Divya Munjal and Amit Singh, The Yeatman Hotel, Porto

A multicultural union hosted against the quaint backdrop of Portugal’s hidden gem of a city named Porto, Divya Munjal and Amit Singh’s wedding was a minimalistic yet striking celebration. Embracing local delicacies while paying homage to each other’s heritage, the couple’s close-knit wedding was a stunner.

How They Met
London-based Divya and Amit attended college in Massachusetts a year apart. But, as luck would have it, their paths did not cross until years later when Divya’s sister was introduced to Amit via a mutual friend. And, as time flew by Divya and Amit grew closer.

The Proposal
For the proposal, Amit went all out by proposing to Divya at an amusement park in New York which he had exclusively closed off to the rest of the public. While Divya arrived at the spot awaiting an innocent dinner date with Amit, she was instead greeted by a gleeful Amit who went down on one knew as her favourite song played in the background.

Wedding Planning
Soon after, the couple started planning their wedding which, unfortunately, was delayed due to the pandemic. However, instead of viewing it as a setdown, the couple took it on the chin and plunged enthusiastically into crafting a wedding that would be unique. For them, destination was of utmost importance and their adventurous spirit led their gaze to Porto in Portugal. While Lisbon, Cascais, Sintra and The Algarve have been the go-to spot for many Indian weddings in this region, Porto has survived as a hidden gem, consequently making Divya and Amit’s wedding the first Indian wedding to be hosted here.

Wedding Functions
Breaking The Glass Ceremony and Haldi
The festivities started off with a Jewish ‘Breaking of the Glass’ ceremony owing to the groom’s Jewish heritage. The men wore kippahs with the couple’s logo while Hebrew hymns were chanted. A sought-after Israeli chef was flown in to curate the ‘shabbat dinner’ which was served alongside local delicacies.
Following this, the couple progressed to a sunny haldi event. Held outdoors, the haldi gave the guests a stunning view of the surrounding terracotta-tiled rooftops and the greenery as they slathered the couple with haldi.

Mehndi
As dusk fell, the couple geared up for the mehndi event which was crafted around the ‘Shades of Sunset’ theme. Carnival musicians and samba dancers entertained the guests while the guests reached for second helpings of the scrumptious dinner spread. Later the guests were surprised with a high-energy after party where the guests were ushered via a secret tunnel to a venue that resembled an underground club.

Wedding
With their wedding day being hosted simultaneously with the third anniversary of their civil wedding, Divya and Amit chose to have a ‘message in a bottle’ tradition. The couple had their loved ones insert wishes inside a bottle which the couple would open on their upcoming anniversaries. On the decor front, simplicity was key as the delicate white floral canopy looked right at home against the skyline of the city. Peachy hues were also added to the mix to complement the terracotta hues in the background.
Since the couple had a varied guest list with people from different nationalities flying in to attend their wedding, a comprehensive pamphlet describing all rituals in detail was provided. These pamphlets could also double up as a handheld fan in case the heat got the better of them.

Reception
After the serene wedding ceremony, the couple decided to put glamour on the front seat with a luxurious purple, cream, and pink-hued reception. Bouquets of dahlias and roses adorned the dinner tables while candles and lanterns gave the venue a soft glow. An orchestra played the duo’s favourite tunes and floating dancers gave the performance a magical edge. Later, the couple also shook a leg to Bollywood chartbusters.

The Wedding Makers
Venue: The Yeatman Hotel, Porto, Portugal
Photos: João Almeida
Groom’s Outfits: Etro (Reception), Dolce and Gabanna (Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: Varun Bahl (Mehndi, Wedding), Dolly J (Reception)

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