Dhrishika and Manoj, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
Striking a balance between tradition and style, this wedding made a splash against Dubai’s sleek skyline.
From a traditional Achiya Sathiyaro (a sacred pre-wedding Sindhi ritual) and a richly hued wedding to two contrasting after-parties and a playful brunch, Dhrishika and Manoj’s celebrations brought together a series of distinct experiences. Planned by WeddingSutra Favorite – House of Curators, the wedding was thoughtfully designed around the couple’s personalities, traditions and vision, with each event carrying its own mood and aesthetic.
Wedding Planning
For Dhrishika and Manoj, the priority was simple: to enjoy their wedding without being overwhelmed by the planning behind it. House of Curators guided them through vendors, decisions and logistics while managing the details in the background. “The most important thing we wanted from our wedding planners was to be able to enjoy the wedding without feeling any of the stress behind it, and they made sure that happened,” shares the couple. The team was attentive to even the smallest ideas, often turning passing thoughts into tangible details while giving the couple the freedom to trust their creative expertise. “Sometimes something would just be a minor thought in our minds, and before we knew it, they had already made it happen.” Their commitment made the planning process feel collaborative and personal, with the couple noting that it often seemed as though the team was as invested in the wedding as they were.
Looking back, Dhrishika and Manoj feel that House of Curators helped them achieve more than they initially thought possible. “We had the heart and the vision for what we wanted our wedding to be, and they actually made that vision happen.”
Wedding Functions
Achiya Sathiyaro
The celebrations began with an Achiya Sathiyaro, with the bride’s and groom’s families holding separate pujas in different sections of the ballroom. At the same time, mehendi, dhol and traditional Sindhi ladas kept the atmosphere festive. The families later came together for playful rituals, including teasing the groom and the customary shirt tearing, before returning in the evening for an aarti accompanied by a live rendition of Om Jai Jagdish. The décor reflected both sides distinctly yet cohesively, with the bride’s section featuring pastel organza florals in lavender, yellow and white, while the groom’s side used yellow, white and orange with umbrellas and Rajasthani-inspired details. Marigold arrangements added to the traditional setting and spiritual atmosphere.
Wedding
The wedding and baraat followed in a rich palette of deep red, ivory and antique gold. The indoor baraat moved through a foyer dressed with coordinating props and a DJ setup, while a rose-petal-lined passage led guests into the ballroom. At the centre was an antique-gold mandap with traditional carvings, set against a deep-red backdrop with a large gold lotus, complemented by hanging red and white florals, bells, candelabras, rose petals and floral-adorned Nandis. Dhrishika entered beneath a floral canopy with her brothers and parents, before the varmala was followed by a dramatic 50-kilogram shower of red rose petals.
AfterParty
The couple gave their guests two very different after-party experiences. The venue was reimagined as a Desi-fusion nightclub through lighting, lasers and contemporary elements around the DJ booth. A playful entrance installation read ‘Pour Decisions Start Here’, with hands extending from the wall holding shot glasses. Nearby, the second after-party took inspiration from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, with a Saturday Night Fever theme, disco ball, retro music and music videos playing behind the DJ. The contrasting setups allowed guests to move between two distinct party atmospheres.
Brunch Celebration
The following morning, ‘After the Vows’ transformed the same ballroom into a colourful, whimsical setting of pinks, whites, pastels and cherry blossoms. Cloud sofas, velvet-covered walls and quirky furniture gave the space a playful character, while live food stations, an MC-led games segment and a fusion tabla artist performing alongside modern and Desi music kept guests engaged. A charms bar let guests create their own bracelets, necklaces and bag charms, complete with custom pouches to take them home, while a cherry-blossom-themed photo booth added another interactive element. The transformation was so complete that guests could hardly believe it was the same ballroom as the opening event!
Sangeet Reception
The final event, the Sangeet Reception, took a more theatrical direction with dark silver, deep blue and gold accents. An island bar occupied the centre, while an LED-backed stage and a lounge with black velvet couches and statement lighting gave the room an awards-show feel. Guest experience remained central, with the bar positioned to preserve sightlines, a raised stage for better visibility and theatre-style seating around an infinity dance floor. After the performances, the evening became one final party, with a DJ joined by percussion, saxophone and violin performances that moved onto the dance floor and into the crowd. Across the celebrations, custom signage, stationery, props and personalised details helped connect the very different aesthetics.
Advice For Couples
For Dhrishika and Manoj, one of the biggest lessons was to plan the wedding from the guests’ perspective. “Try to put yourself back in the position of being a guest at somebody else’s wedding. What did you appreciate? What bothered you?” they suggest. From comfortable seating and varied food to hotel rooms, accessibility and ease of movement, small practical details can make a significant difference.
They also recommend choosing vendors based on both their expertise and the rapport you share with them. “You want to feel heard,” they say, especially when something does not go as planned. They go on to add, “Keeping family informed, while being selective about their suggestions, can help them feel involved without complicating the process.’
On the practical side, they advise sorting wedding clothes early, especially when multiple trials or travel are involved. They also recommend having a trusted sibling or friend as a right-hand person during the celebrations to handle last-minute needs and keep the couple informed. For Dhrishika and Manoj, the wedding was ultimately about creating an experience that felt personal for them and enjoyable for everyone around them. And after months of planning with House of Curators, they admit, “I never thought I’d say this, but I actually miss chatting with my wedding planners!”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai
Wedding Planner: House of Curators
Décor: Vidira Concept
Entertainment: Jatin Vaswani (Achiya Sathiyaro), The Tabla Guy (Carnival), Tanique Fossa
DJ: GT DXB
Emcee: Bhavya Chauhan
Sound & Lighting: SoundKraft
Bartenders: The Project Liquid
Photography: Magic Motion Media
