Akansha and Ankit, Jaipur

Childhood sweethearts Akansha and Ankit’s love story had its roots in a friendship that was forged in school. Growing closer with time, the duo finally decided to take the plunge with a grand wedding. Photographed by WeddingSutra Favorite – Infinite Memories, each tender moment was captured in stunning frames. Here, bride Akansha shares some highlights of the opulent celebrations.

How They Met
“Ankit and I first met in school where we became good friends, but before we could fall in love, I had to move away to a boarding school. Nevertheless, we stayed in touch via email and phone calls. Also, we made sure to catch up whenever I was home for vacations. And, before we knew it, we head over heels in love! Over the years, we’ve had our shares of ups and downs, but we’ve never given up on love.”

Wedding Venues
Explaining why she chose Jaipur as her wedding venue, the bride shares, “Having always dreamed of a royal Indian wedding in a place like Rajasthan which is rich in culture and heritage architecture, we chose the Le Méridien Jaipur Resort & Spa as it was perfect to host all our guests. However, for the wedding, we chose The Gulmohar, which is a grand venue that is rich in heritage and features a grand entrance which, when illuminated, gives on the impression that the earth is meeting the sky. Also, the venue reflected our opulent and traditional Indian wedding theme perfectly.”

Wedding Planning
Acknowledging the mammoth task of planning a destination wedding with a long guest list, the couple relied on a team of vendors whom they could trust completely. On the photography front, the couple booked Infinite Memories whose stunning pictures captured a plethora of candid moments. The wedding planning team of Elite India Events made sure everything went off flawlessly. The Exotic Invites designed beautiful invitations, and choreographers from the Addiction Dance Academy trained everyone with passion and talent. Adding a dash of entertainment to the festivities were famous singers Bhavya Chhabra, Nupur Pant, and Saurav Kalsi, who along with anchor Ruchi kept everyone in high spirits.

Weddings Functions
Welcome Dinner
“Our major functions started in Jaipur with a welcome dinner which followed a ‘Welcome to Rajasthan’ theme and was hosted on one of Le Meridien’s sprawling lawns. Artist Sahid Khan entertained the guests and everyone enjoyed the night to the fullest as they mingled freely. On the decor front, we kept it light and simple with fairy lights, rustic Rajasthani beds, and wooden/coir stools. And, to give everyone an authentic feel of the state, we served a traditional Rajasthani dinner. Ankit and I made an entry to this event accompanied by the beats of the dhol.”

Cocktail
“For the cocktail, we chose the ‘Let’s Take You to Tomorrowland’ theme, and the decor emanated vibes of a music festival. With LED walls covering the banquet halls to give it a club-like feel, Russian dancers showing off their best moves, and a bubble machine that announced our entry, the entire event was an absolute hit. Making sure that the guests were comfortable as they danced the night away, we even included a slipper counter from which they could borrow flip flops. I’m happy to say that everyone partied till the last beat!”

Mayra and Mehndi
“Following the boisterous cocktail night, we clubbed the mayra and mehndi together in an ‘English Carnival’ themed function. Adorned in pastel hues and delicate blooms, the venue also saw butterfly hangings as a decor element. Candy floss, popcorns, cone pizzas, and a candy bar led everyone to indulge themselves as they got henna patterned on their hands. Also, fun games like giant Jenga and Snakes & Ladders made sure that the kids were well entertained, alongside spa stations, a caricature artist and a magician. The dhol players got everyone dancing and my cousins even organized a surprise flash mob for us!

I made my entry under a floral umbrella carried by my brothers who wore coordinating outfits and they were followed by my friends who also donned similar floral sarees. Ankit’s entry, however, was heralded by color bombs and wild beats of the dhol. Lastly, for the mayra function, we had unique tequila shots and enjoyed a performance by traditional mayra singer Bhavya Chabra, and anchor Ruchita’s wit.”

Sangeet
“Hosted on the sprawling main lawn, the sangeet was a glitzy affair decorated with chandeliers and crystal hangings following a black and silver color palette. A huge LED screen acted as the backdrop for the stage where everyone let their hair down and danced to their heart’s content. Making our entry special were dancers who were dressed in LED costumes and flanked us as we were cheered on by our family. A live music performance by famous singers Nupur Pant and Saurav Kalsi ensued which kept everyone in high spirits for the after-party later.”

Haldi
“Keeping in mind the ‘Fusion Haldi’ theme, we chose colorful tassels, Jaipuri printed fabric tents along with vibrant yellow marigolds for the decor. For our entry, we chose a yellow rickshaw in full desi style and had flowers showered upon us. As the function commenced, both of us were made to sit on two different wooden stools where we were playfully smeared with turmeric paste by our loved ones.”

Wedding
“For my big day, I unleashed the perfectionist inside me and made every effort to ensure that the beauty of the magnificent venue shone through. The entire venue was lit up with vintage candle holders and swathed in exquisite rich shades of red. Ankit made his entry in a baarat procession just like a prince, with horse carriages, an elephant and escorted by lawazma men who carried mashals (flame torches) up the staircase to the spot where the garlanding would take place. For my own entry, I chose a magnificent chariot and was escorted by shamdan (lantern) girls who flanked me as I made my way to the venue. As we exchanged garlands, the sky was set ablaze with cold pyros and spectacular fireworks. Famed musicians Dunes of Rajashthan also lent their enthralling tunes to the ceremony. We finally tied the knot under a mandap decorated with lush foliage and pristine white blooms just like I’d always dreamt about”

Advice For Couples
“Be completely involved in the planning and work out all the details thoroughly with your planner to avoid any last-minute confusion. Make sure to meet all your vendors beforehand, choose a convenient venue, and do meticulous research online before choosing a theme. Also, accept and compromise as things might not always turn out the way you imagined. Lastly and most importantly, enjoy yourself to the fullest!”

The Wedding Makers

Venues: Le Méridien Jaipur Resort & Spa; The Gulmohar, Jaipur (Wedding)
Wedding Planner: Elite India Events
Bride’s Outfits: The Folklore (Welcome Dinner), Gaurav Gupta (Cocktail), Maayera Boutique (Bridal Mehndi), Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhlika (Mayra and Mehndi), Suneet Verma (Sangeet), Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Wedding)
Jewellery: Kanyadhan by Dhiraj Ayushi (Mehndi, Wedding), Rambhajo Jewellers (Wedding)
Makeup: Shahid Naar
Hair: Arif Salmani
Mehndi: Lata Mehendi Arts
Entertainment: Shahid Khan (Welcome Dinner), Nupur Pant (Sangeet), Saurav Kalsi (Sangeet), Bhavya Chhabra (Mayra and Mehndi)
Emcee: Ruchita (Mehndi)
Choreography: Addiction Dance Academy
Wedding Stationery & Invitations: The Exotic Invites
Photography: Infinite Memories

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