Shivani and Aakash Patel, Alila Fort Bishangarh

Hosting their nuptials against the whimsical backdrop of Alila Fort Bishangarh, NYC-based Shivani and Aakash imbibed their festivities with a memorable mix of beauty and emotions, planned and executed to perfection by WeddingSutra Favorite – Mapsor Experiential Weddings. Watch it all unfold below in these stunning frames by WeddingSutra Favorite – Camlition Productions.

How They Met
Shivani, a fierce technologist driving innovation, and Aakash, a real estate and finance professional, were polar opposites as individuals. Crossing paths while studying for their undergraduate degree at Rutgers Business School, they sparked a connection and over time fell in love! After 7 majestic years of being together, the college sweethearts decided to tie the knot with a grand celebration.

Wedding Venue
“We wanted our venue to be the idyllic choice for an adventurous escapade, perfect for an intimate celebration that was both modern and traditional and made a statement. A combination of Indian heritage, regality, and exclusivity, Alila Fort Bishangarh was a perfect choice.”

Wedding Planning
Being based in New York, the couple wanted their guests to experience the royal Indian wedding in all its glory, from the palatial venue to grand decor and unmatched experiences. The bride also wanted the groom, who had never visited India before, to get the whole royal treatment and feel like a king! The team of Mapsor Experiential Weddings went above and beyond to curate an unforgettable experience. They share, “The entire baraat was designed like a royal procession where the groom entered the venue on an elephant and danced on dhol beats for the rest of the baraat. The newlyweds also left in a vintage car at the end of the wedding ceremony.”

The couple’s special moments were captured in vivid shots by Team Camlition Productions. Chef Siddhesh Nachankar curated a bespoke menu of over 120 dishes spanning the 3-day festivities, incorporating not just famed Rajasthani delicacies but also cuisines from different parts of India.

Looking back at their experience, the couple shares, “Planning a destination wedding can be rough especially when you have a global guestlist and multi-ethnic backgrounds. Our goal was to incorporate our tastes along with honoring the diverse culture of our guests, and Mapsor Experiential Weddings made sure our guests had an immersive Indian Wedding experience. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and every moment was captured beautifully by Camlition Productions!”

Wedding Functions
Haldi
The festivities started with a Haldi Ceremony to welcome their guests. Hosted in an Amphitheater-esque setup where each guest had a spectacular view of the function, the sun-kissed affair was full of love and laughter. The decor was kept light and breezy by adding soft yellow hues, with lemons and blooms hanging from trees for a delightful and refreshing touch.

Welcome Party
Hosted at Nazarra overlooking the beauty of Bishangarh and the surrounding Aravalli Hills, the Welcome Party was a vibrant Rajasthani affair with sand-pit cooking. The chef used traditional cooking methods with Handi and Kulhads to bring an earthiness to each dish while guests enjoyed live appetizers that were being served over an open flame. Imagined as a Sufi night, the decor exuded Moroccan vibes with marshalls and an abundance of candles for an ethereal feel and completed by a soulful performance by Alish Mohan.

Mehndi
The next morning began with high-octane Mehndi and Garba festivities, with a power-packed performance that reflected both Gujarati and Rajasthani culture. Everyone was dressed in outfits and sarees in vivid Patola, a traditional handcrafted Gujarati art form considered by many to be priceless heirlooms.

Sangeet
From the illuminated entrance with cold pyros to the mirror-work stage and the dreamy canopy of delicate shimmery crystals and beaded strings giving a 3D appeal to the stage, the Sangeet was a magical night. Long rectangular tables gave the occasion an intimate feel while bamboo lounges created a unique element. Pyrotechnic Performances by professional fire artists made for some memorable moments. The couple and their loved ones enjoyed an evening of music and merriment, mingling seamlessly through the night.

Wedding
The final day began with a brunch, followed by a royal wedding celebration. To fulfill her wish of a beach wedding, the couple tied the knot on a floating mandap over the pool, with the majestic Fort on the Left, the Aravalli Hills flanking their backdrop, and magical mist all around. The morning function saw ethereal, all-white decor to honor the bride’s love of white flowers, with over 50,000 floral stems that were used in creating the beautiful aisle and Mandap. The couple were excited and full of joy as the bride went to welcome her groom and danced in his baraat. To make an unforgettable memory, a live mandap painter was hired who drew the mandap in all its picturesque glory.

Cocktail Hour
Bringing the multi-day celebrations to a grand conclusion, the couple hosted a Cocktail hour with Hors d-oeuvres followed by a traditional black-tie dinner to honor their connection to America. The evening was one full of speeches, cheers, laughter, and love as they danced the night away.

Advice for couples
“When it comes to choosing the wedding venue it has to suit your personality. A rule of thumb that a friend of mine passed down to me was the 6-month rule. The people who are supposed to attend your wedding should have contacted you at least once in the past six months. Indian weddings are grand affairs, so why not pick your guests wisely so they have a more personalized experience? When you get a chance, take a moment to look around at your family and friends who may have traveled long distances and have gathered to celebrate you, and feel that gratitude and love”.

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Alila Fort Bishangarh, Jaipur
Wedding Planner & Decor: Mapsor Experiential Weddings
Decor: DY Wedding Design Studio
Outfits: G3+ Fashion Surat, Payal Keyal (Wedding)
Entertainment: Alish Mohan (Welcome Party), DJ Alex
Photography and Videography: Camlition Productions

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