Priyanka Dandwani and Gaurav Ganwani, Alila Diwa Goa
A traditional Sindhi wedding steeped in Goan flavors and aesthetics for a celebration like no other!
A decade in the making, Priyanka Dandwani and Gaurav Ganwani’s unique wedding at Alila Diwa Goa – A Hyatt Brand bridged Sindhi traditions with local decor elements and heritage for a tranquil celebration of love and family. Watch their story unfold in these beguiling shots.
How They Met
PR professional Priyanka Dandwani first met Gaurav Ganwani, who works in Financial Technology, on their first day of college in Boston a decade ago. Even though they felt an instant connection, they allowed their conversations and flirtations to seamlessly transition into love over time, and then never looked back.
Wedding Venue
With a wide range of venues, unparalleled services, and a team of wedding planning experts at your disposal, Hyatt Hotels promise an unforgettable wedding journey that is Perfectly Yours, and Priyanka and Gaurav discovered theirs at Alila Diwa Goa – A Hyatt Brand. The Goan architecture, lush tranquility, and cozy home-style feel of the space were the perfect zen setting for a quaint destination wedding that blended their idea of an intimate ceremony with the grand celebration their families envisioned.
Wedding Planning
With just three months on hand, they entrusted the team of VLW Global to pull together their dream wedding, who handled everything from the logistics to decor, and more. The team of Fourfold Pictures captured their moments in vivid beauty.
Wedding Functions
Janiya Puja and Ghari Puja
The festivities started with the ceremony of Janiya Puja which marks the transition of the groom from a boy to a man, which was attended only by the couple’s immediate families. The Portuguese architecture and vintage furniture and paraphernalia of Spice Studio in Alila Diwa Goa made for the perfect home-style backdrop to the intimate soiree, decked with traditional marigolds and banana leaves to keep the focus on the natural elements of the space. The next day saw the Ghari puja being performed separately for the bride and groom with their respective mothers, to mark the couple’s new journey.
Mehndi
The Alfresco sundowner Mehndi party gave life to the theme of ‘Wild and free’ with a warm, earthy decor of wooden tables, terracotta cases and jute runners, while fresh flowers added a pop of summer charm. Colorful sweets, Mehndi favors and traditional matkas added to the rustic vibe of the occasion, while a welcoming bar under the trees served the guests local flavors of Goa.
Having worked as a Marketing and Communications Manager at Raw Mango, Priyanka honored her long-standing relationship with them by adding not one but two ensembles from the label to her trousseau. For the evening, she opted for a festive red kurta sharara with gota embroidery, a beautiful representation of her Sindhi and North Indian roots. She teamed the outfit with her mother’s ruby and polki necklace along with her Nani’s ring and bangles which added a soulful and personal touch to the day.
Wedding
The tranquility of the courtyard venue built around banyan trees transcended the sounds of kirtan, setting an auspicious tone for the Sikh Wedding Ceremony. Staying true to the natural and authentic atmosphere of the space, banana leaves were used for the aisle along with strings of mogra, brass lamps and fragrant blooms. Priyanka matched the minimalistic ethos of the decor with a delicate blush pink brocade lehenga and organza dupattas with intricate chintz-like floral motifs. Opting for versatile Polki and pearl jewels that she could cherish and re-wear for a long time, she completed her look with her mother’s polki kadhas. To mark the end of the ceremony, the couple’s friends and families showered them with flowers and blessings as they reveled in the bliss of the moment.
Reception
Opting for an escape from the usual glitzy Cocktail or extravagant Reception, the couple closed the wedding festivities with an intimate night of dinner and dancing. The decor of string lights and a mirrored dance floor created the feel of ‘dancing under the stars’ for the intimate soiree, complete with an acrylic bar, white roses and hundreds of floating candles.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Alila Diwa Goa – A Hyatt Brand (Perfectly Yours by Hyatt India)
Wedding Planner: VLW Global
Decor: VLW Global
Bride’s Outfits: Raw Mango (Janiya Puja, Mehndi, Wedding)
Jewelry: Paramani Jewelers (Wedding)
Makeup: Tanvi Marathe
Photography and Videography: Fourfold Pictures
