Shubhangi and Namesh, Udaipur

A single meeting was all it took for Shubhangi and Namesh Khandelwal to fall headlong into love. A couple who cherished a dream of hosting a destination wedding, for them the world was their oyster but the travel restrictions due to the pandemic made them change their plans. However, their vision of a grand traditional Indian wedding was brought to life by WeddingSutra Favorite – Desert Pearl Entertainment who with their meticulous attention to detail, innovation, and mind-blowing decor insights created an unforgettable ambience.

How They Met
Namesh shares, “Shubhangi and I first met in an arranged marriage set up and we both fell in love at that first meeting itself. The second time we met, both of us instinctively knew that there was definitely something special brewing between us. Thankfully we share a similar perspective in life and that really helped in bringing us closer together.”

The Proposal
Recollecting the surprise proposal that he orchestrated for Shubhangi, Namesh shares, “Since we met via an arranged marriage setup, Shubhangi wasn’t really expecting a proposal. But on her birthday while we were shooting for our pre-wedding photoshoot in Alsisar Mahal, I decided to surprise her on the rooftop with a wedding proposal. Till date she says that it was one of the most magical days of her life!”

Wedding Planning
Shubhangi says, “Both of us have always wanted a destination wedding with a very limited number of guests in attendance. Since Namesh is from the hospitality industry, he was adamant that each guest should feel special and cared for at the wedding. Initially, we’d nurtured a dream of getting married at Lake Como but with the travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we chose to host our wedding at Udaipur.” To ensure their vision of a grand traditional wedding came to life, the duo roped in decorators Desert Pearl Entertainment who with their creativity stunned everyone in attendance. Gushing about the decor team, the happy bride shares, “Working with team Desert Pearl Entertainment was so incredibly easy. Their entire team was hands-on and co-operative. They listened to each of our ideas and incorporated them into the events beautifully.”

Gajraj (Ishan) Rajawat, Founder, Desert Pearl Entertainment who also planned all the decor for the wedding, goes on to share, “Shubhangi and Namesh were pretty easy to work with as they had complete clarity from the start itself. Since the venue itself was pretty charming, we decided to work on the decor around the venue. After a couple of meetings and a few minor changes, we made sure that each directive from the couple was followed precisely.”

Weddings Functions
Carnival
Following a floral and colorful theme, this event was bathed in hues of white and pink that contrasted delightfully with the surrounding greenery. Replete with exotic dancers, lip-smacking cocktails, and engaging games, this event had everyone shaking a leg while they reveled under the sun. Gajraj shares, “Since it was the first event of the wedding, we wanted our guests to get into the celebratory mood. Hence, we decided to make it colorful but did not limit ourselves to the traditional style. Vintage furniture and vibrant florals stood out beautifully against the white canopy above.”

Sundowner
Hosted by the poolside, the sundowner was a youngster’s pre-wedding party, and following Namesh’s brother’s suggestion, the decor was kept subtle and modern. An all-white color palette was used, which in turn was punctuated by rustic furniture and lush foliage.

Sangeet
Hosted in a spacious ballroom and following an Indo-western theme, the Sangeet was uber glam and glitzy. Equipped with a huge dance floor that witnessed the bride and groom shaking a leg to their favorite tracks, this event was also followed by an after-party which lasted well into the night. “The Sangeet night was one of the major events of the nuptials where everyone turned up in dapper tuxedos and gowns. Shimmery gold hues, crystals and reflective elements were used generously to step up the glamor quotient.”, shares Gajraj.

Traditional lunch
“Before the baraat, a traditional Rajasthani lunch was hosted which boasted of a traditional theme replete with vivid marigold flowers used generously in the decor”, shares Gajraj.

Wedding
Traditional yet glamorous, the wedding was jam-packed with fun as it commenced with a boisterous baraat. Held under the star-studded sky with palatial architecture in the background, the duo’s big day also boasted of a beautiful floral mandap crafted out of pastel-hued roses.

“Since this was the big day, we made sure that nothing was amiss! After looking at many options, the couple decided to keep it simple and elegant. Pastel florals were amply used in the mandap and even the furniture was swathed in hues of peaches and pinks”, shares Gajraj.

Reception
“For the last event of the couple’s nuptials, we wanted things to end on a high note. Using a rich color palette of red and gold, we created a decor that looked plush and elegant. Crystal and gold candelabras, red blooms, and a natural backdrop on the stage worked perfectly in sync with the surroundings.”, shares Gajraj from Desert Pearl Entertainment.

Advice for Couples
The couple shares, “Since your wedding will probably take place only once in a lifetime, we believe that you should cherish every second of it! Even while planning, don’t let the stress get to you. Instead, enjoy the process and support each other because these precious moments will never come back.”

The Wedding Makers

Venue: Raffles Udaipur
Wedding Planner: cupid events’ delight
Décor: Desert Pearl Entertainment
Groom’s Outfits: Gaurav Katta Label (Carnival), Diwan Saheb (Sangeet), Jatin Malik Couture (Wedding)
Bride’s Outfits: Gaurav Katta Label (Carnival), Seema Gujral (Sangeet), House Of Armuse (Wedding)
Jewelry: Intercontinental Gems
Makeup: Pinks & Peaches Makeover Studio
Photography and Videography: The Pineapple Productions

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