Inside The Wedding Of Ishita Khosla and Naman Pathak
It was a colourful carousel of celebrations for this breathtaking bride and her groom
A mutual friend brought together Ishita Khosla, 25, and Naman Pathak, 30, in April of last year. The jet-set couple first got acquainted over tiramisu at the Olive Bar & Kitchen in Delhi a few days before Pathak was set to return back to his home in London. Despite the nearly 6,000 kilometres that set them apart, there was an instant connection, says Khosla. “In this initial meeting, I found Naman to be very courteous and polite. He took a keen interest in my work, which was very important to me, and it was clear within this first meeting that we both shared similar ambitions and passions in life.” Ishita tells Bazaar Bride. And just like that, a spark ignited.
The bride wore emerald jewels, designed by a family friend
The whirlwind romance continued, and after just three months, Naman proposed to Ishita whilst she was visiting him in London. A self-professed raconteur, Ishita was at a loss for words. Standing in a candlelit room, surrounded by rose petals planned with the help of the groom’s trusty cohorts, Naman got down on one knee. “Before he could even put the ring on me, I started hugging him very tightly, only for him to remind me that I have to say yes!” Following the proposal Naman had a few other surprises up his sleeve. “We slow-danced to Barry White’s Just The Way You Are and Naman had also arranged so many other cute things for me, including a romantic three-course meal prepared by a former MasterChef semi-finalist, a jigsaw puzzle that had the reasons of why he wanted to marry me, and a box of cards, each stating why he loved me.”
Jardel Silva and his incredible team at EventChic Designs ensured the couple’s floral dreams came true
Considering the couple’s love-struck history, it’s no wonder the stars aligned for their wedding day to fall on a holiday entirely devoted to love. The pair wed on February 14, 2020 – Valentine’s Day – a total coincidence. The love continued, encompassing all seven events of their three-day Hindu celebrations with the affectionate theme.
Chosen for its location, grand rooms and dream-come-true staff, the entire Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah was booked for the couple’s colourful extravaganza.
Nanam striking a pose in his wedding outfit
“We visited a lot of places in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island, but when we reached Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, we just fell in love and knew that this was it!” A boho-chic themed seaside welcome lunch (where Ishita held her Mehndi ceremony and had henna applied to her hands), followed by a burlesque-themed dinner, eased guests into the couple’s fantasy world of festivities. Dancing also played a huge part of the evening. Naman twirled his soon-to-be bride in a glittering Atelier Zuhra gown to the sweet tunes of Paris Select. Tiny mirrored mosaic embellishments sewn onto her dress caught light, casting gold flecks on stage for a picture-perfect moment. Day two proved to be just as fun with an Arabian-themed Sangeet and a tropical pool party, and on day three, the morning of the wedding, the couple held their Haldi ceremony.
Ishita Khosla and Naman Pathak share a moment together at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
The wedding celebration itself was a reverie. Choreographed by Tamarind Global and Eventchic Designs, the couple married beneath a crystal chandelier festooned with orchids and pastel roses of every shade of pink. The rose-gold marble catwalk and mandap was built over a water feature, adding a touch of drama for the bride’s ceremonial entrance. Faraz Manan custom-made Ishita’s stunning wedding lehenga, made complete with emerald jewels designed by a family friend.
Dining Set-up at the wedding
True to the couple’s style, the reception was nothing short of grand. Taking inspiration from the fact that it was Valentine’s Day, Jardel Silva and his team of wedding producers created a romantic fairy-tale atmosphere by theming the reception red, using hundreds of flowers and exquisite chandeliers to decorate the space. Fireworks tore into the sky, setting alight the faces of 750 guests, along with a memorable performance by musician, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The carousel of dreams continued at the after party. Ishita switching into an Elie Saab number, allowing her to dance the night away with her new husband by her side.
Once the celebrations had drawn to a close, the honeymoon beckoned and Naman had one final surprise for his bride, as she boarded the aeroplane without knowing that she was about to head off on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to South America.
BRIDE’S BLACK BOOK
WEDDING DRESS: Faraz Manan, Farazmanan.com
SHOES: Gina, Gina.com
GROOM’S SUIT: Rahul Mishra, Rahulmishra.in
GROOM’S SHOES: Berluti, Berluti.com
WEDDING PLANNER: Tamarind Global, Tamarindglobal.com
WEDDING PRODUCTION, FURNITURE, TABLE ACCESSORIES & FLOWERS: EventChic Designs, Eventchicdesigns.com
PHOTOGRAPHER: DotDusk, Dotdusk.com
VENUE: Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah,
Waldorfastoria3.hilton.com
CATERER: Creative Cuisines, Creativecuisinesinc.com
MUSIC: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Instagram.com/officialrfakworld
ENTERTAINMENT: La Cle Entertainment,
Lacleentertainment.com
FIREWORKS: Pains Fireworks, Painsfireworks.co.uk
INVITATIONS: The Entertainment Design Company, Edc.co.in
From the autumn/winter 2020 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Bride