Neil weds Ujjwala
One of the most challenging weddings Haritham has done with majority of guests flying into Chennai from abroad from across the globe. So logistics were mind blowing with about 72 flights to manage (in terms of airport pick up and drop) spread over 4 days and this required to- the–minute–planning, checking on flight schedules 24 /7, handling flight delays, perfect coordination by the welcome team at the airport and helping all guests check in to Hotel Leela Palace without hassles
This was a Kashmiri – Telugu wedding with the various events spread out over different venues. Over 100 cars were engaged in transporting the guests comfortably from one venue to the other. We had some guests who were vegan too. So extreme care had to be taken to ensure that they had their requirements met.
The icing on the cake was when the client – post this wedding - wanted us to do his younger son’s wedding at Seoul, Korea the following year in a similar grandiose manner. We couldn’t ask for a better testimony than this!
Pre wedding UPANAYANAM being performed for the groom and his siblings. We spared no efforts to find an English speaking Purohit who could explain the meanings of the mantras and rituals of the Upanayanam to the young men for a better understanding of what they were doing
Team Haritham visited Rajasthan to source special bangles from for the guests for the mehndi ceremony. We brought in dozens of bangles in all sizes made of lac, wood, metal and other materials. We set up a bangle stall and the guests were blown away by the colours and designs.
HALDI being an important pre wedding ritual we ensured that all arrangements were in place and to add the authentic feel only silver ware was used during the rituals.
Guests were also eager to get the traditional mehndi done from our mehndi artists who explained the process patiently to the foreign guests.
At Haritham, we always like to understand the client’s taste and customise services accordingly. For this wedding we had a special troupe flown in from Mumbai to entertain the guests with Retro music during the Mehndi
Since our client loved anything traditional, we set up a photo booth with a Retro theme and had loads of funny props which the guests loved to put on and get instant pics clicked to carry back as mementoes.
The formal engagement was done following the Telugu tradition.
It is customary to shower the bride with gifts and here the ladies from the groom’s side are seen carrying the specially decorated Seer Plates put together by Haritham with sarees, jewels, fruits and gifts for the bride
The engagement ceremony solemnised with Neil and Ujjwala exchanging rings.
Decorated pathway leading up to the wedding venue. The entire pathway was adorned with fairy lights to give it a celestial feel.
We had our Dol players in full josh at 3 am on the wedding morning to set the celebration mood. The guests danced relentlessly till the groom arrived an hour later in a decorated car.
Wedding rituals were a mix of Telugu and Kashmiri tradition
Haritham had customised the sweet boxes for all guests with the couple’s initials etched on the box. As for the contents, we had made an assortment of the most delicious Kaju and dry fruit sweets
Grihapravesh at the Groom’s room at The Leela Palace was done in the traditional manner after getting the required permission from the hotel management. The room was beautifully decorated to give it a homely feel
For the evening reception we had arranged for professionals to tie the PAGRI for all the male guests before leaving for the reception. We had ordered for beautiful broaches to be attached to all the pagris and the guests were totally overawed by the whole experience
Every guest enjoyed wearing the Pagri so much that many of them carried it back with them as a souvenir. They were enthusiastic about getting photographed with the pagri. Every guest enjoyed wearing the Pagri so much that many of them carried it back with them as a souvenir. They were enthusiastic about getting photographed with the pagri.
The lady guests were not to be left behind. Haritham had organised for make up artists and saree drapers and every guest loved the traditional Indian look. We also had a tailor on call for last minute alterations that were required for blouses and lehngas
The next day we had a sit-down Reception Dinner hosted by Neil’s parents at Hotel Leela Palace, with specially curated menu to suit the local, international and vegan guests. We had several sittings with the Hotel Chef to finalise a menu that would be enjoyed by all present
Our baker had done an exquisite job of the wedding cake that drew compliments from all
Post dinner the floor was open to all as our music troupe got into action with some foot tapping numbers.
venue: the leela palace and hotel the ashoka, chennai
photographer: raghu lakshminaarayanan, photostrophe, chennai
wedding cake: karthika shravanthi, chennai
bridal make up: rakshana, chennai
transportation and logistics: gem carriers, chennai
designed and conducted by: HARITHAM EVENTS, CHENNAI
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