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A fun beachside wedding that seamlessly wove Malayali and Gujarati traditions together
Wedding Planning - Apr 15, 2020
From friendship to love, Pooja and Jay’s relationship started a new chapter with a breathtaking sunset beach wedding at the luxurious Novotel Mumbai overlooking the Juhu beach. The dreamy fusion wedding was also preceded by a mix of Malayali and Gujrati ceremonies like mehndi, mandap mahurat, peethi, dakshina and haldi.
How They Met
In a classic case of friendship blossoming into love, Pooja and Jay met 10 years ago while attending the same classes in Mumbai. After three solid years of being great buddies, both of them grew closer and soon began dating each other.
The Proposal
Pulling all stops for his girlfriend, Jay proposed to Pooja on the eve of their third anniversary in Goa where the couple was spending an extended weekend. Serenading Pooja with her favorite song – ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’ by Aerosmith, Jay popped the question at midnight in an enchanting proposal to which she couldn’t help but say ‘yes!’
Wedding Venue
Envisioning an outdoor wedding in mind, the couple chose the sophisticated Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach to host a sunset beach wedding. The other ceremonies, however, were spread across various other venues in Mumbai which included the bride’s home, Flags Avant Garde and the banquet hall at Raheja College of Architecture.
Wedding Planning
Recognizing the challenges of organizing a multicultural wedding, both the families decided to take up the task themselves without taking any help from external agencies. Meticulously planned with the help of family and friends via various service providers, this fusion wedding was celebrated effortlessly. Ensuring that each precious moment of the nuptials was captured in beautiful frames, was GPS Photography Lounge. Makeup artist Khushnuma Master and hairstylist Farida, referred by Gayatri from GPS Photography Lounge, made sure that the bride looked resplendent in each shot. For the sangeet, choreographers Vishrut and Jahnvi Doshi guided the bride and groom to give a stellar performance. And for a wedding as enchanting as this, it’s essential that the invitations be just as beautiful, a task that was aced by invitation designers Gemini, who designed invites on the groom’s side and Milaap Designers on the bride’s side. A wedding guide was also created by Pooja and Gayatri to make sure that none of the guests felt lost at the fusion wedding.
Weddings Functions
Mehndi
An intimate affair with immediate family members, the mehndi was held at the bride’s house with elaborate floral decor that consisted of bright marigolds in different hues. Surrounded by her squad, Pooja was all smiles as she held up her henna patterned hands for the camera looking dainty in a green floral top with a yellow skirt.
Dakshina and Haldi
Dakshina, a Malayali function where the elders of the family bless the bride-to-be, had traditional decor filled with jasmine, coconut flowers, urlis and samays. This was followed by the Haldi, which, even though is not a part of Malayali culture, was still included considering the sheer amount of fun one has at the event!
In true South Indian spirit, Pooja glowed in a white and gold border saree paired with floral jewelry.
Sangeet
A glitzy affair that combined Gujarati and Malayali elements like multicolor leheriya drapes and floral rangolis with artful ease, the Sangeet was an upbeat affair, where Pooja and Jay’s family performed on Hindi as well as Malayali numbers. However, the highlight of the evening was Jay’s surprise performance for Pooja.
Dressed in a mustard yellow embroidered gown, the bride smiled brightly on the arm of her to-be-husband who wore a simple white bandhgala.
Mandap Mahurat & Peethi
Held a day before the wedding, this Gujarati function was a simple affair with floral decor. It was followed by Peethi, which is the haldi ceremony, for which the groom wore an orange printed kurta.
Wedding
The seamless fusion of Gujarati and Malayali cultures were clearly visible in the decor at this beachfront sunset wedding. Decorated in pastel peach tones with strands of marigolds hanging from the ceiling, the mandap had a dreamy vibe to it. Dressed in a red and white kanjeevaram saree and a gharchola, Pooja looked vibrant. Jay chose a gold sherwani for the occasion.
Reception
For the reception, the couple kept it neutral with elegant decor that reflected their outfits. Dressed in a blue embroidered gown, Pooja made a stunning entrance with her new husband who cut a dashing figure in his grey suit.
Advice For Couples
The couple shares, “In such situations where the stress levels are always high, communication is key! A wedding is a rollercoaster ride filled with ups and downs but it’s totally worthwhile when you have the right person by your side.”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Flags Avant Garde (Dakshina and Haldi), Banquet Hall of Raheja College of Architecture (Sangeet), Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach (Wedding)
Groom’s Outfits: Options Juhu (Mandap Mahurat), Dawood Khan Tailors and Clothiers (Sangeet, Wedding), Raymond Made to Measure (Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: Nalli Silk Sarees and Sabby Khanna (Dakshina and Haldi), Kalki (Sangeet), Angadi Galleria (Kanjeevaram-Wedding), Khatri Jamnadas Bechardas (Gharchola – Wedding), Neeru’s (Reception), Sabby Khanna
Jewellery: Malabar Gold and Diamonds & Kalyan Jewelers (Dakshina), Azotiique (Sangeet), Tanishq, Krishnaiah Chetty and Sons, Kalyan Jewelers, Chungath Jewelers (Wedding), Amrapali (Reception)
Makeup: Khushnuma Master
Hairstyling: Farida
Choreography: Vishrut and Jahnvi Doshi
Wedding Invitations: Milaap Designers and Gemini
Wedding Guide: Pooja and Gayatri
Photography: GPS Photography Lounge
