Nikhil and Poem, Bhopal
From a glamorous sangeet to a romantic pastel-hued wedding and a fittingly boisterous after-party, this lakeside wedding at Taj Lakefront, Bhopal was a real treat for the senses!
Feasting their eyes on the stunning views of the Upper Lake located in Bhopal, the heart of India, Poem Lalchandani, a hospitality professional, and Nikhil Lala, a builder’s wedding was a serene affair. Hosted at the majestic and opulent Taj Lakefront, Bhopal that is known for its incredible architecture, enchanting views and impeccable hospitality, this wedding won hearts with its sheer beauty! Capturing the celebration was WeddingSutra Favorite – Fourfold Pictures who used their expertise to photograph stunning shots.
How They Met
Poem and Nikhil first crossed paths during the second wave of the lockdown and there was an instant connection as they interacted with each other constantly during the three months. Soon enough, the families met and the planning for their grand wedding began at Poem’s native city of Bhopal.
The Proposal
After weeks of brainstorming and scouting for ideas online, Nikhil came up with the idea of surprising Poem with a proposal that included a treasure hunt! Taking place in the first week of December on a lazy Saturday morning, Poem woke up to her first surprise, a beautician at her doorstep who had been appointed to give her a pamper session. Next in line were a series of pleasant surprises which ended with a stunning dress, flowers and a chauffeur ready to take her to the proposal venue. Once Poem arrived at the venue, she saw Nikhil waiting for her in the courtyard where he popped the question!
Wedding Venue
Providing splendid views of the Upper Lake, the Taj Lakefront, Bhopal was the perfect place for the couple to embark on the journey of a lifetime. While on their trip to visit Poem and her family in Bhopal, Nikhil and his family were blown away by the luxury this stunning venue emanated. Inspired by Bhopal’s regional art forms, located 25 minutes away from the nearest international airport, equipped with 152 tastefully appointed guest rooms and highly trained staff members, the spacious Taj Lakefront, Bhopal was a fitting canvas for the couple’s dream wedding that was hosted in the chilly month of December.
Wedding Planning
Gushing about the planning and decor team, bride Poem says, “We are so thankful to the entire 9PM Media team for executing our perfect wedding! For every bride and groom, wedding planning can be quite stressful as it includes colossal tasks like choosing vendors and scouting for venues, to name a few. Fortunately for us, team 9 PM Media aided us at every step of the way while making important decisions. They were always accessible, proactive and ready to tackle any hurdle that came in the way. During times when stress got the best of us, they remained calm and solved any problem during the six months of planning! We feel incredibly lucky to have them on our team and are so glad that they were there to keep the stress off our shoulders.”
Adding to the team were Fourfold Pictures who at every step of the way were there with the couple to capture adorable moments. From stunning portraits to spontaneous candids, the photography team left no stone unturned to capture every detail!
Weddings Functions
Welcome Dinner
Blending elegance and natural beauty, the couple’s Welcome Dinner was a close-knit one with only family and a limited number of friends in attendance. Centred around the theme ‘Twinkling Lights’, the event was hosted on a chilly evening with a breathtaking installation crafted out of fairy lights casting a glow over the guests while a live singer gave the proceedings a dash of romance.
Udta Punjab – The Mehndi Fiesta
One of the first main events of the wedding, the Mehndi, was hosted at the Taj Lakefront where the couple made merry as they mingled with their guests. Brimming with high spirits, vibrant colors and blooming flowers, this function followed the theme ‘Udta Punjab’ and allowed everyone to unwind as they got henna patterned on their palms while enjoying the serene views.
Sangeet
The Sangeet was packed with glamor and exuberant performances at the vast Raj Mahal ballroom, which also happens to be one of the biggest ballrooms in the city. Orchestrated around ‘The Great Gatsby’ theme, the setup was highly inspired by the roaring twenties. Abstract flooring, flashy lights and vintage drapes decorated the venue which transported the guests back in time!
Haldi
Decked up in shades of yellow and hosted under the open sky, the haldi was a playful event where the bride and her besties had a gala time playfully slathering each other with turmeric. Flanked by geometric arches dotted with marigolds and accentuated by brass elements, the decor was simple yet striking.
Wedding
Nikhil’s baraat was high octane as he entered the venue in an open jeep with dhol beats resonating his entrance. Named as ‘Lala Di Baraat’, it featured a special DJ van that was installed with intelligent lighting fixtures, SFX, confetti blast canons and a CO2 Gun. After the couple exchanged varmalas, their Sindhi-style wedding took place under the open sky. With the fresh, cool breeze blowing from the lakeside, the wedding resembled a winter wonderland with its palette of tastefully selected pastel hues and fresh flowers that made the air fragrant. Adding a dash of dreaminess to the mandap was a transparent glass aisle that was also lined by pastel flowers.
After Party
With a nightclub theme in mind, the After Party was aptly named ‘La La Land’. Doing full justice to the theme, the decor instantly put everyone in the mood to party! Packed with neon signs, quirky props, a life-size unicorn installation and an entryway crafted out of heart-shaped neon lights, this event ticked all the right boxes. Furthermore, the bar was lit up with neon rope lights, and in case the guests wanted to take a break from dancing, an adjacent ball pool allowed them to relax and watch the fun unfurl.
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Jehan Numa Palace Hotel, Bhopal (Welcome Dinner); Taj Lakefront, Bhopal (Mehndi, Sangeet, Wedding, After Party)
Wedding Planner and Décor: 9PM Media
Groom’s Outfits: Diya Rajvvir (Mehndi), Raisson D’être by Govinda Mehta (Sangeet), Crestelli (Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: Studio Iris (Mehndi), Zara Umrigar (Sangeet), Mrunalini Rao (Wedding)
Makeup: Gurleen Kaur Pannu
DJ: DJ Ganesh
Emcee: Vishaal Rasquinha
Choreography: Urmila Thakkar
Wedding Invitations: 9PM Media
Bartenders: The Wedding Bartender
Photography: Fourfold Pictures
