Aanchal and Shivansh, Gurgaon
From formal fine dining and modish decor to extravagance galore, this riveting wedding celebration at ITC Grand Bharat had it all.
Exquisitely crafted by WeddingSutra Favorite – Mansa Weddings, Aanchal Dhawan and Shivansh Magan’s wedding celebration at ITC Grand Bharat, Gurugram was a spectacular blend of grandeur, memorable entertainment and intimate family moments. Catch every detail of their revelries in these stunning shots by WeddingSutra Favorite – Cupcake Productions.
How They Met
Aanchal and Shivansh felt an instant connection when they crossed paths at a mutual friend’s wedding in 2018. Born and bred in Agra, Shivansh joined his family business while Aanchal’s professional dreams took her to London. Introduced by their friend’s mother socially at the wedding, they were drawn to each other and almost instantly knew that they had found their perfect partner in each other.
The Proposal
Primed to start a new chapter, both Aanchal and Shivansh were on the same page regarding the future from the beginning. With a clear view of what it looked like for them both, they decided to do away with the convention of a proposal and instead expressed their love and promise of togetherness to each other. A year after they began their relationship, they both proposed to each other, tender moments of which they captured for all eternity.
Wedding Venue
Aanchal shares, “Our initial plans of a Big Fat Indian wedding were abandoned due to the Pandemic, so we chose to host a grand yet intimate celebration befitting our taste and personalities at ITC Grand Bharat, Gurugram. Having always envisioned a destination wedding, the change in plans ended up being a blessing in disguise. The architecture and ambience of the property was breathtaking and absolutely perfect for our wedding of 200 guests, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The highlight was the beautiful Presidential villas. We had a gala time hosting our friends in the bride’s and groom’s suite where we held amazing after-parties and treated our guests to an experience they never had before”.
Wedding Planning
The couple roped in the team of Delhi-based Mansa Weddings to plan their dream wedding. Talking about their experience with them, they share, “The team, who had previously planned the wedding of Shivansh’s sister, felt like our family! They seamlessly understood our vibe and expectations and worked tirelessly to make them come true despite the constraints and challenges of the Pandemic. Although our wedding had to be postponed last minute by a few days, they put in their best to ensure everything was still carried out exactly as we wanted, and our wedding turned out better than anything we had imagined”.
Every moment of the festivities was immortalized in vivid shots by the team of Cupcake Productions. Aura by Gautam Vedi orchestrated their stunning decor, while a host of other vendors worked to make their dream wedding a reality.
Wedding Functions
Welcome Dinner
Luxury at its peak, the welcome dinner was a stunning night of dancing and dinner under the stars. Elegantly planned with a sit-down Italian gourmet meal, the evening saw a confluence of shimmering lights, flowers and rustic furniture that set a romantic, intimate ambience for the occasion. Speeches by family members, a surprise flash mob by the groom squad, champagne towers, cake-cutting and dancing added to the splendor of the evening, the momentum of which continued with an after-party.
Mehndi
A low-key function held at an intimate scale, the bride’s mehndi soiree was the epitome of minimal elegance. The use of traditional marigolds got a modern update with round floral arrangements in crystal vases, while the bride’s seating was imagined with a simple draped background and floral curtains. A lot of fun, laughter and happy family moments accompanied the ceremony.
Haldi
The poolside Haldi ceremony got a modern update with a refreshing decor of blue and yellow. Chic chevron prints combined with flower vases, pops of green and long stemmed floral arrangements gave a sunny, contemporary spin to the tradition of the ritual. The bride looked radiant in a yellow lehenga by the local Agra based designer Agraj Jain who also custom made the yellow kurtas that she gifted friends as a keepsake for the occasion.
Wedding
Traditional opulence at its most grand, the rich decor and splendor of the wedding function was perfectly framed against the royal architecture of the hotel. An abundance of mogras and roses set a regal tone for the occasion, with stunning floral arrangements decking the entire venue, tables, the stage and mandap. Ornate chandeliers and candles cast a warm glow over the entire night.
Carnival Brunch
In a fun twist to the general order of wedding festivities, the couple hosted a carnival themed mehndi brunch after the wedding, continuing the enjoyment of the wedding. Bright colorful decor set a joyous mood, with billowing drapes and streamers, quirky cut-out canopies, bright blooms, fun props and a relaxed amphitheater style seating. Stunning dance performances, music and great food had everyone reveling in high spirits.
Reception
A magnificent ballroom cocktail reception brought the memorable wedding festivities to a close. Decadent decor of red flowers, ambient lighting and glittering props set a mood of glitz and glamor for the evening, complete with luxurious cocktails, champagne and more. Toasts and heartfelt speeches combined with moments of fun and excitement had everyone enjoying till the last second.
Advice for couples
“While planning your festivities, allow for enough time for makeup and bridal photographs so it doesn’t cut into the time of the functions and you can enjoy to the fullest. Getting ready does take a long time, and if functions are too cramped, you may not get enough time for everything you have planned. Also, always get a different makeup artist for bridal makeup and for the other family members to ensure better time management”.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: ITC Grand Bharat, Gurugram
Wedding Planner: Mansa Weddings
Decor: Aura By Gautam Vedi
Groom’s Outfits: Tarun Tahiliani (Wedding), Manish Malhotra (Reception, Carnival Brunch), Hugo Boss (Welcome Dinner)
Bride’s Outfits: Tarun Tahiliani (Wedding), Manish Malhotra (Reception, Carnival Brunch), Amit Aggarwal (Welcome Dinner), Agraj Jain (Haldi)
Jewelry: Manish Malhotra (Wedding), Lachhmandas Jewelers (Reception)
Hair and Makeup: Mehak Oberoi
Invititations & Stationery: Itchha Talreja Designs and Plush Hue Design
Wedding Favors: Plush Hue Design, Madiha, Agraj Jain (Haldi)
Choreography: Vishay Singh, Mumbai
Entertainment: Twin Strings, Hardy Sandhu, DJ Mash
Photography: Cupcake Productions
