Vidhi Thakkar and Rohan Singh, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
Spectacular yet elegant, this couple’s fusion wedding by the shores of Mumbai was a fitting homage to their decade-long love.
Despite the altered plans and last-minute changes, Vidhi Thakkar, a design researcher and strategist, and Rohan Singh’s fusion wedding in January was a dreamy one. Held at one of the most prestigious and iconic hotels in Mumbai, The Taj Mahal Palace, this wedding was an ode to the couple’s relentless love which has lasted a decade. Photographed through the lens of WeddingSutra Favorite – Epic Stories who didn’t let a blissful moment slip by, the union was all things joyous!
How They Met
Vidhi shares, “Rohan and I met ten years ago in 2011 through a mutual friend. We started out as friends initially, and then around mid-2012, we realized a strong attraction towards each other amidst some light flirting. We have literally grown up together as we started dating when we were pretty young. Over the years we have stood by each other in our best and worst and through all highs and lows. It has been a long arduous journey considering our different backgrounds and cultures and of course, long-distance dating too. Regardless, we both knew that we wanted to be with each other for the rest of our lives.”
The Proposal
Recollecting the surprise proposal that Rohan had orchestrated for her, Vidhi Shares, “Rohan and I were in our second long-distance phase since I was back in Bombay after my three-year stint in the USA, while Rohan was in Delhi! During one of our wedding recce trips, Rohan organized the most magical and surprising proposal. It was absolutely out of the blue, and it left me speechless.”
Wedding Venue
To ensure the safety of their loved ones, the couple had to quickly change their plans, which meant choosing a new wedding venue! Luckily, the couple selected The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, an iconic hotel that is renowned for its standout architecture, sea-facing lawns, airy ballrooms and luxurious interiors. Vidhi shares, “We had originally decided on a destination wedding venue, but the new COVID-19 variant threw our well-laid plans into disarray! However, we persevered and adapted which led us to seek a new venue in Mumbai, and The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai was just perfect for us! Although we had originally envisioned something different, what we got was way better! The staff helped us out at every step of the way and the hotel has a variety of in-house venues too which left us spoilt for choice. To summarize, the wedding celebrations were fun, intimate and magical, and we couldn’t have possibly wanted it any other way.”
Wedding Planning
For many couples, the ongoing pandemic has forced them to make last-minute changes to their wedding plans. Vidhi and Rohan experienced the same chaos as they quickly orchestrated a wedding in Mumbai. The couple shares, “By early January, nearly 50% of our guests had cancelled or expressed concern as the new COVID-19 variant had spread further. At this point, we had three choices – 1. take a risk and proceed as planned, 2. postpone the wedding to a future date, or 3. Go for a smaller scale wedding in Mumbai with immediate families and few friends. We finally went with the third option as Rohan and I were done with a long-distance relationship and didn’t want to wait any longer. Hence within two weeks, we had to plan and execute the wedding functions in Mumbai. With rising Omicron cases and constant related restrictions with changes, we were scrambling to plan our functions until the very last minute. We are so thankful to our parents, our siblings and vendor partners who have gone above and beyond for us.”
On the photography front, Epic Stories took the lead as they went about capturing heartfelt moments of this fusion Gujarati and Sikh wedding. Vidhi shares, “At the start of our wedding planning, I was sure that the photographer had to be Epic Stories. It has been the most seamless experience ever. They were very cooperative and easy to work with. They went out of their way to be with us during all functions no matter how big or small. Epic Stories made us feel so comfortable that our interviews, pictures and everything else ended up looking so natural. The team made us look like a million bucks while being super warm with every one of us. Eventually, they became our friends which added to the entire enriching experience.”
Weddings Functions
Chunni
The bride’s Chunni ceremony, a Sikh custom where laying the dupatta on the bride’s head signifies her acceptance into the groom’s family, was a home-based one filled with heartwarming moments. Hosted at Rohan’s home, the quiet ceremony was accentuated with bright florals that looked vivid in the sunlight.
Mehndi
After a comfy home-based mehndi session where Vidhi and her closest friends got their palms patterned with henna, the couple proceeded to celebrate at an external venue. Decorated by marigold garlands and equipped with a lush lawn, the Mehndi ceremony spurred everyone to put their dancing shoes on and raise their henna-stained palms in the air!
Ganesh Sthapna and Bridal Haldi
The Ganesh Sthapna, a Gujarati custom where the god of new beginnings – Ganesha is welcomed into the home before the wedding, was an auspicious occasion where everyone prayed for the happiness of the to-be-weds. Additionally, this event was also followed by a playful Haldi session where the bride was slathered with turmeric by her loved ones to ramp up her wedding glow!
Groom’s Haldi
Hosted on the rooftop of Rohan’s residence, the Haldi was a minimalistic event with friends and family merrily mingling with each other. With Mumbai’s pale blue sky serving as the backdrop, this colorful session witnessed laughter, joy, and lots of pre-wedding shenanigans!
Anand Karaj
Commencing with a lively baraat where everyone was at their grooviest best, the couple’s Anand Karaj was a serene one. Minimalistically decorated with bright florals lining the aisle, the event exuded a sense of serenity as the bride’s family welcomed Rohan’s family while the couple exchanged shy glances during the rituals.
Wedding
Staying true to their love for bright hues, Vidhi and Rohan’s Gujarati wedding was grand yet graceful. Using flowers and foliage abundantly, the wedding mandap was the center of attention. After making a stylish entry on her way to the mandap, Vidhi exchanged varmalas with Rohan who was all smiles. Held in one of the many ballrooms in The Taj Mahal Palace, the wedding followed safety norms while making sure fun was at an all-time high. Rohan then proceeded to his home with his new bride where Vidhi was welcomed amidst pomp and revelry.
Advice For Couples
The couple shares, “Focus on enjoying the entire process. Wedding planning is not easy, especially when both the bride and groom are particular about their choices. The truth is you will have tons of friction with your partner and our only advice is to be patient, learn to listen while all the same, not be scared to voice your opinion. It all works out in the end!”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai (Ganesh Sthapna and Bride’s Haldi, Wedding)
Wedding Planner and Décor: WDNE
Florist: The Finale – An Event Co.
Wedding Logistics and Management: Dark Horse Events
Groom’s Outfits: Arjan Dugal Studio (Chunni, Mehendi, Cocktail, Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: NS Designs (Chunni), A & R by Rhea Kapoor (Ganesh Sthapna), Anju Kapur (Mehndi), Antithesis (Cocktail), Ohaila Khan (Wedding)
Floral Jewelry: Floral Art
Makeup: Vishita Soni (Chunni, Mehendi, Ganesh Sthapna), Priya Todarwal (Wedding)
DJ: DJ Shiva
Choreography: House of Dance
Photography: Epic Stories
