Vinita and Pavan, Mumbai
Vinita and Pavan were dance partners in college in the US who waltzed into each other's hearts over time... Their Mumbai wedding was a mix of North and South Indian traditions
The lush lawns of the Mumbai Cricket Association Club in Mumbai was lit with Pavan and Vinita’s wedding celebrations that were high on elegance and incorporated rituals from South India, where Vinita hails, and North India – where Pavan is from. Taking a page out of the ‘Two States’ movie, this simple wedding was a festive fusion of two diverse Indian cultures.
How we met
“Pavan and I met at Clarkson University, in upstate New York. He and I were ‘dance partners’ at Indian functions, and were friends were quite a long time. Before both of us graduated from college, we realized there was something more than friendship between us. A few years later I came to a realization that I want Pavan as my life partner as he is the perfect man. I could see the way he takes care of me and handles situations are very similar to how my dad does, and I always wanted a man who had my father’s traits.”
Proposal
“Our parents were very happy when they came to know we wanted to get married. Pavan proposed to me on a long weekend trip that we took to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon in Arizona. He went down on his knees at the horseshoe bend in Arizona.”
Wedding Venue
“We chose Mumbai Cricket Association club in Bandra Kurla Complex as the wedding venue. They have a beautiful lawn where we held our reception later.”
Wedding Planning
“We had no wedding planners. In fact, Pavan and I were very much involved throughout the wedding planning process, from choosing the venue to photographers – it was all done by us.”
Wedding Functions
“We had no specific theme for our functions, and the entire decor was a mix and match of ideas I found online. We tried to keep it simple yet elegant.”
Engagement and Sangeet
“We had a formal engagement ceremony followed by the sangeet. I wore a white zardozi work lehenga with red choli and dupatta from Seasons, while Pavan wore a traditional kurta pajama with a Nehru jacket.”
Mehndi
The mehndi function was held at Vinita’s home in Kalina and was a very private affair. There were garlands in Indian tricolors strung around the house which added a festive touch. Vinita looked beautiful in floral jewellery and a yellow lehenga with green dupatta and red blouse.
Wedding
“The wedding function was a mix of north and south Indian rituals – a cute replica of the Two States movie (based on a novel by Chetan Bhagat titled Two States of my Marriage.” My family is from south India, and Pavan’s family is from north India, but both sides live in Mumbai currently.”
For the wedding, Vinita epitomized a beautiful south Indian bride. She wore a beautiful traditional ‘matha patti’ along with a silk saree from Pothys in Chennai. Pavan looked handsome in a traditional sherwani and a pink safa that complemented Vinita’s saree. Pavan’s outfits for each function were designed by a close family friend.
Pavan made his entry on a brightly decorated horse like a traditional groom.
Reception
“Our reception was held at the beautiful lawns of the Mumbai Cricket Association. I wore a custom made white and blue gown from Kalakruti boutique, and Pavan wore a suit.”
The stage setup included a white chaise lounge and the backdrop was shiny strands, pink drapes and simple floral arrangements.
Advice for couples to wed
“If something does not go according to plan don’t stress – just be glad you are married at the end of the day.”
The Wedding Makers
Location: Mumbai Cricket Association Club, Mumbai
Bridal Trousseau: Seasons (Engagements & Sangeet), Pothys, Chennai (Wedding), and Kalakruti Boutique (Reception)
Decorators: Trimurti Decorators (Shardul)
Makeup artist: Laksh Singh (Engagement & Wedding)
Makeup artist: Kumar Iyer (Reception)
Makeup artist: Harleen Kaur (Mehndi)
Bridal mehndi: Jyoti Chedda
Photos Courtesy- Aniket Mazumdar Photography
