Aakriti Raina and Saransh Tiku, Merusaka Nusa Dua, Bali

Set against the lush, sun-kissed landscapes of Bali, Aakriti Raina and Saransh Tiku’s wedding was an elegant confluence of heritage, emotion, and thoughtful celebration. Rooted deeply in Kashmiri traditions yet imagined through a contemporary lens, the multi-day affair unfolded with warmth, intention, and an unmistakable sense of romance—each moment carefully designed to feel personal and immersive.

How They Met
“Our story began across cities,” shares Aakriti, who was living in Delhi at the time while Saransh was in Bombay. What started as a brief introduction soon turned into an eight hour conversation marked by ease and curiosity. Toward the end of that first call, Saransh asked if she would marry him. When she asked whether he was serious, he responded that it depended entirely on her answer.

A week later, Saransh travelled to Delhi and their first meeting felt instinctive and comfortable. They spent the day at a French pâtisserie followed by a Japanese dinner chosen because of Aakriti’s fondness for sushi. “Within hours, there was a quiet certainty,” she recalls. “Despite being Kashmiri myself, I had always believed I would never marry a Kashmiri man until he changed that belief effortlessly.”

The Proposal
Before their engagement in Bombay, Saransh proposed in Kashmir on a houseboat surrounded by still waters and the familiar beauty of their homeland. The moment was intimate and emotional, shaped by a setting that held deep meaning for both of them. “It felt grounding and extraordinary at the same time,” Aakriti shares. It marked the beginning of a journey rooted in love, heritage, and shared belonging.

Wedding Planning
Bali was chosen as the wedding destination for both emotional and practical reasons. Having lived in Jakarta for over a decade, Aakriti felt a strong connection to Bali and wanted a location that felt meaningful rather than conventional. The destination also held symbolic value as it reflected the groom travelling closer to the life the bride had built over the years.

The wedding was executed with seamless coordination by Varawedding, who managed the celebrations with clarity and structure. Each family member had dedicated support, ensuring the planning process remained smooth throughout. From finalising the colour palette to designing the varmala florals and phoolon ki chaadar, every detail was developed through detailed discussions and aligned closely with the bride’s vision. Entertainment across events was curated to suit each celebration, while choreography for the performances was designed personally by the bride.

Wedding Functions
Welcome Soirée
The festivities began with a relaxed Welcome Soirée designed to help guests settle in and ease into the celebrations. Mehendi stations encouraged informal interactions, while traditional Balinese dancers performed to a blend of Balinese and Indian music. “We wanted the first evening to feel light and welcoming,” shares Aakriti. “It was important that everyone felt comfortable and could simply enjoy being together.”

Devgon Ceremony & Balinese Carnival
The second day commenced with the Devgon ceremony, a significant Kashmiri Pandit ritual marking the bride’s transition into marriage. A Pandit was flown in from India to conduct the ceremony, ensuring its authenticity. During the ritual, Aakriti was bathed with milk, yogurt, and water by her family, with her cousins closely involved. “The Devgon was one of the most emotional moments for me,” she shares. “Having my family around me made it deeply personal and grounding.”

She was adorned with the Dejhoor (a Kashmiri ear ornament) and blessings from her parents. The ceremony concluded with her maternal uncle carrying her back to the venue. “That moment truly symbolised my transition from daughter to bride,” Aakriti reflects.

As evening fell, the celebrations transitioned into a Balinese Carnival. The couple made their entrance to dhol beats paired with a DJ set. Interactive stalls, including popcorn, mehendi, foot massages, sparkling eye makeup, food stations, and a ping pong table, created a lively atmosphere. “We wanted the carnival to feel fun and immersive,” says the bride. “It was about letting everyone relax and enjoy the night.” Beach inspired décor with flamingos, starfish, corals, and pineapple centrepieces completed the vibrant setting.

Sangeet
The Sangeet unfolded as a high energy evening centred on music and dance. Performances featured choreography curated personally by the bride. “Dance has always been close to my heart, so choreographing the performances myself was very important to me,” Aakriti shares.

As the Sangeet coincided with Valentine’s Day, a large 3D heart installation became a central décor feature. The music blended Hindi and Arabic tracks, including one that reflected the bride’s years living in the Middle East.

Tarang Ceremony & Wedding
The final day began with the Tarang ceremony, a Kashmiri Pandit ritual held in a quiet garden setting with the gentle February breeze flowing sans any décor or music. Family members sat together as Kashmiri songs were sung and the bride’s hair was parted and braided by her aunts. “The simplicity of Tarang is what makes it so powerful,” says Aakriti. “It is entirely about family, tradition, and emotion.”

The Varmala followed with entrances set to Kashmiri songs selected by the bride’s mother. The bride’s veil featured the names of her grandparents, honouring their presence and blessings. “Including my grandparents’ names felt like a way of having them with me,” she shares. As guests showered the couple with red rose petals, the moment unfolded with quiet emotion. The wedding concluded with the pheras, during which the bride wore the same saree her mother had worn at her own wedding. “Ending the ceremony in my mother’s saree felt incredibly meaningful,” Aakriti reflects. “It brought everything full circle.”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Merusaka Nusa Dua, Bali
Wedding Planner: Varawedding
Décor, Varmala & Phoolon Ki Chaadar: Silver Dust Decor
Bride’s Outfits: Tomodachi Boutique (Welcome Soiree), Raw Mango (Devgon Ceremony), Papa Don’t Preach (Carnival), DollyJ (Sangeet), Tul Palav (Tarang Ceremony), Tarun Tahiliani (Wedding)
Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden (Carnival)
Jewellery: Badgley Mischika (Carnival, Welcome Soiree), Tanishq (Carnival, Sangeet,Tarang Ceremony, Wedding), Soni Sapphire (Wedding)
Makeup: Fikri Halim
Entertainment: Fire Dance Bali
Photography: AT Photography Bali
Videography: Stay Bright Video

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