Astha and Faraz, Tikli Bottom, Haryana
This interfaith couple opted for a new-age minimalistic sand ceremony to celebrate their love and mark their union.
Going beyond the boundaries of religion, Astha and Faraz’s wedding embraced love and togetherness. Photographed by WeddingSutra Favorite – Play The Novel, this union eschewed conventions and stole hearts with its simplicity.
How They Met
Astha shares, “I met Faraz when we were in high school. He had always been more introverted, and I have always been quite extroverted. We met through a friend, and he went out of his way to help me with one of my school projects, even when he didn’t know me. His kindness toward me is how we became friends. We started vibing together and realised early on that our contrasting personalities brought balance to our relationship, which is how our journey began.”
Wedding Planning
Astha shares, “Despite coming from different religions, Faraz and I share similar upbringings and come from the same state. For me, religion is not a barrier to our relationship. The only family you truly choose is your spouse, and I am sure Faraz is the right family for me. We respect all religions, but more importantly, we respect our families and their backgrounds. Hence, a sand ceremony instead of a conventional wedding ceremony is what we chose.”
Photographing this new-age, unconventional union was Play The Novel who impressed Astha with their creativity. The bride shares, “Play The Novel has been a great team to work with. They were very cooperative, kind and fun. They made sure that our stories were highlighted in the best possible way and reflected our personalities. The team did an amazing job on the deliverables, they delivered them on time (some even before time!), and they made sure that we were happy with the edits and comfortable with what they were sharing with the world. We felt that they were a part of our family and we would highly recommend them to to-be married couples.”
Wedding Functions
Haldi
“The Haldi ceremony was held on the pool deck and featured bright and colorful decorations, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere. It soon turned emotional as my family embraced Faraz, which made the event even more special”, says Astha. After a playful ceremony where everyone slathered the to-be-weds with turmeric, the couple enjoyed a flower shower.
Sand Ceremony
Astha shares, “We decided not to base our wedding on a religious ceremony. Instead of a nikah or a Hindu wedding ceremony, we chose a sand ceremony. This ceremony symbolizes the blending of our cultures and values, rising above religious boundaries.” Surrounded by lush greenery, the minimalistic ivory and wood decor stood out at the sand ceremony. White blooms adorned the table where the couple poured sand from separate vessels into a central one – symbolising their union.
Reception
Astha shares, “For the reception, we created a soothing and elegant ambience. We chose modern decor, focusing on floral arrangements and candle lights, which perfectly reflected the intimate and heartfelt nature of our celebration.”
Advice For Couples
The couple shares, “Make your wedding day about the two of you. It’s a celebration of your love, so ensure your presence and personalities shine through. Let your choices reflect who you are because these memories will stay with you forever.”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Tikli Bottom, Haryana (Sand Ceremony); Le Meridien, New Delhi (Reception)
Photography: Play The Novel
Groom’s Outfits: Diwan Saheb (Reception)
Makeup: Shivangi Chopra (Reception)
Hairstyling: Deviya Khanna (Reception)
