Shreya Bohra and Devank Ratadia, Taj Aravali Resort & Spa, Udaipur
This couple’s destination wedding in Udaipur hit all the right notes as it fused contemporary glamour with heritage Indian charm.
Shreya Bohra, an architect and interior designer and Devank Ratadia’s three-day destination wedding at Taj Aravali Resort & Spa, Udaipur was picture-perfect as it struck the right balance between elegance, glamour and fun. Planned by WeddingSutra Favorite – Phoenix Events Media Group, the wedding reflected the couple’s exuberant personalities. Photographing the couple as they put their most stylish foot forward was WeddingSutra Favorite – Knotting Bells.
How They Met
Shreya shares, “We were introduced to each other through our families. We both liked each other from the first meeting itself and our families and relatives were already excited thinking about our union. Since everything seemed so ideal from the beginning, we were afraid that we were making a hasty decision. We called it off due to our past experiences. However, ever since Devank and I stopped communicating, I felt as if something was missing. I felt maybe we made a decision too soon. Our entire tale was altered by a single text message that I sent congratulating him on the launch of his new restaurant. He realised that he didn’t want to let it go this time either. And that’s where our journey began!”
The Proposal
Shreya recollects, “We went for our pre-wedding shoot to Georgia, and that’s where Devank proposed to me in the snow-capped mountains of Gudauri!”
Wedding Planning
“Our Jain-Marwari fusion wedding, hosted in February, spanned three days and 6 events. We kicked off the pre-wedding festivities in Bengaluru, where we invited all the local guests for our Reception, Mayra and Path Bithai.” Planning their destination wedding in Udaipur was Phoenix Events Media Group, which used its expertise to guide the couple as they made their dreams come true. Shreya shares, “Planning a destination wedding requires a lot of intricate detailing. Thankfully, we had a great planning team onboard. When I spoke to the team at Phoenix Events Media Group, I knew I’d made the right choice. They managed every aspect of the wedding smoothly and left no doubts or open ends. They put us in contact with the best artists and even negotiated fairly. We’re most certainly choosing them for our next weddings in the family as well.”
Capturing the couple as they tied the knot and ensuring that every special moment became a cherished memory were photographers Knotting Bells. DJ Alex, with his musical prowess, added to the energy levels and kept the dancefloor busy!
Wedding Functions
Sajjan Ghot
Shreya shares, “The Udaipur destination wedding was exclusively for the closest friends and family. The first event was Sajjan Ghot – a lunch with baithak seating, royal Rajasthani food, and folk dance. It was also a welcome lunch for all the baraatis because, traditionally, in the Marwari culture, the bride’s side invites the groom’s side for the wedding.
Rehearsal dinner
“Our second event for the evening was a complete contrast to the day. Devank and I wanted to do a proper ‘rehearsal dinner’ that one usually sees in Western weddings. We exchanged vows and had our families share a few words. This was a very close-knit event with many heartfelt moments. The night came to an end with a live acoustic performance”, shares Shreya.
Haldi
“The next day, we hosted a ‘Mediterranean Carousal’ themed haldi where we used unconventional hues like aqua and sky blue instead of the usual yellows and oranges. Cane furnishings and dainty decor elements completed the design”, shared Shreya.
Sangeet
After the traditional events, the couple hosted a glam sangeet that had the dancefloor jam-packed! The newlyweds share, “The sangeet was a rocking one with twenty-five choreographed performances where everyone shook a leg! As the night progressed, DJ Alex took charge of the dancefloor and everyone had a gala time.”
Wedding
Shreya shares, “For the varmala, we used subtle and pastel colors for the mandap since my outfit and jewellery were quite vibrant. Surrounded by greenery, the majestic hills and the gentle sound of the waterfall, the phera ceremony was truly serene and magical.”
Reception
“The reception was an ode to our love for Indian heritage elements. This was also reflected in our outfit choices as we donned deep-hued ensembles with handcrafted details. After our first dance as life partners, the celebrations continued with a live band which had everyone tapping their feet”, recollects the duo.
Advice For Couples
“Booking good vendors in advance is essential, especially for a destination wedding. Meet everyone in person before booking them, and ensure you have trusted references to make the process easier”, shares the newlyweds.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Taj Aravali Resort & Spa, Udaipur
Wedding Planner: Phoenix Events Media Group
Photography: Knotting Bells
Bride’s Outfits: Rajputi Poshaks by Meera (Sajjan Goth), Sahil Kochhar (Rehearsal Dinner), Gazal Gupta (Haldi), Seema Gujral (Sangeet), Rimple and Harpreet Narula (Wedding), Frontier Raas (Reception)
Jewellery: Surana Jewellers (Sajjan Goth), Mangatrai Neeraj (Haldi), Archana Aggarwal Timeless Jewellery (Wedding), PMJ Jewels (Reception)
Makeup: Chandani Malik
Hairstyling: Barkha Hair Artist
Entertainment: The Storyteller (Reception)
DJ: DJ Alex (Sangeet)
Emcee: Hussain Kuwajerwala (Sangeet)
Choreography: Angel Arts Performing Academy (Sangeet)
Wedding Invitations: ArtsyDesignCo.
Social Media: Two Peas In A Pod
