Tanmayee and Mandar, The Gateway Hotel Ambad Nashik
Amidst the lush environs of one of Nashik’s prettiest properties, Tanmayee and Mandar embarked on a picture-perfect new journey.
Bride Tanmayee was clear about how she wanted her wedding functions to unfold and put in extensive research into every aspect of the wedding, be it looking for the right vendors or planning the dress codes for the guests. Her groom, Mandar supported her through it all, and their wedding was a well-planned celebration that was hosted to perfection at The Gateway Hotel Ambad Nashik. The bride shares with us some highlights of the festivities that were captured by WeddingSutra Favorite – Dreamcatchers Photography.
How They Met
“My mother thought Mandar and I would make a good match, so we exchanged numbers and started talking. He is a chef who hails from Mumbai but lives in Canada where he has been based for the last five years. I am an architect from Nashik but was living in Pune. I was a little hesitant at first as to how we would get along given our different professions, the physical distance between us and time difference of our locations. However, it turned out that we had a lot to talk about, especially because he is a chef, and I am a complete foodie. We spoke for hours on end, and one fine day, when we were talking in the wee hours of the morning, there was a magical moment in which we confessed our affection for each other. Little did I know that he had flown down to India to surprise me! We met and hit it off instantly. Our families fixed on a date, and so began the wedding planning process.”
Wedding Venue
“I was very sure I wanted an outdoor setting for the wedding ceremony and an indoor venue for the reception. I have always been fond of Taj properties around the country as they are stunning and sophisticated. The Gateway Hotel Ambad Nashik provided the perfect backdrop as they have acres of lush green spaces and landscaped gardens as well as beautiful indoor venues.”
Wedding Planning
“Our wedding decor was managed by Shweta and her team at Wedding Verve based in Nashik. She is a good friend of mine, and I was sure she would understand my aesthetic sense. Every little detail that I wanted for all the functions was delivered to perfection, and I was glad to work with them. The team at Dreamcatchers Photography documented our special moments. I had come across their work through my extensive research and had fallen in love with their pictures. Lekha Shah from The Cut Collective was my makeup artist. I found her on Instagram and loved her work. I met her and finalized on my wedding looks in a day! Kunjan Nanda from Nashik dolled me up for the rest of the functions. She’s an old friend from school who is brilliant at what she does and is the best in the city.”
Wedding Functions
Mehndi
“I was heavily involved in the process of planning the decor for our mehndi as it was our first wedding function, and I wanted it to be intimate yet extravagant. We used gota patti elements along with green fabrics hangings, filament lights, and chandeliers to enhance the beauty of the space. We incorporated touches of blue through tassels and decorative ceramic pieces sourced by me. We added benches for a casual seating vibe. Some customized cupcakes, macaroons, and cookies shaped like little hands with mehndi designs were laid out for our guests, and they looked quite decorative.”
Sangeet
“For our sangeet, I wanted all my guests to wear shades of pastel colors so that the pictures for this function would look different from the others where most of them would be seen sporting bright traditional hues. To ensure that the dress code stood out from the decor, we chose black as the color of the function, which was accented with pretty lights and pastel elements.”
Haldi
“The only way I could imagine my haldi was with lots of yellow marigolds! No color is more fitting for this function, and no other flower adds that authentic mood than marigolds. Orange was used generously as part of the setup and touches of purple were brought in to offer some contrast and pop to it all.”
Wedding
“Weddings are such a traditional affair, and I wanted the decor to reflect that. I chose to go with a dome-shaped mandap filled with fresh red roses and supported by ornate pillars. I was aiming at aesthetics that looked royal, and this setup was just perfect. Lush trees dotted the surroundings and added to the appeal of the venue. I dressed in a Kanjivaram saree from Kanakavalli on which I got additional details embroidered by Pune-based designer Poonam Thakre.”
Reception
“Our wedding was followed by a reception for which the backdrop of the stage was embedded with abundant blooms. The path to the venue was lined with arches draped with rich velvet, and I made my entry under a floral canopy. For this function, I wore a red lehenga by Anita Dongre while Mandar opted for a black achkan.”
Advice For Couples
“All of us want things to look and feel like a certain way all throughout the wedding. We hope that every little detail will turn out just like how we have imagined all our lives. To achieve, this, it is important to be a part of the planning process, but once you have hired the right people for the job, you have to trust them with their skills. You need to let go at some point and try to enjoy your big day.”
The Wedding Makers
Venue: The Gateway Hotel Ambad Nashik
Decor: Wedding Verve, Nasik
Bride’s Outfits: Seema Khan (Mehndi), Pawan & Pranav Haute Couture (Sangeet), Kalki (Haldi), Kanakavalli (Wedding), Anita Dongre (Reception)
Groom’s Outfit: Shop-In Studio
Jewellery: Minerali (Mehndi, Sangeet, Reception), Tanishq (Wedding)
Makeup: Kunjan Nanda (Mehndi, Haldi, Sangeet), The Cut Collection (Wedding)
Hairstyling: Kunjan Nanda (Mehndi, Haldi, Sangeet), Anita Shil (Wedding)
Photography: Dreamcatchers Photography
