourists every year and is vibrant with culture. This city is where our love story began, so we will commence the wedding functions with a Spanish flamenco theme that will add a deeper layer of meaning to the occasion and give us the opportunity to relive those moments we had.”
New York City of Lights
“Our sundowner pool party will have a ‘New York City of Lights’ theme representing the skyline, lights and the vibe of a city that never sleeps. There is something about New York that is so addictive. Once you leave, you just feel like returning to it again and again. Krish was living in New York for six months while finishing his medical rotation and I decided to do a diamond course there at the same time. There is so much do when living in the fastest city in the world – you go out, you work hard, you meet tons of different people every day and balancing all that is what made our relationship grow strong.”
Love Locked in Paris
“A ‘Paris’ theme is incredibly versatile and romantic. Attaching a ‘Love Lock’ on a Paris bridge was on the top of our bucket list for a very long time. Unfortunately, Paris banned it recently. So we decided to have a bridge set up at our mehendiwhere our family and friends can have the opportunity to fasten padlocks to symbolize their love.”
Mughal Mystique
Inspired by the opulence and grandeur of Rajasthani palaces, we want to recreate a ‘Royal Sangeet’ experience for everyone. Every girl grows up wishing that her wedding day will be dreamy and elegant, and so she pays attention to the smallest of details, be it in clothes, bridal jewelry and the wedding decor. Krish and I are fascinated by Rajasthani culture and we wanted to represent it’s beauty and grandeur on our big day.”
Winter Wonderland
“I lived in Londonfor four years, and Hyde Park’s Magical Winter Wonderland was my favorite place to visit every year. It’s the perfect world where there is only happiness and that’s the feeling we want to bring to our wedding. It goes perfectly with our all-white decor at our American reception. I hope to take Krish there one day.”
WeddingSutra wishes the couple a lifetime of happiness.
WeddingSutra invites you to step into palatial palaces and regal resorts around the world that have hosted Indian weddings for illustrious families whose tastes are no less than those of royalty with their penchant for glitz, opulence and class. Check out our list of royal venues that guarantee a lavish fairytale setting and make a couple truly feel like a prince and princess.
1. Al Bustan Palace – A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Sultanate of Oman
A 20-minute drive from Muscat brings one to the sprawling Al Bustan Palace in the Sultanate of Oman. It was originally constructed in 1985, and today is a landmark destination for exclusive weddings. Its design is inspired by Arab and art deco influences, and its majestic 38-metre-high domed atrium lobby is truly impressive. This five-star resort’s distinctive wedding venues include the largest ballroom in Oman and manicured gardens for outdoor ceremonies with a backdrop of the Al Hajar mountains and brilliant blue Sea of Oman. The Qantab Room can cater for up to 500 guests for a banquet, and the Manjan Ballroom can accommodate up to 2,000 guests for a reception, and 750 for banquet. The hotel boasts 198 rooms and 25 luxury suites.
2. Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
One of the most expensive hotels every built, the seven-star Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi is striking with its traditional Arabian design elements that include a grand dome and 114 smaller domes in colors reflecting different shades of sand found in the Arabian Desert. With sumptuous furnishings, palatial interiors and a stunning view of the Indian Ocean, the hotel is spread over a million meters, and has 302 deluxe luxury rooms, 92 suites, landscaped gardens, 1002 chandeliers made with Swarovski’s premier Strauss crystals and the region’s largest ballroom with a capacity for 2,500 guests. In February this year, Bollywood stars Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Arjun and Sonam Kapoor attended the wedding of their cousin Akshay Marwah to Aashita Relan here. The three-day wedding was attended by around 300 guests and the city’s finest florists were roped in to add that additional wow factor to the stunning venue.
3. San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice, Italy
Located on the private 17-acre island of San Clemente and boasting of its own 12th-century church, the San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice dates back to 1131. Its Renaissance-style buildings, restored gardens and historic monastery makes this hotel a wedding destination with a difference. Wedding guests are assured exclusivity given that it is a private island, yet there are lots of activities to indulge in – from golf to tennis, jogging to relaxing in heated pools. With its sprawling gardens, the hotel is ideal for couples who want a large-scale seaside wedding with amazing views. That’s exactly what UK-based Indian billionaire Pramod Agarwal got when he booked this property for his daughter Vineeta’s wedding to Muqit Teja in 2011. The three-day wedding saw over 800 guests attending, and a Michelin star chef Federico Salza laying out a vegetarian Italian spread. The historic ramparts of the hotel were decorated like an extravagant Indian wedding venue where Shakira performed and delighted the gathering of global guests.
4. Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
‘Falaknuma’ means ‘Like the sky’ or ‘Mirror of the sky’ – and it is little wonder that the stately Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad continues to be a magnet for illustrious families who choose it as a wedding venue. Situated 2,000 feet above the historic city of Hyderabad, the hotel exudes the class and refinement of the erstwhile Nizams with its blend of Italian and Tudor architecture. Its 60 beautifully restored rooms, stunning Reception Room and 22 spacious halls ensure there is ample venues for myriad wedding events. One of the highlights of this regal property is its immense collection of Venetian chandeliers which is said to be the largest in the world.
Photos Courtesy – Picture Art Company – Arjun Khurana
5. Çıragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul, Turkey
The grandeur of the former Ottoman Empire is evident at the impressive Ciragan Palace in the Turkish capital of Istanbul. Dating back to 1867, this luxury hotel is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus and was beautifully restored in 2007. In 2012, Vartika, niece of UK-based billionaire of Indian origin Lakshmi Mittal, wed Utsav Goenka here. With 313 rooms, including 20 suites in the main hotel section and 11 suites in the imperial palace section, the hotel is ranked as one of the most expensive in the world. Some of its highlights includes the spacious wedding terrace and Ciragan Ballroom overlooking the blue waters of the Bosphorus.
6. Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria
This historic building complex comprises two Baroque palaces, decorative fountains, imposing wrought iron gates and sprawling gardens. Built in the early 18th century, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It houses some of the most notable collections of Austrian art. Business scions Sangita and Sajjan Jindal’s son Parth Jindal married Anushree Jasani at this beautiful venue. The historic ramparts of the Belvedere Palace came alive with this three-day Bollywood-style extravaganza which had a ‘Celestial Rhapsody’ theme. The white walls of the palace were vibrant with backdrops of floral arrangements installed on and around the walkway in colors of deep pink, red and gold.
7. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Home to Jodhpur’s royal family and situated at the city’s highest vantage point Chittar Hill, Umaid Bhawan Palace impresses all at first sight with its majestic structure and marvellous surroundings. This luxury heritage hotel is one of the world’s largest private residences and guests feel no less than royalty here. The palace was designed by renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, with a blend of eastern and western architectural influences. An immutable tribute to art deco, the hotel’s posh suites come with private sit-out areas that offer stunning views of the city, panoramic lawns and courtyards. Many celebrity weddings have been held here, and the gardens of this gorgeous property have hosted guests numbering thousands. Perfect for large-scale weddings, Umaid Bhawan Palace epitomises the best in luxury and heritage at the same time.
Photos Courtesy – OneLight Studio (left), Inderjeet Gill (right)
Photos Courtesy – Manie Bhatia
8. The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
A historical tourist attraction in itself, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is the ultimate in luxury if you’re looking for an exclusive venue amongst colonial structures in the picturesque part of bustling Mumbai. This iconic hotel, overlooking the majestic Gateway of India, dates back over a 100 years, to 1903. Each of the 550 rooms and suites are a blend of nostalgic elegance, rich history and modern facilities. The 11 newly refurbished halls and venues are ideal for elaborate weddings as well as intimate gatherings. The Ballroom, spacious enough for 450 guests, is perfect for grand private events. For a larger banquet, there’s the massive, pillar-less Crystal Room which can host over 800 guests. A delightful option for a private celebration with about 100 guests is the Rendezvous on the Rooftop venue with its 360-degree panoramic view of Mumbai. If you’re choosing to tie the knot at one of their exquisite venues, you can be certain that your guests will take back memories of exquisite culinary experiences that this hotel is famous for.
Photos Courtesy – Monica Moghe Photography
9. Il Borro, Tuscany, Italy
The 700-acre estate of Il Borro in Italy’s picturesque Tuscany region offers a unique and spectacular space for luxurious Indian weddings. Il Borro is an estate that is owned by the Ferragamo family and boasts of its own medieval village, 19th-century villa and rustic farms. Surrounded by the beautiful Chianti hills and Apennine mountains, the paradise in Tuscany offers myriad options for rooms including luxury suites, villas and farmhouses. A member of the luxury Relais et Chateaux chain, it sets a new standard for luxury resorts, especially when it comes to peace, privacy and picture-perfect locales.
10. Palace of Versailles, France
Listed as a World Heritage Site for 30 years, the Palace of Versailles is a royal château in Versailles, in the Île-de-France region of France. Built by Louis XIII in 1623 as a basic hunting lodge at first, it was expanded into a royal palace by Louis XIV. With landscaped gardens, elaborate interiors and an unmatchable collection of art and statues, Palace of Versailles continues to be a top draw for tourists. However, when it comes to hosting private wedding events, that is still rare as the venue allowed an engagement party for the first time when UK billionaire Lakshmi Mittal’s daughter got betrothed to banker Amit Bhatia. It is alleged that it took the tycoon a year to arrange for requisite permissions, making it a truly exclusive venue. The engagement party was held at the Battle Gallery inside the Palace of Versailles, while the wedding took place at the Vaux le Vimconte, another spectacular and palatial chateau also in France.
11. Edinburgh Castle
For centuries, Edinburgh Castle, perched majestically on Castle Rock, high above the city, was the preferred residence of pure blood royalty. This iconic landmark may be the most unforgettable setting to say ‘I do’ in. The oldest building in Edinburgh, St Margaret’s Chapel is perfect for an intimate ceremony. There are several larger venues too, each with sweeping vistas right outside the threshold. The Queen Anne building can host up to 170 people and is a sumptuous setting, right in the heart of the palace grounds and perfect for a grand banquet. The Jacobite Room is another popular venue. It has a capacity of 100 for inner or 150 for an evening reception. Its special features are the stunning modern interiors in an 18th century structure with awe inspiring high ceilings. Treat your guests to dramatic views overlooking Princes Street and the Firth of Forth. Then bedazzle them with a tour of the Crown Jewels.
12. Stirling Castle
With its beautiful buildings and breathtaking gardens, Stirling Castle has a history of royal celebrations. One of Scotland’s most stunning stone castles, the structures have been added to and embellished over the centuries. The Royal Palace, childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, was recently restored to its Renaissance glory. Stirling Castle is available for your exclusive use outside of visitor hours. The castle’s on-site Events Team is very experienced in planning unique events. Pick from a number of locations and venues to suit each of your ceremonies. For example, there is nothing quite as picturesque as a wedding shoot held in the Queen Anne Garden. The magnificently decorated palace rooms also provide splendid backdrops. To celebrate, the Chapel Royal has a capacity of 200 – 240 people and is a superb choice for wedding ceremonies and receptions, with a large stage ideally suited to a wedding band or other entertainment. You can even choose to have a cocktail reception here before dining in the Great Hall. Scotland’s largest medieval banqueting hall, recently restored to its 16th century splendor, the Great Hall can host up to 300 people (reception style). Round off a magical day with a reception in an enchanting setting. A raised dais area is perfect for table seating or for dancing.
13. Castell de Sant Marcal
Historians say the Sant Marçal or Cerdanyola Castle was built during the first third of the 11th century and has been owned by the same family for 700 years. The castle is known for its old world beauty, stunning façade and beautiful grounds. The magnificent gardens of the Castell de Sant Marcal lend themselves to a great variety of stagings, making each function of your wedding unique and exclusive. A great way to experience a wedding at Castell De Sant Marcal is to watch Jill and Niraj’s wedding video. Catch all the special moments in this 11th century wonder with a Gothic chapel and moat and imagine the perfect backdrop for brightly colored Indian festivities and revelers.
14. Jai Mahal, Jaipur
Built in 1745, the Jai Mahal Palace is a stunning piece of Rajasthan’s heritage and a great example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Set amidst 18 acres of landscaped Mughal gardens, the palace has been painstakingly restored and recently refurbished. It is now a luxury five-star Taj Heritage Hotel with 94 rooms and six suites equipped with modern-day comforts and unbeatable views of the city and palace gardens.
Explore the palace history and its landscaped gardens and plan a fairy tale wedding with up to 2,500 guests at the Palace Lawns. The Celebration Lawns are also perfect for intimate outdoor functions like mehendi ceremonies and brunches, while the Durbar Hall is perfect for indoor celebrations.
15. Buda Castle, Budapest
Budapest, with its historic wealth, panoramic terraces and glamorous ballrooms is rising to the top of the lists of exotic, ethereal wedding destinations. Couples are inspired by visions of walking down the aisle in stately settings, art nouveau architecture as backdrop, the meandering Danube in the vicinity, the iconic Chain Bridge in one picture, the palatial Buda Castle in another… It may be one of the most beautiful places in the world to say ‘I Do’. The Royal Palace in Szent György tér is an emblematic architectural masterpiece in the cityscape, and the building easiest to recognize from the Pest side of the Danube. The Castle was home to the kings of Hungary from the 13th century and is irresistible as a venue in Budapest to tie the knot!
Love what you see? For contacts at Palaces in Britain, please call Mercury Travels on 1800 266 2345 or write to them at outbound@mercurytravels.in
To see more gorgeous venues for Destination Weddings Visit- Taj, Oman, Shangri-la
Location, location, location – that’s ultimately what sets one luxury destination wedding apart from the others. We suss out places that top wedding planners are recommending to clients looking for swanky locations.
There is a reason why we take a cue from what the rich and famous are doing when it comes to weddings – they can command the ultimate in services and experiences for their elite guests as they can easily afford it. So when it comes to destination wedding locations, illustrious names are opting for unique and interesting places around the globe. We checked in with top luxury wedding planners such as Aditya Motwane of MEW, Pawan Mirchandani of Horizon WIE, Farid & Bhavnesh of WedNiksha, Mahesh Shirodkar of Tamarind Global, Neha Seth Arora of Var Vadhu, Devki Hemlani of I Do Etc. for their input and insights.
1. The Royal Myconian Resort, Mykonos, Greece
This luxury hotel on Elia Beach in the southern part of Mykonos offers unparalled views of the blue Aegean Sea from all its rooms and suites. It hosted the intimate wedding of Aditya Parekh and Mallika Tarkas in 2015. Aditya is the son of HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh, and his wedding had top names from India attending the memorable event in Mykonos. The resort’s stunning facade is inspired by its Cycladic history, and its spacious rooms, top-notch Thalasso spa alongside modern events spaces continue to be a lure for high-end weddings.
2. Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Seychelles
With perfect weather almost all year around, Seychelles can be considered a prime destination wedding location. With the trinity of sunshine, scenic views and surging waves of the Indian Ocean, this blessed island nation off the east coast of Africa boasts impressive luxury resorts such as Kempinski Seychelles which lies just 20 minutes from the international airport. Situated on the south end of the capital Mahe, on the Baie Lazare beach, the resort inspires creative nuptials with sandy expanses that are perfect for setting up wedding gazebos and photo shoots, and enjoying sun-kissed festivities.
3. Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE
The seven-star iconic Burj Al Arab is the magnet in the Middle East with its uber luxurious amenities and spacious, glitzy ballrooms. The Terrace, a manmade luxury beach facility, which was launched in May last year, is an outdoor deck built as an extension to the hotel. Spacious for grand events (and offered only to a very select few), it hosted its first large-scale Indian wedding there when Vivek Bhatia and Shruti Sethi tied the knot there in December last year. For high-flying couples, there is always the option of booking ‘Weddings in the Sky’ experience where they can tie the knot on the Burj Al Arab’s iconic helipad, which at 212 metres above the Arabian Gulf, offers unparalleled views of the glittering desert nation.
Photos Courtesy – Gregory Grytchenko of Blue Eye Picture
4. Constance Ephelia, Seychelles
Named after Ephelia, a legendary goddess of Seychelles, the rugged yet ravishing Constance Ephelia in Seychelles is the largest resort in the island nation. Two of the most beautiful beaches of the capital Mahe are situated here, and a 40-minute drive from the airport brings visitors to the 120 hectare resort which boasts four swimming pools, a luxury spa and 313 spacious rooms and villas which can house up to seven people. Winner of the Best Luxury Resort Award in Seychelles at the World Luxury Hotel Awards in 2016, Constance Ephelia is perfect for intimate or elaborate breezy, barefoot beach weddings – and we won’t be surprised if the resort’s wonderful wilderness and amenities tempts couples to re-book into it as a honeymoon destination too.
Photo Courtesy – Andrej Pavlov
5. Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
Fancy an exotic wedding in exquisite natural surroundings? Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa in Sri Lanka, located along the ancient Spice Route, is fast becoming the preferred choice for luxury destination weddings. This relatively new luxe resort which opened in June 2016 boasts sprawling green tropical gardens next to the brilliant blue waters of the Indian Ocean which provide scenic backdrops for wedding photo shoots. The resort has also incorporated the best of Sri Lankan flavors, aesthetics and creativity in its offerings which is bound to delight guests visiting for the first time. With 300 rooms and 21 suites alongside a main ballroom, it is perfect for both intimate and elaborate indoor/outdoor weddings.
6. Rosewood London & Grosvenor House, London, UK
With the elegance of an English country manor set in the hip, urban High Holborn area of London, the Rosewood London hotel’s beautifully spaces translate into sophisticated experiences for guests. From the Pavonazzo marble staircase to the picture-perfect arched entrance, the hotel’s multi-million pounds renovation has included a stunning ballroom, two standout restaurants and 306 rooms including a magnificent suite with a private entrance. Last week top London socialite Rekha Mehtani hosted her son Vinay’s wedding to Sonam Dhall here, as well as in the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane which is a JW Marriott property. With multiple reception venues, the stunning Great Room for weddings and recently refurbished spaces, the Grosvenor House offers rich history and haute-ness at one central location.
7. Disneyland Paris, France
A fairytale wedding and Disneyland Paris are a match made in heaven as dedicated planners here take care of every step, be it creating a magical garden with giant flowers and animals, unique events such as a Jet-Set Dinner under the stars or a DJ Party. A gala dinner can include touches from favorite Disney classics such as Cinderella’s carriage, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and even sets from Beauty and the Beast. What’s a Disney experience without fireworks? From pyrotechnics to lasers, everything is lit the way couples want it.
8. Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Sabah, Malaysia
Situated in Sabah in the north of the Borneo Island, the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort & Spa lies 30 km from the Kota Kinabalu airport. A popular wedding destination for well-heeled and discerning Indian families in India, Phillipines, Hong Kong and Malaysia, this luxury 499-room haven is situated in a location that abounds in natural beauty, wildlife reserves, beaches and coral reefs. The resort has been divided into the Garden Wing and the Ocean wing, and both offer access to the sea, have beautiful lawns in between alongside multiple bars and restaurants. The country club and in-house golf course are ideal for day weddings.
9. The Saluting Battery, Malta
One of the most spectacular fortifications in Malta’s capital Valletta, the 16th-century Saluting Battery is attracting truly discerning visitors and wedding clients according to Aditya Motwane, Director, Motwane Entertainment and Weddings. Malta is an island nation located in the center of the Mediterranean ocean in Europe, and lies 93 km off the coast of Sicily in Italy. The Saluting Battery which is located on the colonnaded Upper Barrakka Gardens offers stunning views of the Grand Harbor and historic structures of Valletta such as Fort St. Agnelo. The ceremonial firing of the historic cannon at a wedding here can be arranged to make the occasion truly stand out. There are many world class hotels around this popular attraction to house guests.
10. Shangri-La Le Tousserok Resort & Spa, Mauritius
Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort and Spa is situated directly on the white sand beaches of Trou d’Eau Douce Bay overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Visitors will be swept off their feet with the ‘Mauritian perfection’ that is evident in each of the 200 rooms, suites and exclusive villas here. The resort offers many elegant venues and enchanting outdoor locations for both large-scale or laidback, close-knit weddings. Unique to the resort is the little island of Ilot Mangénie, which is exclusive to Shangri-La guests. So whether you host a sundowner beach wedding or a cool function in the Hibiscus Gardens or amidst the lush greenery of the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Course with a lagoon view, you are assured of perfection in every moment in this heavenly location.
For more ideas and inspiration on Wow Venues, please visit the following: Oman Shangri-La Taj
London-based couple Ajay Ramnani and Serena Israni tied the knot in Athens earlier this month. The Ramnani’s are a renowned business family with interests in Nigeria, Lagos and London. The wedding was a three-day affair that included a dinner at the picturesque Dionysos Zonar’s, an Athenian restaurant foothills the Acropolis and a sangeet night with Punjabi singer Sukhbir leading the charge. Many famous faces were Instagramming the wedding including Sid Mallya and Ruchir Modi.
Here are a pick of Instagrams for a sneak peek into this big fat Indian wedding in Greece.
A wedding is a big deal. It’s a dance of a million different pieces all trying to make sure the rhythm is perfect and nobody falls out of step. In other words, a wedding is a stress explosion. What we have in our heads and what actually transpires can often be two very different things. To help alleviate the stress, we introduce you to CAMESSI – a luxury bespoke menswear brand. Camessi truly believes in tailoring their products to your desires. Armed with an in-depth understanding of your measurements, preferences and unique sense of style, their in-house bespoke consultants assess every nuance of your personality and translate it into your attire.
Camessi Bespoke caters to your every sartorial whim and fancy – and, once the finished item of clothing is presented to you, they revel in your satisfaction.
Look 1: Formal Elegance
Tom’s Camessi bespoke white Italian kent collar shirt assesses the best in man and translates it onto cloth. Camessi’s consultants make a personalised assessment of each and every client, noting intricate measurements, lifestyle choices, habits and individual characteristics, so as to project each client’s personality onto his attire. A Camessi Bespoke masterpiece is a labour of love, one that is a sheer joy to slip into. After all, feeling good is the first step towards looking good. 23 virtually invisible stitches per inch, 3mm hemlines and french side seams make it the perfect shirt to wear under a suit or without a blazer. The contrasting 100% cotton handmade trousers in deep plum bring an element of fun to the outfit, making it apt for a post wedding sundowner!
White Shirt priced at Rs. 7,300/-
*Both Trousers priced at Rs. 12,950/-
Look 2: Striped Debonair
Inject some personality into your look with a striped shirt, a high cutaway collar and pair it with a dark-hued cotton trousers. Dhiraj’s royal blue handmade trousers with assiduously handcrafted buttonholes, manually pick-stitched seams and hand-turned hems, perfectly complement his bespoke white and indigo striped shirt with precious mother-of-pearl buttons and painstakingly perfect buttonholes making it an interesting cocktail party ensemble.
Striped shirt priced at Rs. 8280/-
For more information on Camessi’s bespoke experience, please visit their website at www.camessi.com
Dubbed as the ‘Wedding Photographer of the year’ in 2016-17 (for the category: Friends and Family), ShutterInk‘s co-founder, Nitin Dangwal talks about capturing true emotions in a photojournalistic style and shares some beautiful memories associated with his love for wedding photography.
1. Tell us something about your journey? What inspired you to get into wedding photography?
In 2008 my wife gifted me a DSLR and I started exploring the features of the camera. It made me see the world in a different light. In 2013, my partner Sandeep Mohan, also a dear friend, booked a wedding and I knew my place was beside him. That first wedding was the cornerstone we built ShutterInk on. Since then, we’ve covered more than 70 weddings across the country and the journey has been simply wonderful!
2. What is your style/approach of photography?
Honesty and hard work will take you farther than anything else and we live that philosophy in our business too. We are honest with ourselves and express our dedication to the craft with our work. Couples appreciate this immensely.
This attitude helps us with being unobtrusive and managing to capture real moments and true emotions with minimal intervention. With portraits however, we take charge if we have to. We like our images to be imbued with emotion and that’s what we strive for in each project.
3. What are the hottest trends in wedding and pre-wedding photography this season?
Trends are transient. Indian wedding photography is evolving and on the verge of something huge. Photographers are increasingly educated about good and bad photography and photojournalism is getting more popular. I think in the next two years, meaningful photojournalism will emerge as the next stage of Indian wedding photography.
4. Do you have a favorite among the photos you have captured or a film you have shot? Anything close to your heart and why?
Every image has a story associated with it. But I’ll pick three images:
a. Sapna and Peeyush:
Sapna and Peeyush have been in love with each other since college and it all came together at this final moment. I feel that I have been able to capture all the years of togetherness and dreams of the future in her eyes, in that one moment.
b. Vishakha and Sanchit:
It is so simple but yet so difficult to create a “good image” out of a simple moment. The strength of this image is the mood that it conveys; everybody seems to be in a candid mood. The hand position of all the girls – most of them have their hands placed perfectly on Sanchit, applying haldi gently – conveys a familial bond. When you look at this image, you can instantly feel the connection between the family members. Also, this image earned us the ‘Wedding photographer of the year 2016’ award!
c. Swati and Navdeep:
It always gives me pleasure when an image can capture true emotions and a familial bond. You can see Swati’s two sisters and mum in the background during her vidai and this timeless image will always remind me (and surely remind Swati as well) about the love and strong bond she shares with her family.
5. What’s your advice to couples searching for their dream photographer?
I think as a society, we need to rise above comparing wedding photographers based on a number of albums sheets or photo edits. Images are priceless; set your priorities right. If your wedding photography budget is less than the cost of your trousseau or the decor at the events, then you need to think again. Ask yourself; is that what you really want to do? Your wedding is going to be a once in a lifetime event and you deserve great wedding photographs for yourself and for your family. Go a little further and reprioritize your budget and other chief resources for a life replete with happy memories.
To book ShutterInk for your wedding, please click here
All wonderful things begin with a ‘smile’ – the universal human emotion of friendliness, warmth, beauty and love. On your special day, your smile will be the cynosure of all eyes. Popular cosmetic dentist expert from Mumbai, Dr. Karishma Vijan recommends a few aesthetic dentistry procedures that will make sure your pearly whites shine throughout the night.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular procedures performed today before giving any public appearance, including a wedding. It ensures whiter, shinier teeth. It is a quick procedure that entails applying a special gel on the teeth followed by a post-procedure whiteness and brightness technique that enhances your smile instantly. Dr Karishma Vijan explains, “If performed accurately, the results can uplift a smile instantly, whilst causing absolutely no harm to teeth. It is also amongst the most popular procedures with us and the results are instant.”
Smile Design
On the wedding day, a pleasing smile can be the most beautiful accessory for a bride. Dr Karishma Vijan continues, “Smile design can be absolutely painless and a comfortable cosmetic dentistry procedure if performed expertly. It includes one or more treatments such as dental veneers, tooth implants and composite bonding that can enhance the appearance of the bride’s smile significantly”. These procedures not only drastically improve the appearance of your smile but also improve the overall aesthetic of the face, which is always an added bonus!
Veneers
To reap the benefits of long term teeth gains, dental veneers would be a perfect option. Think about those extra shiny pearlies that will shine bright for a lifetime and look perfect! Veneers are a thin, custom made shell-like material, the same color as the tooth, designed to cover the front surface of the teeth to improve their appearance. Finding the perfect match to your own teeth takes time and the procedure is best carried out 1month before your wedding day. However, the result lasts for a lifetime and is becoming an extremely popular procedure with brides-to-be.
Orthodontics
Shiny and healthy teeth is a true blessing but if it is symmetrically aligned, it looks beautiful too. Orthodontics is the best way to correct the alignment of your teeth or fix a malpositioned jaw, if you have any. It is advisable to do this procedure at least six months before your D-day. The process includes braces or the more popular invisible braces, the clear removable trays which straighten and realign teeth. There are also invisible fixed braces (inside of the teeth ) that can be opted for quicker results.
Tooth colored fillings
Superior to the traditional ‘silver’ fillings, these natural looking fillings made of composite materials look extremely natural when done properly and mimic the natural size, shape, anatomy and even texture of teeth. The procedure can be used for filling the tooth decay and teeth cavities, and in many instances can be used to cosmetically improve the shape and color of your natural teeth.
It is also advisable for brides-to-be to avail of these aesthetic treatments at least a month prior to their wedding for a detailed analysis. Also, a prior consultation with the doctor would also help in letting the dentist chose the most suitable procedure for you. Lastly, all of these procedures are painless, and (except for teeth whitening), do not require a repeated sitting treatment. Dr Karishma Vijan elaborates further, “Pictures speak a thousand words; they stay with you for a lifetime, and a beautiful smile guarantees some great memories.” We do agree!
Dr Karishma Vijan
BDS (mum )MSc (U.K)
Consultation by appointment only
(Kurla west ,Bandra west ) Phone number :+919930732132 Website :www.drkarishmavijan.com
With every wedding comes a host of functions – whether part of the main celebrations or in the time leading up to the big day. But you don’t need to panic, Aashna Singh, founder of Aash Studio, a design and concept company says, “It’s a common misconception that the more functions there are, the bigger the hole in your pockets! Adopt a DIY attitude and you won’t just save money, but you’ll have the power and satisfaction of customizing every little detail!”
From enchanting ceremony backdrops, luxe décor to lighting tricks, Aashna knows how to transform your home to a center of sophisticated celebration that is very ‘you’! Her team of professionals blend and balance color, space and aesthetics to bring their concepts and designs to life.
Aashna knows from personal experience. She was recently proposed to by her long term boyfriend and hosted a small roka party at home. She tells us how she put her décor together, “I began with a palette of my favorite shades of pink, from the canopy of bougainvillea to the chandelier rose arrangement created using readily available flowers and twine.”
She gives us some insights to get you started on the creative process of decorating your home for the festivities.
Choose a color scheme
Begin with a color scheme. With a working palette, you’ll immediately begin to visualize what the space could look like. An easy, cost-effective way of transforming a house for a wedding is to wield bold, fun colors – think fuchsia, pink, lime green, yellow and ice blue.
Highlight with décor accents and accessories
Your décor accents can be personalized boards with quirky messages, romantic poems, your social media wedding hashtag or anything you want. It brings pops of the personal into the room and maximizes the impact of the space you’re working with.
Attention to small details
It’s always the little things that seem most precious so pay attention to the decorating of the ring thali, the gifts, the packaging. Again, everything can be done at home if you source material and accessories. Adding traditional accents is always lovely and you can bring in the range from personal touches to quirky piques with pinwheels, colorful pots, kaleeras, temple bells or Rajasthani puppets.
Contact Aash Studio at +919833043334 or write to aashstudio@gmail.com if you need fab decor for your wedding.
With their wonderful wedding celebrations over, Dipti and Yogi ran away to the Nordic heaven that is Iceland to fulfill a lifelong dream! They started their forever journey with a dreamy, truly exotic photoshoot with glaciers, volcanos and volcanic sand beaches as backdrop.
How we Met
The best things in life seem to happen when you least expect them. I met Yogi for the first time at my workplace farewell party in Bangalore. We had only a very brief interaction but realized we had so much in common. I moved back home and our long distance relationship began. Eventually, I had to return to him. The rest is our history!
The Proposal
I’m Maharashtrian, Yogi is Tamilian and we anticipated some hiccups but we were determined to make it work. We fought the odds and emerged triumphant. Like all Bollywood movies, his mum loved me the moment we were introduced and he had to win over my father. After a year of some drama, the ‘ja-Simran-ja’ moment arrived and we were married in February this year.
The post wedding shoot planning.
As a nature and travel enthusiast, I’ve always had a long list of places I wanted to travel to for my honeymoon. Iceland with its alluring landscapes, black sand beaches, spurty geysers and feisty volcanos was right on top. My husband came up with the idea of doing a post-wedding shoot in Iceland. It took me a month to reach out to photographers in Iceland, get quotes, and finalize the itinerary for the shoot. We finally zeroed in on Iceland-based photographer Odinn Yngvason who won us over with his dreamy images and beautiful captures. We discussed our ideas and thoughts over email and decided to spend one day on the shoot out of the 10 days in Iceland.
The Post Wedding Shoot
Iceland is called the land of fire and ice for a reason. It would be unfair to have a theme considering the breathtaking landscapes all around. However, we wanted to stick to western wear for the shoot. Yogi insisted on wearing his charcoal grey suit as most of the Icelandic soil is gray or black due to the volcanic activity. I wanted to wear a wedding gown, as I was not able to accommodate that into the Indian wedding. So I hired a stylist with the help of our photographer.
Visiting Iceland in winter can be a challenge in itself. We had only 5-6 hours of sunlight and erratic weather. Most of our shoots were in sub- zero temperatures and extremely windy conditions. But in the end, it was a special day with a lot of adventure that left us with happiness and memories that we will reminisce forever.
Sonam Vaswani, daughter of Stallion Group’s Sunil Vaswani’s married Spain/ Mumbai businessman Kamal Fabiani’s son Navin in a grand affair in Vienna, Austria. The #SoNavSoFab hashtag has been the talk of the town. From a Viennese Ball to an elegant outdoor wedding ceremony, Sonam and Navin’s wedding was full of unique, fairytale touches. The celebrations kicked off over the weekend with a party at Vienna’s Palais Ferstel, which was followed by a colourful mehndi ceremony at the city’s Palais Liechtenstein Park. Add a killer Bruno Mars performance to the mix and there’s no topping the #SoNavSoFab experience.
Bringing in the couple’s big moment in Vienna were guests including Sophie Choudry, Natasha Poonawalla, Neetu and Rishi Kapoor, Kanika Kapoor, Nandita Mahtani, Surily Goel, Suneet Varma, Siddharth Mallya, Manish Malhotra, Reshma Taraporewalla, Sid Mallaya and Surily Goel.
Wedding Functions
Cocktail Party
The celebration kicked off with a grand Venetian ball themed pre-wedding party held at the Vienna’s Palais Ferstel. Situated in the heart of Vienna’s historic first district, the venue gave the event a royal significance. The bride stepped out in a glittering gold gown paired with emerald jewellery and the groom looked dapper in a classic black suit.
Mehndi
The Mehndi function was an explosion of pastels with beautiful blooms everywhere. To match with the beautiful backdrop, Sonam donned a vibrant pink lehenga bursting with blooms by Manish Malhotra while Navin wore a pink and white Kurta pajama.
Wedding
Sonam was a vision in a red pure silk embellished lehenga designed by Manish Malhotra as she walked down the aisle to meet Navin who looked every bit dapper in a beige sherwani.
Precious things come in little packages and whether they’re busting a move at the sangeet or leading the bride down the aisle, the only time anyone’s happy to be a little upstaged by #cutenessoverload is when there’s a little human doing just that.
When they’re in their element, kids have the superpower to bring a candid, fresh, innocent magic to every event. With their unbridled enthusiasm and complete lack of façade, they’ll bring joy to even the stuffiest event and are sure to keep your guests delighted.
We picked some of our favorite moments when the kiddie contingent stole the show!
1. Paparazzi Protection
It’s overwhelming when you’re knee high AND the centre of attention. But luckily this little guy in his traditional clothes and trendy footwear has a protective circle of ladies on his team in this tender, gorgeous moment.
2. The Mini-me moment
Let’s face it, you remember being a little girl dreaming about your wedding day! So what would be more thrilling than twinning with your baby-bestie (and maybe saving that picture for the day she’s old enough to be bride)!
3. Pouting Princesses
If you think you were on top of this game, you may want to reconsider after looking at these cutie-poutooties!
Photo Courtesy: Rahul de Cunha
4. Just Kidding
Boy 1: “He doesn’t know it, but marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other the husband.”
Boy 2: *guffaws*
5. Two-Cute
Having trouble with a natural smile in front of your professional photographer? You need a partner in crime – preferably someone tiny and with attitude! Learn from the little ones!
6. Posing With The Kid Crew
Here is a group photo that raises the bar quite high in the adorable department. Those serious faces look like they mean business – wedding business.
7. Keeping It Classy
If there is ever a moment when you feel like you need advice on posing like a model, we’re positive that this young man will be happy to share a few tips.
Photo Courtesy: Rock Paper Scissors
8. Rockstar Spotting
Inviting musicians to your sangeet can certainly help you up the glam quotient of the event. What will make it absolutely matchless, however, is pushing one of your tiniest friends on stage. We’ve heard The Alphabet Song and Twinkle Twinkle are on top of the sangeet charts. It’s true!
9. Bride’s Favourite
A flower-girl as bedecked as the bride and you will have twice the radiance. Save this special spot for your favorite niece, best friend’s little girl or someone who reminds you of you.
10. Babe Magnet
All the cool guys know nothing is a better accessory than a little kid hanging on to your every word or laughing at the silly things you do. This handsome gentleman just got to be centre of attention courtesy that giggling moppet in his arms.
11. Prettier Than The Prettiest
The only time outshining the bride is a hundred percent forgivable is when you’re tiny and the most adorable thing in the world!
12. Little Women
If you thought that celebrities on the party pages of a tabloid are the only ones who know how to give the perfect party shots, you need to look at these little IT-girls in training for Page 3.
Photo Courtesy: Koro Studio
13. Ethnic Swag
Never underestimate the power of traditional attire in miniature sizes. Add some shades and some desi swag and you got yourself a scene stealer!
14. Scattering Cuteness
Give the kids a tiny job and they’re going to take it super seriously. Flower girls strewing the aisle with petals is not just a classic photo-moment but also gives the kids a sense of real involvement in your big day.
Photo Courtesy:
15. Butterfly kisses
There’s something special about the relationship between aunties and nieces and this heart-melt moment between the bride and her flowergirl is a memory made in gold.
Every girl dreams of looking like an ethereal beauty on special occasions, be it at her own wedding or on her best friend’s special day. Priya Chhabria’s Spring Summer 2017 Collection which is inspired by the goddesses of Greek mythology exude a dramatic yet feminine vibe.
1. Chic, comfortable and contemporary, this cleverly draped dhoti pant ensemble takes inspiration from Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war. Perfect for a daytime soiree or leisurely evening celebrations on a lawn, this mint green and pink creation includes a sleeveless jacket and kurti with glittering details down the front.
2. Inspired by Theia, the goddess that endows gold and silver on followers, this lehenga choli blends colors reminiscent of these precious metals. Adorned with gold pipes, the stylish choli has been paired with a lehenga whose tassels match the blouse in hue. The ivory dupatta over the elegant beige skirt features intricate embroidery, making this ensemble a multi-faceted one with interesting details.
3. This ensemble seems tailormade for the Greek goddess of oracles, Asteria. An ivory off-shoulder cape top embellished with mukaish work and beaded fringes along with a billowing taffeta skirt makes this creation a perfect pick if you want to create a dramatic impact.
4. Soft, floral, deep rose – this gown is redolent of romance, and symbolic of the essence of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. The tulle gown, profusion of 3D sequinned motifs and contemporary cut makes this outfit a great choice for glamorous receptions and cocktails.
5. Rhea, the mother of the Greek gods is represented in a stitched satin georgette saree in gold and ivory. A gold blouse under a short translucent cape creates an arresting silhouette. The beautiful embroidery on the cape and interesting details on the saree make this outfit a head turner.
Tears of joy during the pheras, smiles hiding sadness as a bride bids farewell to her family, elation as the baraat draws near – weddings include myriad expressions and emotions captured for posterity that enable couples to relive the celebrations years later. Wedding photographers are talented memory keepers who do all the hard work to capture candid moments and make the whole process look effortless. We asked 10 lensmen to share their top emotional wedding moments. Check out their and their teams’ selections below and find out what made these shots so sentimental for them.
1. Emotional Wedding Vows
This capture of raw emotion as the bride recites her wedding vows is something the couple will cherish forever. More often than not, while reciting the vows, the bride has a moment when she needs to wipe tears off her cheeks, and the Whatknot team managed to capture this exact moment.
2. Father-Daughter Bond
The bond between a father and daughter is precious, and this relationship faces its truest test when a father weds his little girl. The thought of not being able to see her often can make even the strongest of fathers cry. “Think about the moment when he knows that she is leaving him forever. We managed to capture just that in this picture,” shares the team at Infinite Memories.
3. Mother’s Memories
Team Sutra Snapperz shares the story behind this intense moment captured on camera. “It was a regular makeup shoot for Ankita, the bride. Generally, we like to talk to brides when shooting since it makes them feel comfortable and relaxed to have you around on their big day. The photo shoot was as candid as possible and she looked stunning in every picture. Ankita was all smiles and happy until we mentioned her mother in the conversation, and then she burst into tears like a baby. This was extremely special for us since we were there to witness how overwhelmed Ankita was at that time to let go of her loving parents and step into a brand new life.”
4. The Hardest Goodbye
All his life, he wants to give his daughter the best he can, but on the big day, the best is taken from him! This heartwarming and emotional moment was successfully captured by the Knotty Affair team as the father hugs his daughter when she gets ready to embark on the matrimonial journey with her husband.
5. Letting Go Gracefully
House on the Clouds beautifully captured this heartbreaking moment of a bride saying goodbye to her mother. The weight of gratitude for the burden her parents have carried for lifetime and the magnitude of unconditional love crushes a bride’s heart as she leaves them. It is even harder for a father or a mother to let go of the biggest part of themselves. “This is one of the few moments at weddings where photography might fail to do justice to the depth of emotions that these moments carry,” says the talented team.
6. Teary Farewell
One of the most emotional moments from the wedding ceremony is when the bride’s family bids her a teary farewell during the ‘bidaai’. For the Happy Flashbacks team, shooting the ‘bidaai’ always leaves them superemotional. “Every time we watch this image, we get a lump in our throats. It’s just so emotional for every daughter and her parents.”
7. Elation & Excitement
We’ve seen a lot of brides getting emotional as they walk down the aisle, but this bride in the photo lit up the frame in a way that we have never seen before. We truly never witnessed a happier, more beaming bride as she locked eyes with the groom. “She was overwhelmed with the love from her family and the joy of starting a new life, and we managed to capture this moment just as the priest was explaining the meaning of the rituals she was performing,” explains the Flgroe Studios team.
8. Furry Fun
Seventy by Two captured a unique moment of the couple with their furry pet as he looks upon his favorite humans starting a new journey together. “Rio was bride Nisha’s pet and she had since he was a little puppy. When the time came for Rio to be introduced to Nisha’s fiancé Sangeet, the pup must have felt the same emotions as that of a brother or a best friend, knowing that he will have to now share his most favorite human. This particular shot taken during Nisha and Sangeet’s pre-wedding shoot with them holding hands and facing Rio, and he’s looking up to Sangeet – personifies a lot of emotions that you can read through Rio’s expressions,” recalls Team Seventy By Two.
9. Embrace of Emotions
Simple photos often have a deeper emotional connect. Moments before taking this photo, bride Anyushka had confided in Shweta from The Creative Lens something that she really treasures about her mom, and that was the time that the two of them spent together. It is such an invaluable aspect in the parent-child relationship particularly in today’s age where parents find it difficult to spend time with their children, and vice versa. When Shweta managed to capture this fleeting moment filled with emotions just minutes before Anyushka’s baraat arrived, she knew that the picture would be cherished by both of them for many days.
10. Love and Laughter
This fun moment happened minutes before the bride reached her sangeet venue. Team ND Photography shares, “We came to the venue where the bride was staying to take shots of her getting ready for the sangeet. We finished the session, and as we start moving towards the main venue, we waited for more than 15 minutes for a vehicle to pick up the bride. She called everybody but there was no response from anyone. Finally the groom surprised her by arriving in a Rolls Royce with champagne to pick her up. She was beyond surprised and beamed with joy and we managed to capture that moment in this picture.”
Our Love Actually series captures beautiful moments between couples in the most stunning locations across Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai.
We met Sukriti and Tarsh at the luxurious Courtyard by Marriott Agra. We got talking about their journey as The Wedding Matinee clicked away. The couple were introduced to each other by a family friend and what followed was a little bit of adventure and lots of love.
“My family had begun to get anxious about me getting married and there was a lot of pressure. The first time they mentioned Tarsh, I didn’t want to meet him,” Sukriti remembers, “I’d been meeting a lot of guys and I was quite tough on them during our meetings because I was just not interested.” Fortunately, Tarsh declined the chance to meet her which was serendipitous, “I’m so glad that we didn’t meet each other then. There is no chance he would have agreed on getting married to me if I had been as tough with him,” she says light-heartedly.
A year and a half later, they decided on a peculiar plan of action – to meet but without informing their respective families, thus escaping the pressure. “We didn’t want our families to know because once they did, they would start goading us to decide where we wanted to take this relationship.”
Tarsh says he was feeling familial pressure too, “The plan was to meet her once and then say no,” he admits. But happily, that plan failed.
One meeting turned into a series of surreptitious rendezvous. And this would have gone on except Tarsh’s bhabhi realized what was going on. Things moved on pretty quickly from there. “One day I heard my parents say that he and his family were coming over for a casual chat,” Sukriti says, ”It wasn’t casual. It was quite concrete. Without informing me Tarsh had already said a yes to the marriage before they came home. Once they were there I just sat and watched as the wedding was fixed!”
“I was furious at him for not telling me that he had said yes to us. But he made it up to me in the cutest way possible”, she says. On a Sunday morning, Tarsh took her to the Rohini port and they went on a helicopter ride. He proposed to her mid-air and a gleaming Sukriti was over her moon. “This gesture was so sweet because the shots had been called and the wedding preparations had already begun. There was no need for him to do this but he did this only to make me happy and get my official reply.”
As they shot together, Sukriti touched the platinum necklace she was wearing, “I’m quite a tomboy and don’t like heavy jewelry but this piece was so lightweight and the design so delicate and elegant that I instantly fell in love with it.” She mentioned the significance of platinum and love bands crafted from it, “Made with one of the most precious metals, platinum love bands truly capture the essence of a prized relationship”
With their hectic schedules and preparations for the wedding in full swing, the couple hardly gets time together. “What makes this shoot so special is that we got an entire day away from the office and family where we could enjoy each other’s company”, says Sukriti. “The hotel left no stone unturned in making us feel special. They were so prompt with their services and so attentive to our needs that they’ve become one of our favorite hotels in the country. Some luxury properties can be very cold, but their attitude towards their guests oozes with warmth” she says “With the Courtyard by Marriott Agra‘s beautiful venue and their impeccable hospitality, this day could not have been better!” the beautiful-bride-to-be signs off.
If you’re getting married in 2017 and would like to be a part of ‘Love Actually’ write to editor@weddingsutra.com with the link to your Facebook profiles, wedding date and ‘How you met’ story. Selected couples will be invited for the shoots in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai.
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The Wedding Invite
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