Chandni and Akshar – Rishikesh, India
Chandni sailed into Akshar’s life via common friends and here, the bride tells us about how she planned her wonderful wedding in Rishikesh.
About the couple
We met in Mumbai in April 2011 through common friends. I was an assistant director, working in the film industry while he is a sailor in the merchant navy. We were in a relationship for four and a half years before we got married on the 26th of November, last year at Divine Resort, Rishikesh.
The Wedding Venue and Décor
I didn’t know where I wanted to get married, but I knew exactly where I didn’t – Delhi. Farm house or resort weddings can be so cliché and I wanted to avoid the ceremonies at night, where the baraat only reaches the venue at 1 am because of the traffic jam and the bride and groom fall asleep at the mandap. I know weddings can be tiring and stressful so I wanted a very close, personal wedding where everyone could enjoy themselves and relax. We were looking for a place with character and realized we would have to have a destination wedding. Then my mother-in-law came up with this idea of going to Rishikesh. When we got to Divine Resort, with its breathtaking view and beautiful backdrop I could visualize my wedding right there, in the mountains, with the Ganges in the background, the sound of the river in sync with the mantras and the bells! What could be better than having the Holy Ganga present at your wedding? Our décor was simple, traditional, like the wedding itself, I wanted it to be sober but outstanding. I asked the decorator to play around with three colours – pink, yellow and orange – since it was a daytime, outdoor function. Also, since it was in a holy place, I told him to really get into the details of each prop – the bells, kalash and other traditional accessories.
Wedding Planning
Kritee Chaddha runs her own store in Kudi Pataka and I’m so glad I found her after exploring so many markets in Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, Lajpat in Delhi… I couldn’t find anything even close to what I had in mind. Kritee understood my brief and after our very first meeting I realized I didn’t have to worry about my outfits. She is a one-stop solution. She created each outfit with so much love and the detailing is commendable. My entire trousseau was from her store.
I wore real gold on my wedding day, which my parents had got made especially by a friend of my father’s who is a jeweler. For the other functions, I wore jewellery by ‘Sony Sapphires’. Their designs are unique and I bought so much jewllery from their Lajpat and Rajouri stores.
The Wedding Makers
Vendors and my experience with them
– Jackson James (candid photographer)
He’s done a brilliant job! Each photo has a story to tell and I’m so grateful to him for giving us memories to cherish forever. Whenever I want to relive the Rishikesh experience, I just look at the pictures and they take me back to that wonderful time!
– The Marigold Company (wedding filmer)
This super-talented husband-wife team (Anvitha and Naveen) have handcrafted a video for us, with love. They captured the event perfectly, the happiness there is reflectedin the videos.
– Kudi Pataka (Trousseau)
Kudi Pataka is the best thing that happened to me while planning my wedding! If you’re looking for unique designs, a fresh take on fashion, want something new and different, you should meet this pretty kudi, the amazing Kritee Chaddha. She’s full of creative ideas and understands clients’ style and makes perfect outfits with love.
– Shallu Chandla (Make up artist)
An amazing artist, she’s grounded and dedicated to her work and creates a flawless look.
– Happily Ever Laughter (invites)
Out of the ordinary, innovative designs, they understood our requirements and delivered exactly what we expected.
– Divine Resort (Venue)
The hospitality here was excellent and the staff were helpful and co-operative.
Photography- Jackson James
