Actor Sonam Kapoor, the bride-to-be, is making news for her much-anticipated wedding. All set to tie the knot with her businessman boyfriend Anand Ahuja on May 8th 2018, this Bollywood celebrity wedding has become the talk of the town thanks to the mystery surrounding it.

From a tropical destination wedding to a desi-style celebration in Mumbai, a lot has been said about one of the most-awaited weddings of this year. With just a few days left for Sonam and Anand to tie the knot, here is an update on the grand wedding. The duo is preparing for their big celebration and it will be held in three different venues personally picked by Sonam.

The Mehndi ceremony will be taking place at Sonam’s luxurious duplex apartment in Sunteck Signature Island building at Bandra Kurla Complex. It is reported that the ceremony will be conducted in a ballroom-like banquet area of the building.

And the traditional wedding ceremony will take place in the heritage mansion of Sonam’s aunt Kavita Singh in Bandra. It is said to be one of the most gorgeous properties in Mumbai with a spectacular view and stylish interiors.

The wedding ceremony will be followed by a reception which will be held in The Leela Mumbai. The Leela belongs to Sonam’s close friend Samyukta Nair’s family, and that explains the choice of venue for the occasion.

Mehndi Venue: Sonam Kapoor’s 7,000 square feet duplex at Sunteck Signature Island, BKC, Mumbai

Wedding Venue: The gorgeous heritage mansion of Sonam’s aunt Kavita Singh in Bandra

Reception Venue: The Leela Mumbai

Wedding Planners: Wedniksha

The post Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja’s Wedding Venues – Here’s a Sneak Peek! appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

Sonam Kapoor‘s bridal look is something that everyone is waiting for – after all, the star is a bonafide fashionista who creates drama with her formal couture ensembles as well as her chic, casual airport looks. She is currently dominating headlines due to her highly-anticipated wedding to beau Anand Ahuja on May 8. It’s certain that she will look a class apart as a real-life bride, and here, we pay tribute to her timeless looks as a reel bride in movies such as ‘Aisha,’ ‘Dolly Ki Doli’ and ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.’ We lift the veil on some of her most endearing reel bride looks.

1. The ‘Not So Coy’ Bridal Look from ‘Dolly Ki Doli’
Rocking cool sneakers, a leather jacket over a lehenga, nursing a drink in her hand and flaunting a carefree attitude – we are in love with Sonam’s ‘not so coy’ look in her royal blue Anita Dongre ensemble in the movie ‘Dolly Ki Doli.’

2. A Royal Stunner from ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’
A demure white and gold combination with a heavily-embellished dupatta and lehenga makes for the quintessential royal ensemble. Heavy Kundan jewelry with contrasting red bangles worked well for Sonam who aced her landmark role in the movie ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.’

3. Mesmerizing Muslim Beauty from ‘Dolly Ki Doli’
A pastel sharara, a precious passa and a light dupatta covering her head – Sonam’s Muslim bride look in ‘Dolly Ki Doli’ is reminiscent of old-world elegance. She balances out the ornate jewelry like long, dangling earrings with a simple nose pin that fits her look perfectly.

4. Dazzling Silver Sensation from ‘Aisha’
Sonam played a wedding planner in ‘Aisha’ and looked the part in her white silver with silver embellishments by Anamika Khanna. She managed to stand out yet not overshadow the bride in the movie. It’s perfect for that summer wedding with stylish soirees.

5. Earthy Punjabi Powerhouse from ‘Dolly Ki Doli’
A flowy salwar kameez in bridal red with a pretty dupatta transforms Sonam into a pretty Punjabi bride in ‘Dolly Ki Doli.’ Her studded necklace, chudiyaan and charming smile are the perfect accessories for this bridal look.

6. Non-Traditional Charmer from ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’
Pink and orange both are bright bridal colors that marry well together. Adding gold to this bright combination, Sonam keeps it subtle and elegant in this look from ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.’

7. White Wonder from ‘Dolly Ki Doli’
Keeping it simple yet elegant in a gorgeous white gown with a matching train, Sonam gave fashion-forward brides major goals with this ethereal look from her movie ‘Dolly Ki Doli.’

8. Elegantly Exquisite Look from ‘Aisha’
Sonam Kapoor exuded glamor in a brown net saree with a designer blouse featuring a deep-necked, sleeveless blouse that showed just the right amount of skin to be coy yet cool at a wedding.

9. Psychedelically Peppy Bride from ‘Dolly Ki Doli’
Offbeat and outstanding, designer Manish Arora’s ensemble for Sonam in ‘Dolly Ki Doli’ made her look like a bold, beautiful bride. From the psychedelic colors on the skirt to the funky yellow blouse and glittery gold jacket, this look was all about eye-popping style.

10. Palace Wedding Look from ‘Dolly ki Doli’
Sonam as a showstopper for Rohit Bal turned heads as she sashayed down the runway in a subtle, muted lehenga with intricate details and flowy flair. A regal bridal ensemble on Sonam also featured in ‘Dolly ki Doli’ and it is perfect for the brides who want to play down their ensemble colors and amp up the jewelry game!

Watch this space as we reveal all the wedding updates of bride-to-be Sonam Kapoor.

The post Bridal Inspirations from bride-to-be Sonam Kapoor’s Reel Wedding Looks appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

We’ve all seen the glitzy buzz and feverish excitement around celebrity nuptials especially when it involves couples from Bollywood and Indian cricket – like the ‘Virushka’ wedding which broke the internet. Similarly, Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja’s much-anticipated wedding is destined to do the same.

Sonam has chosen the intimate settings of her family’s homes for her wedding celebrations, as well as an after-party at The Leela Hotel Mumbai. We expect every function to be a class apart with carefully picked elements that are in sync with this young Bollywood diva and her designer fiance’s discerning tastes.

Sonam’s mehendi took place at her father Anil Kapoor’s residence yesterday evening, for which she wore a pretty peach and lavender sharara designed by Anuradha Vakil. Anand Ahuja opted for an onion pink sherwani and posed happily alongside a glowing Sonam who got beautiful henna designs applied on her hands by celebrity mehendi expert Veena Nagda and her talented team.

Sonam’s besties Masaba Gupta, Kunal Rawal, Pernia Qureshi and Karan Johar as well as her cousins, Mohit Marwah, Khushi and Jhanvi Kapoor, Shayana Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, and Harshvardhan Kapoor, were seen dressed to impress. The gang shared many selfies and photos from the merry event as well as celebrated Sonam’s upcoming movie ‘Veere Di Wedding’ which will be released in June. Sonam’s sister Rhea who was her maid of honor wore an ivory and gold salwar kameez by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla for the event.

You are reading this Insider Scoop first on WeddingSutra as we reveal the wedding makers of #SonamKiShaadi here!

The Wedding Makers

A wedding is a union of two people, but in the glamorous spheres of Bollywood and fashion, every wedding is a high stakes event given the amount of publicity it is expected to generate. That’s why many celebrities rely on A-list wedding planners and vendors who offer professionalism, discreteness, unique concepts and top-notch execution.

WeddingSutra Favorite Wedniksha is Sonam Kapoor’s Wedding Planner and is managing all the celebrations. The intimate wedding is set to take place tomorrow i.e. May 8, 2018, at her aunt Kavita Singh’s residence. Wedniksha’s duo Farid Khan and Bhavnesh Sawhney have orchestrated some of the grandest destination and hometown weddings and their clients include the who’s who of Bollywood, business and Mumbai/ NRI society bigwigs. New Delhi-based Rani Pink will do the decor styling of the events while carefully following the bride’s brief for the private wedding.

Farid Khan and Bhavnesh Sawhney of Wedniksha; Sonam Kapoor’s wedding event venues (clockwise from top right) Wedding venue: Heritage mansion of Sonam’s aunt Kavita Singh in Bandra, Reception Venue: The Leela Mumbai, Pre-wedding Party venue: Sonam’s duplex apartment at Sunteck Signature Island, BKC, Mumbai

Keeping in mind Sonam’s E-Invite (pssst… Sonam wanted to go eco-friendly with her wedding invites and chose not to print them!) we wore our guessing hats and here’s what we think Sonam’s intimate wedding celebrations might look like.

Source: Pinterest

Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja’s wedding e-invite

A celebrity celebration requires a large team of professional photographers and videographers to document all the glitzy memories. Sonam and Anand have chosen none other than the team of WeddingSutra Favorite Anand Rathi of Reels and Frames to cover their wedding celebrations. Anand Rathi has always left our audience spellbound with his whacky and creative storytelling approach towards wedding films and photos. We can’t wait to see what he brings out from this Bollywood superstar’s wedding.

No extra points to guess who will be Sonam’s bridal makeup artist for all the functions! Her bestie and personal makeup artist Namrata Soni will be getting the bride-to-be wedding ready for all the ceremonies.

New Delhi-based star chef and one of the A-listers’ favorites –  Marut Sikka will be the official food curator of all the delicacies that will be served at Sonam and Anand’s wedding.

Highlights from the Mehendi at Sonam’s apartment in Bandra Kurla Complex- Sonam wore fresh floral jewelry and kalereein designed by Floral Art and Mrinalini Chandra Artistan Atelier. Ace bartenders The Wedding Bartenders whipped up some cool cocktails with pink floral ice cubes which were served with fresh pear salad and grilled seasonal veggies. Guests danced to music by Bally Sagoo and Sukhbir after which DJ AJ got the guests grooving to hip-hop and Punjabi music!

The Wedding Makers
Wedding Planner: Wedniksha
Decor: Rani Pink
Scenting: Jo Malone London
Music & Entertainment: Ambience music – Sangeeta Ben, Band- Bryden Parth, DJs- DJ Stetson, DJ AJ, DJ Aman,  Performances- Mika, Bally Sagoo, Sukhbir
Food Consultation & Beverages: Marut Sikka, The Wedding Bartenders, Hopscork
Security: Deepak Singh
Official Photographer & Videographer: Reels & Frames

The post Meet Sonam Kapoor’s Wedding Makers: Insider Scoop appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

Sonam Kapoor, the bride-to-be, all set to tie the knot with Anand Ahuja, threw a glitzy mehndi party at her luxurious duplex apartment in Sunteck Signature Island building at Bandra Kurla Complex. The ceremony took place in a ballroom-like banquet area of the building which was decked up by fresh mogra, white florals and Jo Malone candles.

What caught our eye were the glamorous guests walking in decked in an all ivory ensemble with hints of gold and silver. Here’s Who Wore What–

Sonam Kapoor wore a panelled chikankari ivory and pastel lehenga covered in intricate chikankari detail, embellished with accents of light gold by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla and jewelry by her mom, Sunita Kapoor. The lehenga, highlighted in gold and silver zardozi, zari, pearls, Swarovski crystals and tiny sequins, took over 18 months to come to life!

NY-based fiancé Anand Ahuja ditched his Lakers tees for a dapper ivory kurta and Nehru jacket by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla with an emerald brooch.

Anil Kapoor kept it simple with a white kurta with silver gota embroidery by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Sonam’s siblings Harshvardhan and Rhea Kapoor both wore ivory ensembles.

Cousins Janhavi and Khushi Kapoor were seen dressed in Tarun Tahiliani ensembles.

Swara Bhaskar wore a Manish Malhotra lehenga with Amrapali Jewellery. Masaba Gupta wore her own creation with a dash of hot pink.

Katrina Kaif wore a sizzling saree by Manish Malhotra whereas her sister Isabella wore a pearl skirt with a royal blue crop top.

Shilpa Shetty brought a hint of color to her ensemble by Sukriti Akriti and jewelry by Amrapali. Karisma Kapoor nailed it in a Manish Malhotra lehenga.

Aarti Shetty wore a Surili G outfit. Antara Marwah wore a Manish Malhotra sheer outfit.

Jacquline Fernandez chose a pearl and powder blue lehenga by Anamika Khanna. Arjun Kapoor stood out in an indigo and white creation by Manish Malhotra.

Mohit Marwah and Sanjay Kapoor slayed in Kunal Rawal kurtas.

Rani Mukherjee wore an all white long kurta and sharara while Rekha kept it eternal in a gold and ivory saree. Seen along with Rekha are Farah Khan’s triplets dressed in ivory and mint.

Kunal Rawal and Arpita Mehta dressed in ivory strike a pose with the couple. Karan Johar made a statement in a floral kurta by Manish Malhotra.

Pernia Qureshi wore an elegant white and grey sheer saree. Shanaya Kapoor wore a dusty rose lehenga by Tarun Tahiliani with a boho hairstyle.

Anshula Kapoor in a pearl white lehenga by Arpita Mehta. Rhea Kapoor paired Nike sneakers with her Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla lehenga. Namrata Soni looked pretty in an Anita Dongre kurta and churidaar.

For more updates follow us on Instagram and Snapchat.

Wedding Planner: Wedniksha
Decor: Rani Pink
Makeup Artist: Namrata Soni
Mehendi Artist: Veena Nagda
DJ: DJ AJ
Entertainers: Badshah, Sukhbir
Cocktails: The Wedding Bartenders

Photography & Videography: Reels and Frames

The post Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja’s Mehendi was a Bollywood Affair! appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

After all the speculations that preceded Sonam Kapoor’s wedding the day of her big day finally arrived. The Bollywood celebrity wed as per Sikh rituals at her maternal aunt’s house in Bandra and the ceremony was attended by the who’s who of Bollywood who made the function a little more glamorous with their impeccable style. Here we tell you who wore what at Sonam’s Anand Karaj.

Sonam Kapoor is a style icon who is always on the radar of every fashionista owning to her impeccable taste in all things fashion. Known to surprise her audience with her unusual choice, the bride left everyone surprised when she appeared in her red and golden lehenga designed by Anuradha Vakil.

Anand Ahuja was dapper in a golden sherwani by Raghavendra Rathore. He paired that with a golden and white saafa which he accessorized with a bejeweled headpiece from Amrapali.

Arjun Kapoor went with a classic blue kurta and Nehru jacket by Raghavendra Rathore while sister Anshula Kapoor opted for a bright pink lehenga with golden panel work.

Looks like the Kapoor sibling decided to twin in whites. Anil Kapoor relied on his favorite designer Raghavendra Rathore to create for him the perfect neutral monochrome outfit. Sanjay Kapoor too opted for a white kurta and bandi by the same designer.

Swara Bhaskar’s lehenga by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla packed all the colors of the rainbow and Jacqueline Fernandez, on the other hand, dressed up in an all fuschia lehenga by Anita Dongre.

Masaba gave the saree designed by her a contemporary twist by pairing muted green with hot pink. Karan Johar bet the summer heat by wearing a pastel pink and white sherwani by Manish Malhotra.

Harshvardhan Kapoor and Mohit Marwah too followed their family’s footsteps by sticking to neutral tones. While the former opted for a gray jacket and white pants, the latter layered a white jacket over a kurta of the same color.

Amitabh Bachchan and Boney Kapoor decided to match their outfits with their children’s. While Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Shweta Nanda were spotted wearing white ensembles by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Boney Kapoor, Janhavi Kapoor, and Khushi Kapoor posed wearing candy-colored Manish Malhotra lehengas.

Karisma Kapoor was seen in a bespoke hand-painted organza lehenga with an emerald green hand-embroidered crop top by Sabyasachi. Younger sister Kareena Kapoor wore a baby pink, heavily embellished creation by Anita Dongre.

While Rani Mukherji looked regal in a lehenga by Sabyasachi, Arpita exuded “begum vibes” in a pastel tone outfit.

Ranveer Singh looked cool as a cucumber in white kurta an Nehru jacket which he paired with loafers from SVA in the same color. Rhea Kapoor wore a pink lehenga with peacock motifs all over the skirt by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.

Aamir Khan and his family kept it simple and stuck to basics. While he and Junaid Khan wore an easy kurta, Kiran Rao picked looked elegant in a peach saree with a gold scalloped border.

For more updates follow us on Instagram and Snapchat.

Wedding Planner: Wedniksha
Decor: Rani Pink
Makeup Artist: Namrata Soni
Photography & Videography: Reels and Frames

The post Sonam Kapoor’s Wedding Is Giving Us All The Fashion Goals! appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

After a beautiful wedding, Sonam Kapoor threw a glitzy after-party for her loved ones and industry colleagues. By looking at the photos and video of everyone dancing the night away, we know for sure that the function was a massive success. Here’s who wore what at the celebrity’s grand reception which was nothing less than a red carpet event.

After acing the traditional bride look, Sonam embraced a contemporary avatar with a graphic Anamika Khanna lehenga. The grey chevron print skirt was paired with a blouse and an ivory cape that featured a golden border and cascaded down to add a romantic touch to the otherwise clean silhouette.

The dapper Anand Ahuja complemented his bride’s look by choosing to wear a black bandhgala achkan complete with striking buttons. He brought a twist to his look by pairing his attire with white Nike sneakers.

Sanjay Kapoor and Imran Khan made an appearance in classic black. While Sonam’s uncle opted for a bandhgala by Raghavendra Rathod, her I Hate Luv Storys costar wore a tailored suit and a bowtie.

While Shatrughan Sinha too followed the trend of wearing black, wife Poonam Sinha and son Luv Sinha chose more colorful attires. Tanya Ghavri looked resplendent in a lilac lehenga by Manish Malhotra.

Fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar was seen on the other side of the lens wearing a grey suit. Jacqueline Fernandez wore a white net saree that featured complex embroidery and was paired with a heavy blouse in the same colour.

Black seemed to be the color of the night with Anil Kapoor, Kunal Rawal, and Arpita Mehta dressed in this timeless hue.

Masaba decided to drape a quirky black saree from her own label. Swara Bhaskar picked for herself a lehenga by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla that was paired with a frilly sleeved crop top.

A chip off the old block Harshvarshan Kapoor dressed up in a black suit. Kareena Kapoor looked ravishing in a heavily embellished Manish Malhotra lehenga.

Maheep Kapoor and Shanaya Kapoor dressed in summery lights by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Kangana Ranaut looked every bit a queen in the gorgeous saree gifted to her by her sister.

Jackie Shroff and Ayesha Shroff coordinated their colors as he opted for a black and white suit while she dressed up in a stunning white ensemble. Udhav Thackeray and Rashmi Thackeray, too, matched their grey outfits.

Anaita Shroff Adajania was a vision in white as she wore a saree with tone on tone work. Karan Johar’s black achkan covered in golden floral motifs by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla was a statement maker.

Ex-Miss India Juhi Chawla posed for paparazzi in a baby pink creation by Sabyasachi. Javed Akhtar wore a blue kurta with a Nehru jacket with details on the neck and sleeves.

Boney Kapoor wore monochromatic layers in midnight blue. He paired a kurta with a self-designed Nehru jacket and a stole with a golden border. Madhuri Dixit let Bollywood’s favorite designer, Manish Malhotra, design her pale pink outfit for the night.

Kajol draped a grey saree with sequins details and posed with the designer of her outfit. The iconic Bollywood couple Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh were stunning in their respective black and golden suit.

Divya Khosla Kumar was seen in a traditional looking lehenga by Anju Modi while Antara Motiwala opted for a modern looking outfit that she paired with an elaborate dupatta in white.

Rani Mukherji, once again, wore a lehenga by Sabyasachi, only this time, she was a stunner in golden. Shahid Kapoor attended the celebration in an asymmetrical grey kurta while Mira Rajput was stylish in a black and white Indo-Western outfit.

Student of The Year co-stars Siddharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan seemed to be hooked on to the layered achkan trend. While Siddharth opted for a black outfit by Shantanu & Nikhil with a printed layer peeping out, Varun played with powder blue and white.

Kirron Kher opted a solid color orange saree while Arjun Kapoor was handsome in a black achkan that he wore over a purple kurta.

Both, Shilpa Shetty and Rekha came dressed in an interestingly draped Indo-Wested outfit. While Rekha stuck to her signature Kanjevaram which she wore over skin fitted pant, Shilpa Shetty looked lovely in a pale blue outfit by Tarun Tahiliani.

A pink lehenga by Lahore based couturier Faraz Manan was Pernia Qureshi’s outfit for the night. Sisters Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor were seen in creations by Manish Malhotra.

Sonam’s co-star from her latest film Veere Di Wedding, Shikha Talsania, brought with her a cheery vibe by opting for a bright yellow Anarkali by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Vidya Balan wore a timeless kanjevaram saree in white and gold.

Tamara Ralph and Micheal Russo, graced Soman wedding, immaculately dressed in a black tuxedo and pink gown respectively. Akshay Kumar opted for a black bandhgala with buttons on the side while Twinkle Khanna opted for an intricately embroidered white chuddidar suit by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla that she paired with lustrous emeralds.

Isabelle Kaif and Katrina Kaif attended the event dressed in lehengas by Manish Malhotra.

Ayushman Khurana wore a deep blue achkan that featured floral motifs while Karisma Kapoor spelled elegance in a white saree by Manish Malhotra with a golden and silver border.

Ranveer Singh posed for the camera in a blue tuxedo. Shah Rukh Khan was seen in a black bandgala jacket with wife Gauri Khan who opted for a striking nude and black gown by Tarun Tahiliani.

Alia Bhatt made her appearance in a lime green lehenga at the after party and Ranbir Kapoor stunned in a white outfit by Manish Malhotra. The newest member in the Ambani household, Shloka Mehta, opted for a creation by designer duo Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.

One of the world’s biggest business tycoons’, Mukesh Ambani was present at the event with wife Nita Ambani who looked gorgeous in a cream and white Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla ensemble. Shweta Nanda too was spotted wearing a pink creation by the same designers.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan went with an outstanding anarkali that was covered in delicate handwork while Abhishek Bachchan sported a white achkan. Both their outfits were created by Manish Malhotra. Athiya Shetty wore a white and gold lehenga by Rahul Mishra.

The post Sonam Kapoor’s Reception Was An Affair Fitting For A Fashionista appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

Over the last few months, there was immense and intense speculation about where Sonam Kapoor would tie the knot, with speculated venues being sprawling palace hotels in Rajasthan and exotic resorts in Switzerland. However, the actress chose to host her mehendi and wedding in her family’s homes in Mumbai. For the post-wedding celebrations, she chose The Leela Hotel in Andheri (East), Mumbai.

Next, every luxury wedding maker is speculating on the ‘where’ and ‘when’ of the Ambani weddings; family insiders expect them to be grand events, though they may not necessarily be the most expensive weddings of the decade despite the stature and wealth of all the families involved. While Isha Ambani is engaged to Anand Piramal, her twin brother Akash is engaged to Shloka Mehta. Both weddings are expected to take place in Mumbai in December, or one of them later in another location!

Here are five reasons why celebrity weddings are going from big, fat bashes to slimmer, simpler soirees:

1. Large VIP Homes: Many celebrities and industrialists live in sprawling homes, typically bungalows or penthouses, that come with large terraces and gardens spacious enough to host big weddings. For example, Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan tied the knot at Prateeksha, the Bachchan family home in Juhu. Mukesh Ambani’s towering residence Antilia, as well as the Piramal bungalow, are grand enough to host large-scale weddings. Ace wedding planner Bhavnesh Sawhney of Wedniksha who managed Sonam Kapoor’s wedding says, “Hosting a wedding at home makes it more convenient for the hosts for everything is under their control. Moreover, adds Sawhney, “All celebrities have a huge circle of friends and professional acquaintances. So hosting their wedding celebrations in their own hometown is a practical decision.”

2. Busy Calendars: “Given their hectic schedules, many VVIP guests find it challenging to block dates on their calendars for faraway week-long destination weddings” explains Mahesh Shirodkar, Managing Director – Tamarind Global. “Also the sanctity of RSVP’s rarely exists in the Indian diaspora, making it that much challenging on zeroing in on the exact attendance for the events”, states Shirodkar who has managed some of the most high-profile weddings in India and overseas. The last few years have seen many more destination weddings at locations which are a short flight away. Many celebrity weddings have taken place at venues such as Hyderabad’s Taj Falaknuma Palace, the Taj properties in Jaipur and Jodhpur, and Udai Vilas in Udaipur. Luxury resorts in Oman are also proving to be magnets for A-listers and their VVIP guests.

3. Less Cameras Please: Celebrities have to deal with cameras and paparazzi daily, unlike regular couples who are in the spotlight only on their big day. Celebrity wedding photographer Anand Rathi of Reels and Frames explains, “Many A-listers do not enjoy extra attention at their wedding and prefer to keep all – or at least some functions – intimate and private, with only their closest family members and friends in attendance.”

4. Friendship Factor: Most celebrities own impressive homes that can double up as events venues or have close friends who have amazing spaces. The friendship factor often overrides other considerations when choosing wedding venues for the A-listers. For example, Sonam Kapoor hosted her post-wedding party at The Leela Hotel in Mumbai which is owned by her bestie Samyukta Nair’s family. The Ambanis own Jio Gardens in the popular BKC area which has become a hotspot for large events.

5. Close-knit Celebrations: Celebrities such as Urmila Matondkar and Soha Ali Khan’s wedding celebrations were low-key and simple despite their wide networks in Bollywood. These actresses did not host post-wedding receptions after their weddings. Model Lisa Haydon got married to her billionaire boyfriend Dino Lalvani in a very intimate beach wedding in Phuket, Thailand, surrounded by just their close family and friends. Rishi Rochlani of The Wedding Designers says, “Celebrity weddings of Mumbaikars may be much in the news due to the high-profile guest lists but their celebrations (except for the reception) are often much more intimate and less ostentatious compared to those hosted by big business and industrialist families all over India.”

The post 5 Reasons why many Celebrity Weddings are now simpler, closer to home-celebrations appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

While we are impatiently waiting to see Meghan Markle’s wedding dress at the most anticipated royal wedding of the year on May 19th, the internet has been speculating on what she might wear for months now. We have put together a list of designer names who are rumored to be the wedding gown designers for Meghan Markle.

1. All the bets are on Ralph and Russo, the Australian designer duo who were responsible for the gorgeous black gown Markle wore for her engagement photos. The brand is known for its use of embellishment, beading and 3-D details. While Markle may have picked their gown previously, its hard to imagine her in something really ornate.

2. London based Burberry has also emerged as the front-runner after Markle’s mom was spotted at the airport with a Burberry garment bag causing speculation that mother and daughter may be wearing designs from the same fashion house. And as Markle is anticipated to walk the fine line between tradition and her fashion-forward sensibilities, Burberry may just fit the bill.

Other contenders include Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen. Irrespective of who Ms. Markle chooses to design her wedding dress or dresses, it is sure going to set trends!

The post Meghan Markle’s Wedding Gown – Will it be a Ralph & Russo or Burberry? appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

Designer Shriya Som (Bhupal), daughter of Hyderabad Businesswomen Shalini Bhupal and granddaughter of industrialist GVK Reddy is all set to tie the knot with Entrepreneur Anindith Reddy, grandson of Apollo Hospitals Chairman Prathap C Reddy. The grand wedding is expected to take place across the most magnificent locations in Hyderabad in June or July this year.

The couple and their families recently hosted a grand pre-wedding celebration at the magnificent Chateau de Chantilly in France. Many socialites and influential people were in attendance, including actor Ram Charan Teja and his wife Upasana Kamineni. Upasana’s mother and Anindith Reddy’s mother are sisters. Along with the pre-wedding festivities, the family also celebrated the birthday of Pinky Reddy, the influential socialite and the bride’s aunt (her husband Sanjay Reddy is Shalini Bhupal’s brother).

According to sources, the pre-wedding parties have already begun in and around Paris. The entire Reddy family is in attendance along with a few hundred of their friends. The celebrations kick-started with a masked ball at the Chantilly Palace outside Paris, with the bride-to-be looking bold and chic in a flaming red Giambattista Valli tiered gown and a beautiful gold crown. Designer Tarun Tahiliani designed the decor and event flow. Prominent designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla were also present for the celebrations.

The elegant village of Chantilly is located 40 kilometers north of Paris, in the Picardy region of France. The Jewel in the crown of Domaine de Chantilly is the stunning 16th-century Chateau, built for Anne de Montmorency. In the last few years, the jewel of France’s rich heritage and culture has played host to several exclusive parties and luxury weddings.

Shriya Bhupal in a Giambattista Valli tiered gown

Anindith Reddy and Shriya Bhupal in Tarun Tahiliani ensembles

The stunning 16th-century Chateau

Event decor designed by Tarun Tahiliani (left). Aerial act- Shine bright like a diamond in the sky!

The bride’s cousin sister Mallika Reddy (Pinky Reddy’s daughter) in Chantilly (left), Veena Reddy and Keshav Reddy (right)

Guests at the pre-wedding party

Asmita Marwa (left). Upasana Kamineni Konidel and Ram Charan (right)

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Chateau de Chantilly, France
Decor and Design: Tarun Tahiliani
Makeup Artist: Namrata Soni
Photography: Stories by Joseph Radhik

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Dubai, which is one of the most luxurious destinations in the world, has become a hotspot for some of the most glitzy high-profile weddings in recent years. When it was time for Shaji Ul Mulk, head of the $2 billion Mulk Holdings conglomerate, to host his son Nawab Adnan Ul Mulk’s engagement to Nida Farooqui, he picked the Palazzo Versace Dubai as the venue. The grand celebrations and stunning decor were conceptualized, designed and planned by Event Chic Designs.

Venue
Set in the heart of the Culture Village, less than 15 minutes away from Dubai International Airport, Palazzo Versace Dubai is conveniently located along the shores of the historic Dubai Creek. A neoclassical palace that combines elements of Arabian architecture, the property offers classy venues and world class facilities. The engagement took place in the hotel’s Gala Ballroom which was lit with the glow of impressive chandeliers and candles set in elegant glass vases.

Engagement
Event Chic Designs transformed the venue into a spring garden using blooms in shades of pink and white with lush foliage as accents to add a vibrant touch to the muted muted palette. An elevation created at the end of the ballroom with its backdrop of flowerbeds and golden arches made for the stage for the ceremony. Each table was decked with flower arrangements in tall stands, and the theme was repeated on the napkin rings that had the design of roses created with tiny white pearls. A colossal customized floral chandelier was one of the key highlights of the decor. Transparent chairs set around circular tables further added shine to the celebrations. Despite the venue being indoors, the space was resplendent with the freshness and beauty of garden in bloom.

The post Flower Power at Nawab Adnan Ul Mulk and Nida Farooqui’s splendid engagement at Palazzo Versace Dubai appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

Nawab of Kurnool Adnan Ul Mulk of business powerhouse Mulk Holdings is tying the knot with Nida Farooqui. Their grand engagement celebration was held at the luxurious Palazzo Versace Dubai.

Nawab of Kurnool Adnan Ul Mulk is the only Indian member of the Emirates Cricket Board and Mulk Holdings is a multinational conglomerate with diversified business interests in Manufacturing of Metal Composites, Facade Contracting, Healthcare, Aluminum Coil Coatings, Plastic Industries, Power Generation, Real Estate and Cricket Assets. The 3-day celebration is expected to be a magnificent affair with the who’s who from business, politics, and royalty.

Here are more details of the most anticipated wedding.

The Venue
The families have booked over 200 rooms at the Taj Lands End Mumbai. The celebrations will be held across different venues of this hotel which is favorite of Bollywood celebrities for celebrations.

The Wedding Functions
The four-day wedding will have themed events planned by WeddingSutra Favorites Vivaah, Cineyug, and EventChic Designs. The Sufi night and the Moghul night reflecting the Nawab’s history’s of Kurnool, the Haldi themed in yellows, the traditional Nikah and the Valima with chef’s preparing special culinary delights to enhance the flavor of the royal wedding with Hyderabadi delights. The wedding will be shot by noted Photographer Ram Bherwani.

The Celebrity Guestlist
The lineup of celebrity performances at the couple’s Sangeet includes Dia Mirza, Badshah, Kanika Kapoor, Urvashi Rautela, Rohin Puri, Nirmika, Suryaveer Hooja, Nora Fatehi and Jonita Gandhi. The DJ line up includes DJ Sumit, DJ Stetson, and DJ Udita.

The Designers
Sources tell us that the royal wedding will be yet another display of designer courtesy and pageantry at its finest. The couple and guests will be dressed as per the theme and in outfits by top designers Manish Malhotra, Raghuvendra Rathore, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Libas Riyaz Gangji, Soraya B Couture.

The post Taj Lands End Mumbai to host Real-life Royalty as Adnan Ul Mulk Nawab of Kurnool gets married appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

In 48 hours, Antilia, the world’s most expensive residence will open its grand doors to two magnificent celebrations. It’s two days to the world’s most expensive residence hosting what could be the most opulent celebrations of the year… Akash Ambani, scion of the Ambani family is getting engaged to Shloka Mehta, daughter of diamond merchants Mona and Russell Mehta.

The media is all agog about Shah Rukh Khan’s scheduled performance but WeddingSutra is going full Sherlock on who will design and orchestrate the engagement celebration of the year.

For now, the grapevine is buzzing with hints that California based Karen Tran, known for her sublime floral designs has landed in Mumbai. And while a retinue of high-end events companies and gourmet chef collectives are working hard, the Parisien patisserie Ladurée is on the list for the two-day glamorous affair.

The engagement ceremony, on the 28th of June, will be a traditional one. The post-engagement party is on the 30th of June. With a home like that, it’s no wonder the family is celebrating at Antilia.

Here’s more insider news from WeddingSutra!

The Event Managers
The Ambani family’s trusted in-house event managers have been coordinating with select agencies on event management, stationery, invitations and even with guests for their RSVPs. This is no mean task – the guest list is expected to touch 1200!

The country’s finest wedding vendors – Delhi’s EDC and Mumbai’s Uttara Shah are rumored to have designed the event communication.

We’ve also been told that either the Ambanis or the Mehtas have enlisted the wedding planning services of the high profile Seven Steps (the wedding division of Seventy Event Management Group) to manage and coordinate the mega event.

The Floral Designers
The Ambanis have flower power on the agenda. Karen Tran, the big budget, high profile floral designer will create her magic across some of the entertaining spaces at Antilia. It is possible that South Mumbai’s favorite floral and space designer Havovy Readymoney is also on board to design and produce art in flowers at the magnificent residence with her talented proteges Jehangir and Aliya.

And who’s flying the exotic blooms in? We hear that responsibility has been entrusted to Interflora, the UK based company with the largest and most experienced flower delivery network.

Talented floral designer Karen Tran’s gorgeous and extensive portfolio of wedding designs.

Food and Desserts
An insider suggests that the Ambani’s favorite gourmets – Foodlink will be most likely be in charge of some of the menus

However, this is a great opportunity for Mumbai to be introduced to Ladurée, Paris. If you haven’t already met them at Harrods, Knightsbridge, then say hello to the world’s premier patisserie – established in Paris in 1862 and a globally recognized brand today. Famous for the double-decker macaron, amongst other things, their history includes creating macarons for Albert II, Prince of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock’s wedding and they have collaborated on collections with iconic fashion brands like Christian Louboutin and Marni.

Ladurée operates stores all over Europe, and in the Middle East and Asia including Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore! Connoisseurs of the French brand are now wondering if this development could indicate their launch in Mumbai or Delhi next year.

Custom wedding cakes and luxurious macaron pyramids by Parisian bakery Ladurée.

French designer Christian Louboutin had earlier created gift boxes for Ladurée Paris.

Watch this space for more!

The post Karen Tran and Ladurée Paris in Mumbai for Ambani Engagement appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

Earlier this year Akash Ambani proposed to his childhood friend and long-time girlfriend Shloka Mehta in Goa. While they celebrated the new beginning in the company of their loved ones in a private affair, their engagement is being hosted at Antilia and it is anything but intimate! The celebrations at the Ambani household have begun and the pictures have already started setting new benchmarks for extravagance and splendor!

The families have even flown down some international big names! Karen Tran, the big budget, high profile floral designer was in charge of transforming some spaces. Besides Karen Tran,  South Mumbais favorite floral designer Havovy Readymoney, too, is said to have designed some of the spaces. The delectable food spread was curated by Ambani’s most preferred gourmets Foodlink.

The couple’s engagement celebrations began a few days prior to the ceremony with a mehendi function where the glowing bride-to-be was spotted wearing an indigo blue Anamika Khanna lehenga that was complete with heavy floral embroidery. Akash, on the other hand, kept it simple with a white kurta. While the occasion was attended by several celebrities, Priyanka Chopra showed the couple some love on social media by posting a picture with them with a caption that read “Congratulations Akash and Shloka!! Such a beautiful ceremony.. mehendi hai rachne wali.. love you both.”

The following night for the pre-engagement party, Shloka appeared in a golden lehenga by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla and changed into a light pink ensemble by Sabyasachi Mukherjee after the rituals were over. The internet saw a number of video clips from the festivities. Be it Nita Ambani welcoming the newest member in the family with a dance or Isha Ambani getting playful with her brother after an aarti, all of it signaled that the family could not have been happier on this auspicious occasion.

Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Gauri Khan, Priyanka Chopra among other celebs were seen entering the Ambani residence adding glamour to the glitzy affair.

The post Shloka Mehta and Akash Ambani’s Exquisite Engagement celebrations appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

The recent engagement at the Ambani residence was celebrated in the most extraordinary fashion with the finest of national and international teams working together to realize their extravagant dreams. When such was the lavishness that was seen at this affair, it should come as no surprise that their guests too brought their best fashion sensibilities to the table while making an appearance at their celebration.

Here are some of the best looks from the evening.

1. Shloka Mehta wore a heavily embellished blush Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla lehenga for her engagement. The outfit was complete with floral motifs, glittering sequins, and intricate threadwork. The skirt was paired with a blouse the featured an illusion neckline and the look was completed by pairing the ensemble with diamond jewelry.

2. Akash Ambani complemented his bride by choosing a well fitted maroon sherwani in which he looked every bit the man of the evening.

3. Isha Ambani and Nita Ambani too, picked for themselves outfits from Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. With the daughter went with an ensemble that was created using a pastel pink fabric, the mother chose the color grey.

4. Rekha looked as gorgeous as ever in her signature golden kanjevaram saree. Alia Bhatt too sported the same hue with a more contemporary approach by opting for a lehenga by designer duo Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.

5. A lavender lehenga from Kresha Bajaj’s label Koecsh made for Shraddha Kapoor’s pick. The sheer neck and the delicate embroidery added a feminine appeal to this outfit. Rani Mukherji relied on her favorite designer, Sabyasachi to create for her the perfect garment for this occasion.

6. Vidya Balan stuck to her most preferred Indian attires of all times, a saree and once again left everyone impressed by selecting a creation by Anita Dongre. Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla dressed Kiara Advani in a dual tone golden and silver lehenga. The beautiful blouse that was paired with the skirt played the key role in elevating her look.

7. Isha and Nita Ambani weren’t the only mother-daughter duo who appeared in finery created by the same designer. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aradhya Bachchan too opted ensembles from the same couturier. While the former miss world Miss world chose a golden and black saree by Manish Malhotra, daughter dearest looked lovely in a pink lehenga. Ranbir Kapoor was seen striking a pose in a black bandhgala jacket and white pants by Raghavendra Rathore.

8. Gauri Khan attended the soiree with Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan. With the men of the family looked dapper, Gauri was resplendent in a pastel outfit by Tarun Tahiliani. Rhea Kapoor was a vision in white in a kurta and sharara by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.

9. Outfits by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla were a hit at this engagement party. Shweta Nanda, Navya Navelli and Sara Ali Khan too seemed o be charmed by this designer duo’s creation. While Shweta and Navya both, opted for sarees the former with contemporary aesthetics while the latter picked a traditional look. Sara Ali Khan was elegant in a white and yellow lehenga.

10. A brown Sherwani was Anil Kapoor outfit of choice for the night. Parineeti Chopra draped a saree with a pair of pants and looked sharp in this Shantanu Nikhil creation. Aditya Roy Kapoor went with an all-white achkan and pants while Siddharth Malhotra opted for a beige jacket and close-fitting pants, by Manish Malhotra.

11. Karan Johar chose an embellished jade green achkan with black chudidar by Manish Malhotra while Kajol wore a sparkling blue sharara by Anjul Bhandari that was teamed with a white kurta and dupatta. Arjun Kapoor was the man in black in a monotone kurta chudidar and bandi by Kunal Rawal.

12. Disha Patni attended the ceremony in a champagne lehenga by designer duo Falguni Shane Peacock that did everything to flatter her physique. Mira Rajput dressed up in a pastel pink creation by Manish Malhotra complete with heavy golden and silver work.

The post Shloka Mehta and Akash Ambani’s Engagement Saw Some of Fashion’s Best appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

Wedding fever has gone viral in the houses of the richest and most influential families in India.

Hyderabad is abuzz with preparations for the wedding of GVK Reddy’s granddaughter, Shriya Bhupal with Anindith Reddy, grandson of Prathap C Reddy, the Chairman-Founder of Apollo Hospitals! Meanwhile, in Mumbai, the who’s who are anticipating the wedding celebrations of Poorna Patel (daughter of former civil aviation minister, Praful Patel) and industralist Namit Soni.

Shriya Bhupal and Anindith Reddy

On the 28th and 30th of June, Mumbai’s crème de la crème witnessed one of the grandest engagements this year at Antilia – Mukesh Ambani’s home. Mukesh and Nita’s son, Akash Ambani was betrothed to Shloka Mehta in an opulent ceremony and star-studded celebration. Social media breathlessly documented all the goings on including the glamorous guests in ensembles by Manish Malhotra, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Shantanu & Nikhil, Shehla Khan, Kresha Bajaj, Anita Dongre and Kunal Rawal. The team in-charge of the celebrations (outside of the Ambani and Antilia offices) included international wedding designer Karen Tran, wonder weddings manager Kainaz Sethna (Seven Steps), Creative Director Vaibhavi Merchant, Show & Program Coordinators On Cue Productions and Floral designers Dinaz Noria and Havovy Readymoney. Speculation is now rife about when and where not one but two Ambani weddings will take place. Akash’s twin, Isha is engaged to Anand Piramal. The grapevine is suggesting a December wedding for Isha and a March 2019 wedding for her brother, Akash.

Shloka Mehta and Akash Ambani, Isha and Neeta Ambani.

Alia Bhatt in Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Gauri Khan in Tarun Tahiliani, Vidya Balan in Anita Dongre

And while we’re barely recovering from the Ambani engagement, the other two massive weddings are creating a buzz. High society is gearing up for the end of the week. GVK Reddy’s granddaughter, Shriya Bhupal (also the designer behind the fashion label Shriya Som) will marry Anindith Reddy this month. The wedding celebrations are spread across several locations in Hyderabad- Taj Krishna, JRC Convention Centre and the Hitech City. The guests have received an elegant invite designed by EDC, and the main reception at Hitech City is expected to be of unprecedented grandeur with over 10,000 guests in attendance!

While the couple’s pre-wedding celebration at the magnificent Château de Chantilly in France was designed by couturier Tarun Tahiliani along with scenographer Sumant Jayakrishnan, we hear the celebrations in Hyderabad will be designed by Dinaz Noria and managed by Dhaval Chandarana of WED Gurus. For the masked ball at the Chantilly Palace, Shriya wore a dazzling red Giambattista Valli tiered gown and a golden crown. Those in the know are predicting the bride will wear her favorite designers, Elie Saab, Tarun Tahiliani and Marchesa for the different wedding functions.

Shriya Bhupal and Anindith Reddy in Chantilly

Taj Krishna and Hitech City in Hyderabad

The wedding celebrations of Poorna Patel and industralist Namit Soni are slated to be held around July 21. Poorna Patel and Namit Soni exchanged rings in a private ceremony, attended by close friends and family including cricketer MS Dhoni and his wife Sakshi.

Poorna Patel and Namit Soni, with her parents Varsha and Praful Patel

Even as you read this, the couple have taken about 80 of their closest friends for a pre-wedding ‘youngsters’ party’ in Bali’s hip Ayana Resort. An insider tells us the grand Mumbai event will be designed by Vandana Mohan of Delhi’s Wedding Design Company and the event companies managing the hospitality and entertainment include Motwane Entertainment & Weddings (MEW) and Wedniksha.

Praful Patel is an old hand at this. He has previously hosted two grand weddings for his elder daughters, Avni and Niyati. While Avni’s wedding with Bangalore lawyer Prashanth Deshpande in Mumbai was truly a wedding of all ages, Niyati’s wedding with Samarth Parekh formed the epitome of elegance in the city of lakes, Udaipur, at the Jag Mandir Palace. And if they say the third time’s the charm, his youngest daughter’s wedding may top all the celebrations so far.

The post GVK Apollo scions and Praful Patel’s daughter’s wedding buzz appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

Following their extravagant engagement in Dubai Nawab Adnan Ul Mulk and Nida Farooqui’s wedding in Mumbai was a grand celebration designed keeping in mind the family’s royal legacy. WeddingSutra Favorite Vivaah, who was in charge of the wedding design, transformed the spaces at Taj Lands End, Mumbai with one-of-a-kind wedding themes that made use of fresh blooms, creative lighting and latest technology.

The celebrations began with the couple’s sangeet where sparkling chandeliers illuminated the banquet and ambient lights drenched the venue in a pink glow. Complete with large golden elephant structures, velvet drapes, bright cushions and Moroccan lamps, the setup exuded a regal appeal. One of the highlights of the event was the creatively conceptualized entry of the bride who appeared sitting on an ornate golden throne. The other prominent feature was the grand LED stage that had been set up for all the performances by the Bollywood celebrities present there. Round tables with beautiful overlays and centerpieces of large floral arrangements in exquisite vases dotted the venue and welcomed the guests to a night of entertainment.

The nikah carried a distinctive North Indian appeal with aesthesis inspired from the palaces of Rajasthan. The imposing stage comprised of five dome-shaped pavilions, often seen in structures that are fine examples of Indian architecture, supported by intricately carved pillars. While the backdrop for the central canopy was smothered in red roses, those for the remaining four displayed stunning relief work. With jaali panels adorning the front of the stage and impressive chandeliers and flickering candles in tall candelabra lighting up the structure, the setup left the guests in awe.

The grandeur was extended even in the dining area where lush greens dominated the décor. Over a carpet of grass, team Vivaah set up two large community tables that crossed each other to divide the area into four sections. The table decorations included floral arrangements created using red flowers and hints of foliage that were placed along with candles.

After two functions that followed more traditional themes, it was time to shake things up a little for the reception or the Valima. For this function, the décor took a more contemporary approach. A long pathway was created leading to the stage that was backed by a panel that 3D mapped visuals of cherry blossoms. The path was flanked by large floor vases that were full of exotic posies. A colossal structure of hanging pipes was suspended above this walkway to add yet another element of interest to the gorgeous setup. The dining area too was elegantly done. White flowers sat gracefully on the tables while minimalistic golden chairs surrounded them. The blue light that lit up the venues not only heightened the mood of the event, but also helped in creating a relaxed, yet memorable atmosphere.

Wedding Makers
Venue: Taj Lands End, Mumbai
Wedding Planner: Cineyug Celebrations
Décor: Vivaah and Event Chic Designs

Photography: Ram Bherwani

The post Stately Splendor at Nawab Adnan Ul Mulk and Nida Farooqui’s Wedding at Taj Lands End, Mumbai appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

It’s going to be a hectic weekend in Mumbai with heavy doses of glamour and power at three wedding hot-spots in Mumbai as Praful Patel’s daughter Poorna ties the knot with Indore-based industrialist, Namit Soni. The celebrations, to be held between July 19-21, will include a mehendi function hosted by the groom’s side at Bandra’s Taj Lands End, the wedding and mehendi (bride’s side) at Grand Hyatt Mumbai. The sangeet and reception will take place at The Dome at NSCI.

The sangeet is causing a buzz as the who’s who of Bollywood are expected to be present. A friend of the groom shared with us that Bollywood stars like Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez alongside singer Sonu Nigam will be there. Singing sensation Guru Randhawa is also slated to perform at this function.

There is hectic action at all the venues where the three-day celebrations are taking place. Namit’s guests checked into Taj Lands End, while Poorna’s family members and friends are being hosted at five-star hotels in Worli which is closer to the wedding venue.

Insiders tell us that all the biggest names from the world of weddings are, of course, the creative forces behind the lavish celebrations.

They include India’s top wedding planners Wedniksha (their last high-profile assignment was Sonam Kapoor’s wedding) and wedding designer extraordinaire Vandana Mohan of The Wedding Design Company, based in New Delhi. Others involved with this high-profile wedding include wedding decor company Gurleen M Puri, Chef Ashay Desai of Pavitra and Blue Sea Catering, choreographer Samir Tanna of ‘Ram-Leela’ fame and celebrity wedding photography company – Reels & Frames.

Poorna and Namit, who began dating earlier this year took a step forward in their relationship in March. A casual Saturday evening became one of the most treasured days of Poorna’s life as Namit proposed marriage to her and she accepted. The couple exchanged rings in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family. The celebrations commenced earlier this month at the AYANA Resort & Spa in Bali where the young couple hosted a pre-wedding ‘youngsters celebration’.

The post Praful Patel’s daughter to wed in Mumbai – starry celebrations expected! appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

Poorna Patel, the youngest daughter of former Union Civil Aviation Minister and business magnate Praful Patel, tied the knot with industrialist Namit Soni. The who’s who of the political, cricket and business worlds attended the celebrations held in Mumbai. They included actors Salman and Shah Rukh Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha, director Karan Johar, cricketers MS Dhoni, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, young Turks Shloka Mehta and Akash Ambani, alongside many others.

Poorna Patel and Namit Soni at the wedding ceremony

Poorna Patel and Namit Soni
Unlike her two elder sisters who maintain a low profile, Poorna is known to be very social with a huge circle in the glitterati circuit in Mumbai and New Delhi. A management and mass communication graduate, Poorna was earlier the hospitality manager of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Namit Soni schooled at Indore’s Daly College and graduated from Ohio State University. He currently works as the MD of Namco Industries, the steel trading company promoted by his father, Vijay Soni.

Poorna Patel poses just before the nuptials

The newly weds with Rahul Vaidya. Arti and Kailash Surendranath

Parthiv Patel with wife Avni Zaveri, Natasha Poonawala and Sophie Choudry with Poorna Patel

Sophie Choudry, Tanuj Garg, Guru Randhawa (singer) and Nushrat Bharusha with Poorna Patel and Namit Soni

Glimpses from Poorna Patel’s haldi ceremony

The Wedding Venues
After a three-day ‘Youngsters Party’ for Poorna and Namit’s closest friends at the Ayana Resort & Spa in Bali, the pre-wedding celebrations commenced at Ceejay House in Worli that is owned by Praful Patel’s family who reside in the building’s sprawling penthouse. The celebrations were spread between three other central locations in Mumbai – Taj Lands End hotel in Bandra, the Grand Hyatt Mumbai in Kalina and the Dome@NSCI which is close to the Patel’s residence in Worli.

Decor and Star-studded Guest List
The highlights from the #PoornaBaniSoni wedding included a memorable gig by singing sensation Guru Randhawa, a welcome performance at the sangeet by Salman Khan (to the hit Bollywood track ‘Swaag Se Karenge Sabka Swagat’) and stunning decor by the bride’s close friend Manish Malhotra along with New Delhi’s The Wedding Design Company (WDC) at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai. And of course, the presence of so many Bollywood stars and cricket celebrities stole the show, especially the cute dance performance by MS Dhoni’s little daughter Ziva.

Decor by Gurleen M Puri for Groom’s Mehendi at Taj Lands End

The Ballroom at Taj Lands End, Mumbai

Decor by WDC at Dome@NSCI

Divya Khosla and Katrina Kaif at Dome@NSCI

Salman Khan at Dome@NSCI. Amirah Farouk, Manish Malhotra, Karan Tacker, Yasmin Karachiwala and Sophie Choudry at the wedding at Grand Hyatt Mumbai

Hrithik Roshan at Dome@NSCI. TV Actor Karan Tacker

MS Dhoni with wife Saakshi Singh Dhoni and daughter Ziva Singh Dhoni

Angad Singh Bedi and Neha Dhupia at Dome@NSCI

Sophie Choudry in a Manish Malhotra ensemble

Urvashi Rautela at Dome@NSCI

Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Sunil Chetri and Sonam Bhattacharya at Dome@NSCI

The Food
For the sangeet and reception, Mumbai’s famed Pavitra and Blue Sea Caterers served delicacies from all over India and the world. The spread for the sangeet included chaats from New Delhi, dimsum, sushi, Thai, truffles and burratta, experimental Italian, South American, modern Indian and Greek cuisine. The fare at the grand reception included regional treats from all over India- Punjabi wadi ke chawal, Amritsari chole with khasta stuffed kulchas (Patiala & Amritsar), nargisi kofta and tunde kebab (Awadh), dhoklas, khichu and garam khakra (Gujarat), Khopolo batata wada (Maharashtra), seafood fry-live station (Konkan), mochar chop, bhekti rongpuri fry (Bengal), chettinad milagu rasam, jack fruit & beans poriyal (Dakshin).

Like in all high-profile weddings, we see pictures and videos of celebrities flooding our news feeds on social media, and given the high-profile nature of this grand wedding, we guess they will continue for a few days more. After all, Poorna Patel’s nuptials brought together the who’s who of the cricket, Bollywood and business spheres, and the glamorous names, top-notch hospitality and stunning arrangements impressed the discerning crowd at every wedding function.

The Wedding Makers
Venues: Taj Land’s End (Groom’s Mehendi), Grand Hyatt Mumbai (Bride’s Mehendi and Wedding), Dome@NSCI and The Palace Hall (Sangeet, Reception, After-Party) at NSCI.
Bride and Groom’s Ensembles: Manish Malhotra
Makeup Artist: Mickey Contractor
Photography & Film: Reels and Frames
Food & Catering: Pavitra and Blue Sea Catering
Beverages: Hopscork/ The Wedding Bartenders
Decor (Bride’s Mehendi): Manish Malhotra and Wedding Design Company (WDC)
Decor (Groom’s Mehendi): Gurleen M Puri
Wedding Design & Decor: The Wedding Design Company (WDC)
Invitations: EDC (Deliveries by ‘Just Deliveries’)
Event Hospitality: Motwane Entertainment & Weddings (MEW)
Production, Entertainment & Event Management: Wedniksha

The post IN PICS: Film & Cricket Stars Dazzle at Poorna Patel’s Wedding appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

A wedding like no other, this couple’s nuptials sure gives grandeur a whole new definition!

NTV chairman Narendra Choudhary’s daughter Rachana Choudhary tied the knot with Coastal Group owner Sabbineni Surendra’s son Vishnu Teja at GMR Arena in Shamshabad.

The wedding was amongst the most luxurious events Hyderabad has witnessed.

The Choudhary and Sabbineni families have been close for over two decades and this union brought an element of warm intimacy to the association.

To celebrate Rachna and Vishnu’s wedding, a confluence of culture and luxury was created. It began with a traditional Telugu wedding ceremony, with the chanting of Vedas by Pandits. Décor design ace Sumant Jayakrishnan worked his magic on the beautiful space where the ceremony took place; the decor featured interesting elements like elegant iterations of lights, artificial lotus flowers in the pond, and an array of fresh flowers.

While the beautiful bride wore heavy diamond jewelry and a traditional saree designed by none other than Tarun Tahiliani, the groom wore a traditional kurta pajama. Fleeting glances, deep emotion and every precious moment of sanctity, laughter and love were captured by Joseph Radhik, one of India’s most sought-after wedding storytellers. Moving images from the wedding were filmed by Ravinder Reddy.

The celebrity guest list for this wedding received specially crafted invitations of a very high value. With the grace and cordiality displayed by the contents of the invitations – a Pattu Saree, Pattu Pancha, silver and gold trinkets in a specially designed box – is it any wonder the wedding was attended by prominent leaders of the country and Tollywood celebrities?

The couple’s engagement a few days prior was as grand and featured a sparkling guest list with the crème de la crème of Tollywood and politics in attendance. For the engagement, Rachana wore a black sequin embellished gown custom made by Zuhair Murad in Paris paired with a simple diamond necklace set.

The Wedding Makers

Venue: GMR Arena, Shamshabad
Décor Designer: Sumant Jayakrishnan
Brides Outfit: Zuhair Murad (Engagement), Tarun Tahiliani (Wedding)
Makeup Artist: Daniel Bauer (Engagement), Mallika Bhat
Photography: Stories by Joseph Radhik
Videography: Ravinder Reddy

The post NTV Chairman Narendra Choudhary’s Daughter Rachana Choudhary and Vishnu Teja’s Wedding appeared first on WeddingSutra Blog.

It can’t get bigger than this, and you’re reading about it on WeddingSutra first. Two scions of India’s richest families are tying the knot this year and their entire engagement celebration at Lake Como, in Italy’s Lombardy region, will be designed by iconic fashion house Dolce & Gabbana.

There are excited whispers and much anticipation as the who’s who of India’s business houses and their scions who have been invited for the three-day extravaganza. Over 200 guests are reportedly flying into Milan from Mumbai, London, New York, and Dubai this month. Several leading Indian designers are working overtime to deliver the guests clothes as per schedule; after all, their clients and assorted guests will be at a presentation where fashion will be more akin to art than clothing; and where the bride and groom’s clothes will be transformed into couture canvases.

While all the details remain hush-hush for now, here’s what we can expect from Dolce & Gabbana’s exclusive imprint on this event.

Lake Como Dream
Lake Como, the third largest Italian lake, is famous all over the world for its wonderful and romantic waterfront landscapes. It continues to be one of the top luxury wedding venues in Italy. On its shores, you can find many picturesque villages like Bellagio, Menaggio, Lenno, Tremezzo, and Varenna that are resplendent with gorgeous gardens and scenic villas. Many movie directors have shot their blockbusters here which include hits like ‘Casino Royale,’ ‘Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones,’ ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ and ‘Julia & Julia.’

The lake-facing settings have attracted couples from across the globe and cultures to tie the knot in this Italian paradise. Its mild climate is perfect for outdoor weddings from March till October and even November. Celebrities who got married at Lake Como include singer John Legend to actress Chrissy Teigen, and British actresses Emily Blunt and Martine McCutcheon.

One of the functions of the much-awaited engagement is expected to take place at Villa Pliniana – a 16th-century Italian palace built on the shores of Lake Como that includes 18 acres of beautiful gardens facing the water. This historic venue can accommodate over 500 guests in its spacious halls and outdoor spaces. Another venue option is the breathtaking Villa del Balbianello which is one of the most visited historic sites in Italy. Built on an expanse of high land that sits right over the serene waters of Lake Como, it is an exclusive and popular wedding venue thanks to the stunning views it offers, distinctive architecture, lush gardens, and rich history.

The World of Dolce & Gabbana
Earlier this year Dolce & Gabbana hosted a weekend-long extravaganza for their wealthiest clients at a scenic villa in Lake Como and the fashion media buzzed about how it was the most picture-perfect setting imaginable. Instead of a traditional runway setting, there was a magical wonderland created to showcase and present the latest Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda collection. Guests nibbled on canapes and enjoyed cocktails handed to them by servers dressed as nuns and monks. Even the orchestra members who performed at the event were in full costume. The lush lawns of the venue were lit with tiny candles that created an ethereal atmosphere. The well-heeled guests were as gorgeously dressed like the models who walked around in fantastical and fabulous creations as fashion experts took notes. Even the children attending this extravaganza were in chic Dolce & Gabbana ensembles.

British model Lady Kitty Spencer, who is the niece of the late Princess Diana, was one of the muses of the designer duo and she modeled a dramatic printed skirt with a black corset blouse whose puffy cream sleeves had words from the historical 18th century Italian novel ‘I Promessi Sposi’ (The Betrothed) by author Alessandro Manzoni printed on them. Indian model Dipti Sharma flaunted a floral Dolce & Gabbana saree with a deep blue blouse and oversized jewelry added that ethnic Indian touch to this dreamy affair.

Danish supermodel turned photographer Helena Christensen reprised yesteryears glamor with a vintage edge in her lace and layered black gown with a net parasol and red floral embellishments tucked into her hair. Czech ramp star and actress Eva Herzigová strode around the audience in her powder-blue trousers and tails brimming with delicate floral designs. Naomi Campbell exuded a festive carnival couture vibe in her colorful feathered and floral gown, fitted bodice and vibrant matching headdress.

Helena Christensen, Naomi Campbell, Lady Kitty Spencer and Ashley Graham with the designer duo.

At night, the skies above Lake Como glittered with a stunning fireworks display. A highlight of the gala dinner that followed at Lake Como’s Villa Olmo included projections of Dolce & Gabbana’s signature floral motifs on the façade of the building. Business was brisk as patrons snapped up the exclusive one-of-a-kind creations. We can bet that the engagement ceremony will be designed to be as spectacular and dreamy as any Dolce & Gabbana extravaganza and we will get you the rest of the details soon.

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