Shivangi Singh and Ishan Guru, Hotel Chandela, Khajuraho

When Shivangi Singh and Ishan Guru began planning their wedding, they knew they wanted a celebration that reflected who they were and where they came from. Hosted in Khajuraho, the wedding brought together family traditions, regional customs, and thoughtful details inspired by their life in New York City. Capturing every moment was WeddingSutra Favorite – Hiraaya by Aayushi, whose imagery preserved the emotion, intimacy and authenticity that defined the celebrations.

How They Met
“We met online shortly after I moved to New York City,” shares Shivangi. “I was looking for someone who enjoyed exploring the city, and then came Ishan.”

Their first date began with plans to visit a bar in the West Village, but quickly turned into an evening of walking through the neighbourhood after several venues turned them away. “Ishan refused to use Maps because he insisted he knew the city well enough,” Shivangi laughs. “By the time we finally found a place to sit, I still wasn’t sure where the evening was headed. But over the next few hours, he kept me engaged with his stories.”

The Proposal
The proposal took place during a trip that was originally meant for wedding venue scouting in Rajasthan. “We both knew we wanted to get married in India,” says Shivangi. “We were visiting a fort near Jaipur, and I was busy imagining what a wedding there would look like. At some point, everyone disappeared, and it was just Ishan and me.” Against the backdrop of the Aravalli Hills, Ishan proposed before the two celebrated with a quiet meal overlooking the landscape.

“Ishan really wanted the proposal to be a surprise, which wasn’t easy considering we were literally looking at wedding venues,” she says. “But he found a way to make it feel completely natural and very much like us.”

Wedding Planning
“We wanted to get married in a place that meant something to us,” shares Ishan. “Khajuraho felt special because it was close to what I call home, and it offered something different from the usual wedding destinations.”

The celebrations were built around experiences and traditions that reflected both families. Guests received custom-designed welcome totes inspired by the couple’s life in New York, along with Tilkut, a beloved Bihari sweet that Shivangi grew up eating. The wedding-day breakfast featured childhood favourites, including poori bhaji with kulhad dahi and poha jalebi.

The festivities also included a traditional Janeu and Tilak ceremony, as well as an intimate Geet gathering where Shivangi’s mother and her friends came together for an evening of folk songs and dholki performances. Rituals remained at the heart of the wedding. Priests from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi were invited to conduct the ceremonies, and the couple ensured every tradition was observed in its entirety, including the Bihari custom of lava bhunai.

Given the significance of these moments, choosing the right photography team was an important decision for the couple. Hiraaya by Aayushi documented the celebrations with a focus on genuine interactions, family dynamics and candid moments. From intimate pre-wedding ceremonies and emotional exchanges with grandparents to the intricate details woven into every event, the team captured the wedding exactly as it unfolded, preserving the essence of a celebration that was deeply personal to both families.

Wedding Functions
Haldi and Welcome Dinner
The celebrations began with a champagne toast featuring Shivangi, her brother Harsh and the cousins she grew up alongside. The Haldi ceremony embraced a vibrant palette of yellow, with marigold flowers and turmeric taking centre stage. What began as a carefully planned ceremony quickly became a spirited celebration as family members enthusiastically joined in.
A Ganesh Puja preceded the festivities, while live tabla, flute and sitar performances created a warm atmosphere throughout the evening. Guests enjoyed Indian-inspired cocktails featuring flavours such as jamun, mango and lychee before gathering for dinner and an outdoor dance party.

Sangeet
The Sangeet was designed as a high-energy evening centred around music, performances and family participation. Following cocktail hour and opening remarks by the couple’s siblings, family members from both sides surprised guests with an impromptu Bollywood performance that instantly set the tone for the evening. Several choreographed performances followed, including Shivangi and her family’s dance to Singh Is Kinng and a memorable family act featuring Ishan’s grandmother. “No one wanted the night to end,” recalls Ishan. “We still talk about how much fun everyone had.”

With inventive cocktails, an energetic dance floor and music, the celebrations continued well into the night before moving to an indoor after-party complete with Maggi and chilli chicken for late-night cravings.

Wedding
Shivangi made her entrance accompanied by her seven brothers, creating one of the day’s most memorable moments. The décor centred around rajnigandha, a flower closely associated with Shivangi’s family traditions. White and blush blooms, brass accents, rattan seating and flowing drapes created an elegant setting that felt understated and meaningful. Guests were welcomed by a large scroll featuring messages written by Shivangi’s father and Ishan’s mother, while a dedicated installation honoured loved ones who were no longer present.

Live sitar music accompanied the ceremony, which lasted over three hours and included rituals conducted by priests from Varanasi. “Our grandparents sat in the front throughout the ceremony,” says Shivangi. “Having them there to witness every moment was one of the most meaningful parts of the wedding for us.”

Reception
Creating a fully seated dinner for hundreds of guests required extensive planning, but it was a detail the couple felt strongly about incorporating. The décor featured red roses, ivory accents and candlelit tables that created a warm and elegant atmosphere. A live violist performed during cocktail hour before guests moved into the reception space. The evening included family entrances, speeches by friends and relatives, and emotional tributes from parents and siblings.

“We wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for being there,” says Ishan. “Sharing this weekend with our families, especially our grandparents, was something we will always cherish.” Guests then enjoyed a seated dinner accompanied by cocktail menus inspired by the couple’s favourite bars in New York City before the celebrations concluded with another lively night on the dance floor.

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Hotel Chandela, Khajuraho
Photography: Hiraaya by Aayushi
DJ: DJ Krish TBOM (Sangeet)
Bride’s Outfits: Gopi Vaid (Haldi), Mahima Mahajan (Welcome Party), Kalki Fashion (Sangeet), Marwar Couture (Wedding), Bhumika Grover (Reception)
Groom’s Outfits: Arjan Dugal (Haldi), Amaare (Welcome Party, Sangeet)
Groom’s Shoes: Santoni (Haldi, Sangeet, Wedding, Reception)

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