Dubaian Tanya Ganwani tied the knot with London-based Rajiv Varma in Montreux, a jewel in the Swiss Riviera.

Tanya, Founder and CEO of Burn Activewear, is the daughter of real-estate mogul Monica and Jayant Ganwani while Rajiv’s parents, Shobha and Moni Varma are the owners of Veetee Foods, one of the largest rice companies in the United Kingdom.

The grand wedding saw over 400 distinguished VIP guests fly in from all corners of the globe to attend four days of gala celebrations. The coming together of two seemingly different but inherently similar families – one Sindhi and another Punjabi – ensured that the celebration was one to remember!

Welcome to Montreux

Their wedding kickstarted with Tanya’s Ghari Pooja which was a small, intimate ceremony attended by close friends and family. This important Sindhi ritual marked an auspicious beginning to the 4-day long revelry in the palatial Fairmont Le Montreux Palace.

The Welcome Dinner

The couple hosted an informal welcome party for their guests which was an evening of music, dance, conversation and laughter. Tanya looked resplendent in a floral gown and Rajiv opted for a teal green suit to complement her elegance. UK based band ‘The Fellas’ served up the perfect blend of soul, funk and hip hop thump, and saw all the guests shake a leg as they grooved to a vast playlist of classic and contemporary numbers.

The Mehendi

The Mehendi ceremony was designed along a fun and colourful European style carnival theme. Vibrant flowers and vivacious carnival themed decor were used to bring the entire venue to life, with snow-capped mountains posing as the perfect backdrop to the effervescent musical setup.

The Sangeet

This glamorous gold and purple themed evening saw some memorable performances by family and friends. Sukhbir Singh and Asian British Music Dhol artists whipped up a musical storm, followed by popular Indian rapper and music composer Badshah filling the Swiss night air with music, mirth and dance.

The Baraat

The Baraat was an action packed, high-octane procession along the picturesque country lakeside. The enthusiasm in the air brought the entire Swiss town to a halt with passers-by lining up to catch a glimpse of the wedding that had been the talk of the town! Rajiv chose a decorated vintage car as his ride with a DJ Truck accompanying the crowd and Dhol players adding that extra oomph!

Tanya’s Dressup

As she got ready in red, it was time for some fun pictures with friends and family at her bridal suite at the Fairmont Palace overlooking the scenic Lake Geneva.

The Wedding Ceremony

The nuptial ceremony was held in the breathtaking Swiss outdoors as an entire palatial hotel stood decorated in beautiful shades of pink and white. An aesthetic mandap with pink drapes and fresh flowers stood on the massive green lawns overlooking the Swiss Alps and the tranquil lake. Flowers in ornate vases dotted the entire venue furthering the charm of the occasion. Tanya took the traditional route and donned a red lehenga by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, while Rajiv opted for a white Sabyasachi achkan paired with a jade green saafa.

The Reception

The exquisite reception décor, complete with candles, drapes, and flowers was spellbinding. Crystal chandeliers lit up the ballroom in an ethereal glow. Tanya chose a stunning lehenga by Faraz Manan for the occasion while Rajiv looked suave in a Tom Ford suit. The event saw the largest live band in Europe ‘Paris Select’ perform offbeat, breathtaking numbers by over 30 international artists on stage.