Simren Kaur Jasuja and Akarsh Narang, Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, Montenegro

Nestled between Montenegro’s mountains and the Adriatic Sea, Simren Kaur Jasuja and Akarsh Narang’s wedding brought together breathtaking views, meaningful traditions and unforgettable celebrations. Planned by WeddingSutra Favorite – Weddings by ESL, the five-day affair was designed around experiences that felt personal to the couple, with every event carrying its own identity while remaining connected to their story.

How They Met
The culmination was a wedding in Montenegro, but this story began years earlier on Long Island with a handshake Akarsh Narang never forgot. The pair first met in 2019 and crossed paths again at Simren’s sister’s engagement. While she may not have remembered him, he certainly remembered her. Years later, fate intervened when both found themselves working at the same hotel in New York. Their friendship grew steadily over the months that followed. Respectful of her circumstances, Akarsh never rushed what was developing between them. When timing finally aligned, the friendship naturally evolved into something deeper, laying the foundation for the life they would eventually build together.

The Proposal
In September 2023, Akarsh planned what appeared to be a birthday getaway to Hawaii. Throughout the trip, every adventure seemed like it might lead to a proposal. There were ATV rides to secluded dinners, dolphin sightings along the Na Pali Coast, helicopter rides and sunset moments that felt straight out of a postcard. On their final evening, as the sun dipped into the ocean, he finally called her name. When she turned around, he was on one knee holding a seashell containing a five-carat solitaire ring. Through happy tears, she said yes.

Afterwards, he tossed the shell into the ocean before leading her to a private bonfire where champagne awaited under the stars.

Wedding Planning
When it came to choosing a destination, Simren wanted a place that felt removed from the ordinary. Montenegro’s combination of mountains, sea and open skies offered exactly that. Together with Weddings by ESL, the couple envisioned a wedding where every function would feel distinct, yet naturally connected through thoughtful details and shared experiences.

Personal touches were woven throughout the celebrations. Guests received custom seashell invitation boxes inspired by the proposal, handmade garlands during boat transfers and welcome gifts featuring locally sourced olive oil. Quotes from The Kite Runner and The Alchemist appeared on napkins across various events, while a Jimmy Choo scarf gifted by Akarsh early in their relationship was recreated as a keepsake for guests. One of the most memorable discoveries happened during a venue visit. Hidden at the top of an unfinished staircase was a terrace overlooking both the mountains and the sea. Simren was instantly drawn to the view and named it the ‘Secret Terrace’ on the spot. The space would later become the setting for their Anand Karaj.

“Every detail had a purpose and a story behind it,” shares Ekta Saigal Lulla of Weddings by ESL. “Our focus was on creating celebrations that felt authentic to Simren and Akarsh while making sure guests experienced something new at every event.”

Wedding Functions
Christian Ceremony
The wedding celebrations began with an intimate Christian ceremony at a Chapel in the middle of the sea. Kept elegant and understated, the setting allowed the natural beauty of the coastline to take centre stage. Accompanied by live violins, Simren walked down the aisle with her father by her side, while Akarsh stood waiting alongside his closest friend.

Welcome Party
The welcome party set a lively tone for the celebrations ahead. The venue embraced a jungle-inspired theme with fire dancers, drummers and an animal-print dress code. Guests quickly got into the spirit of the evening, with families lifting the couple onto tables and dance circles forming across the venue. As the night progressed, the celebration took on the energy of an open-air party under the stars.

Holi and Haldi
Bright yellow umbrellas dotted the venue, while women dressed in floral-inspired costumes welcomed guests. A striped gelato cart added a playful touch to the setting, complementing the cheerful yellow palette. Guests also celebrated with a vibrant burst of colours, playing Holi and adding to the festive spirit of the Haldi ceremony. After the haldi ceremony, the celebrations moved from land to sea. All 400 guests, from grandparents to young children, ran into the Adriatic Sea together.

Sangeet
For the Sangeet, the ballroom was transformed with layers of pink blooms, while guests arrived dressed in coordinated shades of rose. The evening was designed as an elegant sit-down celebration, where guests enjoyed a specially curated seven-course meal interspersed with heartfelt speeches from family and friends.

Akarsh made a memorable entrance playing the dhol, instantly setting the mood for the evening. The surprises continued when guests Kapil Sharma and Kiku Sharda took the stage, followed by performances from Jaspinder Narula and the Meet Brothers. One of the evening’s highlights was the couple’s dance together. Despite not rehearsing, they moved effortlessly in sync.

Chooda
In contrast to the larger celebrations, the Chooda ceremony was intimate and family-focused.
Held at a private villa, the ceremony carried special significance as Simren wore a kaleera she had saved for more than a year after it unexpectedly fell onto her during a cousin’s wedding. The moment felt both personal and meaningful amidst the larger festivities.

Wedding
The wedding took place on the Secret Terrace, the hidden venue that had captured Simren’s heart during their site visit. Overlooking both the mountains and the sea, the ceremony was designed in soft pastel tones that complemented the natural setting. Guests dressed in muted shades, while rose petals floated down from above and fireworks lit up the horizon.
“The terrace didn’t need much,” shares Ekta Saigal Lulla. “The view itself was the hero. We wanted the décor to feel soft and timeless while keeping the focus on the ceremony.” The celebrations retained their playful Punjabi spirit with the traditional joota chupai, as cousins enthusiastically negotiated the return of the groom’s shoes. The ceremony concluded with an emotional horse-carriage doli.

Reception
Guests began the evening with cocktails by the water at a venue called The Path before moving to the Garden Terrace for the main celebration. The entrance was lined with torch-bearing guards, while performers dressed in champagne-glass gowns moved through the crowd serving drinks. As the evening progressed, fireworks illuminated the sky above the terrace.

One of the most entertaining moments came when Akarsh’s cousins surprised him with a WWE championship belt. Dressed in a Loro Piana tuxedo accented with a gold lotus pin, he walked through the crowd with the belt draped over his shoulder, adding a dash of fun to the celebration.

After Party
Guests gathered for a Sufi concert featuring Javed Bashir and Osman Mir, with the music continuing until sunrise. Even after authorities requested that the sound be lowered, guests remained seated around the performers, listening to the unamplified music until the early hours of the morning.

The Wedding Makers
Venues: Lighthouse Restaurant, Montenegro (Welcome Party); Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, Montenegro (Anand Karaj)
Wedding Planner: Weddings by ESL
Entertainment: Puneet Singh (Wedding), Kapil Sharma (Sangeet), Kiku Sharda (Sangeet), Jaspinder Narula (Sangeet), Meet Brothers (Sangeet), Shreyas Puranik (Reception), Javed Bashir (After Party), Osman Mir (After Party)
Photography: Light Chamber Photography
Makeup: Pooja Khurana
Bride’s Outfits: Abhinav Mishra (Roka), Itrh (Welcome Party, Reception), Seema Gujral (Sangeet), Dabiri (Anand Karaj)
Groom’s Outfits: Loro Piana (Reception)

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