Priya Sethi and Sooksham Kejriwal, Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur
Fresh fruits, blue pottery and local textiles made this couple’s boho and citrus-themed mehndi a unique one!
Striking a perfect balance between grandeur and whimsical romance, Priya Sethi, a social media strategist and Sooksham Kejriwal’s wedding in Jaipur in the month of June was an endearing celebration of love. Hosted at two beautiful heritage properties that encapsulated the spirit of Rajasthan, Jai Mahal Palace and Rambagh Palace, this union was everything dreams are made of! Ensuring that every detail was just right and using their creativity to the fullest was WeddingSutra Favorite – Hitchkey Weddings.
How They Met
Priya recalls, “Sooksham and I met in college, both of us were pursuing graduation and were classmates. We were unaware of each other’s presence for the first few months until our common friend introduced us and with time, we became really good friends. We use to bunk classes and go out on long drives, lunches and dinners together. But one day our friendship completely changed as he asked me out on a date. We started going out on dates and realised that apart from the love that always existed, we were the complete opposite yet, extremely compatible. It’s been 8 years since then and our love and respect for each other has only amplified.”
Wedding Venue
From the onset, the couple wanted an intimate wedding with their close family and friends. And, Priya has full clarity on the kind of themes she wanted for each function. After much scouting, the duo’s shared love for palaces led them to Jaipur where the Jai Mahal Palace caught their eye with its grandeur. With its heritage architecture, lush gardens and a vast array of venues, Priya and Sooksham decided to host all their wedding and pre-wedding festivities here. However, for the engagement and sangeet, they chose the glamorous Rambagh Palace where they celebrated amidst opulence.
Wedding Planning
Spearheading the wedding plans were Hitchkey Weddings who at every step helped the bride and groom make the right choices. Priya shares, “Hitchkey Weddings were indisposable when it came to orchestrating the wedding. In times of chaos, they ushered in clarity through their expertise. In my opinion, had it been some other team, it wouldn’t have been such a smooth process.”
Weddings Functions
Welcome Dinner
Priya shares, “The festivities began with a Welcome Dinner which was an intimate affair. An in-house three-piece band started the evening and both of us made an entry welcomed by our friends who were holding brasswork samay diyas. Champagne toasts, heartfelt speeches and happy bantering followed through the night.”
Mehndi
Aayushi Modi from Hitchkey Weddings shares, “The next morning witnessed a bohemian and citrus themed mehndi. Jai Mahal Palace was a perfect canvas to build on, with key décor elements which were all about breezy yellow, white and blue pottery. We used fresh fruits like pineapples and lemons and pampas grass to add a dash of freshness. Sanghaneri printed flowy drapes were used extensively along with upside-down cane baskets which were overflowing with green tresses. All these elements resonated with the rest of the palette. Games such as Jenga, Dare to Spin and chess were placed on tables to keep the guests entertained. The highlight, however, was the couple’s entry as they walked in on groovy dhol beats with family and friends showering them with flower petals.”
Sangeet and Engagement
Aayushi shares, “Crafted in hues of white and gold the décor was a confluence of whimsical and upscale glamour just how Priya desired it to be. A huge wedding hashtag installation was aesthetically placed at the entrance, with beautiful chandeliers and light bulbs. There was also a military band with flambeau and percussion nagadas to welcome all guests. Sooksham entered in a 50-year-old vintage car of the palace itself. Festivities started with a Tilak ceremony post which everyone moved to the garden area of the palace where the couple exchanged rings. Sooksham and Priya walked out the aisle with low fog and cold pyros lighting up the night sky. Rings were exchanged under a tree with a stunning pastel floral arch and lights in the backdrop.”
Haldi
The following morning was the Haldi, which saw a whirlwind of joy and colour. Priya shares, “The haldi ceremony took place at the poolside and the decor was swathed in yellow with white accents. Gota and zari work details, lots of brass elements and exotic flowers added to the beauty of the ceremony.”
Wedding and Reception
Aayushi shares, “The wedding kicked off with a baraat where Sooksham entered with his entourage on a horse alongside elephants and happy guests dancing their way to the palace. Priya, on the other hand, entered under a floral chadar with dangling bells that chimed on her way down the aisle. Flower shower, dry ice, and cold pyros made the varmala exchange a magical one after which the phere took place as the clock struck midnight.
After the wedding celebrations, the couple swiftly moved to the reception stage which took inspiration from lush forests. With hues of green and white dominating the setup, the stage looked exotic yet glamorous with chandeliers, candelabras and thikri work verticals.”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur (Welcome Dinner, Mehndi, Haldi, Wedding); Rambagh Palace, Jaipur (Sangeet and Engagement)
Wedding Planner: Hitchkey Weddings
Groom’s Outfits: S&N by Shantanu and Nikhil (Sangeet and Engagement), Diwan Saheb (Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: Swati Narula (Mehndi), Falguni Shane Peacock (Sangeet and Engagement), Basanti Kapde aur Koffee (Haldi), Payal Keyal (Wedding)
Choreography: Aastha Wedding Choreography
