Ashna Agarwal and Vaibhav Dhandia, Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur
From a Tuscan ring ceremony and royal Varmala to a show-stopping couple entry on a tractor, experience the varied shades of this opulent Jaipur wedding.
A seamless blend of tradition, modernism and vivid themes, Ashna Agarwal and Vaibhav Dhandia’s festivities at the regal Taj Jai Mahal Palace in Jaipur were imbued by their personalities and tastes by WeddingSutra Favorite – Hitchkey Weddings. Watch the myriad moods, colors and emotions of their festivities come alive below.
How they met
Ashna, an ex-employee of Microsoft, returned to India to enter her family business and start her venture. She was introduced by a common friend to Vaibhav, an MBA professional who works for his family gems and jewelry business. Meeting at the start of Covid’s second wave, their connection flourished over the phone and video calls before finally meeting in person in June of 2021. While Vaibhav fell in love at first sight, Ashna took her time to be sure of what she felt. However, when Vaibhav popped the question a month later at Alila Fort, Bishangarh with a private dinner, live saxophonist and a self-designed ring, there were no lingering doubts in her head anymore and she answered in the affirmative with a resounding “yes”!
Wedding Venue
The couple chose the striking palatial property of Taj Jai Mahal Palace for the grand festivities. Located in the downtown of the Pink City and set amidst 18 acres of landscaped Mughal gardens, the iconic Palace made for a beguiling backdrop to their dreamy wedding functions.
Wedding Planning
The couple envisioned spectacular themed decor and details for their grand palace wedding and entrusted the celebrated team of Hitchkey Weddings to pull it off. Bride Ashna applauds their work with the words, “Keep up the hard work Hitchkey. Continue giving your best, it will take you places. I’m so happy when I look at the pictures in real as these are exactly how I had envisioned my wedding to be. Huge credit goes to you for making the entire wedding look so beautiful. Thank you, guys!”
Wedding Functions
Friend’s Mehndi
Hosted at the iconic Jaipur Club, the bride’s pink-themed Mehndi ceremony was dedicated to her by her friends and family with great love. Soothing pastels, pretty patterns and fresh florals set an effortlessly elegant vibe for the occasion, along with groovy music by the DJ and stunning henna art by the mehndi artist. Ashna surprised her guests with personalized gift hampers that included a vanity kit with Jaimahal’s jharokha along with drool-worthy sweets. The function started the wedding celebrations on a lively note with adorable dances by her friends, cake cutting and happy bantering.
Welcome Mehndi
The three-day wedding festivities at Taj Jai Mahal Palace started with a morning Mehendi ceremony to welcome the guests. The decor theme of Folk Fusion combined elements from Rajasthani, Gujarati, and Punjabi cultures for a colorful, joyous extravaganza. Flown down from Delhi for the occasion, a professional Punjabi Dhol set a rousing ambience with folk music. The wild bohemian décor with a modern flavor saw centerpieces out of edible cut fruits, handcrafted up-cycled rugs and many other Pinterest-worthy elements in bright hues of orange, pink, yellow and parrot green that painted a pretty picture against the pristine façade of the venue. Quirky props, larger-than-life graphics, interactive stations, a floral fiesta and a decked-up cycle all added to the festivities. The guests indulged in Tambourine, Chess, Jenga, Ludo and cards. They were also gifted Da Milano bags as Mehndi favors. In a first for the stately venue, the couple entered on a tractor leaving everyone awestruck.
Sangeet
Designed with an enchanted forest theme to make the most of the palace’s flamboyant lawns, the larger-than-life Sangeet function had everyone in awe. Glitzy walls, a canopy of hanging vines and miniature disco balls and a mirrored aisle welcomed the guests, mesmerizing displays by pyro machines, Co2 jets, low fog machines, ribbon shots, bubble machines and paper confetti machines further glammed up the function. The stage had ‘Whistle when you vibe’ written amongst the garden theme décor in monochrome with huge glass balls and a deluge of foliage tresses from the ceiling. The couple entered through a tunnel of cold pyros held by family and friends, and an evening of exuberant performances and music followed.
Haldi
The Haldi ceremony saw traditional décor of bright yellow flowers, love and laughter as the couple was anointed with turmeric paste. The couple and their loved ones had a gala time playing Phoolon ki Holi, followed by a surprise for the bridesmaids planned by the bride.
English Wedding
The lively Haldi was followed by a unique Tuscan-themed English wedding, a sunkissed garden soiree with a sit-down lunch. For the occasion, Ashna gifted her bridesmaids specially designed outfits and personal letters, while all the guests were sent Tuscan Tea Boxes in their rooms. The décor emanated vintage yet earthy vibes with surreal drapes, pampas grass and floral and wooden elements that laid emphasis on simplicity. The seating arrangement of long barn tables with white blooms, foliage and chair accents added a rustic, cottage-core feel. After a quick exchange of rings, the duo was cheered by guests, followed by cake cutting, family speeches, daughter-father and mother-son dances, couple games and more.
Varmala
The evening festivities of the Varmala came alive with standout décor and regal accents. Accompanied by high-spirited guests, the baraat procession was as grand as could be. The couple exchanged Varmalas on an ethereal stage bedecked with baby’s breath as the royal façade of the palace lit up with cold pyros for a spectacular effect.
Pheras
The next morning, a dainty floral setup of roses, lilies and other pastel blooms enveloped the whole venue for the pheras. Vintage parasols were given as thoughtful wedding favors, while a corner of flower-petal cones and bells was arranged for the guests to add a fun, interactive element during the ceremony. Ashna walked down the aisle under an exclusive chadar with wedding vows embossed on it before tying the knot with the love of her life.
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Taj Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur; Jaipur Club (Friends Mehndi)
Wedding Planner: Hitchkey Weddings
