Eshanka and Harit, The Park Hyatt, Dubai
She owns an events company so her own wedding had to raise the bar. See how Eshanka and Harit's dazzling Dubai wedding at The Park Hyatt included a "no tears" vidaai on a yacht!
About Us
Harit and I first met through our families on November 14, 2014, at The Leela Hotel in Chanakyapuri in New Delhi. We both came with the intention of having a quick 20-minute coffee, but ended up on a 7-hour long first “blind date.” It was an extremely fun evening and we both opened up to each other easily, and were truly ourselves. After that, there wasn’t any looking back for both of us. We both just knew that we were definitely getting married to each other one day! I run my own company by the name of EWE (Eshanka Wahi Entertainment). Under the EWE umbrella we provide end-to-end event management, brand management and creative marketing services. Harit works alongside his father. Together, they run an infrastructure company that focuses on telecommunication, banking and healthcare companies.
Wedding Proposal
Harit proposed to me on my birthday last year on November 23. He came to my office with a big bunch of flowers and a commitment band. He didn’t really ask me, but told me ‘We are doing this’!
Wedding Venue
We got married in at Park Hyatt Dubai which is my favorite hotel. We both wanted a ‘destination wedding’ so opted for Dubai as I am extremely familiar with the city as I travel there a lot for work. We had earlier considered Bali, Goa, Abu Dhabi and even Istanbul for our wedding and had travelled to all these places with our families. However, Dubai felt perfect and I am glad we stuck to it.
Wedding Planning
Everything from the décor mood, inspiration boards, detailing and designing were done by me, and my team at EWE who executed it all. Harit and I, alongside my team, planned the entire wedding, so that all the details were extremely close to our hearts. Right from designing the #HarryEshk Logo to the collaterals, decor, gifting, to even what goes into the welcome hamper – Harit and I planned it all together.
Wedding Functions and looks
Roka
I wore a navy blue lehenga by Manish Malhotra. The diamond and polki earrings I wore were designed by my mom, and the polki necklace was gifted to me by Harit’s family.
Mehndi
My mehndi had a special Moroccan theme with the dress code being “Bright and Chic”. I wore a high-waisted, straight hot pink skirt, a mirror-work scallop crop choli, and a cape – all designed by Arpita Mehta. I wore polki and emerald ‘chaand balis’ and a bracelet designed by my mom Richa Wahi, as well as a tiara from the Jewellery by Astha Jagwani label. Sky high silver Jimmy Choos completed my entire look for this outdoor daytime event.
The decor at this Morocco-themed event included lots of drapes and floor cushions in yellow, purple and pink hues. Moroccan lamps were strung on wires for that authentic feel.
Engagement and Sangeet
We had a “Disco Ball Theme” for my engagement and sangeet functions with a dress code “Punjab and Sindh – Get Your Bling On!” I wore a grey and rose gold lehenga and crop choli by Manish Malhotra. The diamond flower jewellery was inspired by the Chanel flower Camellia earrings. The necklace and bracelet were designed by my mom.
Wedding
For the wedding, we wanted a beautiful setting and went with the “Enchanted Vintage Garden theme” with a traditional dress code for that Indo-Western fusion feel. I wore a blush pink and gold Sabyasachi lehenga with just one dupatta on my head. I wanted an unconventional look for my wedding and therefore, left my hair open. The jewellery was designed by me completely and was crafted by Umrao Jewelers from Jaipur. I wore a heavy polki necklace with basra pearls and emeralds, jhumki earrings, a ‘maatha pati’ and a ‘nath’. The ‘hathphool’ was by Jewellery by Astha Jagwani.
The beautiful mandap was decorated with pink, white and yellow drapes and flowers, and overlooked the calm Deira Creek. The water view and Dubai’s lovely winter weather made this a perfect outdoor event which saw the couple seated on elegant pink chairs. A massive “HarEshk” logo was set up on the lawn and the pheras took place in the evening. Floral arches bright with white blooms made for a pretty picture as guests made their way to the wedding.
Reception
Our reception had a vintage 1920s vibe with a “Gatsby Party” theme and a formal black tie and gown dress code. I wore an elaborate red Manish Malhotra backless gown with shoulder fringes. My jewellery comprised diamond necklace, earrings and bracelet, and stiletto heels by Alexander McQueen.
The hall hosting the reception also had #Hareshk logos lit up on the wall near the stage, and the red accents alongside unusual table centerpieces gave the whole atmosphere a very sleek and glamorous vibe. Harit looked elegant in his black tuxedo and crisp white shirt.
Wedding Highlights
Well, there were many! But right before the engagement/sangeet, the photography team came to my room for a quick interview and I started to speak about my parents and couldn’t stop crying. I was most nervous before this function and all emotions collided and brought out a lot of tears. Also, during my wedding, my sister Priyanka was six months pregnant with my nephew. I loved her participation in all the dances. I felt like future nephew was a big part of the wedding too.
My epic ‘vidaai’ – which is every girl’s dream – was planned by Harit and his sister. They planned to do it on a yacht! It was absolutely perfect as I went with my brothers Karan and Sanchit Wahi, best friend Shraddha Kapoor, Harit and my sister-in- law Ritika on a beautifully decorated “Just Married” yacht right after the pheras. It was a 100 per cent “No Tears” Vidai as we were laughing throughout. After that, my brother, Karan picked me up and gave me away to my husband Harit who carried me out of the yacht! I felt very emotional and close to Harit at that point and truly felt like he is my family!
Wedding Vendors
The Park Hyatt Dubai is one of my favorite hotels in Dubai. It overlooks the Yacht Club and the Golf Course. The view of all the yachts docked and the sight of the Burj Khalifa in the distance was a perfect view for us. The Imprint Studio which shot our wedding album and film comprises a group of super talented professionals who love their job and are extremely passionate about it. They showcased a same-day edit film at the reception, which left everyone in tears, and then released a lip sync music video on the hit song “Kala Chashma” just two weeks after the wedding.
Recommendations/ advice for other to-be- wed couples
Plan your wedding flawlessly and impeccably covering all details. Enjoy pretty much every minute of everything. People usually tell you to rest up for the next morning, but I disagree. I powered through on Red Bull and face packs for three nights straight, sleeping just a total of an hour or two per night and I don’t regret it at all! You have all your life to rest, but these days never come back. A happy bride makes the happiest wedding! Truly absorb everything and allow yourself to feel the happiest and luckiest on those days. Be in complete gratitude and party as hard as you can!
The Wedding Makers
Location: Park Hyatt Dubai
Bridal Trousseau: Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Arpita Mehta
Jewellery & Accessories: Jewellery by Astha Jagwani, Umrao Jewellers, Jaipur
Shoes- Jimmy Choo, Alexander McQueen
Wedding Planner: EWE (Eshanka Wahi Entertainment)
Makeup and Hair: Natasha Moor
Decor: EWE (Eshanka Wahi Entertainment)
Invitations, Stationery Design, Entertainment Design Company: EWE (Eshanka Wahi Entertainment)
Special Entertainment: Sukhbir Singer (Reception)
Photography and Cinematography- Imprint Studio, Dubai
