Nikita and Jayesh, Samode Palace, Jaipur

From a rom-com style courtship to a grand royal wedding in India, Nikita and Jayesh’s love is sure to make you believe in fairytales! Captured in breathtaking frames by WeddingSutra Favorite – Jayesh Photography, their wedding festivities weave a tapestry of colors, beautiful family moments, and heartfelt emotions. Watch them come alive!

How they met
Nikita and Jayesh’s story has all the feels of a Modern Disney love aided by “the algorithm”. Jay had spent most of his life moving around the world for his education and work from the Caribbean to Canada and finally the UK. Nikita on the other hand was a bubbly British Asian girl living in the big city of London preoccupied with work and socializing with friends, dreaming of a Bollywood romance. Having crossed paths just after the lockdown eased, for their first date they made the most of their newfound freedom and spent their time walking around the parks of London, going to food markets and grabbing cocktails to go. Perhaps it was the aftereffects of lockdown and lack of social interaction, but they just could not stop talking, and there was no looking back after that. The date had to come to an end as it was getting cold and Nikita was starting to get hangry.

The proposal
Nikita and Jay share a love of adventures and scavenger hunts. Jay would often set up regular scavenger hunts in her flat whilst she was away for her to enjoy on return. So for his proposal, Jay set up a treasure hunt for Nikita in which he had her going around to various coordinates that corresponded to different London parks, where her friends stood ready to greet her. The final park location had a picnic awaiting her with her favorite bakery treats and a bottle of bubbly, along with the big question! The next year was then spent planning our fusion Punjabi/Sindhi wedding!

Wedding Planning
The couple was clear from the beginning that they wanted to get married in a heritage Rajasthani palace property big enough to house all their guests while being cozy enough to feel like a “haveli”. They wanted someplace authentic where the natural beauty of the setting would shine through and be the focus rather than elaborate decoration. Samode Palace was love-at-first-sight for Nikita! It was the perfect venue, with just enough rooms for their friends and family, as well as distinct areas for all their functions. As a bonus, they also had access to its sister hotel of Samode Bagh, where they hosted the mehndi function.

Understanding the requirements, their wedding planner introduced them to Jayesh Photography, whose work they loved for their great mix of candid and posed pictures, as well as the energy of their videos. Talking about the experience they share, “We enjoyed working with Jayesh and his team throughout the wedding celebrations. They understood our vision for the pictures and we are so happy with how regal they turned out. They made us feel comfortable and ensured that we got pictures in different areas for each event, which captured the beauty of the venue.”

DJ Jay Weather helped create a magical Sangeet night for the couple, while makeup artist Aakriti and hairstylist Rohit gave Nikita flawless looks for all the functions.

Wedding Functions
Cocktail
Kicking off the festivities with a cocktail evening at the stunning Sheesh Mahal, the couple made their entrance from the balcony as they gazed upon all their loved ones who traveled from far and wide to be with them. Their beloved brothers set the tone with an opening speech, while their friends took the stage to host the Sangeet. With a captivating narration, they beautifully weaved together performances that depicted the couple’s love story. Each act showcased the talents of their friends and family, culminating in a dance by the happy couple, all of which was beautifully choreographed by the bride’s talented sister-in-law. The festivities continued well into the morning, as they danced and reveled in the joy of the night.

Mehndi
The following morning everyone made their way to the sister hotel of Samode Bagh for a vibrant Mehndi Mela. A kaleidoscope of colors adorned the venue with playful pink, orange, and yellow decor. As the guests indulged in delightful street food like chaat, vada pav, and fresh jalebi, they also had the chance to interact with local vendors. Traditional Lac bangles were crafted right before their eyes, adding to the rich cultural experience. The day’s highlight was the pani puri competition, where their friends and family engaged in friendly rivalry. Jayesh’s dad emerged victorious in the men’s round, while bride Nikita clinched the victory in the mixed round, although Jayesh humorously claims he let her win.

Haldi
The festivities shifted to the poolside for the haldi ceremony, where all their loved ones covered the couple with haldi and showered them with petals. Nikita playfully jingled her kaleerein over her unmarried friends, as the tradition says that the person on whom they will break will be the next to get married! Meanwhile, Jayesh retreated to his suite with his friends and family for the traditional Vanva ceremony, where he was massaged with oil before everyone gleefully tore off his clothes!

Wedding
The traditional wedding ceremony took place the same evening. Following the lively baraat, Nikita made her grand entrance with her brothers, meeting Jayesh at the top of the palace stairs. There, they exchanged garlands and were serenaded with a shower of petals as their loved ones applauded. They then proceeded to the beautiful mandap, adorned with fresh pink and white flowers in the palace courtyard. Emotions ran high as they embarked on their sacred union. To conclude the joyous occasion, a grand wedding dinner unfolded in the regal Darbar hall, featuring a delicious traditional Rajasthani thali.

White Wedding
In celebration of their lives in London, the couple hosted a graceful white wedding the next day which was held on the rooftop, adorned with elegant floral arrangements in European style. The sounds of Jude’s violin filled the air, signaling the arrival of Nikita’s bridal party. First came the adorable groom’s boys carrying signs with cute messages, followed by Nikita’s radiant bridesmaids. Finally, escorted by her father, Nikita herself walked down the aisle. A close friend officiated the ceremony, which beautifully blended readings from their dearest friends, heartfelt tributes to their parents, and deeply personal vows. Adding a quirky touch, they included a time capsule, where they sealed letters to be opened in five years. Guests were also invited to contribute their own short messages for the couple. As they sealed their commitment with a shot at the altar, everyone enjoyed some Italian cuisine, with live pizza and pasta stations.

Reception
The grand finale orchestrated was nothing short of pure magic! Against the backdrop of the majestic Palace, the lawns set the stage for a final reception event. Under a forest-themed decor, long tables adorned with white flowers, lush green foliage, and flickering candlelight created a stunning atmosphere. Nikita and Jayesh walked down the palace steps, as fireworks illuminated the night sky. The cake-cutting ceremony was followed by heartfelt speeches delivered by Nikita’s father, the best men, and the groom himself. The evening also included a touching father-daughter dance and the couple’s first dance as husband and wife. The night continued with live singing by Jude and his team, and DJ Jay Weather ensured the celebration continued into the early morning hours.

Advice for couples
“Figure out what’s truly important to you both and focus on the big picture – the fact that you are marrying the love of your life! In the run-up to the big celebrations, make sure you carve out some time for date nights where you forget the wedding planning and just focus on each other. Most importantly, make sure you hand over everything to the planners and key family members before the wedding so you are stress-free!”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: Samode Palace, Rajasthan
Wedding Planner: Ankit Bhargava Regal Weddings
Groom’s Outfits: Manyavar (Wedding), Study by Janak (Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: Seema Gujral (Sangeet), House of Masaba (Mehndi), Payal Keyal (Wedding), Justin Alexander (White Wedding)
Jewelry: Vaidaan (Mehndi), Raabta by Rahul (Wedding)
Makeup: Aakriti
Hair: Rohit
DJ: DJ Jay Weather
Choreography: Kahaani Productions
Photography and Videography: Jayesh Photography

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