Avantika and Devvrat, Dubai

The Bedouin performers, a falcon and camel, talented sand artists, DJs… Avantika and Devvrat’s wedding celebrations planned by the Wedniksha team was a mix of European sophistication and earthy Arabic influences.With various functions hosted in top-notch venues Palazzo Versace Dubai, Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, the three-day long extravaganza was planned to perfection. While Stories by Joseph Radhik shares with us all the pictures from the wedding, Avantika shares how she met Devvrat and her experience of working with WeddingSutra Favorite Wedniksha.

How We Met
“Devvrat and I met through common friends in 2014 and often hung out with each other since we were a part of the same friend circle. Over time, we developed feelings for each other. Both of us knew that we were a good match for one another but never really expressed it until one night when he randomly popped the question, and we decided to get married!”

Wedding Venues
Avantika and Devvrat hosted their wedding and most of the other functions at Palazzo Versace Dubai. Their sangeet took place at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, and Lakeview at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club was the venue for their Welcome Dinner. For any couple seeking a wedding steeped in timeless luxury, Palazzo Versace Dubai provides all of that and more. The property houses impeccable venues that feature a mix of Versace’s Italian heritage with local Arabian culture. With a striking entrance, high ceilings, and landscaped gardens, the hotel is symbolic of the Versace lifestyle and is proving to be a dream wedding destination.

Wedding Planning
“We had hired Wedniksha as our wedding planners, and we couldn’t have made a better decision thanks to Farid and Bhavnesh who took care of all the details. Be it a breakfast at 7 am in the morning or after-party that went on till 4 am, they never left our side. I was asked to sit back and not get involved in the planning as it can get stressful. However, I was present for all meetings with my event team since they were full of excitement and humor and I never saw the Wedniksha team worked up.”

Wedding Functions

Welcome Dinner
Avantika and Devvrat’s Welcome Dinner saw the venue bathed in green and amber with pink and white accents. Fairy lights and candles in pretty holders added an ethereal glow to the environs. Guests were brought to the venue in luxury yachts and were treated to a Coke Studio performance by Clinton Cerejo, Jonita Gandhi, Bianca Gomes and Ash King. The waiters also did an act, and guests enjoyed the tricks of an illusionist. DJ Shadow kept the party rocking with his music.”

Pool Party
The following morning the couple hosted a pool party. The wedding planners designed a peppy and upbeat look for this outdoor event. White and orange colors, wooden elements and charming features such as candy canes, swing bars, a food cart and floral arrangements made the surrounding look picture-perfect. There were swan floats that ferried drinks to guests inside the pool so that they would not have to step outside to quench their thirst. Mist fans and hats everyone cool as they had fun competing in games such as Snook Ball, Mega Jenga, Giant Twister and Beer Pong. For relaxation, guests could avail of massage services by masseurs hired for the event. DJ Teri Miko and DJ Shadow spun tracks to keep energy levels high.

Sangeet
For Avantika and Devvrat’s sangeet at the sprawling Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, the ‘Arabian Night’ theme was brought alive by the Wedniksha team. A handpan musician, sand bottle artists, a calligraphy expert were part of the tableau where they showcased their art. A falcon and a camel caught everyone’s attention. The bar featured a tree from which dozens of Moroccan lamps were hung. Arabic tents also dotted the venue. The special performance included traditional Bedouin performers where the host narrated a tale of love as Arabic acts and family performances interspersed with the narrative. From belly dancers, tanoura dancers, fire and pixel poi artist alongside dancers dressed as desert animals, the entertainment was a highlight of this function. Guests were given flat footwear as giveaways so that they could dance easily as the DJs took over and made the party rock like a concert.

Tel Baan
The decor for the ‘tel baan’ (a pre-wedding ritual in Marwari community) included a pink and blue color scheme. Beautiful flowers in ornate vases served as centerpieces. Charming gazebos had also been set up for the bride and groom separately.

Pheras
The pheras were hosted at the Palazzo Versace Dubai, a venue reminiscent of a 16th century Italian Palace. The hotel is a Neoclassical masterpiece with subtle traces of Arabian architecture, beautifully landscaped gardens and unobstructed views of the Dubai Creek and skyline. The decor for the pheras was evocative of a regal wedding. Vibrant red and golden elements made for a luxurious color palette. Large red lotuses created using fabric were placed on the lawn, and golden bells were suspended from the dome of the mandap whose pillars were covered in red roses. The guests we handed cones filled with rose petals during the ‘jaimala’ (garland ceremony) and bells during the time of the pheras. Monks from Leh and Ladakh were invited to chant Buddhist verses at this auspicious ceremony.

Reception
The couple’s reception was inspired by new-age technology and the same set the theme for the night. An LED canopy showcased the night’s entertainment, and decor elements included European floral chandeliers, mirror wings and a projection on the hotel facade. The highlight of the night was a performance by two of the most recognized names in the music industry, Vishal, and Shekhar.

The Wedding Makers
Venues: Lakeview Restuarant, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club (Welcome Dinner), Al-Maha Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa (Sangeet), Palazzo Versace Dubai (Pool Party, Tel Baan, Wedding, and Reception)
Wedding Planner: Wedniksha
Invitation:Puneet Gupta Invitations
Photography: Stories by Joseph Radhik

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