Aashna Mehra and Shreshta Balachandar, The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort, New Chandigarh
A cross-cultural celebration woven with music, tradition, and modern elegance - this couple’s wedding celebration brimmed with glamour!
New York-based Aashna Mehra and Shreshta Balachandar’s wedding was a graceful confluence of love and culture, thoughtfully curated to reflect their distinct heritages. Designed by WeddingSutra Favorite – Devika Sakhuja, the celebration unfolded as a vibrant tapestry of tradition, glamour, and evocative hues — a true testament to their shared journey.
How They Met
It all began in the most unexpected of places—an elevator in a Chicago hotel. But the girl Shreshta met that day wasn’t Aashna—it was her friend, who, charmed by Shreshta’s presence, decided to play Cupid. With a thoughtful nudge, she introduced him to Aashna, unknowingly setting the stage for a modern-day romance. What followed was a whirlwind of chats over Facebook Messenger, a memorable weekend in New Haven, shared lockdown days in New Hampshire, and finally, a new beginning in New York City.
Wedding Planning
Aashna and Shreshta envisioned a wedding that felt like a warm embrace—intimate, personal, and filled with the people they love most. They dreamt of a celebration that was both contemporary and steeped in tradition, echoing their journeys. Aashna, a quintessential Delhi girl, and Shreshta, a Tamilian raised across France, Japan, and India, brought together a beautiful mosaic of cultures. For them, a wedding wasn’t just an event—it was a sensory tapestry, where every sight, sound, flavor, and fragrance played its part in creating joy. Bringing this vision to life with effortless grace was Devika Sakhuja and her team, who curated each detail with such finesse that the result surpassed even the couple’s imagination.
Wedding Functions
Jalsa
The festivities began with Jalsa, a vibrant celebration designed to immerse South Indian guests in the high-energy spirit of Punjabi revelry. Set against a backdrop of hand-painted vases, traditional textiles, and shola flower arrangements, the morning commenced with Aashna’s intimate chooda ceremony. As guests poured in, the mood escalated—kaleeras danced in the air, and DJ Sukhbir turned up the tempo as the bride led a joyous dancefloor frenzy.
La Nuit de Bombay
A glamorous homage to the golden era of music, La Nuit de Bombay blended the soul of jazz-age Bombay with Bollywood nostalgia. With live performances, the night was a dazzling tribute to legends like Kishore Kumar and Louis Armstrong. Vintage quotes from F. Scott Fitzgerald adorned the space as guests, under Aashna’s spirited guidance, danced the night away in true Gatsby style.
Wedding
The wedding ceremony was a poignant blend of North and South Indian traditions. Shreshta’s baraat arrived in dramatic style—on an ATV with a music truck in tow—while Aashna made a graceful entrance beneath a floral canopy designed by Sheetal Batra, wearing her late grandmother’s jewelry. From the oonjal ritual accompanied by Carnatic music to vows led by priestesses from Shubhamastu in both Sanskrit and English, every element was deeply meaningful. The couple’s emphasis on equality and understanding made the ceremony a heartfelt reflection of their union.
Shaam-e-Mehfil
An evening steeped in romance and mysticism, Shaam-e-Mehfil paid tribute to Aashna’s Sindhi roots and classical training through the soulful strains of Sufi music. Rich maroons, brocades, and velvets set the stage for an unforgettable performance that evoked the magic of Abida Parveen and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Candlelit warmth and textured opulence created a setting that was both spiritual and sublime.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort, New Chandigarh
Wedding Planner: Nanki Chawla Events
Décor: Devika Sakhuja
Groom’s Outfits: Arjan Dugal (Jalsa), Seema Gujral (La nuit de Bombay), House of Kotwara (Wedding), Janab (Shaam-e-Mehfil)
Bride’s Outfits: Sheetal Batra (Jalsa), Heena Kochhar (Jalsa), Seema Gujral (La nuit de Bombay), House of Kotwara (Wedding), Label Advaya (Shaam-e-Mehfil)
Jewellery: Shri Ram Hari Ram Dariba Kalan, Shri Paramani, Anu Merton
Makeup: Tanvi Marathe
Hairstyling: Hair By Dablu
Entertainment: The Copycats (La nuit de Bombay), House of Jiga (Wedding), Deveshi Sahgal (Shaam-e-Mehfil)
Wedding Priest: Shubhamastu
DJ: DJ Sukhbir (Jalsa)
Choreography: Team Binaisha
Wedding Invitations: Pale Pink Studio
Videography and Photography: Fotowalle The Story Folks
