Simran Sablok and Raj Khandwala, The Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar
Inspired by local Kashmiri textiles, Persian cuisine and the Himalayan scenery - this couple’s destination wedding in Kashmir was an opulent celebration.
In tandem with the stunning Himalayan beauty of Srinagar, Simran Sablok and Raj Khandwala’s wedding in May was a dream come true hosted in the lap of luxury. Planned by WeddingSutra Favorite – TailorMade Experiences, the wedding took cues from the local culture with each event being distinctly different from the rest. Designing the union was WeddingSutra Favorite – Vivaah who with their creativity artfully merged the couple’s Gujarati culture with the local Kashmiri elements to create an enchanting sensory experience. Photographing and filming the festivities was WeddingSutra Favorite – Raabta Studios who captured unfiltered emotions effortlessly.
Wedding Planning
Shashank Gupta and Zashank Bhatia from TailorMade Experiences share, “After attending various celebrations all over the country for their friends and family, Raj and Simran wanted to tie the knot at a unique and upbeat destination. They found the perfect location for their fairytale wedding in Srinagar, Kashmir – the literal heaven of earth.
Keeping in mind the comfort of their guests, the itinerary and functions were planned in a way that everyone had ample time to relax and bask in the beauty of Kashmir. Since a majority of the guests were travelling from Mumbai, a charter plane was booked for the guests for their convenience. This ensured that all the guests arrived at the same time and no one missed any important moment during the celebrations.
To accommodate over 400 guests, all three hotels – ITC, Taj and Lalit were booked completely by the client.”
Adding to the beauty of the surroundings was Vivaah who designed the wedding. Taking a cue from the natural beauty that surrounded them, the team designed a series of stunning events for the couple and their guests. Capturing the couple at their stylish best was Raabta Studios who with their sharp sense of timing photographed and filmed the spirit of the wedding. Showcasing his musical prowess with enthralling beats was WeddingSutra Favorite – DJ TBOM aka Krish who with his infectious energy had everyone moving on the dancefloor.
Wedding Functions
Bridal Mehndi
Shashank Gupta from TailorMade Experiences shares, “On the first day, an intimate mehendi dinner was planned for the close family and friends. Keeping in mind the old-world charm of the property, the décor was kept minimal by accentuating the area with royal fabrics like brocade and velvet and exotic floral arrangements. Following the overall theme, a local santoor player was called to start the evening, followed by a local band for everyone to groove on the sufi tunes.”
Welcome Lunch
The following day, since most guests were flying in from Mumbai, a casual welcome lunch was in order. Zashank Bhatia from TailorMade Experiences shares, “We wanted everyone to experience the grandeur of Srinagar, the first event was planned at The Lalit, surrounded by the 200-year-old majestic trees. Rustic cane furniture along with exotic flowers in pastel shades were used to create ‘Le Jardin du Shalimar’ – the garden of love.”
Mehndi and Sangeet
Shashank shares, “With the Dal Lake as the backdrop, the next event – sundowner Mehendi and Sangeet was planned at the front lawns of Taj Vivanta, Srinagar. The look for this event was inspired by a Persian theme by using the hues of dark maroon and purple. Exotic fruits and flowers along with traditional Kashmiri carpets were used to enhance the décor.
The event was kickstarted with Punjabi dhol players who were called especially from Delhi followed by everyone grooving to the tunes of Hari and Sukhmani. DJ TBOM aka Krish rocked the after-party with everyone dancing till 5 AM in the morning. To enhance the food experience, outside caterers were specially called in and were asked to curate a menu with special Persian dishes.”
Brunch, Chooda and Haldi
After a crazy night filled with music and dancing, a relaxing brunch was planned for the next day with an elaborate menu for the guests staying in all three hotels. The chooda and haldi ceremony simultaneously took place with the bride’s close family and friends.
Wedding
Zashank shares, “Incorporating Raj’s love for cricket, his baraat was called ‘The Last Singles Innings’ with the groom entering in style in an open jeep. DJ Tbom along with the dholwalas made everyone dance in the baraat for over four hours!
The wedding ceremony took place with the Gujarati rituals and traditions. The priest, who was called specifically for this event from London, performed a beautiful ceremony with the couple, uniting them in the bond of marriage.”
Shashank shares, “Following the wedding ceremony, the grand gala dinner was held under the stars for the couple’s reception. The couple performed the first dance, followed by a speech before the party began!”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Fortune Resort Heevan, Srinagar – Member ITC’s hotel group (Bridal Mehndi); The Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar (Welcome Lunch, Chooda and Haldi, Wedding); Vivanta Dal View (Mehndi and Sangeet)
Wedding Planner: TailorMade Experiences
Décor: Vivaah
Caterers: Aartgrills Express (Mehndi and Sangeet), Khan Events and Hospitality
Groom’s Outfits: Ishan Kevin (Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: Ishan Kevin (Wedding)
Jewellery: Valliyan by Nitya Arora
Makeup: Pompy Hans
Entertainment: Hari and Sukhmani (Mehndi and Sangeet)
DJ: DJ TBOM aka Krish (Mehndi and Sangeet, Wedding), Siddharth Mahajan
Wedding Invitations and Stationery: The Bombay Lettering Company
Bartenders: Barjockey
Photography and Videography: Raabta Studios
Ticketing and MICE Partner: Cutting Edge Events
