Meet The Three Wedding Planners Predicting What The Ambani Wedding Will Look Like
As the Ambani family’s pre-wedding events continue to stoke excitement around the big day itself, Bazaar Arabia spoke to three industry insiders for their predictions on the nuptials
With just a few short days to go until Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s formal wedding celebration plays out upon the world stage, social media is waiting with bated breath to see the next level of luxury that the Ambani’s will unleash. Planning a large wedding is never an easy task, but the scale of their celebrations has eclipsed many royal weddings around the world.
Here, Bazaar Arabia speaks to three UAE-based wedding planners who have coordinated sensational Indian weddings, to get their predictions for the wedding of the year.
Mohammad Alhouri, co-founder of MOD Design Events
Can you predict any colour themes?
“We anticipate a colour palette that takes inspiration from the past, elevated to meet the sensibilities of the present. Perhaps a degradé that transitions from misty jasmine to dusty pinks, reminiscent of a panel from the Hawa Mahal. This wedding marks a significant milestone for Indian representation on a global scale, one we haven’t seen in years. Our guess is that the palette will be a rich blend of the Ambani family’s roots and the world we live in today. Not quite pastels associated with Western sensibilities, but an altogether immaculate interpretation of softer colour tones.”
For the couple’s pre-wedding celebrations we’ve seen a strong flora and fauna theme, should we expect this to continue?
“It’s clear that the Ambani family like to keep us guessing, whether through the guest list or the design itself. As we survey the real-time updates, we see a more restrained approach. Perhaps ‘restraint’ isn’t the right word; rather, it’s a lightness that incorporates a dream-like quality. Imagine a 15th century postcard hand-painted in watercolour, or the Chanel pre-autumn/winter 2012-13 show that displayed undeniable resplendence, albeit quietly.”
How do you expect they will create the majestic ambiance required for a wedding of this scale?
“Perhaps it’s more about asking, ‘What would be the best way to conclude?’ Like a designer closing a show with the final look, or a couture cake maker adding the final fresh petals on a wedding cake, it’s truly the Ambanis’ world, and we’re all just living in it.”
Chimoo Acharya, founder of ENCORE The Design Studio
Do you have any predictions for the couple’s mandap ceremony?
“Indian wedding ceremonies’ mandaps have a few guidelines that you need to follow. The mandap must be built with 4 columns that symbolize the fundamental pillars of a successful marriage: Dharma (duty and righteousness), Artha (prosperity and wealth), Kama (desire and love), and Moksha (spiritual liberation). The mandap is always beautifully decorated with an abundance of flowers and is typically setup in an outdoor venue. The bridal arrival has become a lot more elaborate compared to what we have witnessed in the last decade; today it’s all about being larger than life.”
Can you give us your predictions on the floral choices you expect to see?
“2024 is the year that has embraced the use of vibrant and bold colours when it comes to floral aesthetics. Go big and go bold is the new mantra, but there are still brides choosing to go with muted, classic undertones. ‘Peach Fuzz’ is the Pantone colour of 2024, but it’s a beautifully nostalgic hue. I do believe that the flower palette and styling is a very personal choice, so there is no right or wrong way.”
Would you expect any particular choices for music?
“Indian wedding ceremonies traditionally feature Vedic chants, instrumental flutes and sitar recordings, or live performances before and during the ceremony. We have also worked with harpists and cello artistes, so trends are changing. Instrumental music is what typically works well for a wedding ceremony. We have seen a lot of families opt for the musical wedding mantra’s ceremony, which comprises a traditional band of Indian musicians along with wedding singers who perform during the ceremony. The verses sung explain the significance of the vows being recited by the priest, which is in Sanskrit.”
Gauri Chadha Rupani, creative director of The Big Night
Do you have any advice for couples planning an ultra-opulent wedding on a large scale?
“Believe in your vision! It can be an overwhelming process, but with the right planners, the absolute unknown can be made possible. Take your time in picking the right wedding planner for you. We really end up becoming a part of your family so synergy with your planner is of the utmost importance. It is also crucial to connect with your planner’s body of work; everyone has something unique to offer, with a different style and taste. It is important to see what fits best with you.”
How do you expect they will create the majestic ambiance required for a wedding of this scale?
“By not leaving anything out! Right from the most unique décor, entertainment, florals, food, special effects and much more. The true beauty of an event really comes out in the storytelling, with the support of cinematic lighting. We saw the Ambanis do this during their pre-wedding celebration that had a ‘Mela Rouge’ theme, which was my personal favourite. Can we ever get over that stunning carousel? It was such a world!”
Do you predict any particular style of cake for the wedding reception?
“There are so many unbelievably talented cake artists from around the world. It would be amazing to get the best global talent to collaborate on one cake that expresses the journey of their love story. I also expect the reveal of the cake to be integrated with new-age technology and storytelling to create a dramatic, dreamy and emotional reveal moment. Perhaps, 50,000 butterflies will be released at the same time!”
Lead image Courtesy Of @ambani_updates/Instagram