Ashita and Rahul at Radhika Farms, Chattarpur, Delhi
Polar opposites, Ashita and Rahul let destiny take charge and said their ‘I do’s in a grand celebration in Delhi.
Our series, ‘Featured Weddings’ brings you wonderful moments from weddings held at the finest venues across different cities. Here, we feature the festivities of Delhi-based couple Ashita and Rahul. Rahul works in exports and Ashita, formerly a designer at PC Jewellers, now works with her husband. Here, she shares their ‘How we met’ story and tells us about their hometown wedding.
“We met through the arranged marriage process and though we realized we are very different individuals, I guess we were just destined to be. Our courtship wasn’t rosy but marriage changed that: with every passing day, I realize this happened because no one could have loved Rahul the way I do and no one could have supported and uplifted me the way he does.
Wedding Venue
We got married at Radhika Farms, Chattarpur. I’ve always wanted a destination wedding but our courtship was really too brief. Also, there were relatives who were upset at not being invited to my brother’s destination wedding in Malaysia and my dad didn’t want to disappoint them again. I don’t like 5-star venues, though Rahul was in favour of those.
Some decisions in life are solely your privilege to take and I think farmhouse weddings have several advantages. A large, open space feels grander and brighter and can be decorated in any way you want, traditional or contemporary. You end up saving money too. Once the lights and décor are put together, the venue turns into a lively, beautiful space.
Wedding Functions
We celebrated our union across five ceremonies and parties.
Our first event was Sai Sandhya, held in a Sai Mandir. It was a very traditional function with prayers in the presence of a Sai Baba murti on a jhoola surrounded by bells and gende ke phool.
We then had a party at the Olive for the younger crowd. We had a ‘Friends’ (sitcom) theme. There was karaoke and later, a great performance by a Delhi-based Sufi Rock Band called Nasha.
Our engagement at the Grand Hotel was a simple function without any particular theme.
The following day we had our wedding ceremony.
I’d always envisioned myself being led down the aisle by my father who would hand me over to my husband. I had the aisle beautifully lit, my favourite song, ‘Din Shagna Da’ playing in the background.
I’m very fond of lamps and lights and we had ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ inspired lanterns near our pheras’ stage. The rest of the décor was bright, in hues of red with heaps of traditional gende ke phool in abundance around the venue.
The finale was the reception at the Taj Palace Hotel, a place really special to Rahul and his family as all his family functions have been held there. We hosted a Hollywood style, red carpet event and called it the ‘Premiere Night’.
We used lots of frames on the wall with a formal dinner setting – two long tables right in front of the stage reserved only for family members with their names written on the cards.
In the end, it all worked out exactly the way we hoped! I think fate has a way of bringing soul mates together because some things in life are just meant to be. Marriage no doubt is not an easy ride but it is also bliss and I think everyone should believe in it whole-heartedly.
The Wedding Makers
Photography – Vrutika Doshi Photography, Mumbai
Videography – DotDusk Studios
Make-up Artist – Chandni Singh (Wedding Ceremony) and Pooja & Misha (Reception)
