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Gorgeous
model turned fashion choreographer Anu Ahuja married Melbourne based
online media consultant Andrew Piers in Delhi on January 16th. Says
Anu: "We wanted to have a very simple wedding on a beach-with just
twenty to thirty friends. But we ended up having two wedding
ceremonies, and two post-wedding parties." Anu was busy managing her
fashion projects till a week before the wedding but since she began
planning months in advance, the wedding week was relatively
stress-free. "And thanks to so much help from so many friends,
everything went off as per my ideas and plans", says Anu who will be
moving to Melbourne shortly.
Andrew was born and
brought up in Bangalore and moved to Australia over a decade ago.
Anu's family is based in Gurgaon and she was shuttling between
Gurgaon and Mumbai since she started modeling. Anu and Andrew met at
a friend's party ten years back, they kept in touch occasionally
over email, until they met again, three years ago, when their
relationship blossomed.
Wedding Shopping was least stressful
"Being a former fashion model one would think I'd spend loads of
time deciding on my wedding clothes. But that was the least of all
my worries. I spent just a few hours on deciding what to wear for
which function. JJ Valaya created a tomato red lehenga from my
grandmother's saree. For the Delhi reception, I bought an
embroidered saree-it was an impulse purchase while I was window
shopping. The gown for the Christian wedding was designed by my
friend Lascelles Symons, which I teamed with simple accessories-- a
pearl bracelet and watch and white gold and pearl earrings."
The Functions
The lavish Indian wedding that happened at the Tavern on the Greens,
Delhi saw the who's who of the fashion fraternity coming by to join
in the celebration. The decor, which was overseen by the bride
herself, was kept ethnic for the day wedding with vibrant colors
like oranges and reds while the reception in the evening saw a sit
down dinner setting.
Flower arrangements
that were about seven feet tall and broad candles added a romantic
touch to the decor. Guests were treated to a lavish multi-cuisine
spread and the lively DJ ensured that the floor was busy till late
in the night.
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The Wedding
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After the
Ceremony |
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With friend and television personality Vikram Chandra and his family
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The couple
and Andrew's parents |
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Model Farheen Khan, JJ Valaya, Simmar Duggal and Anu's other dear friends.
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Anu and Andrew at the Reception
Anu wore a beautiful pink saree from Delhi teamed with a blouse designed by Gavin Maguel |
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The décor at the reception venue
(Tavern on the Greens, Mehrauli Road, Delhi) |
The celebrations
continued with a Christian wedding in Goa, a party on the
beach and then a special sunset cruise do for a few close friends.
Friends all the way
"I got so much help from all my friends. Nikhil Chinappa helped with
the music arrangements and DJing for the sangeet and Goa reception.
Ambika Pillai did my makeup and hair for the wedding and reception
in Delhi. Farheen Khan and Madhu Sapre did my makeup and hair for
the Goa functions. Since I couldn't arrange for a photographer in
Goa, good friend Shantanu Shourie who had come with wife Kimi Katkar
to attend the wedding, clicked some wonderful photographs of the Goa
celebrations."
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Andrew looks dapper in a Hugo Boss suit
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Anu and her brother at the church |
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Just
married! |
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Anu with her bridesmaids |
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The
just-wed couple leave for Calamari Party Shack after the
Church Wedding |
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The beach side post wedding party at Calamari Party Shack, Goa
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Model
friends-from left to right, Farheen Khan, Anu, Madhu
Sapre, Sheetal Mallar and Simmar Duggal |
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First
Dance |
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At the party on the deck |
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Groom's
best buddy Nikhil Chinappa is having a great time |
Pleasant surprises, Unpleasant situations,
and Humorous moments
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"The florist in
Goa who I briefed on the phone, did some wonderful arrangements-
from my bouquet to the decorations at the Church- it was such a
nice surprise to see someone implement the brief so perfectly,
even though I never met her personally."
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"The vendor who
was to arrange for the sofas for the Delhi reception didn't
deliver them-so while getting my make-up done I had to arrange
for alternate seating arrangements."
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"For the hen
and bachelor party, the girls and the guys ended up landing at
the same venue. Andrew's big burly friend said he had a special
gift for the wedding couple, and then did the full monty!! And
everyone laughed, laughed and laughed."
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