Emma and Nir, Gurugram
From Dutch tulips to Sufi music, this couple's wedding blended aspects of their diverse cultures beautifully.
A celebration of love and heritage, Emma and Nir’s wedding marked the union of not just two people but also two families and two cultures. Here are a few glimpses.
How They Met
The bride shares, “Nir and I met in university almost eight years ago, while organizing university-level Model United Nations conferences. Nir was responsible for the largest conference in North America with a team of staff to help him, while I was one of the people who interviewed for a position. Nir was drawn to my intelligence and blue eyes, while I was swept away by his confidence and self-assured demeanor. After building an enduring friendship for a few months, we took the leap into starting a romantic relationship.”
The Proposal
Barbados, where the couple had often vacationed in together with loved ones, held a special significance for them, so it was the perfect place for Nir to pop the question. On Christmas morning in 2018, Emma woke up to see Nir on one knee, with a ring in his hand. She scrambled to find her glasses as Nir bared his soul to her, asking her to be his partner for life. The intimate proposal encapsulated their essence as a couple.
Wedding Venues
Hailing from the different religions, it was important to Emma and Nir that their wedding celebrated both their traditions. Their Christian wedding was hosted at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Central Delhi, followed by a reception dinner at The Imperial Hotel. For the Indian wedding functions, the all-suite property of ITC Grand Bharat in Gurugram was chosen for its beautiful architecture and luxurious amenities.
Wedding Planning
Kanika Sethi Weddings and Shaadi Masala were entrusted with the planning and execution of the wedding festivities. Sephi Bergerson Photography captured every candid moment of the functions in breathtaking beauty. Shobhita Khurana gave the bride soft, elegant looks, while DJ Turbanraga entertained the guests with his mix of Bollywood and Western music.
Wedding Functions
Christian Wedding and Reception
With minimalistic decor to highlight the grand architecture of the church, the elegant white wedding was full of lovely ceremonies and tender moments. To honor the bride’s Dutch heritage, white tulips were included in the bouquets for the bridal party and in the boutonnieres for the groom and the groomsmen. Several friends and family members did heartfelt readings, while the bride’s brother sang the bridal entry song, accompanied by the Ao Naga choir and Fabio Carlucci on the trumpet. Reverend Hitter gave a moving sermon that engrossed the entire church while making them laugh as well.
The nuptials were followed by a lively lunch and reception, with natural elegant decor of lush florals such as white and greens with hydrangeas, tulips, and lilies and classic crystal vases and props. Moving speeches, fun performances and delectable dining were followed by the Delhi-based band Chizai who got everyone to the dance floor with their peppy tunes.
Mehndi
A fusion of a British themed garden party fused with Rajasthani inspiration, the mehndi was hosted at the poolside area of ITC Grand Bharat. Bright blues, pinks, yellows, and orange ruled the decor palette against the serene backdrop of white tents. All the guests donned bright outfits, which added to the vibrant vibe of the event. The evening saw a lot of dancing, including a fun conga line.
Sangeet
The stylish sangeet was held at the ballroom, with a sculptural, contemporary decor and elegant neutral hues accented with pops of gold. The tables were set with lush florals, metal props and hundreds of candles that cast a romantic glow on the festivities. The highlights of the evening were the beautifully choreographed dances by the couple’s friends and families. The overseas guests fully-embraced the sangeet tradition, and both families wowed on the dance floor with their dance moves and jewel-toned outfits. The hotel served up some unique gourmet dishes, like the traditional Canadian poutine with an Indian twist, mac and cheese and a Maggi bar.
Sahaja Ceremony
The Sahaja ceremony, which borrows from many Hindu traditions from across regions, was hosted in front of the main structure at the ITC Grand Bharat, in between two beautiful ponds. Towering floral columns made up the magnificent mandap, complementing the hotel’s grand architecture, as did the decor. Saffron-colored flowers and gold made the atmosphere soulful and auspicious. The bride was resplendent in a red Sabyasachi Mukherjee lehenga, while the groom complemented her in a quilted beige sherwani with a royal red pashmina and other accessories.
Reception
The ceremony was followed by a dinner reception and dancing on the hotel’s lawns. Gorgeous orchid-tailed peacocks, vintage chandeliers and abundant roses added magic to the function. The Nizami Brothers serenaded the guests with beautiful Sufi music and got everyone dancing. When it started to rain an hour into the reception, the ITC Grand Bharat did an incredible job setting up their second ballroom inside with food and A/V equipment for the DJ in under 20 minutes!! The party continued into the wee hours of the night.
Advice for Couples
“Hire an amazing wedding planner and listen to them! We were incredibly lucky to have Kanika and Naina. They listened to our vision, but made fantastic recommendations that made everything even better than we could have imagined.”
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Cathedral Church of the Redemption (Christian Wedding), Reception (The Imperial Hotel), ITC Grand Bharat (Mehndi, Sangeet, Sahaja Wedding)
Wedding Planners: Kanika Sethi Weddings & Shaadi Masala
Groom’s Outfits: Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Mehndi)
Bride’s Outfits: Truvelle dress (Christian Wedding), Devnaagri (Mehndi, Sangeet), Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Wedding)
Makeup: Softglam by Shobhita Khurana
Entertainment: DJ Turbanraga
Photography and Videography: Sephi Bergerson Photography
