Shilu and Vivek, Kino Cottage, Mumbai
A dance performance session by loved ones depicting their love story was the highlight of this couple's reception.
A chance meeting at the airport gave Shilu and Vivek’s love story a flying start. After an exciting proposal in Florida, the duo tied the knot at a charming sea-facing venue in Mumbai. Photographed by WeddingSutra Favorite – The Wedding Shades, the beautiful shots capture the essence of the couple and all the candid action of the festivities flawlessly. Groom Vivek shares some highlights and memories of the wedding celebrations here.
How They Met
Vivek shares, “I was awaiting documents for my flight to Delhi at the Jet Airways supervisor’s desk in Doha when I spotted Shilu who was waiting at the check-in counter beside me along with her friend. Both of them seemed annoyed and upset. Being an introvert by nature, I don’t usually walk up to people and start talking, but this time, I made an exception and struck up a conversation with her. However, our exchange didn’t last too long as I had to get back to work. Luckily she found out my name from the flight attendant’s announcement as I was the captain of the flight and added me immediately on Facebook as we landed.”
The Proposal
Describing his elaborate surprise proposal plan, Vivek recollects, “Back in September 2019, I was visiting Shilu while she was attending flight school in Florida. For the first three days of our visit, we were at The Universal Studios, Orlando, which is where I’d meticulously planned a flash mob proposal. As we were walking towards the exit, a couple of girls started dancing after seeing us, and Shilu, along with me, curiously stopped to watch them perform. And then, the song ‘Marry You’ by Bruno Mars started playing which was my cue to join the performance. At the end of my performance, I went down on my knee and popped the question. She was absolutely ecstatic as this was completely out of character for an introvert like me. Her disbelief actually lasted quite a few days!”
Wedding Venues
“Even though Shilu and I didn’t want a typical ‘big fat Indian wedding,’ it eventually did turn into one! Spread across three days, our pheras and sundowner cocktail party took place at Kino Cottage which completely bowled us over with its beautiful view of the Arabian Sea shoreline. Mr. Snehal who manages the property did a fantastic job at assisting us every step of the way.”
“For the reception, we went a little more formal, and booked The Golconda Ballroom of Hotel Trident at BKC. The manager at this venue, Mr. Ankush Uchil made sure we got the best deal in every aspect. Everything at the Trident was better than what we’d imagined. It’s a top-notch hotel and I would highly recommend it to everyone.”
Wedding Planning
When it came to planning their nuptials, the duo largely relied on themselves and roped in key vendors who could efficiently take up each task with minimal supervision. Vivek explains, “Shilu and I thought it would be best to plan the wedding ourselves and divided the responsibility equally between the two of us. For the decor, we hired Arth Eventertainment after a recommendation and we couldn’t have been happier with our choice. They indulged us with several options and ideas on very short notice.”
“Photography is an extremely important aspect of any wedding. Keeping that in mind, we chose The Wedding Shades, a supremely talented group of photographers who love their craft and managed to give us awe-inspiring results.”
“Anu Kaushik and Saniya Sainani both worked their magic on Shilu by bringing out her natural beauty with their superior expertise.”
“Chirag Lakhani, my cousin and a professional emcee kept everyone entertained with his witty anecdotes. Being one of the most popular names in the industry, I can safely say that the functions wouldn’t be half as fun if it weren’t for him.”
Weddings Functions
Wedding
Being ardent lovers of the sea, Shilu and Vivek decided to have a sunset beachside wedding. “Our wedding was initially planned to take place in Goa. But, due to logistical issues and other factors, Shilu and I decided to host it in Mumbai. Kino Cottage made the cut due to its backyard lawn that faces the sea. It’s here that we set up our mandap and scheduled a ceremony right before the sunset in the late afternoon. With 60 to 70 guests, it was a cozy affair with a serene vibe.”
“For my baarat, I chose to make my entrance in a convertible car. We had plenty of fun turning the volume up and dancing to our favorite tunes. Shilu, on the other hand, had a more elegant entry where she was escorted under a floral canopy to the vidhi mandap. Of all the three events, this one is the most special for me as it signified the beginning of a new journey.”
Selected by India’s most sought after designers, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Shilu got a chance to be featured in the popular NDTV GoodTimes show called ‘Band Baajaa Bride.’ Impressed by Shilu’s determination to become a pilot in the face of adversity, Sabyasachi and his team designed the duo’s wedding attire. Dressed in an elegant red lehenga that was similar to the one worn by Bollywood icon Deepika Padukone, Shilu glowed bright and beautiful. Vivek, meanwhile, opted for a white sherwani with floral motifs that were similar to the one sported by Virat Kohli at his wedding.
Cocktail Party
“We had a blast at our cocktail party! The sea looks best in the evening just as the sun is setting, and our sundowner party urged everyone to relax. Following a Hawaiian theme, our loved ones let their hair down as drinks flowed freely. Somewhere in the midst of all this, Shilu lost her ring, which she thankfully recovered later as someone found it and gave it to me. This prompted a second intoxicated proposal from me! To be honest, we still feel embarrassed about our antics that day, but don’t regret it a single bit! Even Shilu wasn’t spared as she lost her footwear and had to make her way back to the hotel barefoot.”
Keeping the Hawaiian theme in mind, Shilu selected a maxi dress with floral prints, while Vivek opted for a floral printed shirt.
Reception
“Adding a unique twist to the usually formal reception party, we included a sangeet dance sequence that was created by our family and friends to convey our love story to the guests. The guest list for the event was long with almost everyone in our circle being invited. We had such a great time interacting with each guest and really enjoyed catching up with everyone.”
Looking radiant in a silver embroidered gown, Shilu couldn’t stop smiling as she held hands with Vivek who looked dashing in a grey checkered tuxedo.
Advice For Couples
“If you’re hiring a wedding planner, make sure you speak to many before selecting one for your big day. And, if you plan on taking on the mammoth task, gather a good team that’ll guide you through the chaos. Delegation is the key and rope in as many family members as possible. Also, have one function per day as multiple functions can get really hectic and draining,” shares Vivek.
The Wedding Makers
Venues: Kino Cottage (Wedding and Cocktail Party); Hotel Trident, BKC-Mumbai (Reception)
Decor: Arth Eventertainment
Groom’s Outfits: Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Wedding), Suitsupply (Reception)
Bride’s Outfits: Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Wedding), Seasons (Reception)
Jewellery: Sabyasachi Mukherjee
Makeup: Anu Kaushik (Wedding), Saniya Sainani (Cocktail, Reception)
Emcee: Chirag Lakhani
Photography and Videography: The Wedding Shades
