Pavani and Dhruv, Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Pavani and Dhruv love all things regal and their wedding at Taj Falaknuma Palace was all about royal touches, from a memorable 'qawwali' performance to festive floral decor.
Our series Featured Weddings brings you wonderful moments from weddings held at the finest venues across different cities. Read more about Pavani and Dhruv’s regal wedding at Hyderabad’s sprawling Taj Falaknuma Palace which was a perfect blend of traditional and modern highlights.
Wedding Venue
Falaknuma means ‘Mirror of the Sky’ in Arabic. The majestic Falaknuma Palace, now a Taj Group of Hotels property, was designed by an English architect and built in 1894 by Sir Viqar Ul Oomra, who was the Prime Minister of Hyderabad back then. He was also the grandson of the Nizam Asaf Jah III of Hyderabad. In order to make his presence felt in this palace, Sir Viqar’s ‘VO’ monograms were inscribed on the furniture, walls and ceilings of the palace. Having a wedding at such a historical place is as special as it gets.
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
The intimate mehndi ceremony was held inside the palace, and the event had a yellow and pink theme. Guests came dressed in these colors according to the dress code. Pavani got intricate and beautiful mehndi designs on her hands and feet.
Sangeet
For the sangeet, guests were transported from the gates of the hotel to the sangeet venue in horse-drawn carriages. Highlights of this event included the lovely decor, dance performances, speeches with lots of inside jokes aimed at Dhruv – and a mesmerizing ‘qawwali’ (Sufi devotional music) performance. The city lights looked like a glittering carpet and the star-lit sky added a touch of magic to this musical bash. Pavani wore an elegant pink and blue embellished lehenga which she paired with bespoke jewellery, She made a lovely sight as she twirled on the dance floor during her performance. The all-night after party was a hit with guests as DJ Sahej Bakshi of Dualist Inquiry spun Rock-Electronica and EDM tracks.
Wedding
The wedding ceremony was a perfect blend of traditional rituals and a modern ambiance. The magnificent interiors and artistic surroundings of the hotel added that regal edge to the wedding. Pavani’s sisters escorted her to the pheras, and they made a picture-perfect sight as they descended the stairs with the Falaknuma Palace in the background. Dhruv’s father and loved ones made for a rocking ‘baraat’ (groom’s entourage) gang as they danced on top of the Horse Chariot while making their entry. Pavani wore a traditional red ensemble with colorful accents, while Dhruv wore an off-white sherwani set and a regal ‘safa’ (turban). The venue was decorated with floral chandeliers, and garlands of blooms cascaded neatly from the ceiling. The color scheme with yellow, orange and white flowers added an authentic ethnic look to the venue.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Entertainment: DJ Sahej Bakshi
Photography: Ramit Batra
