Riya Barot and Jaisal Patel, Pratap Mahal, Ajmer – IHCL SeleQtions, Pushkar

Rooted in culture, infused with emotion, and styled with grandeur, Riya Barot and Jaisal Patel’s wedding unfolded as an immersive experience in Pushkar at Pratap Mahal, Ajmer – IHCL SeleQtions. Planned by WeddingSutra Favorite – Badhai Ho Events, the celebration was a seamless blend of Gujarati tradition and theatrical storytelling.

Wedding Planning
Based in Canada, Riya and Jaisal envisioned a wedding that paid homage to their Gujarati identity while offering a visually spectacular experience for their guests. Hosted at the regal Pratap Mahal, Ajmer – IHCL SeleQtions, the celebrations unfolded in Pushkar with grandeur and soul. Nestled against the Aravalli Hills, the venue’s palatial courtyards, Mughal-inspired architecture, and sweeping views created the perfect canvas for the couple’s vision of heritage blended with modernity. Its expansive lawns and intricately designed interiors seamlessly transitioned between traditional rituals and theatrical revelry, offering guests an experience that was both luxurious and steeped in Rajasthan’s timeless charm.

As a professional garba dancer, Riya’s love for rhythm and tradition was woven into the fabric of each event, from the Mehendi to spontaneous midnight dance circles. Jaisal’s grounded nature balanced the process, bringing clarity and warmth to the planning journey. The Badhai Ho Events team worked closely with the couple right from curating their bridal looks in Delhi’s designer hubs to coordinating fittings and safely transporting their entire wedding wardrobe to Pushkar. “Our goal was to create a visual and emotional arc through the wedding. Every event was a chapter, every detail a dialogue,” shares the team. “From styling and logistics to last-mile execution, it was about ensuring the couple could be fully present in their celebration.” Framed as a ‘Royal Gujarati Celebration’ with a ‘Cinematic Soul’, the wedding featured powerful entries, choreographed storytelling, and heritage-infused design. The team adds, “To top it all, a 24×7 live chai-tapri counter ensured that every guest felt right at home—bridging the cultural comfort of Gujarat with the experiential luxury of Rajasthan.”

Wedding Functions
Mehendi
With the Aravalli hills as a serene backdrop, the Mehendi morning was a spirited ode to Gujarati folk culture. Guests awoke to find personalised newspapers in their rooms, narrating Riya and Jaisal’s love story. The decor was nostalgic with books, brass vessels overflowing with flowers, vintage telephones, and a charming swing for the couple. The air was scented with mogra, the soundscape filled with folk music, and the lawn dotted with gajra stalls, bangle corners, and even a jhumka bar! But the soul of the day belonged to dance. A large platform was created for garba battles and spontaneous performances.

Sangeet
A celebration of emotion, theatre, and drama, the Sangeet unfolded as a true cinematic showcase. As guests entered, they were invited to pull out their names from a custom installation physically. And, each name unveiled a hidden photo of the couple, transforming the board into a live collage of their journey. The aesthetics leaned into palatial elegance with ambient lighting, lush florals, and intimate lounges that encouraged conversations and connection. Every table featured handmade chocolate bags, while women were welcomed with anklets.
The couple’s entry was choreographed for impact—a giant gate opened to reveal them walking through a tunnel of loved ones, flanked by smoke effects and applause. The performances were no less stirring, with every family member participating in a lovingly curated medley of their love story. Despite space constraints, the planning team ingeniously restructured the hall layout to accommodate over 200 guests in a hall meant for 140, executing a full sit-down dinner and performance space with finesse.

Haldi
A riot of yellow and joyful chaos, the Haldi was playful yet regal. The stage was lush with florals, while the energy was infectious, filled with spontaneous dance-offs, haldi smears, and wide smiles.

Wedding
The wedding itself was nothing short of majestic. The baraat was an orchestrated spectacle as Jaisal rode a regal elephant, flanked by five groomsmen on horses and a vintage car draped in embroidered fabric. A 360-degree DJ station kept the energy high, and Riya watched the entire procession unfold from a jharokha, soaking in the grandeur. The bride made her entrance in two parts, first, walking alone through an imposing gate for the varmala, and later under a phoolon ki chaadar, accompanied by loved ones.
The mandap was a vision in mirrorwork and cascading florals, crowned with an opulent canopy. A dedicated space with ‘In Loving Memory’ tags honoured those no longer present.

Advice For Couples
For Riya and Jaisal, authenticity was at the heart of every decision they made. Looking back, they share, “Let your wedding reflect who you are—infuse your personality into every detail. Whether it’s your entry, your performances, or the rituals, don’t aim to recreate a Pinterest board. Create something that feels truly yours.” They also emphasise the value of trusting your team. “When you delegate with confidence, you give yourself the freedom to be present—to enjoy the celebration rather than managing it.” Their final advice? “Make time to pause. Step away from the chaos, even if just for a few minutes. Breathe, look around, and take it all in. The real magic lives in those quiet, unfiltered moments between the photos.”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Pratap Mahal, Ajmer – IHCL SeleQtions
Wedding Planner: Badhai Ho Events
Décor Design & Execution by: Badhai Ho Events, Anjali Shrivastava
Caterers: Sahu Chai Wala
Groom’s Outfits: Lalit Dalmia (Wedding)
Groom’s Accessories: Jodhpur Wedding Safa
Bride’s Outfits: Qbik (Mehndi), Abhinav Mishra (Sangeet), Lalit Dalmia (Wedding)
Makeup: Tanvi Marathe
Entertainment: Karu Bhai Ghodiwale
Emcee: Priyank Desai
Photography: Clickography

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