Pritika Kalra and Gautam Laungani, Pik Palace, Azerbaijan

When entrepreneur Pritika Kalra and WeddingSutra Favorite – DJ Gautam Laungani set out to plan their wedding, they knew they wanted to create an experience that felt entirely their own. Swapping predictable destination wedding hotspots for the untouched beauty of Shahdag, Azerbaijan, the couple transformed the breathtaking mountain retreat into an immersive celebration where every event unfolded with its own distinct identity. Thoughtfully designed and deeply personal, the weekend reflected their shared love for travel, music and meaningful moments, leaving guests with memories that extended far beyond the festivities.

How They Met
Some love stories begin with grand declarations. Theirs started with a playful office warning: “A cute DJ is about to walk in.” Working in the events industry meant their paths crossed often, from client meetings and clubs to weddings across the globe. While Gautam had initially visited Pritika’s office for work, it wasn’t until they found themselves working the same wedding at Lake Como that their connection truly deepened. Gautam was behind the DJ console while Pritika managed artists across the celebrations, and somewhere between demanding production schedules, stolen pasta breaks and celebratory limoncello shots, friendship quietly evolved into something more.
As the couple fondly recalls, “What followed was a love story built in the in-between moments.” Opposite schedules became second nature, with airport pickups, late-night calls, middle-of-the-night alarms and spontaneous shawarma runs becoming expressions of love. Cafeteria lunches turned into date nights, Matcha Vibes became a ritual, and food quietly became its own love language as they navigated the fast-paced world of weddings together.

The Proposal
Pritika was convinced Gautam wasn’t ready for marriage. Little did she know that while saying exactly that, he had been secretly planning her dream proposal for six months. With the help of her best friend Natalie, she was led to believe they were attending a Cartier sundowner iftaar in Dubai. Every detail, from the carefully suggested white midi dress to a birthday manicure appointment just days before, had been orchestrated without raising suspicion. It was only when the car began taking unfamiliar turns that Pritika sensed something was different.

The journey ended at The Lana, where Natalie quietly sent her alone to the 31st floor. As the elevator doors opened, she was greeted by sweeping sunset views of the Dubai skyline and Gautam, waiting in a perfectly tailored black suit. “I don’t remember much after that because I was overwhelmed with emotion,” Pritika shares. “All I remember is walking towards him with the biggest smile, trying not to cry, and thinking, ‘This is the easiest yes I’ll ever say.'”

Wedding Venue
Rather than choosing a familiar destination, the couple deliberately sought a location that would surprise both themselves and their guests. The moment they visited Pik Palace in Shahdag, Azerbaijan, they knew they had found it. Surrounded by majestic mountains, crisp weather and peaceful landscapes, the venue offered a refreshing alternative to the conventional Indian destination wedding. Living in Dubai, they loved the idea of giving friends and family an escape from the summer heat while introducing them to a destination few had ever experienced.

Wedding Planning
Bringing a celebration of this scale to life required seamless collaboration, and for Pritika and Gautam, every creative partner became far more than a vendor. “Our vendors never felt like vendors. They felt like family,” they share. Watching talented teams from different countries come together with genuine passion and dedication made the journey all the more meaningful. Their collective effort transformed the couple’s vision into a celebration filled with thoughtful details, heartfelt moments and unforgettable experiences.

Wedding Functions
Haldi
Set against Shahdag’s dramatic mountain landscape, the Haldi embraced nature as its décor, making the panoramic views the celebration’s most striking backdrop. Vibrant marigold hues, fresh floral accents and abundant sunshine created a cheerful setting for the traditional ceremony before the festivities took a delightfully unexpected turn. What began with customary rituals quickly transformed into an unforgettable pool party as the couple were tossed into the water, followed by friends and family who jumped in without a second thought, fully dressed in festive attire. The laughter only grew louder when two buses of guests arriving directly from the airport were welcomed not with flowers, but by being pulled straight into the pool in their travel outfits.

Welcome Dinner
The Welcome Dinner celebrated the essence of Azerbaijan, introducing guests to the country’s rich culture through local performances, regional flavours and décor inspired by traditional craftsmanship. Warm lighting, rustic details and thoughtfully curated cultural touches created an inviting atmosphere that perfectly complemented the mountain setting. When an unexpected drizzle interrupted plans for the outdoor after-party, the celebration seamlessly shifted indoors, transforming into an energetic Boiler Room-inspired experience. The spontaneous change only amplified the atmosphere, with guests dancing long into the night until the festivities famously outlasted the venue’s alcohol supply.

Mehndi
Bursting with colour and sunshine, the Mehndi reflected the couple’s love for bringing people together. Vibrant floral décor, playful seating arrangements and cheerful details set the stage for an afternoon filled with delicious food, heartfelt speeches, lively games and memorable performances that kept the energy effortlessly high.

The celebrations flowed into an equally spirited Sangeet, where family and friends took centre stage with performances celebrating the couple’s journey. The evening then gave way to a playful Jailer-themed after-party, with guests enthusiastically embracing the dress code in personalised orange jumpsuits adorned with names, rhinestones and creative embellishments. The imaginative concept quickly became one of the weekend’s standout moments as everyone danced until the early hours.

Wedding
The wedding ceremony unfolded amidst one of the most unforgettable settings of the entire celebration. Heavy rainfall delayed the proceedings, but not a single guest chose to leave. Wrapped in blankets, holding umbrellas and huddled together against the mountain chill, loved ones patiently waited as clouds drifted through the valley, enveloping the mandap in mist. The dramatic weather transformed the ceremony into something almost cinematic, with nature becoming an integral part of the experience. As the couple reflected, “It became one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments that no one present will ever forget.”

Reception
The celebrations concluded with an elegant Reception that brought everyone together one final time. Sophisticated décor, heartfelt speeches and spectacular fireworks illuminating the Shahdag skyline created a memorable finale against the breathtaking mountain backdrop.
The festivities ended on an exhilarating note with a rave-themed after-party, where guests swapped formalwear for festival-inspired ensembles complete with glitter accents and bold styling. It was a fitting conclusion to a wedding weekend thoughtfully designed not only as a celebration of love, but as an immersive experience that guests would cherish long after they returned home.

After Party

Advice For Couples
Looking back on their wedding journey, the couple encourages others to focus less on perfection and more on presence. “Enjoy every moment and surround yourselves with the right people,” they share. “Focus on creating experiences that reflect who you are as a couple rather than simply following trends. The little details will be remembered, but it’s how you made people feel, and how you felt on the day, that will stay with you forever.”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Pik Palace, Shahdag, Azerbaijan
Wedding Planner: Vivaah Weddings
Décor: Ambiance Decor Baku
Photography: Camlition Productions
Wedding Invitations: Paper Rooh Stationery
Content Creators: The Insta Shaadi
Caterers: Foodlink Luxury Catering
Bartenders: The Project Liquid
Logistics: Travel in Baku
Makeup: Meiraa K Dubal
Hairstyling: Hair by Vintaa
Bride’s Outfits: Rianta’s (Bridal Mehndi), Rishi and Vibhuti (Haldi), Vvani by Vani Vats (Welcome Dinner), Marwar Couture (Mehndi), Seema Gujral (Sangeet, Reception), Alter-X (After Party), Payal Keyal (Wedding), Gia Bianca (After Party)
Groom’s Outfits: Sarab Khanijou (Haldi), Qbik (Welcome Dinner), Sanchit Sharma (Mehndi), Mukti and Kavith Casa (Sangeet), Alter-X (After Party), Seema Gujral (Wedding), Sartor Bespoke Tailoring (Reception), Gia Bianca (After Party)
Emcee: Parikshit Balochi
Entertainment: Vency Coutinho, Tarit Pal, Ryan Gibb, Sarabjeet Art Studio
DJ: Manoj Punjabi, DJ Prakash, DJ Nitesh, DJ Tushar, DJ Sohail
Hairstylist: Hair by Vinita
Choreography: NKD Studios

Related Articles: