Vani and Chirag, Kerala

Vani Gupta and Chirag Gupta’s wedding was steeped in love, traditions and lots of fun. Capturing all the wonderful moments was WeddingSutra Favorite – Ombre by Harsheen Jammu. Bride Vani gives us a glimpse of her charming Kerala.

How They Met
“Chirag and I met through our parents in an arranged marriage setup. At a time when most people are so eager to find their own partners, our relationship was all about old-school romance. A fascinating detail, however, is that his sister was also my friend in college, and I believe this connection added a layer of excitement to our story.”

Wedding Venue
“There is something so pure about Kerala’s natural beauty that we couldn’t think of any better place to start a future together. We chose to marry at The Leela Raviz Kovalam, which is situated on top of a hill and offers panoramic views of the shoreline and the Arabian sea. This property is truly beautiful, and we were thrilled to host our celebrations there.”

Wedding Planning
“A wedding is one of the most precious events in a couple’s life, and the one way to relive those moments are through the photos and videos. That’s why we wanted someone who would do justice to the emotions and joy that our celebrations entailed. The team of Ombre by Harsheen Jammu were our photographers and they had us floored with their clicks! Their work only makes our memories sweeter!”

Wedding Function

Mehendi
“Our wedding festivities began with a mehendi whose decor was heady with deep yellows, pretty pinks and golden accents. Our photobooth was painted in a soothing powder blue and decked with large gold and peach flowers. The setup looked wonderful, but the highlight of the function were the women of our family who sported turbans! I wore a pink Xarii By Aman Takyar outfit, and Chirag went with a dhoti-kurta creation by Shantanu & Nikhil.”

Sufi Night
“Called ‘Ishq Sufiana,’ our Sufi night was an affair that transported our guests to a realm of soulful tunes. The star of the night was Adil Hussaini who had everyone enraptured by this wonderful voice. The setup by the pool was bathed in warm golden lighting that heightened the beauty of function.

I wore a Xarii By Aman Takyar outfit, while Chirag opted for a Sahil Aneja creation.”

Pool Party
“The following morning we hosted a lively pool party where the decor was ruled by shades of red, blue, white and teal green, lending a vibrant magic to the swaying coconut trees Kerala is famous for. The entrance was decorated with an arch covered in leaves and lots of inverted umbrellas made for the roof in some areas. We even had some elements in gold, such as pineapples, repurposed bottles, and even test tubes which we used as flower holders! A section was dedicated to rain dance sessions, and, needless to say, this corner had guests flocking to it. A white Ritu Kumar dress was my outfit of my choice for this event, while Chirag wore a Ted Baker resort ensemble.”

Sadhya
“Considering we were getting married in ‘God’s Own Country,’ we had to have a ‘sadhya,’ which is the traditional Kerala-style feast. This was easily one of the most delicious meals we have ever had, and gave everyone a chance to experience authentic Malayali cuisine. Everyone wore South Indian ensembles – the ladies wore sarees, and the men were dressed in lungis and kurtas.”

Sangeet
“Our rocking sangeet in the evening had everyone dancing. The cake cutting ceremony was followed by performances by our family and friends, and some great music by the BollyJammers. I wore a Shantanu & Nikhil gown for this event, and Chirag looked dapper in his suit from Diwan Saheb.”

Haldi
“Our haldi was an intimate affair, yet it packed in a lot of fun! Chirag and I both wore yellow outfits, and our loved ones had the time of their lives smearing us with turmeric paste.”

Wedding
“The final event, which was our wedding, was held by the sea. We had abundant roses and rajnigandhas which set the stage for our ceremony. The sounds of the waves, the cool breeze, and the excitement of a new beginning, all combined to make this evening truly magical. I had always wanted to wear red on my big day, and so I picked a lovely red lehenga by Anita Dongre, and Chirag wore a sherwani by Shantanu & Nikhil.”

Advice For Couples
“No matter what happens, please make sure that you have a blast at your wedding. Enjoy the pampering, focus on yourself and feel like a king or queen. After all, this celebration is meant for you and these days won’t come again!”

The Wedding Makers
Venue: The Raviz Kovalam, Kerala
Wedding Planners: The Select (Chandigarh) and Knotty Designs
Bride’s Outfits: Xarii By Aman Takyar (Mehendi and Sufi Night), Ritu Kumar (Pool Party), Shantanu & Nikhil (Sangeet), Anita Dongre (Wedding)
Groom’s Outfits: Shantanu & Nikhil (Mehendi and Wedding), Sahil Aneja (Sufi Night), Ted Baker (Pool Party), Diwan Saheb (Sangeet)
Jewellery: Palace Jewellers
Makeup: Meera Sakhrani, Delhi
Wedding Invitations: Manisha Swarnkar

Photography: Ombre by Harsheen Jammu

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