Alice in Wonderland meets Art Nouveau and Haute Couture at the #RoRoWedding Sangeet in Florence.
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, a nod to Paris’ most elite florist, Eric Chauvin 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 and Motwane Entertainment and Weddings (MEW) for sharing these amazing images with us.
Destination Vienna Parth Jindal, son of industrialists Sangita and Sajjan Jindal is marrying Anushree Jasani, daughter of Mumbai builders Uday and Nunu Jasani, in Vienna next month. Over 800 guests are expected at the 3-day celebrations to be held at different venues including Belvedere Palace, one of the palaces of the former royal family of Austria. International sensation Enrique Iglesias will be there to enthrall guests though whether he’ll be performing at the Sangeet or the post wedding reception is a secret for now. Top shaadi singer Mika will be flying in to Vienna too. A host of big names from the world of weddings and their teams (over 180 in number) are travelling to Austria for the Jindal-Jasani wedding. Mumbai’s Aditya Motwane (Motwane Entertainment & Weddings) is orchestrating the wedding along with local hospitality and event specialists. Delhi’s Vandana Mohan is conceptualising the design and décor. Ritu Dalmia is curating the menus in coordination with high-profile chefs from Europe while the family has roped in haute couturiers like Rohit Bal and Abu-Sandeep for the ensembles.
From top left (clockwise)- Belvedere Palace Vienna, Anushree and Parth Jindal, Sangita and Sajjan Jindal, Enrique Iglesias.
Whispers of Weddings in Monaco and Spain
Curious to know where the grandest Indian weddings are taking place in 2016? As always, you’re reading about it here first. This winter will witness some mega weddings in Jodhpur, Jaipur and Udaipur in Rajasthan, power weddings in Delhi and Mumbai of course; but finally it’s the few uber-glam yet elegant weddings in Europe which make big news. This time the locations are Monte Carlo in Monaco and Barcelona in Spain. An NRI family will host the Monte Carlo wedding in July. Spain is expected to witness two spectacular destination weddings – one celebrated by a London based NRI family and the other by a Gujarat/ Mumbai based business tycoon. The planners have requested us to keep the details under wraps now, so we can’t reveal more!
New Horizons for Middle Eastern Magic
While Thailand, Turkey and Bali will always be the international hotspots for Indian Weddings, it’s the surge in weddings in the Middle East since 2014 that is an interesting development. A little birdie tells us Isheta Salgaoncar (Mukesh and Anil Ambani’s niece) and Neeshal Modi (Jewellery czar Nirav Modi’s brother) who were formally engaged at The Trident, Mumbai last week are now checking out some wow venues in the Middle East. While Shangri-la Muscat and the Ritz Carlton properties in Abu Dhabi and Muscat have hosted some high profile Indian weddings, the newest Middle East destination that is keen to get a slice of big Indian wedding pie is Jordan and the Delhi office of Jordan Tourism is working hard to get the wealthiest Indians to celebrate their special events there.
Isheta Salgaoncar and Neeshal Modi with her parents Dipti and Raj Salgaoncar
Gurleen’s Round the World Roundup
With so many options around the world, where does this leave good, ol’ big fat Indian weddings held at the country’s iconic hotels and sprawling grounds? “They’re thriving,” smiles ace Wedding Designer Gurleen Puri. “Destination Weddings at the newest locales may be more fashionable, but for many families a home town affair continues to be very practical”, says Gurleen. “But there’s no denying that destination weddings are shaping trends and aspirations for well-heeled brides and grooms”, observes Gurleen who enjoys the local flavour of home town weddings as much as the fun-spirit of destination weddings. “In 2015 wedding work took me to Gujarat and Rajasthan several times and each of the assignments were challenging yet emotionally satisfying; on the travels and leisure front I enjoyed a wedding recce to Oman, after which I attended a wedding at the newly-opened Anantara property in Abu Dhabi. As a guest, each of these experiences were unique and that is what hosts look for – to give guests a unique setting through decor, food, entertainment or an all-new venue of course.”
All love stories are perfect, but when it involves the union of two business scions (Anushree Jasani & Parth Jindal) and their illustrious parents (Nunu & Uday Jasani, Sangita & Sajjan Jindal), renowned for their hospitable generosity, luxurious tastes and love for the good things in life, you can be sure even the most well-travelled billionaires will be looking forward to this wedding!
The Jindals and Jasanis will host over 800 guests between the 7th and 9th of May across the most aesthetic and interesting venues in Vienna, at themed celebrations inspired by music, love and a history of Austrian culture and the arts.
Hofburg Imperial Palace – Welcome Dinner
Seat of the illustrious Habsburg Empire, Hofburg Imperial Palace today houses the official residence and offices of the President of Austria. Its lavish structure and grounds were originally created in the 13th century and continuously improved upon over the centuries with the most recent addition completed in the 1900s. A symbol of history, the arts and ultimate luxury, the first celebratory dinner will be hosted here, themed ‘A Symphony in Love’.
Liechtenstein Palace – Mehendi
Palais Lichtenstein is an architectural jewel and residence of the aristocratic Lichtenstein dynasty and venue for the Mehendi. Recently renovated and restored to its full heritage glory, guests will be able to enjoy its Baroque stucco ceilings, Rococo Revival interiors and dance on parquet flooring by Michael Thonet. On the Bankgasse, in the heart of Vienna, close to the Burgtheater, it will be decorated in accordance with the theme ‘Floral Orchestra’ and we can’t wait to sing its praises!
Art for Art – Sangeet
We cannot get over the sheer genius of choosing Art for Art, one of Europe’s biggest art studios as venue for an electric sangeet! In the middle of Vienna, surrounded by the historic, green Arsenal, painters flock these halls painting and creating stage sets for the likes of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Volksoper, the Burgtheater and other internationally renowned theaters! Through a huge glass front, you can see the Arsenal and the historic dome of Heeresgeschichtlichen. Wedding designers are crackling with excitement and anticipation at the idea of the sangeet and its theme “The Sound of Music”.
Belvedere Palace- Wedding
It doesn’t get more classic Vienna than the baroque architectural jewel that is Belvedere Palace. The two palaces, (Upper and Lower Belvedere) house a wealth of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. The grand wedding will take place at the Upper Belvedere that incorporates the Sala Terrena, Grand Staircase, Carlone Hall, Marble Hall and Palace Chapel and perhaps as a nod to marriages made in heaven, is themed ‘Celestial Rhapsody’.
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.
WeddingSutra brings you a kaleidoscope of the most sparkling high-profile society weddings to watch out for; from intimate nuptials in family-owned spaces and lavish hometown marriages to the exquisite elegance of destination venues such as those offered by the Taj group of hotels and resorts in India and abroad, with their unique ‘Tajness’ stamp of warmth and hospitality. This time Goa seems to be a favorite (even hotshot entrepreneur Rajeev Samant is getting married there). You are invited to delve into all the dazzling details of these exciting alliances and planned exquisite events shared below.
Arunoday Singh and Elton Lee
Born in a political family, educated at Brandeis University, Massachusetts and inspired by Marlon Brando, Arunoday Singh is a versatile actor in the Bollywood industry. He will soon wed Elton Lee. Hailing from Canada, Elton runs the Puttu Café in Anjuna, Goa, where the two seem to be spending most of their time lately. The grand wedding is said to take place in Shivrajpur Palace, in Madhya Pradesh, with expected attendance said to be over fifty thousand guests.
Isheta Salgaocar and Neeshal Modi
Industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s niece Isheta Salgaocar is all set to tie the knot on 23rd November 2016, and needless to say that when the niece of the richest man of India is getting hitched, the celebrations are going to be star-studded and splendid. Isheta is marrying diamond jewelry designer Nirav Modi’s step brother Neeshal Modi. It is a semi-arranged marriage with a filmy proposal involved wherein Neeshal went down on his knee at the ski slope of a European resort. The who’s who of the country and guests from around the world are expected to attend this grand wedding affair. After a three-day wedding celebration in Mumbai, the families and guests will move to Goa at the Salgaocar-owned Goa Marriott Resort & Spa. The Mumbai celebrations will begin with Isheta’s Uncle Mukesh Ambani at Antilla soon, the decor for which will be orchestrated by ace Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra
Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech
Cricketer Yuvraj Singh and actress Hazel Keech’s wedding is all set to take place on November 30th 2016 in Chandigarh, but the exact details of venues for different functions have not been revealed. While the cricketer is busy with his matches, Hazel has been on a wedding shopping spree in Jaipur and Delhi. The couple, who secretly got engaged in Bali, Indonesia, in April this year, are all set to get hitched in a Chandigarh Gurudwara according to reports on 30th November 2016. The couple will then marry on 2nd December in Goa as per Hindu rituals. The sangeet and reception will be held in Delhi on 5th and 7th December respectively.
Trishya Screwvala and Suhail Chandhok
Bollywood icon Ronnie Screwvala’s daughter Trishya is all set to marry beau Suhail Chandhok. Trishya is the founder of The Lighthouse Project, an NGO that mentors children from under-resourced communities, and Suhail is Chennai’s most likeable and sought-after faces in sport and television. The couple met at a Pro Kabaddi League match, hit it off instantly and was engaged within a few months. The private affair is said to take place in January 2017 with the wedding celebrations at Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai, and post-wedding celebrations in temple town Mahabalipuram near Chennai where Suhail’s family is based.
Akhil Akkineni and Shriya Bhupal
Wedding bells are round the corner for South actor Akhil Akkineni, Nagarjuna’s younger son, as he gets set to tie the knot with Shriya Bhupal, granddaughter of Hyderabad’s richest businessman G V K Reddy. Wedding venues will be spread out in Rome in May 2017. The creme de la creme of the South film industry will be attending the uber-grand affair totaling up to 600 odd guests from all around the world.
Radha Kapoor and Aditya Khanna
Yes Bank CEO Rana Kapoor’s daughter Radha Kapoor is all set to tie the knot with beau Aditya Khanna. Radha and Aditya met each other seven years ago while studying in New York. After Radha returned from the US, she went on to start the Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI) amongst other creative new-age ventures. Aditya, on the other hand, returned to New Delhi in 2015 to build a career as a financial investor and partner at a hedge fund. The couple’s ‘roka’ ceremony was held on 15th October this year, and they got engaged the following day at the Khanna family residence in New Delhi. The wedding is going to be yet another one of the ‘Big Fat Indian Weddings’ in a few months.
Yashovardhan Lohia and Saanjali Kotahwala
Yashovardhan Lohia, the elder son of Thailand-based NRI tycoon Aloke Lohia of the Indorama group of companies, got engaged to Saanjali Kotahwala on 30th April 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event was designed by Matteo Corvino at Siam Paragon Royal Hall showcasing a Parisian Boutique theme – La Vie En Rose.
Yashovardhan and Saanjali’s grand destination wedding will take place in Udaipurlater this month at the city’s finest wedding venues. In 2013, Aloke Lohia’s hosted his daughter Aradhana’s wedding in Florence, at venues like St Regis, Westin Excelsior and a spectacular estate owned by Italy’s Corsini family and it was one of the most talked about weddings of the year.
Keshav Reddy and Veena Reddy
Business magnate Sanjay Reddy and Pinky’s son, Keshav is ready to tie the knot with Veena Reddy in January next year in Hyderabad. The parents of the GVK scion played cupid, and found Veena, a chemical engineering graduate and daughter of Chinnappa Reddy, owner of a pharmaceutical company. The wedding will be a small affair as compared to the big fat wedding of their daughter Mallika in 2011 which became the talk of the nation, with the Bollywood Baadshah SRK himself playing emcee at the sangeet, along with Priyanka Chopra. The wedding is set to take place by end of January 2017 in Hyderabad with a gala celebration at Emaar Grounds.
Anjali Mody and Akshay Tandon
Anjali Mody, the daughter of corporate law dynamo Zia Mody and granddaughter of our former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee, is set to marry her long-term boyfriend Akshay Tandon this November at the Delton Resort owned by her father Jaidev Mody. The couple betrothed at the Mody family bungalow on Hughes Road at a low-key affair earlier this year. The celebrations commenced with a grand party hosted by billionaire investor and close family friend Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. Anjali is the eldest daughter of Zia and husband Jaydev’s three daughters. Second daughter Aarti, a lawyer, was married in New York last year.
From sophisticated blush lehengas to colorful bridal fineries, these celebrity brides picked some of the prettiest and most memorable ensembles this year. To celebrate their stunning trousseau choices, WeddingSutra has made this ultimate celebrity lehenga list of 2016.
Bipasha’s Red and Gold Sabyasachi Lehenga Bipasha Basu married her longtime beau, Karan Singh Grover at the St. Regis Mumbai in April this year. For the traditional Bengali wedding ceremony, the bong bombshell chose to wear a gorgeous Sabyasachi Mukherjee creation with intricate red and gold embroidery, which perfectly accentuated her natural bridal glow.
Urmila’s Red and Pink Manish Malhotra Lehenga Urmila Matondkar chose to go with her all-time favorite designer and friend – Manish Malhotra, who dressed her beautifully for her special day. Manish picked a red and pink color palette for a bespoke brocade lehenga that included intricate gotta patti work on the dupatta.
Hazel’s Deep Red Valaya Lehenga
Amidst the social media frenzy, Hazel Keech and Yuvraj Singh got married in style! Hazel was dressed in a gorgeous JJ Valaya deep red velvet lehenga with antique gold embroidery, making her look every bit of a royal princess!
Aastha’s Orange and silver Lehenga from Anita Dongre
For an edgy take on bridal attires, celebrity stylist Aastha Sharma chose to don a stunning Anita Dongre ensemble in an unusual shade of orange. The A-line lehenga featured intricate silver booti work and Aastha wore it with sass making her ‘social-media famous’.
Designer Kresha Bajaj’s All-white lehenga
It was an all-white, traditional 14 kali lehenga for designer Kresha Bajaj’s wedding celebrations. The dreamy A-line lehenga that Kresha designed herself included a mix of traditional embroidery patterns of zardozi and aari techniques, with its hem signifying the love story of the couple. The finishing touches were added by a spectacularly draped net dupatta with graphic patterns- giving it a timeless appeal.
To view our gorgeous looks of real brides, check out our Lehenga LookBook on Facebook.
And for Brides who’d like to share their Lehenga photographs or Designers/Photographers who’d like to share their client’s photographs can email us at E: weddingsutra@gmail.com.
WeddingSutra’s eye in the sky takes you to destinations where the hottest soirees and power weddings take place in 2017. So here’s a round-up of where the most high-profile NRI and India-based families are traveling to, and the A-list wedding planners who are orchestrating the events.
Dubai families choose Sri Lanka, Vienna and Costa Fascinosa
Three Dubai-based Indian families are hosting the most anticipated destination weddings of 2017. The first Indian wedding to take place at the newly opened Shangri-la Hotel on the southern coast of Sri Lanka is of Disha Gangwani and Lov Sawlani from Dubai. Guests from over 20 countries are travelling to Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa, the largest resort in Sri Lanka that boasts 300 spacious rooms, including 21 suites, all surrounded by stunning tropical gardens. The beachfront resort offers one of Sri Lanka’s most extensive event and banqueting facilities, catering up to 1,000 people.
Rita and Sunil Vaswani, known for their extravagant parties at their fabulous Dubai mansion are hosting their daughter Sonam’s wedding in June in Vienna, Austria. Sunil Vaswani who tops the list of richest Indians in the Gulf runs the Stallion Group and his daughter is marrying Navin Fabiani, the son of Madrid/Mumbai based tycoon Kamal Fabiani. Last year, industrialist Sajjan Jindal hosted his son’s wedding in Vienna, while one of the most talked about Indian weddings in 2011 was in Monte Carlo where Navin Fabiani’s elder sister wed.
Dubai billionaire businessman Rizwan Sajan, chairman of the Danube group and Number 7 in the Forbes list of Top 100 Indian leaders in the UAE, is chartering Costa Fascinosa for his son Adel’s wedding to Sana. While international cruises have hosted Indian weddings, this is the first time an Indian family is chartering the entire ship for a wedding. The guests will board in Spain (Barcelona) and the itinerary will cover France (Cannes, Marseilles) and Italy (Savona).
Disha Gangwani and Lov Sawlani’s wedding is at Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka; Sana Khan and Adel Sajan’s wedding is at aboard Costa Fascinosa; Sonam Vaswani and Navin Fabiani.
Wedding Weekend in Mumbai and Hyderabad
Two among India’s most well-known business personalities are hosting a celebration for the long weekend this month (January 26th to 29th). Radha Kapoor, the daughter of YES bank’s Rana Kapoor, will wed Aditya Khanna in Mumbai. Radha runs the Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI) among other new-age creative ventures, while Aditya is a partner at a hedge fund. And in Hyderabad, Keshav, the son of Pinky and Sanjay Reddy of GVK Group, will tie the knot with chemical engineer Veena Reddy, daughter of Chinnappa Reddy who owns a pharmaceutical company. The Kapoor-Khanna wedding celebrations will be held at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. The Reddy’s – who own the Taj Hotels in Hyderabad – are hosting the celebrations at their sprawling residence and the GMR Arena grounds.
Radha Kapoor and Aditya Khanna’s wedding is at Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai; Veena Reddy and Keshav Reddy’s wedding is at GMR Arena Grounds, Hyderabad.
Middle East Magic
The Shangri-la and The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Muscat continue to be hotspots for international destination weddings, and the Ritz Carlton in Abu Dhabi has hosted some grand weddings in the last three years. Next month, Abu Dhabi will again witness a very high-profile wedding on February 12 and 13 when Anushka Rajan, daughter of Abhijit Rajan who is the managing director of Gammon India, will wed Abbishek Doshii at the regal Emirates Palace. This opulent hotel with luxurious rooms and suites comes with its own 1.3km pristine, private beach, inviting pools and a private marina overlooking a natural bay. Later next month, one of Bangalore’s top builders is hosting his daughter’s wedding at Ras Al Khaimah, which in the last two years has hosted many weddings of big business families from Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata.
Anushka Rajan and Abbhishek Doshii’s wedding is at Emirates Palace
Goa, Udaipur, and Seychelles
Karan Singh, CEO of Sunburn Global and son of Harindra Singh who is the chairman and managing director of Percept Limited, is marrying Mansha, a Mumbai-based surgeon on February 26 and 27 at Grand Hyatt Goa, the same venue where Karan’s sister Khushi got married last year.
Bollywood star Neil Nitin Mukesh is marrying his girlfriend Rukmini Sahay in Udaipur after which the families will host a grand wedding reception at Bollywood’s favorite five-star hotel – JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu.
While these two entertainment industry personalities have chosen hot-spots in India for their destination wedding, a little birdie tells us another star-studded wedding will be taking place in Seychelles in February. “It will be an intimate affair in the idyllic location where guests can enjoy the luxury and powder-soft sandy beaches”, says his friend.
Neil Nitin Mukesh and Rukmini Sahay’s reception is at JW Marriott Mumbai; Mansha and Karan Singh’s wedding venue is Grand Hyatt Goa.
The Wedding Makers
The wedding planners managing some of these glitzy nuptials include A-list stalwarts such as New Delhi-based Vandana Mohan of The Wedding Design Company and Mumbai’s Aditya Motwane of MEW (Motwane Entertainment & Weddings). They have pulled off some of the most creative, magnificent and high-profile weddings for the elite in India and abroad in recent years. Farid Khan and Bhavnesh Sawhney of WedNiksha (a division of Wizcraft), Dhaval Chandarana of WED Gurus, Pawan Mirchandani of Horizon WIE and Aarti Manocha of MtoM – Milestones to Memories have also been booked for some of these designer weddings.
Prominent designer duo Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla who orchestrate design and styling for one or two mega weddings every year are the style directors for the Hyderabad wedding. Cineyug Celebrations, whose forte includes Event Management and Entertainment, are scripting and directing the sangeet which will include family performances, dances, and acts by A-list Bollywood stars.
Aditya Motwane, Vandana Mohan, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla
From Shahid and Mira to Kim and Kanye, find out your favorite celeb couples’ favorite spots in Britain for a post-wedding getaway.
Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput
It took them a month to get down to it… the honeymoon that is. Shahid Kapoor and his lovely bride, Mira Rajput took a post-wedding holiday to London after their Delhi shaadi in July 2016. While the details on all the places they visited is till very hush-hush, we know they dined at some romantic little places and we’re hoping they took long rambles in Hyde Park, lived it up at the luxury cocktail lounges in Mayfair and took a leisurely stroll on the River Thames.
Karan Patel and Ankita Bhargava
The couple got married in 2015 but only managed to get time off their busy schedules in July 2016. So they hot footed it to the capital, London, Karan’s favorite city. We trawled through their Instagram and used our travel-detective skills to tell you that their itinerary included Windsor Castle, a cruise on the river Thames, shopping and partying out on the town with their friends.
Kate Winslet and Ned RocknRoll
It was third time lucky for Kate Winslet when she married Ned RocknRoll in December 2012 in New York and then snuck away to a remote Scottish loch-side lodge for their secret honeymoon. They were offered the use of Necker Island (no pun intended), a Caribbean property owned by Ned’s uncle, Sir Richard Branson but they opted for the stunning Ardnamurchan Peninsula instead. Kate has spent a number of holidays in this stunning west coast wildlife haven and described the secluded Kilcamb Lodge Hotel as the “perfect hideaway” when holidaying there last year. She’s even test-driven the Kilcamb’s luxurious honeymoon suite, which has lovely views over Loch Sunart.
Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya
Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya’s honeymoon in Europe in January 2017 included a big nostalgic trip to London where Vivek lived earlier. He took the chance to show his new bride around his old hood, including his one-time home and his favorite places in the city. They rang in the New Year in London and later visited Cardiff (Wales, UK).
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Ireland welcomed Kim Kardashian and Kanye West when they chose the country for a luxury honeymoon after a whirlwind Italian wedding in May 2014. KimYe stayed at The Castlemartyr Resort, a beautiful a five-star hotel nestled in the Cork woodlands, steeped in history and set within 220 acres of beautiful landscapes. Their magnificent suite had stunning views of the 12th-century castle and ornate gardens all the way to the back of the hotel. They spent their days touring the Ballyhoura Mountains, picnicking (complete with local Irish cheddar cheese), and going to the movies to watch X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Love what you see? If you’d like to experience a romantic trip for two to Britain, please call Mercury Travels on 1800 266 2345 or write to them at outbound@mercurytravels.in or visit www.visitbritain.com
GVK group scion Keshav Reddy wed Veena Tera at a star-studdedReddy wedding in Hyderabad.
The city of pearls witnessed a grand celebration last weekend when Keshav Reddy, the son of Aparna (Pinky) and Sanjay Reddy wed Veena Tara. The ceremonies included a bridal shower, mehendi, a private family sangeet and a Bollywood sangeet, a traditional Reddy wedding and reception.
The themes
The mehendi ceremony at the Reddy residence played out in a carnival-like atmosphere, the sangeet at the GMR Arena at Shamshabad had a heavenly theme filled with lights arranged to look like angels. The temple-themed decor for the muhurtam (traditional wedding) at the same venue was of course, grand and ornate. The post wedding reception was held at the Park Hyatt.
The guests
The Bollywood stars at the #KeshVee celebrations included Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Raveena Tandon, Shilpa Shetty Kundra among others. The Ambani brothers and couturiers Manish Malhotra and Rohit Bal were also present.
A host of senior politicos and business barons, close friends of the groom’s grandfather infrastructure sector czar G.V. Krishna Reddy and Congress leader T. Subbarami Reddy attended the three-day celebrations
Shah Rukh Khan wrote on Twitter, “In Hyderabad to wish my friends Sanjay & Pinky for their son’s wedding. It’s so much fun to be with them.”
Kaushika Hemdev and Perizaad Zorabian, Pinky Reddy and Kaushika Hemdev, Tanaz Doshi and Yasmin Morani
Allu Arjun, Mana and Suniel Shetty
Clockwise from left – Aparna and Sanjay Reddy, Akhil, Amala and Nagarjuna, Designer Rina Dhaka and guests
Azmina Rahimtoola (left), Sandeep Khosla and Rashmi Thackeray (centre)
Dia and Krishna Bhupal, Namrata Shirodkar, Yasmin Morani and Falguni Peacock
Keshav and Veena with Yasmin Morani
The wedding makers
The celebrations were designed by couturiers Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. A host of event and talent management companies from Mumbai and Delhi including WED Gurus, MEW (Motwane Entertainment & Weddings), Cineyug Celebrations and E Factor Entertainment were roped in to manage hospitality, entertainment and management of the different functions. The special menus were crafted by famed caterers Foodlink (Mumbai) and Marut Sikka (Delhi) supported by Indian Accent, Gajalee amongst others.
The bride’s ensembles were designed by Abu Jani, Sandeep Khosla while the groom’s wear was by Raghavendra Rathore.
Tollywood’s cutest couple Samantha Ruth and Naga Chaitanya got engaged amidst social media frenzy and much fanfare in Hyderabad on Sunday.
Fans of Samantha Ruth and Naga Chaitanya rejoiced on Sunday as the news of the #ChaiSam engagement was confirmed by South Indian superstar, Nagarjuna on social media. Nagarjuna, who casually announced the engagement of his son on Twitter, suddenly saw an outpour of paparazzi and media frenzy surrounding the #ChaiSam engagement.
The ‘it’ couple, who’ll be tying the knot next year, met during the shooting of their film Ye Maaya Chesave in 2009 and also worked together in various popular Telugu films such as Manam, Autonagar, and Surya.
The Engagement
Since the décor followed a dreamy white and gold setting, Samantha chose to wear a beautifully embellished love story saree from Koecsh designer Kresha Bajaj who replicated their romantic moments through intricate zari embroidery on the hem of the saree and accessorized it with an off-shoulder blouse and gorgeous Kundan jewelry. On the other hand, Naga wore a contrasting black suit with a gold pocket square that complemented his ladylove’s ensemble.
Our initiative ‘Love Actually’ is a photo series featuring couples who actively seek ideas and inspiration from WeddingSutra. The series celebrates beautiful people as they start their lives together: because real love is timeless.
It was a chance encounter that had Anam and Akbar discover the spark between them. “A common friend introduced us and after that we started speaking with each other.” In a while, their constant conversations made them realize their affection was mutual and they took the decision to inform their parents. Both families were happy with the way things had turned out and the couple were engaged in an elaborate ceremony in Hyderabad last year.
Anam loves Shah Rukh Khan and so the couple paid homage to the big man of Bollywood by recreating scenes from all his iconic films. Then Akbar took it one step further. He planned a very ‘filmi’ proposal – romantic banners fluttering, violins playing in the background, a tender, moving, flamboyant statement of his love for his bride-to-be. “He proposed at the Taj Falaknuma Palace,” Anam remembers smiling, “Our families had already met but I was waiting for this… it was something I’d always dreamed of. And this is why Falaknuma Palace is so close to our hearts.”
At their pre-wedding shoot with WeddingSutra, Anam wore a gorgeous navy blue and gold Aneesh Agarwal lehenga from AZA Fashions. And Akbar, in a traditional bandhgala also from AZA Fashions, seemed right at home in the Nizami opulence of the palace. WeddingSutra chose the Jade Terrace, an idyllic paradise perfect to shoot candid moments of a couple in love. With a backdrop of glorious Nizami architecture, marble statues, high ceilings, expansive courtyards and manicured lawns, this modern day love story was carefully captured amidst timeless magnificence.
Epitomizing classic, youthful style, the couple’s Volkswagen Beetle brought another element of enduring charm to the shoot. Posing in the car they have chosen to begin their life’s journey together in, the couple looked down the road at their impending wedding. Like the car, their spunky individuality and independence shone as Anam said affectionately, “Akbar is quite a perfectionist. We’re working on the wedding and are planning every minute details of it ourselves.”
As they sipped hot coffee, chatted, the sun glinting off their matching platinum bands, Anam talked about how her shoot with WeddingSutra was just perfect! “It’s been lovely! We’ve been in touch for over a year now. The shoot was incredible, the team does such great work. Marriage is a very important event in one’s life and WeddingSutra makes it an unforgettable experience!”
The couple will tie the knot this November. WeddingSutra wishes them love like in the movies and a silver-screen worthy ‘happily ever after’!
If you’re getting married in 2016 or 2017 and would like to be a part of ‘Love Actually’ write to us (weddingsutra@gmail.com) with the link to your FB profiles, wedding date and ‘How you met’ story. Selected couples will be invited for the shoots in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.
Location- Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Platinum Love Bands and Jewellery- Orra
Anam and Akbar’s outfits : Aza Fashions
Make-up and Hairstyling – Tamanna Rooz
Photography- Abhishek Sarkar
The luxurious hotels in the Middle East continue to attract high-profile Indian destination weddings, especially places like Oman which offer stunning landscapes, palatial resorts and waterfront views depending on what takes a couple’s fancy. Now, Bahrain is set to lure the well-heeled wedding crowd thanks to its stunning properties such as the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay in the capital city of Manama.
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay will host the grand wedding of Diya Mehta, daughter of Russell Mehta, the CEO of Rosy Blue, to Ayush Jatia, son of Amit Jatia, MD of Hardcastle Restaurants (McDonald’s India Franchise) in the last week of April. The engagement in December last year was a low-key affair, but the wedding is expected to be a spectacular affair spread over three days, with over 750 guests from India, Belgium, UK, USA and several other countries expected to attend.
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
A soaring architectural statement built on its own exclusive man-made island, Four Seasons Bahrain Bay rises 68 storeys on a 12-acre private man-made island that can be accessed by a causeway, boat or water taxi. This towering property offers unparalleled views of the Arabian Gulf at day, and the glittering city at night, especially from Skypod, its penthouse-level restaurant.
According to a close friend of the Jatias, most of the wedding celebrations will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay and a majority of the guests will also be put up there. Others will be booked into the luxurious Ritz Carlton Bahrain, a 245-room hotel located on 20 acres of private beachfront swept across a picturesque lagoon.
Ritz Carlton Bahrain
Guests at the wedding will include business associates, relatives and close friends of the bride and groom and some of their former classmates (Ayush schooled at Cathedral and John Connon, and Diya at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School). After graduating from New York University, Ayush is working in his family business. Diya, an alumnus of the London College of Communication, runs a lifestyle blog named ‘Madhatter Di’ featuring her experiences in Wandering, Styling and Eating.
(Left) Mona and Russell Mehta with their daughters Shloka and Diya, at their son Viraj’s wedding to Nisha, (Right) Diya Mehta and Ayush Jatia
A few years ago, Diya’s brother Viraj married Nisha Sheth, the daughter of a shipping tycoon and the grand Mumbai wedding was the talk of the town. Orchestrated by Mumbai’s 70 EMG, the guests included the who’s who of Mumbai. The glitterati gushed over the awe-inspiring designs, flawless hospitality and wow cuisines. This time Diya and Viraj’s parents Mona and Russell Mehta will be hosting a celebration far away from the diamond community wedding hub (Taj Mahal Palace, Trident Nariman Point, Turf Club and NSCI in Mumbai) in Bahrain’s business district. In recent years, uber luxury hotels and heritage sites around the world have replaced local hotspots as wedding venues for some of India’s most exclusive families, and Four Seasons Bahrain Bay is the latest example.
We predict that the glittering Mehta-Jatia wedding will put a sparkle in the image of Bahrain and Four Seasons Bahrain Bay as a prime island wedding destination, and we look forward to bringing our readers more details.
Seychelles, one of the world’s most stunning travel and honeymoon destinations, off the east coast of Africa, comprises an archipelago of 115 islands that includes lush mountains, arresting granite boulders, white sand palm-fringed beaches, and crystal clear turquoise ocean waters. With its tropical climate and tantalizing attractions, Seychelles has become a magnet for haute honeymooners who desire pristine surroundings, privacy and proximity to the best of luxuries and amenities.
Little wonder then that celebrities like Salma Hayek and husband Francois-Henri Pinault, Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt, and Paul McCartney with former wife Heather Mills have all opted to spend romantic moments here. Check out the A-list roster of famous names who have enjoyed dream honeymoons in Seychelles.
1. Prince William and Kate Middleton
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose Seychelles for a romantic Indian Ocean honeymoon. They spent 10 days on the island of Desroches, a paradise just four miles long which lies about 150 miles southwest of the Seychelles’ main island, Mahe. The island, blanketed by coconut groves, has only a handful of luxury villas, each commanding stunning views of the ocean.
They resided in a £4,000 per night luxury villa on this exclusive island in the Seychelles
2. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston
This is where Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt went while they were still married. They booked out the entire North Island so they could have absolute privacy. If you have the money then this is the place to go to. North Island is one of 40 granite islands out of the 115 islands that form the Seychelles Islands. This private island resort is designed to offer the very best in privacy, location, accommodation, services, facilities and experience.
It has only 11 guest villas, all of which are exquisitely designed to celebrate nature and offer an authentic home-away-from-home ambiance. The villas here measure almost 5,000 feet, thereby ensuring enough room to spread out and enjoy privacy and proximity to the fullest.
This sanctuary also nurtures critically endangered Seychelles fauna and flora.
3. Ronan Keating and Storm Uechtritz
Of all the romantic activities one could imagine getting up to in a destination like the Seychelles, deep sea fishing would probably not make the top of most people’s list – that is, unless you were Irish crooner Ronan Keating and his new wife, Storm Uechtritz.
Most newlyweds would prefer sipping a glass of champagne at sunset, soaking up the sun on a tropical beach or having a romantic dinner by candlelight, but it seems the former Boyzone singer and his Australian love were far more excited at the prospect of getting their hooks in the water.
Ronan and Storm first jetted off to South Africa to spend some time on safari at the exclusive Ulusaba lodge. The couple then rounded off their walk on the wild side with a getaway to the private resort island of Fregate. Located 55 kilometers east of the main island of Mahé, Fregate is the easternmost island of the archipelago’s inner granitic islands. It has 2,200 free-roaming Aldabra giant tortoises. Besides relaxing by their villa’s infinity pool, having dinners on the beach and having their every whim catered to, the couple wanted to get out on the ocean and experience the excitement of deep-sea fishing.
Besides relaxing by their villa’s infinity pool, having dinners on the beach and having their every whim catered to, the couple wanted to get out on the ocean and experience the excitement of deep-sea fishing.
4. George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin Clooney
Following their extravagant wedding in Venice, George Clooney and wife Amal continued their wedding celebrations and romantic honeymoon at a North Island resort in the Seychelles.
The luxury resort is so private that it is only accessible by helicopter and has 11 luxury villas which are over 5,000 square feet in space and come with their private plunge pools. The lavish Seychelles hotel is located 30km off the main island of Mahe and guests can enjoy ‘barefoot luxury’ thanks to its environmental programme which protects local flora and fauna, and wildlife species such as Seychelles blue pigeons, and Hawksbill and green turtles.
The luxury hotel’s facilities include a spa and gym, swimming pool, an activity center, a boutique, library, helipad, the Island Piazza and the West Beach Bar.
5. Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade
American actress and former model Gabrielle Union stayed at the private island resort of North Island in Seychelles on their final leg of her exotic honeymoon. The couple spent almost three weeks in exotic locations, first stopping in the Maldives, then going on safari and mingling with the Masai on the plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania, and then finally Seychelles.
The private island eco-tourism resort is accessible by helicopter and regularly patronized by the rich and famous. The couple stayed at a villa which is perched on a rock away from the other ten villas on the island, ensuring complete privacy and luxury during their stay.
6. Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild
The pair quickly jetted off to Botswana, where they enjoyed safari tours in the African bushveld, and then went to the 115-island archipelago of Seychelles, situated off the eastern coast of Africa for some private time relaxing in luxurious tropical surroundings.
The couple stayed at the exclusive North Island private resort, where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate, also spent their honeymoon.
7. Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault
Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault jetted to Seychelles for a romantic honeymoon. They stayed in a 4,800-square-foot villa at the North Island Hotel, which costs about $7,400 per night.
The conservation-oriented retreat consists of just 11 handcrafted villas, that come complete with their own personal chefs, plunge pools and beach access in the most idyllic setting imaginable.
8. Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills
The former Beatle Paul McCartney and bride Heather Mills traveled to the Fregate Island for their honeymoon. Privacy is an art form at Fregate. Some beaches even sport ‘vacant’ or ‘occupied’ signs; there are seven beaches in all, as well as a freshwater pool. And since there are only 34 guests at a time, the chance of getting a beach to yourself is high.
This eco-conscious property, with its own marina and airstrip, features just 16 ultra-luxe thatched villas. Fourteen of the villas sit atop cliffs with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Two more nestle in private tropical gardens. Built from traditional materials such as native mahogany and African teak, the palace-sized villas contain silks sourced from Thailand, marble imported from Italy, and antique carved Balinese four-poster beds. The private terraces of the villas here overlook the Indian Ocean. Adding to the ambiance are welcoming sun beds and sunken Jacuzzis that are perfect for laidback romance.
9. Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar
The sunny isles of Seychelles, off the coast of Africa, are renowned for their beautiful beaches and luxurious resorts. Fregate Island Private was the first of the Seychelles’ deluxe resorts. The island offers dramatic, volcanic landscape views.
UK-based actress Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar spent their honeymoon here, enjoying panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. The resort’s villas are equipped with TVs, DVD and CD players to keep the kids contented between swimming, boating, and walking excursions.
10. Victoria and David Beckham
David and Victoria Beckham escaped to the Seychelles for their sun-kissed Indian Ocean break on their 10th wedding anniversary. The couple spent £50,000 on the intimate getaway.
They landed in the tropical paradise and had dinner for two at a top hotel on the main island Mahe. After that, they were whisked to a luxury eco-spa resort by helicopter where they spent their 10-day vacation. The island offered a plethora of luxe pleasures such as private, pristine sandy beaches and perfect sea views for moonlit strolls with the music of the waves in the background.
The beach villas have an army of more than 250 staff on hand to answer a guest’s every whim. The couple cozied up in a timber, stone and glass pad with a palm-thatched roof. They had the luxury of a massive bathroom, an oversized bed, dressing room, study, private plunge pool and a personal chef on call to prepare meals around the clock
Check out more glamorous celebrity honeymoons here.
Businessman Sunjay Kapoor married to his longtime girlfriend, Fashionista Priya Sachdev in an intimate wedding ceremony and reception in Delhi and New York.
Sunjay met Priya in New York five years ago and hit-it-off instantly. The two really supported each other during their tumultuous divorce phase which made their bond grow stronger. Finally, after five years of dating and a subsequent divorce from their respective partners (Karisma Kapoor and Vikram Chatwal) the two decided to tie the knot.
The wedding was a hush-hush affair with only close family and friends in attendance. The wedding celebrations took place in Delhi, where the duo is originally from. Both Priya and Sunjay opted for a registered court marriage and donned traditional attires. While Sunjay looked handsome in a white kurta pyjama, Priya looked resplendent in a bridal orange salwar kameez and minimal makeup.
Priya and Sunjay’s reception was a chic affair and was hosted at the famous NoMad Hotel in midtown Manhattan. Priya’s best pals such as Fashion Entrepreneur Kalyani Saha, Malini Murjani, Zeenia Singh and sister Charu Sachdev were by her side. The décor for the reception was inspired by Japanese cherry blossoms and was entirely done in white florals and hanging fairy lights and glass lamps. While Priya looked every bit of fashionista in her dull cream and gold, two-tiered lehenga with a matching cape, Sunjay stole the show in his dapper bandhgala jacket and custom made shoes which were hand embroidered with the words ‘I Do’ on them.
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.
Diya and Ayush’s destination wedding at the Four Seasons Bay and Ritz Carlton Bahrain defined modern glamor and regal splendor.
Touted as one of the most luxurious and elegant weddings of 2017, Diya and Ayush’s three-day celebrations in Bahrain saw the crème de la crème of industry, politics and entertainment come to celebrate at the joyous event. Regarded as the kingdom’s first ever destination wedding from India, the entire event was a fairytale.
Mumbai-based Tamarind Global managed the turnkey hospitality and logistics movement of almost 1000 guests as well as the event production and management of certain key functions. It began with a magical sangeet, hosted at the Ritz-Carlton Island, Bahrain. The décor was all glitter and glitz with a white and crystal theme. The walkway to the island was a showcase of experiential artists including a steel percussionist, wind dancers, pixel poi and more, all leading to an exquisite art deco tunnel opening onto the island. 20,000 sq ft of decking was constructed leaving guests awestruck as they took in the dreamscapes that featured a bar within a Venetian Carousel complete with life-size horses! That wasn’t all. Four magnificent crystal clad pyramids, each 24ft high, enclosed white lounge seating.
What followed, with equal aplomb, was a spectacular mehndi and welcome dinner. Then came the lavish wedding functions, hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.
The beautiful bride’s stunning trousseau was from the house of Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. The groom chose Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
The lush green landscaping around the hotel provided a beautiful backdrop to each event while the soft sand and seascapes were the perfect setting for a romantic beach wedding ceremony. The very selective guest list included those flying in to Bahrain from all over Europe, Asia and the US.
By Deepanjali Pandey, Consulting Editor and Writer
When VVIP guests arrive on their private jets, and power networking sessions are planned somewhere between the sangeet and the reception, you know it is a wedding of a member of the Billionaire’s Club (B-Club). Take a look at what goes into planning B-Club nuptials, and how India’s top wedding makers are catering to this discerning set.
Move over B-Town (Bollywood) weddings, and welcome to B-Club (Billionaires Club) nuptials where no request is considered too small, and no detail can be overlooked. India’s top wedding planners and bespoke service providers share that B-Club weddings almost always include guests arriving on private jets or chartered planes, privacy is given top preference (hotels, wedding planners and service providers have to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements), and bespoke luxury services are made available that take care of all the special requirements of guests.
According to Pawan Mirchandani, founder of Horizon WIE, one of India’s top wedding planning companies, “There are destination, glitzy and extravagant weddings – and then there are B-Club weddings which are several notches higher on many fronts. Every little detail of B-Club guests has to be considered when planning these weddings – from their room requirements, meal preferences, accommodating personal staff and security, and even ensuring that boardrooms or meeting rooms are primed for power networking sessions.”
Many members of India’s business families typically go to the same schools (think Cathedral and John Connon School, Dhirubhai Ambani International School and Ecole Mondiale World School in Mumbai; Doon School in Dehradun, and Modern School in New Delhi). Many of them also graduate from the same Ivy League colleges. As a result, B-Club marriages become a sort of reunion for old friends, and more importantly, business contacts.
There are some favorites when it comes to service providers. Luxury wedding planners who are on B-Club speed dials include Bhavnesh and Farid of Wedniksha, Aditya Motwane of MEW, Pawan Mirchandani of Horizon WIE, Rimjhim of Rimjhim Events Dubai, Neha Seth Arora of Var Vadhu, Ekta of Weddings by Ekta Saigal Lulla: and ace wedding designers Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Vandana Mohan, Dhun Cordo and Ipsita Biswas and Mushtaq Ali (Celebrations).
When it comes to catering for B-Club events, top companies such as FoodLink, headed by Sanjay Vazirani, has served up world-class cuisine at VVIP Indian weddings everywhere from India to Italy. Many B-Club members prefer to fly in their personal chefs to rustle up familiar dishes or serve them especially when they attend destination weddings, instead of relying on the hotel’s staff.
According to Mumbai-based Ekta Saigal Lulla, the trend among the younger B-Club members on the food front is not to invite traditionally famous food people from different parts of India to cater to their weddings. Rather, they prefer flying in their favorite gourmet restaurants’ fare from Mumbai and New Delhi, or dessert specialists from Europe. Ekta elaborates, “Many elite brides and grooms don’t want the typical dosa stalls or ‘chai walas’, ‘paan walas’ and ‘sherbet makers’… Instead, they prefer inviting their favorite pizza, burger, waffle and ice cream brands to neatly package and serve their fare at one or more functions. Even luxury tea and coffee chains find a place at luxe destination weddings, and the menu is planned accordingly. Think English Breakfast tea in the mornings, Masala Chai through the day, and Chamomile post lavish dinners.”
Wedding gifts for guests at traditional B-Club weddings are chosen for impact, not price. Exclusive collectibles from luxury brands such as Ravissant and Lladro still find plenty of traction among the elite. For example, at Shashwat Goenka’s January 2016 wedding, guests reportedly received silver items from Ravissant in their goodie bags, as well as a carpet designed by Paresh Maity, India’s famous Padma Shri awarded painter. Shashwat Goenka is the scion of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group. Lladro, the Spanish luxury porcelain company, is known for its sculptures of Indian deities such as Ganesha which are immensely popular as wedding favors. At Swati and Ajay Piramal’s daughter Nandini’s Jaipur wedding in 2009, select guests reportedly got a specially designed perfume made in France. Today, everything, from Mont Blanc pens to personalized Louis Vuitton Monogram handbags and wallets, classic Burberry scarves to luxury watches, gold-embossed Bhagwat Gita collections and limited-edition paintings by prized artists are preferred by B-Club patrons as wedding favors.
When it comes to entertainment, celebrity dance instructor Rajendra Masterji juggles high-profile bookings from B-Club clients who want him to teach them how to swirl to the latest beats at those high-profile sangeet events.
B-Club wedding memories are captured by talented companies such as Reels and Frames, WeddingNama, The Photo Diary, Stories by Jo Radhik, Cupcake Productions, DotDusk Studios, Ramit Batra, Colorblind Productions, CoolBluez, Hitched & Clicked, among others. According to Anand Rathi, founder of Reels and Frames, “Most B-Club marriages are kept very discreet and all wedding teams especially photographers are given strict instructions to ensure the privacy of photos. However, younger members of the B-Club fraternity are increasingly sharing pictures and videos of the celebrations and customized fashions on channels like Instagram, which is perhaps the only place one can have a peek at the gorgeous but guarded celebrations.”
Wedding venues are, of course, chosen after much deliberation. Here are some exclusive hotspots which B-Club families favor for their nuptials.
1. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Umaid Bhawan Palace, which is managed by the Taj Group of Hotels, is one of the world’s largest private residences and includes a private museum and marbled squash courts. Close by lies the well-preserved Mehrangarh Fort which is a popular venue for royal dinners and luxury soirees.
Who Wed Here: Deepak Parekh, chairman of HDFC Bank, hosted his son’s wedding here in November 2014, and it was attended by top industrialists, corporate heads, and society titans. Priyanka, daughter of billionaire diamond and jewelry king Mehul Choksi, wed Akash Mehta here in 2011.
2. Jag Mandir Udaipur, Rajasthan
A 17th-century palace, Jag Mandir (Lake Garden Palace) attracts many elite guests who are ferried to its historic structure in the middle of Lake Pichola by boats. An in-house heritage museum, stunning water views, tranquil gardens and regal courtyards ensure a royal wedding or magnificent sangeet experience for the moneyed set.
Who Wed Here: Billionaire businessman Rajesh Shah, chairman of steel company Mukand, hosted his son Kaustubh’s wedding to beauty queen Radha Brahmbhatt here in October 2016. In 2015, UK-based billionaire Sanjay Hinduja wed designer Anu Mahtani here, and Jennifer Lopez was the star entertainer for the event.
3. Al Bustan Palace: A Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat, Oman
Set in the middle of an exquisite garden between the dramatic Al Hajar Mountains and the Sea of Oman, the massive Al Bustan Palace offers picture-perfect outdoor and indoor backdrops for dazzling weddings. With a spectacular lobby and impressive ballrooms, this gorgeous Ritz-Carlton property has become a name to reckon with in the wedding venues sphere. The other jewel in Muscat’s crown is the sprawling Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa which comprises three hotels in one complex, each with its own distinctive attractions such as ballrooms with crystal chandeliers, the scenic Turtle Beach, and standout architecture.
Who Wed Here: Vaibhav Sood, managing director of the New Delhi-based Eros Group, married jewelry designer Nazuk Bardeja at a stunning wedding ceremony at Al Bustan Palace. Hyderabad-based jewelry designer Bunty Bajaj hosted her son Samarth’s wedding to Sasha Rawal at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa in December 2015. Billionaire businessmen such as GVK head Sanjay Reddy attended the Rawal-Bajaj wedding, as did Bollywood stars Sonam Kapoor and her father Anil Kapoor.
Photos Courtesy: Ramit Batra
4. Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad, Telangana
A regal structure dating back to the 19th century, the Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad is also the Hyderabad residence of Princess Esra belonging to the Asaf Jah Dynasty of Hyderabad state by marriage. Offering a grand view of the city from its elevated ramparts, this hotel is close to iconic landmarks such as the Charminar.
Who Wed Here: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s sister Arpita wed New Delhi-based businessman Aayush Sharma here in October 2014. The star reportedly booked the entire hotel to ensure the privacy and security of VVIP guests, including top stars, politicians, and businessmen.
5. Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
With a vantage view of the historic Gateway of India, Mumbai’s iconic Taj Mahal Palace has become the top choice as a wedding venue for many Mumbai-based business families over the years. Built in 1903, it offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea and plenty of impeccable indoor and outdoor venue choices (for members only) for weddings.
Who Wed Here: YES Bank founder Rana Kapoor’s daughter Radha, and self-made billionaire Ronnie Screwvala’s daughter Trishya both wed their beaus here in January this year. Radha wed hedge fund manager Aditya, and Trishya wed popular sports presenter Suhail Chandhok.
6. Taj Palace, New Delhi
The Durbar Ballroom at the ever popular Taj Palace New Delhi has hosted many elite wedding soirees and continues to be one of go-to wedding venues for wealthy families based in the capital. Prized for its location in the heart of New Delhi’s diplomatic enclave, the hotel offers six acres of lush surroundings for dream weddings.
Who Wed Here: Nayan Raheja of Raheja Developers wed Kashish in 2013, and his grand reception held here was attended by the who’s who of India’s corporate and business worlds.
7. Grand Hyatt, Goa
This luxury resort in Goa is spread over 28 acres of verdant gardens and is flanked by a beach where guests can unwind and relax with the waves lapping their toes. Its distinctive Indo-Portuguese palace-style architecture includes regal rooms, spacious banquet facilities and beautiful lawns for magical sunset weddings.
Who Wed Here: Karan Adani, son of billionaire Gautam Adani wed Paridhi Shroff here in February 2013. Paridhi is the daughter of Cyril Shroff, who is the co-owner of one of India’s top law firms. In December 2016, Isheta Salgaocar, daughter of Raj and Dipti Salgaocar, wed Neeshal Modi, younger brother of jewelry baron Nirav Modi. The Salgaocars are one of Goa’s most established business families. A part of this wedding’s celebrations was held at the Grand Hyatt and was attended by Mukesh and Anil Ambani who are Dipti Salgaocar’s brothers.
8. The Ritz Carlton & Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace boasts of 85 hectares of beautiful gardens and stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal in Abu Dhabi is another regal structure in the UAE capital. Its design was inspired by the Italian Renaissance aesthetic. It offers a private beach for seaside weddings, alongside sprawling ballrooms and gardens with the backdrop of the grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
Who Wed Here: Mumbai-based businessman Atul Nishar, who founded Hexaware, wed his daughter Devangi to Saharsh Parekh, son of Kolkata-based stockbroker Utsav Parekh at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal in February last year. Anushka Rajan, daughter of billionaire Abhijit Rajan, MD of Gammon India, tied the knot with Abbishek Doshii at the Emirates Palace in February this year.
9. Shangri-La Hotel Chiang Mai
The luxurious Shangri-La Chiang Mai in Thailand is a magnet for Indian-origin billionaire families residing in South East Asia. Its tranquil ambiance and world-class amenities offer a destination wedding experience with a difference.
Who Wed Here: Hong Kong-based businessman Dhiraj Wadhwani and Sheryl Buxani tied the knot here in September 2013. Sheryl hails from the established and elite Buxani family who sell high-end diamonds and jewelry under the Temptations brand. Anand Jain, the owner of Jaicorp Limited, also hosted his son’s wedding in Chiang Mai which was attended by members of the Ambani family.
10. ITC Grand Chola, Chennai
Located just 8km from the Chennai domestic and international airports, the ITC Grand Chola is a majestic structure that has hosted many glittering society weddings in Chennai over the years. It offers service apartments, banquet halls, and world-class dining spaces.
Who Wed Here: Nayantara, daughter of Chennai-based Bhadrashyam and Nina Kothari, wed Shamit Bhartia, son of Shobhana Bhartia, chairperson of The Hindustan Times Group in January 2014. Shamit is the grandson of noted billionaire KK Birla. and some of their wedding functions were held at the hotel. Nayantara’s maternal uncles – Mukesh and Anil Ambani – made up the glittering guest list.
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, 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.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad’s daughter Aditi got married to Ajay Iyer in a glitzy ceremony amidst Bollywood bigwigs and famed politicians at the Taj Palace in New Delhi.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad took to Twitter to announce the news of his daughter Aditi’s marriage to Girija and Shekar Iyer’s son Ajay on Sunday. The duo met in the US where they were pursuing their higher education. Their grand wedding was a private affair held in the luxurious surroundings of the Taj Palace in Delhi. It was a close-knit event, guarded with tight security, with only family and friends attending the wedding.
The reception, however, was a grand celebration which saw Bollywood superstars such as Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and Kajol attending the event. Apart from the Bollywood royalty, director Subhash Ghai and political heavyweights such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Shatrughan Sinha, Kirron Kher, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Manmohan Singh and LK Advani were also present.
While the bride Aditi looked resplendent in a bright pink and gold kanjeevaram saree during her wedding ceremony, she donned a burnt orange lehenga for her reception function and Ajay was sharp in a black tuxedo suit with a bow tie.
Trishya Screwvala, daughter of Media Baron Ronnie Screwvala got married to sports presenter Suhail Chandhok in a star-studded ceremony earlier this year amidst much fanfare. While the wedding hosted at The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai was a private affair, the grand reception held at the Turf Club at the Mahalaxmi Race Course had Bollywood A-listers such as Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha, Karan Johar, Sidharth Roy Kapur with wife Vidya Balan, Alia Bhatt with Sidharth Malhotra, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Shahid Kapoor, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Tabu,Rekha, Waheeda Rehman and noted industrialists such as Mukesh and Neeta Ambani, among others gracing their presence at the beautiful event. Manzanita trees with flowers lined the reception decor. The head table decor was whimsical and romantic. Punit Jasuja Creator of Second Floor Studio created a custom manzanita canopy, loaded with English Roses, Orchids and hanging White Wisteria. Beautiful Crystal Votives hung from the branches sparkled with a warm glow.
Setting the tone for a romantic light filled wedding, watch this fairytale affair come alive in this video by Punit Jasuja.
Disha Gangwani and Lov Sawlani’s wedding is at Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka; Sana Khan and Adel Sajan’s wedding is at aboard Costa Fascinosa; Sonam Vaswani and Navin Fabiani.
Radha Kapoor and Aditya Khanna’s wedding is at Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai; Veena Reddy and Keshav Reddy’s wedding is at GMR Arena Grounds, Hyderabad.
Anushka Rajan and Abbhishek Doshii’s wedding is at Emirates Palace
Neil Nitin Mukesh and Rukmini Sahay’s reception is at JW Marriott Mumbai; Mansha and Karan Singh’s wedding venue is Grand Hyatt Goa.
Aditya Motwane, Vandana Mohan, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla
Kaushika Hemdev and Perizaad Zorabian, Pinky Reddy and Kaushika Hemdev, Tanaz Doshi and Yasmin Morani
Allu Arjun, Mana and Suniel Shetty
Clockwise from left – Aparna and Sanjay Reddy, Akhil, Amala and Nagarjuna, Designer Rina Dhaka and guests
Azmina Rahimtoola (left), Sandeep Khosla and Rashmi Thackeray (centre)
Dia and Krishna Bhupal, Namrata Shirodkar, Yasmin Morani and Falguni Peacock
Keshav and Veena with Yasmin Morani
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
Ritz Carlton Bahrain
(Left) Mona and Russell Mehta with their daughters Shloka and Diya, at their son Viraj’s wedding to Nisha, (Right) Diya Mehta and Ayush Jatia 
Photos Courtesy: Ramit Batra
The Wedding Invite by EDC (The Entertainment Design Co)
