Sampriti and Jessal, Bahrain

A celebration of 8 years of love and togetherness with more to come, Sampriti and Jessal’s wedding bash was a memorable mix of emotional moments, distinct decor themes and unique personal touches. Catch every moment of their joy in these stunning shots by WeddingSutra Favorite – Artistick Photography.

How they met
Sampriti and Jessal first crossed paths during the Fresher’s Party of their Undergraduate degree when they were introduced by some mutual friends. Sampriti shares, “He was doing Medicine and I was studying Biomedical Sciences, which meant we had common lectures for the first term. I was late for one of the lectures, and all seats were occupied. Just as I was about to take a seat on the floor, I heard a quiet voice say – “Do you want to share this seat with me?” From sharing that seat 8 years ago to Jessal asking me to share a life with him, it’s been a beautiful journey.”

The Proposal
After dating for 8 years, Jessal popped the question to Sampriti with a winter proposal at sunset in a nature reserve near Cambridge. Lest he forget all that he had prepared to say, he asked her through a letter that summed up his love which turned into a keepsake she has cherished since.

Wedding Planning
The couple decided to host the wedding in the bride’s home location of Bahrain for ease of planning. They chose to host most of their functions at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa to match the bride’s vision of an Island wedding. The entire planning of the celebrations from end to end was meticulously managed by Sampriti’s parents who ensured they included everything that the bride and groom desired.

The couple entrusted the team of Delhi-based Artistick Photography to capture their precious moments. They share, “We have no words to describe Anmol and his team. Every single one of them was professional, understanding and knowledgeable. They were friendly and good at getting us to pose with ease. They blended in seamlessly at the events and surprised us with some fantastic candid shots! It was an absolute pleasure and honor to have them capture our big day. We would work with them again in a heartbeat.”

The couple welcomed their guests at the hotel with custom hampers for a special touch, and also ensured every moment of their stay in Bahrain was exceptional, courtesy of BTEA(Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority). All of their invites, collaterals and stationary was personalized and beautifully made by Urvi from Raw Invites that tied the celebrations together.

Wedding Functions
Sampriti shares, “We had individual themes for each event. I’d say our wedding was fun yet traditional. I wanted a celebration with the high tempo energy of Delhi weddings which are always full of laughter, dancing, teasing and so much more.”

Tour and Go Karting
“Most of our guests arrived the weekend before our wedding celebrations. So we arranged a tour to introduce them to the country. We also wanted to start the wedding festivities on a fun and casual note, so we took all our friends and cousins go karting at the Bahrain International Go Karting Circuit followed by dinner. It was a laidback event that allowed all the younger guests to mingle.”

Haldi
The bride’s Haldi was an intimate home affair, replete with a traditional decor of marigolds, bright red and green drapes, a fun homely menu of chaat, kadi chawal and of course, golgappas to soothe the bride’s Delhi soul.

The groom’s Haldi was a laidback poolside soiree on the terrace of his suite at Sofitel.

Lunch
The wedding festivities officially kicked off at the hotel with a Welcome Lunch. The cheerful, sunny affair was the perfect opportunity for guests from both sides to get acquainted before the excitement of the next two days began. The bride paired a blue brocade skirt with a white Ralph Lauren shirt while the groom wore blue chinos with a white shirt. The sumptuous lunch saw an Italian menu with many savory and sweet delicacies.

Sagai, Mehendi, Sangeet, Gaur
While the bride and her family members had their Mehndi the previous night, it combined the Sagai and Sangeet festivities for an explosive colorful bash full of merriment. The vibrant decor included tassels, marigolds, flower arrangements, colorful cushions, lounge lights and more. The rousing revelries included the engagement rituals, party games, couple games and many dazzling performances, while mehndi was being offered to the guests in the background. The MC kept the entertainment and energy of the festivities high, seamlessly bridging every part of the evening to ensure guests, including the International ones, enjoyed every moment.

The traditional festivities were given a Bahraini twist by including enticing local flavors into the menu, as well as attractions such as a falconer and calligrapher courtesy of BTEA. Mehndi favors such as bracelets and more, added a special touch for the guests to take home. The couple flaunted vibrant, high fashion ensembles in bright yellow for the occasion.

Wedding
Hosted on the island at Sofitel, the day wedding was a romantic affair with soft floral decorations. The couple exchanged garlands in front of a dainty floral arch on the bridge before walking down a floral aisle to tie the knot under a mandap of flowing drapes and exotic flowers.

The bride wore her mother’s Banarasi wedding saree with a green dupatta for a pop of color. The groom complemented her by teaming his white sherwani with a green shawl and safa. Like the Sagan, the function was hosted by an MC who could explain the significance of every ritual to the guests. The menu included a mix of Indian and Chinese cuisines, and the couple ended the celebrations with traditional couple games.

Reception
The wedding was followed by a ballroom Reception. The elegant decor was set in pastel pinks and cream with floral arrangements, candles and chandeliers. The bride flaunted an ivory Abhinav Mishra lehenga while the groom looked dapper in a classic suit. The evening saw guest videos, speeches, merriment and a sumptuous spread.

Advice for couples
“We’d give the same advice that we were given on our wedding day. No amount of planning can stop you from being pulled in a hundred different directions, but then remember to take five minutes with your partner to just take it all in, and things will sort themselves out.”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, Bahrain
Decor: The Arch Events
Sound and Lights: Convex Studio
Makeup: Pretty Please Bahrain (Hina Singh)
Hair artist: Fouzia
Henna: Ruby Henna Designs
Wedding Favors: Baeberri Gifting
Invites: Raw Invites
Entertainment: DJ Nirmal Bahrain
Photography and Videography: Artistick Photography

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