Anusha and Dhrumil, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Oman
Dhrumil proposed to Anusha on a hot air balloon in Turkey, and their destination wedding in Oman was also high on excitement and regal elegance
Anusha and Dhrumil’s perfect beachside destination wedding included elements that were inspired by the rich history and architecture of their stunning venue, such as arches, harps and magnificent backdrops such as the sea and mountains.
How We Met
“Dhrumil and I had known for two years, but met officially through our parents via an arranged marriage setting. In a way, it was an arranged-cum-love marriage.”
The Proposal
“Dhrumil made my dream proposal come true! He whisked me away to Turkey and proposed at sunrise on a hot air balloon. He had even hired a photographer to capture this magical moment.”
Wedding Venue
“We wanted to pick a venue that would not only be different but also one which none of our guests had been to. Muscat was our first and final choice because of its beautiful surroundings. We chose to host our wedding at the Shangri-la Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa as its interiors and architecture impressed us immensely. It was also one of the most beautiful properties we had ever seen and its sprawling spaces were perfect for outdoor functions.”
Wedding Decor
“The wedding decor was specially curated by our own company, Jam Designs and Devika Narain.
From the wedding invite to the decor of each function, everything was inspired by the Middle Eastern architecture of the hotel. This was done by picking out the spaces and elements from our hotel and recreating them in our wedding decor. The wedding card, too, was designed by us and was a wonderful mix of ‘jaali’ (window) patterns and Arabic prints.”
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
“Our wedding festivities kicked off with mehndi application and photoshoot. I made quite an offbeat choice with a beautiful red Jayanti Reddy lehenga for that day.”
“The mehndi celebrations were hosted next day on the expansive green lawns of the hotel, overlooking the beach. The decor for this event was inspired by the pristine blue waters of the sea. There were beautiful Moroccan-inspired, white ‘jaali’ cabanas interspersed with low tables and large cushions for our guests to rest on. The function had a relaxed vibe and was organized to resemble a fun sundowner. I wore a gorgeous lime green and yellow Sabyasachi Mukherjee ensemble for the main mehndi event.”
Sangeet
“We tried to create a feeling of chic royalty, one that represents new-age ‘maharajas’ (kings). Therefore, the decor for the sangeet was kept minimal yet opulent. The center stage represented ancient Arabic architecture with ‘jaalis’ and arches. The tables were decorated with flowers and candles.
The bar was built out of a ‘jaali’ cutout and had backlit arches of cobalt and purple. My sangeet outfit was by far the most stunning lehenga I had ever worn. It was a classic Sabyasachi Mukherjee piece which was fully embellished with dull gold zari and glitter. The blue beautifully contrasted with the gold and was a perfect stunner during my constant twirl sessions!”
Wedding
“The wedding was held at Turtle Beach, which in my opinion is one of the most beautiful beach spots in the world! The function was a beautiful blend of old and new elements. We wanted the decor to exude elegance while keeping the traditional element alive. Our mandap was set up against the majestic backdrop of the sea and was decorated in romantic florals. I was dressed in a beautiful dull gold Sabyasachi Masterpiece which I accessorized with a gold polki set with jhumkas.
My makeup by Amrita Sanghavi was the highlight of the evening as everyone complimented me on my flawless bridal look!”
Reception
“We hosted our reception dinner on the sandy beach which was surrounded by beautifully lit mountains as the backdrop. The dance floor had a giant floral ceiling with a cake hanging from the middle. The magical sounds of the waves and harp were beautifully interspersed by various toasts, a few tears, cheers and warm smiles. To complement the glitz and glamor of the night, I wore a beautiful powder pink gown by Sabyasachi Mukherjee along with ruby diamond earrings. Dhrumil on the other hand donned a suit from Canali.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Sultanate of Oman
Wedding Planner: Horizon WIE
Decor: Jam Design Centre and Devika Narain
Bridal Trousseau: Jayanti Reddy (Mehndi application and Photoshoot), Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Mehndi, Sangeet, Wedding and Reception)
Grooms Outfits: Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Mehndi, Sangeet and Wedding); Canali (Reception)
Hair & Makeup: Amrita Sanghavi
Wedding Cards: Entertainment Design Company
Photography: Stories by Joseph Radhik
