Aashni and Varun, Royal Western India Turf Club, Mumbai

College sweethearts, Aashni and Varun, were introduced by a mutual friend in junior college. Nine years later, these two decided to get hitched for life in a series of breathtaking ceremonies. Held at the ‘City of Dreams’ aka Mumbai, this couple’s nuptials were captured by WeddingSutra Favorite – The Photo Lab, who, with their superior skills managed to photograph each special moment in stunning frames.

How They Met
Aashni shares, “Our journey started in 2010 when we were introduced in junior college by a mutual friend. Through the next nine years, our relationship grew stronger, and when one of us had to move to Los Angeles for a year, both of us were confident enough to face the challenge of a long-distance relationship head-on. We’re a classic case of ‘opposites attract’ and over time have realized that we balance each other out too.”

The Proposal
Gushing about the elaborate surprise Varun had planned for her, Aashni recollects, “We were on a trip to Sri Lanka with our closest friends just few days shy of the New Year’s Eve of 2018. To my pleasant surprise, Varun orchestrated an elaborate proposal plan that caught me completely off guard. As we walked together on the beach, I approached a ‘Will you marry me?’ written across the sand in fairy lights along with a bottle of champagne, a promise ring with the song ‘Just The Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars playing in the background. Suddenly, we were surrounded by our friends who cheered us on. It is certainly a memory that I’ll cherish forever!”

Wedding Venue
“We wanted the wedding to take place during the golden hour and hence, started our search for an open-air venue. My father always had a longstanding dream of seeing me get married at Royal Western India Turf Club which also fit our needs perfectly with its rich greenery and vast open spaces. An added bonus was the Mumbai winter which made our ceremony all the more pleasant.”, shares Aashni.

Apart from the magnificent wedding venue the duo also chose top-notch properties for their smaller functions. Kino Cottage with its prime views of the coastline made the cut for a lively cocktail night while the Garware Club House hosted the sangeet and haldi/mehndi.

Wedding Planning
A wedding planner by passion and a dentist by profession, Aashni took it upon herself to plan her wedding. She goes on to share, “When it came to my wedding planning, there wasn’t anyone else I could trust so the entire task fell upon my shoulders. Everything, from the outfits to the phere was planned by me and I can confidently say it was the happiest year of my life! My friends and family were also pivotal as they pitched in to help when things got too stressful.”

However, on the photography front, she decided to leave it up to the experts and chose The Photo Lab who impressed her with their talent and dedication. She shares, “The team from The Photo Lab was absolutely incredible to work with and they understood what we were looking for in one go itself. Their expressive pictures captured a plethora of emotions displayed at our wedding and I don’t think anyone else could’ve done a better job. Our wedding wouldn’t have been the same without them and I look forward to working with them again.”

Adding to the team were team FireFlies who brought Aashni’s vision to life with fairytale-like decor that left everyone in awe. Makeup artist Liz used her expertise to give the bride stunning looks that highlighted her best features. Invitation designers, Krimson Ads with their elegant designs created a unique card that urged everyone to join the celebrations. Choreographer Tarantism made sure not a beat was missed by rehearsing tirelessly with the duo.

Weddings Functions

Cocktail
Following a ‘sunshine and sangria’ theme for the Cocktail, the decor mainly consisted of white and gold elements that brightened up the seaside venue. Peppered with balloons, monogrammed stirrers, and signature drinks for the bride and groom, this brunch – party combo was aptly described by Aashni as a ‘drunch’.

Glowing in a silver off-shoulder gown, the bride had plenty of fun posing for selfies with her squad while her groom set the dance floor on fire in a grey suit.

Haldi/Mehndi
The Mehndi and Haldi functions were fused together to create a colorful event that followed the theme ‘mehndi hai rachnewali’. With quirky decor that was majorly crafted out of marigolds, Aashni and Varun had plenty of fun as they basked in the love of their family. Ample entertainment was also provided to each guest with caricature and bangle makers showing off their skills at the venue.

For her mehndi, Aashni chose a deep green and beige lehenga while Varun wore a classic black kurta. However, for the Haldi, they both chose the same hue for their attire with the bride picking a yellow and silver embroidered lehenga and the groom sporting an embroidered bandhgala.

Sangeet
Incorporating dreamy glamour into the decor, the sangeet packed a healthy punch of glitz and romance with a ‘dance the night away’ theme. Looking straight out of a fairytale, the stage was the highlight with a backdrop of delicate white blooms and dainty fairy lights that cast a golden glow over the performers. Making the most of this golden opportunity, Aashni and Varun danced along with their squad to their favorite tracks and were cheered on by their families.

Keeping the delicate hues of the decor in mind, the bride chose a pastel blue embroidered lehenga and Varun followed her lead by opting for a similar hued bandhgala paired with a floral printed pocket square.

Wedding
Oozing romance and soft glam, the wedding ceremony followed a ‘beginning of always’’ theme that included unique elements such as flower cones and bells to add an auspicious vibe to the occasion. Held on a sprawling lawn filled with elegant golden chairs, the couple looked picture perfect as they exchanged garlands against a backdrop of cerulean sky and lush greenery. The mandap, however, overlooked a wall of ombre pink roses and lush foliage which added character to each shot of the ceremony.

Co-ordinating with the color palette of the decor, Aashni wore a graceful light pink and white lehenga which she paired with minimal kundan jewelry. Varun went the classic way and donned a white intricately embroidered sherwani.

Reception
Held at the same venue as the wedding, the reception witnessed the couple greeting all their guests on a stage that heralded their entry with cold pyros. Adding a personal touch to the evening, the decor also included acrylic painted standees created by the bride along with her friends and family.

Dressed in a deep blue sequin lehenga, Aashni contrasted delightfully with the pink and white ombre floral background. Varun, also amped up the glamour stakes in his sleek black suit.

Advice For Couples
Aashni shares, “Accept the fact that everything cannot be perfect. Take each day as it comes and don’t worry about the small details. In the end, everything works out and it’s your family and friends who actually make it special.”

The Wedding Makers

Venues: Kino Cottage (Cocktail), Garware Club House (Sangeet, Mehndi/Haldi), Royal Western India Turf Club (Wedding, Reception)
Décor: FireFlies
Bride’s Outfits: Gaurav Gupta (Cocktail), JADE by Monica and Karishma (Mehndi/Haldi), Virangi Creation (Sangeet), Anushree Reddy (Wedding), Naibah by Naionica Bahl (Reception)
Choreography: Tarantism
Wedding Invitations: Krimson Ads

Photography: The Photo Lab

Related Articles: