An arranged marriage proposal. Four impatient phone calls. And a time was set for their first meeting. She went along nonchalantly to meet a potential match although she had no plans to get married anytime soon. Who knew, that meeting would mark the entry of love into their lives.

He was funny, charming and someone she couldn’t get bored with. What began as a whisper resounded into a euphoric crescendo as two strangers basked in the sound of love. As we filmed Kushali and Abhishek's wedding in the rustic interiors of Suryagarh, Jaisalmer, we were convinced that we wanted to meld the essence of yesteryear nostalgia into their wedding trailer.

That's precisely how the music track 'AE RI SAKHI' happened - the age-old ditty, written by Amir Khusro, was humbly recreated to epitomise their love - subtle, soulful & sublime.

Arrivals

The wedding festivities kick started with the grand welcome of all the guests in traditional rajasthani style. Camels, rajasthani folk dancers & traditional singers created a beautiful vibe as the guests entered the venue.

The Family Dinner

At sunset, everyone was treated to a desert safari in the midst of the beautiful dunes of Jaisalmer. Candles, sparkly mini tents and bonfire lent mystical energy to an intimate dinner under the stars.

THE MEHENDI

Kushali & Abhishek’s mehendi function was straight out of a bohemian fairytale. Colourful hues with a touch of rajasthani prints created just the perfect ambience for their mehendi event. The couple looked lovely in their Shantanu-Nikhil & Anita Dongre ensembles. It was an afternoon filled with extravagance, colours & laughter.

The Sangeet

‘The Great Gatsby’ themed sangeet night was sky-high on the glamour quotient. Kushali looked like a vision in her silver gown & Abhishek complimented her look with a classic black tuxedo. Stunning light and fire effects accentuated family dance performances followed by grooving numbers by Honey Singh.

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Haldi & Mayra

The wedding day started with the traditional marwadi rituals. The haldi ceremony was a an initimate family affair, a fun start to the day. Friends & families blessed the couple by applying haldi (turmeric) & showered them with flower petals. A few more rituals followed, wherein Kushali’s maama-maami adorned her with jewellery to complete the shringar (wedding look).

The Baraat

Abhishek got dressed in his rustic suite at the sunset with his sister by his side. The Baraat ceremony was a grand affair with a royal charriot for Abhishek as all others escorted him towards the wedding venue in the midst of music, dhol & ethereal fireworks.

Bridal Dress up

Kushali opted for a classic Sabyasachi lehenga for her wedding day. Her emerald green lotus jewellery complimented the pastel hues perfectly as we watched her don her bridal avatar. The royal environs of Suryagarh made for the perfect backdrop to her unmatched poise.

The Varmala

The Varmala was one of a kind & something that was never seen before at Suryagarh. It began with Abhishek’s royal entry with men holding mashaals on the sides as he made his way to the terrace. Kushali made a traditional entrance with phoolon ki chaddar with her brothers accompanying her. At the precise moment when the couple exchanged the garlands, the entire façade of Suryagarh lit up with fire works. It was all like a golden dream with the couple standing right in the centre top of the the view.

The Wedding Ceremony

The couple got married under the beautiful night skies of Jaisalmer. The chilly weather with guests tucked in their cashmere shawls & heaters around, made the whole wedding a cozy affair. The mandap was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers & the 360 degree seating arrangement for the guests gave them a perfectly clear view of the entire ceremony. The couple was smiling & laughing as they walked around the pyre completing their seven pheras and becoming man & wife forever.

The Reception

The Reception area was beautifully decorated with thousands of candles & pretty floral table settings. The couple entrered in a classic fairytale theme holding golden sparklers, escorted by dancers dressed in lamp themed costumes. The reception gradually paved way to a musical evening where friends & families celebrated the union of the newly wed couple with dancing, dinner & drinks.

The Family Dinner

The day after the wedding, the families enjoyed a casual, intimate dinner to sum up the previous days of madness & celebration. It was a candle lit night with Rajasthani folk music amid the chilly December vibe of Jaisalmer.