Samidha and Akshay, Pune
This Maharashtrian bride went traditional for her pre-wedding rituals wearing an elegant heirloom saree with classic jewelry.
College sweethearts Samidha and Akshay first met when they were 15 years old, but they lost touch with each other, as time passed by. However, destiny had other plans. They met again, this time in college, where the sparks betweeen them just wouldn’t stop flying. True Maharashtrians at heart, this young duo got married in a traditional wedding that celebrated their rich culture. Capturing the beginning of their new journey was WeddingSutra Favorite – Oragraphy who made every moment count with expressive shots.
How They Met
Samidha shares, “Our first meeting was at a coaching class when we were both 15 years old. Akshay was the one who noticed me first and a few days later he worked up the courage to introduce himself to me. At that time, I didn’t make much of it although I did find him very attractive. He would constantly come up with excuses to meet up before class and even though I knew his motives, I played along. But a long summer break ensued and since we hadn’t exchanged phone numbers, we weren’t able to stay in touch.
Our paths crossed again in college where we spotted each other on the first day itself and from then onwards, there was no stopping us. This was our sign from the universe but in spite of that, we took it slow and didn’t start dating immediately. It was only after a year of incessant flirting that we finally agreed to move on to the next level.
We’ve been together for 13 years now with almost 4 years of a long-distance relationship included within, but our bond has only kept growing stronger.”
Wedding Venue
“Fort JadhavGADH, Pune was one of the first places we visited while hunting for the perfect venue, and we were completely floored by its magnificence. With 300 years of royal Maratha legacy and a beautiful Ganpati temple that is dated back to the inception of the fort, it was the perfect fit for our traditional wedding. We were so convinced that we didn’t want to visit any other place after seeing this picturesque site.”, shares Samidha.
Wedding Planning
Equipped with the vision of having a close-knit wedding, the couple had less than 200 guests present for the two-day affair that took place at the heritage hotel. Giving a detailed explanation, Samidha recollects, “We set up the mandap right outside the Ganesha temple which gave everyone present such divine and positive vibes. All the guests stayed and celebrated with us for two days at the hotel and everything moved smoothly. We didn’t hire an external planner or agency for the wedding. It was an in-house effort with our family and siblings stepping in and planning every small detail meticulously. For a personal touch, me and Akshay’s brother, Aakash, designed the wedding invitation.”
On the photography front, the couple couldn’t be happier about the choice that they made. The happy bride gushes, “Oragraphy was nothing short of exemplary and gave us beautiful memories for a lifetime. Their honesty, warmth, and dedication put all of us at ease instantly and we knew that they were just as invested in the wedding as we were.”
Weddings Functions
Haldi
The Haldi, was a fun-filled occasion that witnessed the peppy bride and groom enjoying the antics of their guests as they were generously smeared with turmeric paste. With a traditional yellow and peach themed decor replete with marigold garlands, the happy couple didn’t shy away from showing their love and even smeared each other with turmeric. For the Haldi, Samidha chose a gold-toned outfit paired with floral jewelry while Akshay opted for a black suit which he later changed out of for the ceremony.
Wedding
With a mandap right next to the time-honored Ganpati temple, the traditional wedding ceremony was celebrated with happy smiles and tender moments. Surrounded by lush foliage and located under a canopy of the sunlit sky, their wedding decor was minimalistic yet classy. Flowing with the theme of a pure Maharashtrian wedding, Samidha chose to wear an heirloom saree and jewelry for the pre-wedding rituals which had been passed down from her grandmother to her mom. For her wedding, she opted for a conventional Maharashtrian nauvari saree in red and green, paired with minimal gold jewelry.
Akshay also displayed his excitement for having a Maratha themed wedding by ditching the usual sherwani and curating his outfit from the local market to look like a true Maratha groom.
The Wedding Makers
Venue: Fort JadhavGADH, Pune
Groom’s Outfits: Sunita Bhadari (Mehndi, Reception)
Groom’s Shoes: Siciliano Shoes (Mehndi, Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: Gurukripa Sarees (Wedding)
Photography: Oragraphy
