Nikita and Ankur, Goa

Dubai-based Nikita Khanna and Ankur Gandhi imbued the rich flavors of their respective Punjabi and Gujarati cultures at their beach wedding in Goa. Planned perfectly by WeddingSutra Favorite – Exotic Goa, their wedding festivities paint colorful pictures of their revelry, glimpses of which are shared below.

How they met
Born and raised in Mumbai, Nikita and Ankur’s 13-year long story of love began in the first week of college. Flirtatious interactions and long conversations on the phone at night gradually transformed their friendship into love. They developed a relationship of unspoken understanding, where they did not need big gestures and dramatic acts to express their love. Without even needing a flashy proposal, they organically decided to take their love to the next level and tie the knot.

Wedding Planning
Nikita always wanted to have a beach wedding, and the couple chose Planet Hollywood Beach Resort in Goa to host an intimate celebration for the same. With a total of 120 guests, they wanted their functions to be fun and engaging, and so they entrusted Exotic Goa to plan out their festivities. Talking about their experience with the team, they share, “We had to cram the planning into just 2 months, and with our busy schedules in Dubai, we needed someone we could trust to execute our vision just the way we saw it. With just a month to go, Seby and his team were in full swing. We were very clear about what we wanted and communicated with them through regular phone calls. They were very approachable, helpful and fantastic to work with. Their attention to detail was brilliant, and everything was executed on time. We absolutely loved the way the entire team worked so relentlessly towards making the big day truly memorable for us. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have chosen Exotic Goa to be our wedding planners”.

Wedding Functions

Mehndi
Inspired by the blue and white hues of Santorini in Greece, the refreshing Mehndi decor mimicked the same by posing an idyllic contrast against the lush greenery of the outdoor function, while pops of pink added a special touch. Intricately carved ivory domes created a stunning structure encasing the bright blue seating arrangements as well as the bride’s mehndi seating. The guests were handed mobile fans and treated to coconut water and ice golas to beat the coastal heat. The families enjoyed and reveled to the infectious beats of the Dhol walas and DJ.

Cocktail and Ring Ceremony
The glam and glitz of the Sangeet function were planned with a bold yet elegant decor of red, gold and black. Red flowers and bright marquee lights beautifully depicted the theatre theme for the occasion. Wearing a scintillating Gaurav Gupta Couture gown, the bride entered hand-in-hand with the dapper groom to the tune of their favorite song. The ring ceremony was followed by the cake cutting and the popular wedding shoe game amidst loud cheers from their friends and families, after which the couple and their loved ones lit up the dance floor with their performances. The highlight of the evening was the groom’s proposal to the bride!

Haldi Ceremony
The riveting festivities of the night were followed by a Pooja with the Haldi and Chooda ceremonies the next day. The decor of marigolds was kept simple and subtle for the indoor functions. The groom and his friends had a gala time smearing haldi paste and engaging in the time-honored custom of tearing the kurtas. The Haldi and Chooda ceremony of the bride was laced with laughter and emotions as she celebrated the momentous occasion with her friends and family that was followed by a Gujarati feast which included the ever-so-loved aamras.

Wedding
The beach wedding was a dream come true for the bride. Soft pastel hues delicately lit up the verdant outdoor spaces for the ceremony with drapes, flowers and string lights. Opting for a bright red lehenga to compliment the groom’s white sherwani, the bride struck a beautiful balance between Punjabi style and the Gujarati wedding tradition of wearing white and red.

The groom’s energetic baraat and the bride’s momentous entry set a romantic, happy tone for the rest of the evening. The couple exchanged their garlands against a beautiful backdrop of the beach before moving on to the mandap where they tied the knot with a second, equally beautiful backdrop. The celebration continued through the evening culminating into the reception dinner which even a shower of rain couldn’t dampen.

Advice for couples
“It’s very important for the couple to be patient throughout the wedding planning process. Never forget the bigger picture and enjoy the process as well. It’s one of the best days of your life, so make sure you enjoy thoroughly and smile through it all!”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Planet Hollywood Beach Resort, Goa
Wedding Planning & Decor: Exotic Goa
Groom’s Outfits: Vig Sons (Mehndi), Louis Feraud (Cocktail), Fabindia (Haldi), Jinaam Fashion World (Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: Tamanna Punjabi Kapoor (Mehndi), Gaurav Gupta (Cocktail), Riddhima Kapoor (Haldi), Dolly J (Wedding), BCBG Max Azria (Pre Wedding Shoot)
Jewelry: Bharati Jewellers (Cocktail), Suni Jewellers (Wedding)
Floral jewellery: Flower Jewellery Goa
Shoes: Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika (Mehndi), Dune London (Cocktail), Jimmy Choo (Wedding)
Makeup: Hriya Marfatia
Hairstylist: Vidya Patkar
Mehndi Artist: Mehendi Boutique Goa
Photography: Camcatches

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