Ahika and Mayank, Pullman New Delhi Aerocity
Vintage treasures, aerial acts and a mystical souk decor - this couple’s unconventional sangeet was a cut above the rest.
Living it up with plenty of groovy moments while staying true to the classics, Ahika and Mayank tied the knot with a fun-filled winter wedding designed by WeddingSutra Favorite – Studio Niyaama. Photographing and filming them at their candid best was WeddingSutra Favorite – Knotty Affair by Namit and Vipul.
How They Met
Ahika shares, “We were introduced by a common friend in Dubai. However, we hardly spoke to each other at all! Eventually, we ended up crossing paths a couple of times and shared a few conversations. Cut to 2020, one Instagram message and many conversations later we began dating. Two years later, Mayank went down on one knee in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris!”
Wedding Planning
While Ahika hails from Mumbai, Mayank calls New Delhi his hometown. As a result, the couple’s wedding festivities were divided between the two cities as they got engaged in Mumbai but tied the knot during the pleasant Delhi winter. Designing the wedding was Studio Niyaama who impressed the couple with their skills. Ahika shares, “Studio Niyaama was pivotal in making our vision come to life. I’d say that they did it better than we imagined! They transformed the entire venue and by the end of it, we felt as if we were in a different world altogether.”
Photographing and filming the couple was Knotty Affair by Namit and Vipul who used their sharp timing skills to capture breathtaking candid moments of love. The couple shares, “Knotty Affair by Namit and Vipul has been with us right from the very start, that is, our roka ceremony. We were very comfortable with them as they were cooperative and understanding. They did a stunning job with the pictures and videos! And especially the overview of 3 days at our after party in that one clip which stole our heart.”
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
Fresh, bright blooms along with comfy seats for the ladies to comfortably lounge on while they got their hands patterned with henna ensured that the mehndi vibes were cheery. Following a ‘tropical fiesta’ decor theme, the design consisted of lattice world backdrops, subtly gilded furnishings, earthen vases and baskets filled with flower petals.
Haldi
Ahika shares, “The haldi ceremony was hosted alongside a sumptuous brunch spread. The venue was adorned with bright hues while the guests were engaged with the live stalls. Customised lip balms and DIY soap stalls ensured everyone went back to their rooms with plenty of souvenirs.”
Sangeet
For the sangeet, the couple decided to eschew the typical ballroom and stage setup. Instead, they opted for something a little more cosy. Ahika shares, “Mayank came up with the idea to give the event a Middle Eastern souk-like look. The decor was made up of a collection of vintage items, like, illustrative carpets, countless artefacts and paintings. These elements were all dreamily lit up by the lights of almost a thousand candles. We were welcomed into the party with mesmerising aerial acts and belly dancers – something novel for any sangeet. The ring was brought down from the ceiling above thanks to a very beautiful and talented aerial artist! All in all, the sangeet was everything we could hope for with our friends and family dancing the night away.”
Wedding and Reception
The couple shares, “We always dreamed of a beautiful winter wedding; which is also one of the reasons why Delhi was a top choice for us. What truly was the highlight for us was the courtyard! It was filled with majestic trees and made the perfect backdrop for our dream wedding – intimate, luxurious and grand all at the same time.”
For the Reception, the groom and bride wanted to keep it minimal and elegant with classic white and green hues along with clean structures and lots of candles!
Cocktail
For their final celebration, the couple opted for a groovy, glam cocktail in Mumbai. Ahika shares, “The cocktail was everything we could’ve hoped for! The DJ was at his finest and we had a gala time bringing our wedding festivities to an end.”
Advice For Couples
The couple shares, “Try to stay calm and composed during the entire planning process cause literally down the line you will look back and laugh. We miss it so much. Do what your heart desires and don’t give importance to unwanted opinions.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Pullman New Delhi Aerocity (Mehndi, Haldi, Wedding, Reception); Khubani, Delhi (Sangeet); The St. Regis Mumbai (Cocktail)
Wedding Planner: ANS Weddings
Décor: Studio Niyaama
Groom’s Outfits: Aisha Rao (Mehndi), Tom Ford (Sangeet), Jayesh Shah Label (Wedding), Zegna (Cocktail)
Bride’s Outfits: Aisha Rao (Mehndi), Amit Aggarwal (Sangeet), Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Wedding), Gaurav Gupta (Cocktail)
Jewellery: S. Zaveri & Sons, Jet Gems Fine Jewellery
Makeup: Meraki By Ritika
Hairstyling: Mini Mahadik
Emcee: Emcee Krishna
Wedding Invitations: The Honest Weddings
Choreographer: All About Dance
Photography and Videography: Knotty Affair by Namit and Vipul
