Sanya Bimal and Hriday Chawla, Taj Corbett Resort & Spa, Uttarakhand

Set against the forested foothills of Jim Corbett and the gentle flow of the Kosi river, Sanya Bimal and Hriday Chawla’s wedding unfolded as a celebration deeply connected to nature. Hosted at Taj Corbett Resort & Spa and thoughtfully designed and planned by WeddingSutra Favorite – DB And Spaces, the celebrations blended contemporary design with meaningful rituals.

How They Met
Their story began in law school, where a shared classroom quickly turned into a lasting connection. “We met in law school and had instant chemistry,” the couple shares. “What started as a friendship slowly grew into something deeper, and we’ve now been together for the last 11 years.”

The Proposal
Hriday planned a dreamy yet intimate proposal during a holiday in Bali. Amidst sweeping rice terraces, he surprised Sanya by getting down on one knee, creating a moment that felt both romantic and serene. Just two days later, the celebrations continued when he flew in their closest friends and family, turning the getaway into a joyful engagement gathering surrounded by loved ones.

Wedding Venue
Set along the banks of the Kosi River and framed by the wilderness of Jim Corbett, Taj Corbett Resort & Spa, with its 75 villas and suites, offered a picturesque setting for the celebrations. With expansive lawns, elegant courtyards and spacious accommodations designed to host large wedding groups, the property allowed each event to unfold across its scenic spaces. For Sanya and Hriday, the venue’s natural surroundings made it especially meaningful. The sound of the river, the quiet presence of the mountains and the open skies created a serene atmosphere that perfectly aligned with their vision of beginning their marriage surrounded by nature.

Wedding Planning
The couple approached their wedding with a clear intention: to create a celebration that reflected their personalities while remaining rooted in meaningful traditions. Bringing this vision to life was DB And Spaces, led by Dakshita Batla, who designed each experience with thoughtfulness and emotional depth. “We wanted every space to feel authentic to the couple’s story while allowing the beauty of Corbett to remain central,” shares Dakshita Batla from DB And Spaces.

One of the most meaningful elements was the Kosi Aarti, performed before the pheras to honour nature’s blessings. Set against the tranquil river landscape, the ritual created a serene pause within the celebrations, grounding the moment in the energy of the land.

The ceremonies themselves reflected the couple’s belief in equality and partnership. When Hriday tied the mangalsutra, Sanya tied a black-bead bracelet on him as a symbol of mutual protection. During the sindoor ceremony, she placed a tikka on him, creating a shared moment that reflected balance and togetherness. In keeping with their values, the couple also chose not to include traditions such as kanyadaan or bidai. The celebrations also carried a deeper sense of purpose. As a gesture of gratitude to the region that hosted their wedding, the couple donated sweaters and winter essentials to 150 students in a nearby village in Kumaon. Supporting women-led businesses was another intention close to their hearts, with many members of their creative team, from planners to photographers and makeup artists, led by women. “As planners and designers, our role was to create spaces where rituals, design and the surrounding wilderness could exist in harmony,” adds Dakshita.

Wedding Functions
Welcome Dinner
The celebrations began with an intimate Welcome Dinner at Taj Corbett Resort & Spa that reflected the couple’s global life across Germany, Hong Kong, the UK and Delhi. Instead of a traditional buffet, the evening unfolded as a plated sit-down dinner served course by course, a format rarely seen at Indian weddings. Each table was named after a destination the couple had travelled to together, turning the seating arrangement into a personal travel diary for their guests.

Sage green anchored the aesthetic, chosen for its soft elegance against the surrounding landscape. From placemats and menus to florals and subtly tinted cutlery, the palette created a calm, cohesive atmosphere. At the centre of the courtyard, a fountain styled with flowers, lanterns and candles added warmth to the setting. Rather than having a separate table, the couple chose to sit among their guests, allowing the evening to unfold through heartfelt conversations and toasts.

Haldi and Mehendi
The Haldi and Mehendi celebrations embraced a joyful palette inspired by the softness of flower petals. Pastel pinks and greens created a light, airy atmosphere against the natural landscape of Corbett. Guests entered through a walkway lined with Indian prints reimagined in muted pastel tones. Tables were styled with playful yet cultural details including carved block-printing stamps, golden ghungroos, potlis, red chillies and origami birds. Coasters featuring the paw prints of the couple’s dog added a charming personal touch. The backdrop drew inspiration from Indian flower markets, recreating the layered arrangement of petals in a sculptural installation that brought organic depth to the space.

Sangeet
For the Sangeet, the couple envisioned a setting that felt warm, intimate and slightly unstructured. Instead of a traditional stage, the design introduced a series of free-flowing arches in varying shapes, accented with soft florals and touches of deep burgundy. A wooden platform blended seamlessly into the décor, allowing performances to feel closer and more personal. Nearly three thousand candles illuminated the space, casting a soft glow across the arches and wooden textures. Above, a canopy of tiny lights recreated a star-filled sky, echoing the natural nightscape of Jim Corbett.

Wedding
Sanya and Hriday’s wedding ceremony unfolded beside the Kosi river, with the Corbett mountains standing quietly in the distance. The celebrations began with the serene Kosi Aarti, setting a spiritual tone before the rituals commenced. The lawn was thoughtfully divided into zones, one side housed the mandap and sculptural arches, The central space became the setting for the Jai Mala, while the opposite side featured mirror-topped dining tables that later transformed into a lively band night under the stars.

“We intended to let architecture, nature and emotion speak together,” shares Dakshita Batla. “Every curve, every reflection and every line of the layout was designed to honour both the couple’s story and the beauty of Corbett.”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Taj Corbett Resort & Spa, Uttarakhand
Wedding Planner and Decor: DB And Spaces
Groom’s Outfits: Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna (Sangeet), Reptilia by Salil Bhatia (Haldi), Seema Gujral (Wedding), Suitsupply (Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: Sau Lee (Welcome Dinner), Monisha Jaising (Sangeet), Itrh (Haldi), Tarun Tahiliani (Wedding, Reception)
Makeup: Shikha Gadkar
Photography: The Blemished Tales

Related Articles: