Shivani and Rajit, Udaipur

Shivani and Rajit first met each other as children. Little did they know that they’d end up getting married ten years later at a lavish ceremony held in Udaipur. The duo tied the knot at the luxurious Radisson Blu Palace Resort and Spa surrounded by their loved ones amid much pomp and splendor. WeddingSutra Favorite – Vows and Tales were at the scene capturing all the affectionate moments in between the loved up couple in beautiful frames that they’d cherish for the years to come.

How They Met
Shivani and Rajit first met as kids in Kenya where Shivani’s grandparents were neighbors of Rajit’s family. Coincidentally, both of them moved to Australia and became great buddies in high school. A few years later, their friendship graduated to love, and it soon led them to the altar, where they looked into each other’s eyes as they vowed to stay together forever.

The Proposal
Shivani shares, “Rajit orchestrated the proposal with the help of my sister, Malvi, and his brother, Jagir. He organized a trip to Bali for Malvi and me where she told me to pack some nice outfits, as we had a fancy dinner waiting for us there. Rajit, on the other hand, made me believe that he was in Dubai with his brother Jagir, and he also kept sending me pictures of Dubai the whole time. But in reality, Rajit was in Bali waiting for me while Jagir was the one sharing the pictures!

On that first night in Bali, I and my sister went to a beautiful resort where I was guided upstairs to a private treetop dining area at the edge of a cliff. As I made my way up the stairs, my ears picked up the tunes of my favorite Elvis Presley song and to my utter surprise, Rajit stood there looking dashing in a suit with a bouquet of roses in his hand, surrounded by the glow of numerous candles. He proposed to me right there and how could I not say ‘yes’!? After he’d slipped the ring on my finger, we had a delicious five-course meal and spent the weekend celebrating with our siblings.”

Wedding Venue
The couple shares, “We were looking for a wedding that fused the beauty of traditional Indian palaces with the luxury of modern hotels. After an extended search and a lot of traveling by our fathers and uncles, we finally decided to go for the Radisson Blu Palace Resort and Spa, Udaipur, as it was large enough to accommodate all our guests and created the perfect atmosphere for each ceremony. The hotel also catered all of our events and the food was simply delicious.”

Wedding Planning
For a grand wedding like this, it’s essential to have a team that the couple can fall back on. And luckily for Shivani and Ranjit, their team consisted of some of the most popular names in the wedding industry. Planned by Event Entourage, the wedding celebrations were seamless. On the photography front, Vows & Tales clicked captivating pictures that captured the spirit of the celebrations to the fullest. Sharing their experience with the photography team, the couple shares, “Vows & Tales, led by Abhit Jhanji were exceptional. They got along fabulously with our guests and made everyone feel very comfortable. Their professionalism and ability to make one feel at ease before the camera, ensured some fantastic shots. They also managed to capture some richly candid moments. Choosing them was one of the best decisions we’ve made, and we’d happily recommend them to anyone else.”

Adding to the team were makeup artists Maitreyi Uurmi Kaurr and hairstylist Megha Wadekar who made sure the bride looked stunning in every shot.

Weddings Functions

Mehndi
The Mehndi was a bright and colorful outdoor event, comprising of a fun theme. And to the couple’s pleasant surprise the night was transformed into a dance party thanks to their enthusiastic guests!

For the occasion, Shivani looked stunning in a red and orange ombre lehenga paired with gold jewelry. Rajit complemented his bride by choosing an embellished kurta in the same hue.

Mandvo and Haldi
The couple recalls, “The Mandvo and Haldi were held right in the morning after the mehndi night. To make sure everyone had unbridled fun, we held it at the poolside and had beautiful floral decor to create an atmosphere of freshness. We also included water guns that everyone had lots of fun with, as they sprayed each other making a delightful mess.”

The happy bride donned an emerald green saree and later draped on a bright yellow saree for the haldi. Rajit chose to go subtle with a pristine white embroidered kurta.

Sangeet
Held in a ballroom following a ‘dark blue’ theme to match the color scheme of the venue, the Sangeet was a glamorous occasion with an LED backdrop stage that urged everyone to shake a leg.

Mirroring the theme of the decor, the bride donned a magnificent blue lehenga with a sheer beige dupatta. The groom also followed his bride and chose a bandhgala in the same hue.

Wedding
With the cool breeze of Udaipur blowing around them, the couple got married on the rooftop at Radisson Blu Palace Resort and Spa under the canopy of an enchanting gold and white floral mandap. The classic white and gold theme was reflected everywhere to accentuate the scenic backdrop and compliment the colorful outfits everyone wore.

Shivani opted for a ruby red lehenga with gold embroidery while Rajit kept it classic in a white sherwani looking royal in a layered pearl necklace.

Reception
The Reception was held on the evening of the wedding, it continued with a similar white and gold theme but had a unique modern decor twist. A canopy of fairy lights hung over the dance floor surrounded by orchids which gave a dreamy vibe to the entire affair.

Advice For Couples
“We kept a tight guest list that included our closest friends and family. Having fun was our priority and this made sure that everyone enjoyed without having to worry about anything else.”, shares the couple.

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Radisson Blu Palace Resort and Spa, Udaipur
Wedding Planner: Event Entourage
Groom’s Outfits: Manyavar Mohey (Mehndi, Mandvo, Haldi), Jinaam (Sangeet), Sabyasachi (Wedding), Raymond Custom Tailoring (Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: Srimati (Mehndi, Haldi), Roopkala (Mandvo, Reception), Seasons (Sangeet), Sabyasachi (Wedding)
Floral Jewelry: Petal Jewels
Makeup: Maitreyi Uurmi Kaurr
Hairstyling: Megha Wadekar

Photography and Videography: Vows & Tales

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