Between 4th and 6th June, some of India’s richest Marwaris will be in Florence to attend the wedding celebrations of Tanvi Jindal and Krishna Shete. Tanvi’s mother Sangita Jindal runs Art India magazine and the Jindal Arts Creative Centre at NCPA and father Sajjan Jindal is the Vice Chairman of JSW Steel. Like mother Sangita who got married very early, at 17, Tanvi who works with an NGO, is marrying at a young age by modern India standards—she’s just 22. Her sister Tarini runs Muse, the luxury fashion store in Mumbai’s trendy art district Kala Ghoda and brother Parth is studying at Brown University. Groom Krishna’s father Raju Shete, run the food services company Radhakrishna Group.
Sangita Jindal and the Jindal family, are closely associated with several Art & Heritage projects, and quite naturally have chosen for their very special occasion, the Art and History capital of Europe.
Florence in Italy is considered one of the finest wedding destinations in the world. Its old, charming palace hotels offer a setting of a different kind– where modern love mingle with past romances to offer a most dreamy, dramatic and enchanting environment! Except for close friends and select wedding guests no one has too many details about the wedding. All the arrangements are being overseen by the secretaries and work staff of Sangita and Sajjan Jindal, and there is hectic activity at 32 Walkeshwar Road, their palatial residence in Mumbai. A close friend of Sangita Jindal tells us: “Sangita and her two daughters prefer a very minimalist, classic style—and unlike other super-rich brides it’s highly unlikely that they’ll wear over-the-top glittery creations or have with them an entourage of stylists”.
While family and friends of the Jindals can’t wait to be in Florence, we can’t wait to see the Fabulous Photographs of what could possibly be the Indian Wedding of the Year!
Tanvi Jindal (Left); and her mother Sangita Jindal (Right)
Ever year, almost 1,000 couples visit Florence for their dream destination wedding. While the Florence media may not consider it news-worthy to write about many of the spectacular weddings taking place there, this is not the case with Tanvi Jindal and Krishna Shete whose wedding celebrations took place between 4th and 6th June. News reports from Florence read: ‘Indian tycoon’s daughter marries at Maharajah style wedding’. ‘700 guests this weekend to attend wedding of super-rich Indian’. ‘Fairytale wedding in Florence for daughter of Indian tycoon’.
Only the invitees knew about wedding ingredients since the Jindals kept the celebration very private and requested all the wedding services providers, not to reveal anything. All that is known is that each function was held at different exotic hotels between the hills and the city centre. And at all the functions the guests were served a strictly vegetarian fare. Much-in-the-news man Lalit Modi was there too. Post all the controversies in India, he holidayed with his family in Rome and Milan and then moved on to Florence to attend the fabulous wedding.
Tanvi, while studying at New York University fell in love with Krishna, and with Florence. She attended the global program of New York University at Villa Le Pietra in Florence. Post completing her program there, she and Krishna decided they’d like to come back to the beautiful city, to get married.
Tanvi Jindal and Krishna Shete’s marriage was held at Villa Le Rose, a luxurious 15th century house in Florence, owned by the son of Fashion Moghul Salvatore Ferragamo. Two decades ago, Leonardo and Beatrice Ferragamo bought the villa, and carried out a restoration project, where they fitted it with all the modern comforts while maintaining and enhancing its historical features. Spaces in the villa are now available for short or long term rentals.
The team that managed the Jindal-Shete wedding at Villa Le Rose is elated that they got to work on the most magnificent marriage. Thanks to the big buzz back in India, Villa Le Rose and other wedding venues and planners in the city are hoping to host more high profile Indian weddings– like the one hosted by Sangita and Sajjan Jindal, and Hemal and Raju Shete.
The Jindal family members stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel and the wedding functions included a welcome dinner, a brunch, a dance party, mehendi, and a post wedding Ball at the Palazzo Hotel.
A very high profile Indian wedding is taking place in February next year—steel magnate Sajjan Jindal’s elder daughter Tarini is marrying Abu Dhabi based businessman Vikram Handa. The wedding celebrations are in Delhi where Vikram’s parents and Tarini’s extended family live.
Tarini runs Muse, the multi-designer store at Mumbai’s heritage precinct Kala Ghoda and her mother Sangita Jindal, a well-known philanthropist runs the Jindal Arts Centre at NCPA. While India’s top Wedding vendors have been vying to lend their services for the Jindal wedding, the friends of the family are looking forward to what is expected to be the classiest Indian wedding of 2011. WeddingSutra emailed Tarini requesting for more details, but she sent a prompt and polite reply stating that at this point, she’d like to keep all the details private.
In June this year, the Jindals hosted their younger daughter Tanvi’s marriage in Florence. Guests referred to the fairy-tale wedding of Tanvi and Krishna Shete as the most amazing experience, and the Italian media called it the Maharaja-style wedding of an Indian Princess. The functions included a welcome-luncheon at the lavish lawns of the Four Seasons hotel and a dinner at Palazzo Corsini, the magnificent palace overlooking the Arno River. The main wedding function was at Villa Le Rose, the luxurious villa owned by the Ferragamo family. The food spread at the different functions included an all-vegetarian spread of Italian, Lebanese, and Indian specialities from Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur and Benares, created by Italy’s Galateo caterers, Delhi’s celebrity chef Ritu Dalmia and London based V8 Gourmet Global Group.
Two business tycoons hosted their daughter’s wedding in February. Tarini, elder daughter of Sajjan Jindal tied the knot with Vikram Handa. Trishla, the artist-daughter of Samir Jain, Vice Chairman of The Times of India group married Miami-bred, Stanford graduate Satyan Gajwani. Ace Wedding Planner Vandana Mohan managed the Jindal wedding. The pre-wedding celebrations were at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives and the wedding at the Jindal farmhouse in Delhi. The Jain wedding at Jagmandir, Udaipur, was around the same dates as the Jindal wedding, and was co-ordinated by 360 Degrees, the event management division of The Times of India group. Some of Delhi’s A-list bridal specialists and wedding vendors were contacted by both families, and they had to take the tough decision to figure out which wedding to go to. We presume many VIP guests faced a similar quandary!
When Tanvi, the younger daughter of Sangita and Sajjan Jindal got married in Florence last year, WeddingSutra published reports on how the Florence media went ga-ga over the Maharajah style wedding. Back in India, the wedding generated a lot of interest too. Many WeddingSutra visitors are enquiring if we’ll be featuring elder sister Tarini’s wedding photographs. But the bride and groom wish to keep it private, and so we have no pictures to share. We’re still trying though! Media moguls Jains also guard their privacy fiercely, so here again we have no pictures or details on the Trishla- Satyan wedding.
Fashion enthusiast Tarini ran Muse the erstwhile store in Kala Ghoda, she now lives in Abu Dhabi where Vikram manages his family business; Trishla, a poetry and literature graduate from Stanford, is Meera and Samir Jain’s only child. Her first solo art exhibition was held last year, and besides wielding the paintbrush, Trishla takes keen interest in spirituality writings and has over-seen the launch of Times weeklies Times Crest and The Speaking Tree. Satyan relocated to Delhi some years ago, he works with the Internet division of the Times of India group.
Some super-rich industrialists would like their child’s wedding to be extravaganza of excess—like what Pinky and Sanjay Reddy organized in Hyderabad. While some would like it be a fairy-tale wedding, with an intimate feel and the scale just perfect—like the one Sangita and Sajjan Jindal hosted in Florence. Whatever be the scale, what matters most is ‘It can’t get better than this’.
Mallika, Pinky and Sanjay Reddy’s daughter wed Sidharth Indukuri in Hyderabad.
Tanvi, Sangita and Sajjan Jindal’s daughter wed Krishna Shete in Florence
Invitations with Personalized gifts
The cards seldom go out alone. Nowadays, it’s with personalized gifts like an exquisite photo frame with the guests name and photograph. Other popular accompaniments include candle stands from Ravissant, designer watches, rare wines and Belgian chocolates.
‘Is it the Crystal Room or Ballroom tonight’?
In the wedding season it’s not uncommon to hear ”Is it the Crystal or Ballroom tonight?” the two majestic rooms at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai. The venue has, is and will always be the most elegant location for the most High Profile Engagements and Power Weddings.
Signature Wedding—at the Taj Falaknuma Palace or Four Seasons, Langkawi
Taj Falaknuma Palace offers the perfect setting for fairytale weddings. What was once the sole preserve of visiting royalty- KingGeorge V and the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II is now a dream wedding destination. Four Seasons Resort in Langkawi, is the ultimate romanticsetting for the most incredible beach wedding. The resort is located on the island’s North-East shore overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in the region.
The Wedding Film by Mili and Sid
The Chicago-based wedding photographers & cinematographers are well-known for their Bollywood Chic-style wedding albums and films. India’s Platinum Club now fly down the couple to capture the enigmatic moments of the bride and groom and all the fun, exciting moments of the spectacular wedding! Few families can afford to hire their services, after all the duo spend nearly 400 hours in the film-making exercise to give the bride, groom and their families the experience of film-making at a full production level!
Rockstars and Rappers
Some families want Bollywood super-stars, while some prefer cultural icons like Shubha Mudgal. And some like the Nandas of Delhi, Fabianis of Mumbai and Agarwals of United Kingdom want an international star for the grand finale—like singing sensations Shakira or Akon.
Akon performed at Kajal Fabiani and Gaurav Assomull’s Wedding in Monte Carlo.
Marriage of Cuisines
International chefs are flown in for the occasion, sometimes the menu is matched to the wedding theme and if it’s an overseas wedding, Masterchef Ritu Dalmia steps in as Food consultant. The menu at the wedding isn’t about the number of dishes, but the many cuisines, in all their authentic flavours.
Décor King Preston Bailley or Creative Genuis Tarun Tahiliani
Couturiers come on board not just to design the bride and the entire family’s ensembles but for décor design too. Today, creative Genuises like Abu-Sandeep, Tarun Tahiliani, Sabyasachi and Rohit Bal reserve time to associate with one of the most high-profile weddings every year. And for those who want an International Guru to design the decor for a Delhi wedding extend an invitation to Preston Bailley.
No prizes for guessing what you’re most likely to hear immediately after the wedding—“It was the most mesmerizing event of the decade.”
A fortnight back WeddingSutra broke the story of J Lo coming to India for the Hinduja wedding in Udaipur. Since then we have been chasing the details on the next big Indian wedding. It doesn’t take us much time to scoop out the most interesting news in the world of weddings, everyone loves to talk to WeddingSutra. So here it is: the next big Indian wedding will be taking place at the St Regis Clemente in Venice.
The St. Regis Venice San Clemente Palace (left) and newly opened JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa.
According to one of the guests from Mumbai, the families have bought out the entire hotel room inventory for the three-day celebrations in June. While the wedding program and venues for the celebrations are not announced yet, most of the guests will be staying at the St Regis property and the newly opened JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa. The groom (Ashwin Grover) and his bride-to-be (Riya Khilnani) are both from London. His parents are well known in London’s A-list circuit. The groom’s mother Pamela Grover is a close friend of many bollywood superstars while his father Kimi Grover is a business tycoon. In 2013, the Grover’s hosted their elder son Kunal’s glamorous wedding in Cannes. The celebrations took place at some magnificent venues including Chateau Dieter, a glorious renaissance castle that was once home of acclaimed artists Henry and Marie Clews. Many of Bollywood’s biggest names were in Cannes for that wedding including Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan, Rakesh and Pinky Roshan, Ekta Kapoor, Rishi and Neetu Kapoor.
Ria Dubash and Kunal Grover’s wedding in Cannes.
Interestingly, some of the grandest Indian weddings have been taking place in Italy since 2010. It started with industrialist Sajjan Jindal hosting his younger daughter Tanvi’s wedding in Florence. The celebrations were held at five magnificent venues and the nuptials were solemnized at Villa Le Rose which is run by fashion czar Ferragamo’s family. Later, in 2012 UK based industrialist Pramod Agarwal hosted his second daughter’s wedding in Venice. In 2013, Thailand based NRI tycoon Aloke Lohia had his daughter Aradhana’s wedding in Florence- at venues like St Regis, Westin Excelsior and a spectacular estate owned by Italy’s Corsini family.
Last year, two grand Indian weddings took place in Puglia. The UK based Agarwals (whose second daughter wed in Venice) hosted their youngest daughter’s wedding in Borgo Egnazia, one of the most luxurious resorts in Southern Italy. The event with over 800 guests was orchestrated by Marco Balich of Balich Worldwide Shows that specialises in designing and staging big events worldwide, from Olympic Ceremonies to the Carnival of Venezia. A few weeks before the Agarwal wedding, Google head honcho Nikesh Arora tied the knot with Ayesha Thapar (scion of Delhi-based Vikram Thapar group) at an exquisite wedding ceremony that saw the global glitterati in attendance.
Agarwal wedding in Puglia, Italy.
While the Jindal, Grover, Agarwal and Nikesh Arora-AyeshaThapar weddings have made news in India, Florence has hosted a few more extravagant and intimate shaadis. Some very well-heeled Indians based in Europe have chosen venues like Villa Le Corti a renaissance era villa owned by a well-known aristocratic family and located in S. Casciano, a small town nestled in the countryside outside of Florence. And IL Borro, one of the most unique luxury resorts in Tuscany- the magnificently restored property is an oasis of charm with its own medieval village, 19th century villa, farm and farm buildings. And for the local event managers as well as the hotel’s staff this was all a unique, cultural experience– serving up rustic Tuscan dinners complete with wood oven baked pizzas, buffets of seasonal delights and wines to men in regal turbans, and women in colorful lehengas and sarees. Little wonder whenever we travel outside India to visit new resorts or speak at conferences, hoteliers as well as event organisers & specialists have so many questions to ask us on Big Indian Weddings, hoping they too will get a chance to host or manage one someday!
Indian wedding at Villa Le Corti in Florence, Tuscany. Photos courtesy- Wed In Italy.
Indian wedding at IL Borro, Tuscany. Photos courtesy- Distinctive Italy Weddings.
Mumbai is talking about the scintillating engagement ceremony held at the Crystal Room of The Taj Mahal Palace on 18th July. Parth Jindal, the youngest son of business magnate Sajjan Jindal and philanthropist Sangita Jindal got engaged to Anushree Jasani and the venues were transformed into a ‘Tropical Forest’. One guest quipped: “This was indeed one of the finest banquet celebrations I have ever attended in Mumbai”. On further probing we learnt Sangita Jindal met with the most sought-after wedding designers in Mumbai and Delhi and the task was finally assigned to Tanaz from Mumbai’s ‘Daver Decorators’ who worked along with top florist Havovi Readymoney to execute the project which was mammoth by Mumbai standards.
When we walked by the lobby of the Taj on Saturday evening, the place was buzzing with shaadi activity, as is always the case on auspicious dates. We spotted Makeup Artist Vipul Bhagat, Saree Drapist Dolly Jain, and the Talent Managers of Singers Pritam and Kanika Kapoor, both of who performed at the celebration on Saturday night.
And now for the all-important question. Where will the wedding be held? The grooms parents hosted one of the most talked about Destination Weddings in 2010 when their younger daughter Tanvi wed Krishna Shete at the Villa Le Rose in Florence. A year later Tanvi’s elder sister Tarini’s was a home town wedding when she married Vikram Handa from Delhi. The pre-wedding party was at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives, after which the mega wedding was held at the Jindal farmhouses in Delhi. So will Parth who is currently pursuing his MBA at the Harvard Business School get married in Mumbai or will it be a destination wedding in Europe or at the finest Taj properties in India like Umaid Bhawan or Rambagh Palace? According to close friends, the wedding will take place next year and in all likelihood the destination is Vienna, Austria. Wow! We’ll be watching and will keep you updated!
Singers Kanika Kapoor and Pritam performed at the Engagement at Crystal Room
WeddingSutra’s eye in the sky brings you a roundup of the most high profile, fashionable nuptials this season. Across royal palaces in Rajasthan, exotic resorts in the Middle East to the most luxurious villas in Italy, this season too, the big fat Indian wedding is a globe-trotting one.
Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa’s Al Waha Hotel, Oman
“This wedding season it’s R’Oman’ce all the way”, says a top destination-wedding planner. He is referring to Oman, the hottest new wedding destination. Enquiries about how to organize a wedding in the stunning Sultanate of Oman are flooding Indian wedding planners. Krupa Khimji, an Oman based Indian wedding planner is reportedly at the helm of two magnificent weddings taking place there. The venues for the shaadis include the Shangri-La’a Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, a luxurious and romantic wedding venue situated between the Hajar mountain range and the Sea of Oman, and the Al-Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Millennium Resort. The wedding at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, is expected to be a grand destination wedding with Bollywood glitterati in attendance– the bride, Sasha Rawal, is the sister of a leading Bollywood designer (Kunal Rawal) while her fiancé Samarth Bajaj is the scion of a big business family.
Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah
A 40-minute drive from Dubai, this beach-front resort offers palatial rooms, stylish dining and an 18-hole golf course. Situated between the desert, the mountains and the shores of Ras Al Khaimah, this property was built with luxurious weddings and big events in mind. One of the biggest destination weddings of the season takes place here in November. The Kolkata based Belanis are hosting their son’s wedding and the functions include a welcome dinner at Amasi Beach at Al Hamra Palace Hotel, the Mehendi on the lawns of the Waldorf Astoria, the Sangeet at Bassata Desert and a reception dinner at the Al Hamra Golf Club.
Villa Corti, Florence, Italy
“Amiamo l’Italia!” Indians cannot resist this stylish, sparkling gem in Europe. Every wedding season, at least one big Indian wedding finds its way to Florence, which has now emerged as one of our favorite wedding destinations. November will witness a Dubai-London alliance in stunning Firenze. Over 400 guests have received an exquisite invitation to the three-day celebrations (a Florence-Indian themed card designed by Delhi’s Vivek Sahni). Guests will reside at the St Regis and The Westin and the celebrations take place at five different venues including Villa Corti, a lavish renaissance villa set in a small town in the Tuscan countryside near Florence. With its own vineyards and olive groves, this property is a blend of traditional European luxury with modern-day pampering.
Samode Palace, Rajasthan Rishabh Thakkar, a Mumbai based businessman is tying the knot with writer and actress Sukhmani Sadana, at Samode Palace, Jaipur. The wedding is expected to be a chic, elegant affair. Though Jaipur’s Fairmont is the hottest new venue in Rajasthan, Samode Palace set in a village, a long drive away from Jaipur, deep into the Rajasthan desert, is a popular haunt for the rich and famous seeking privacy for a traditional wedding experience. Last year, actress Anjori Alagh, daughter of Sunil and Maya Alagh also tied the knot there.
Another Jaipur celebration (a post-wedding affair) that is marked on the calendar of the country’s who’s who is of Aditi Kothari, daughter of top investment banker, Hemendra Kothari. Aditi tied the knot with Vikram Desai at a very simple ceremony in Mumbai some months ago but the post-wedding celebrations in Jaipur are expected to be a lavish affair at iconic properties like the Sujan Rajmahal Palace and Jaigarh Fort.
Qasar Al Sarab, Anantara, Abu Dubai
The Anantara managed resort set in the largest uninterrupted desert in the world, spells luxury and opulence like only an Arab experience can. Its villas and spa are designed to reflect the quintessential royal lavishness of the Middle East. This will be the venue for a high profile wedding (the bride’s family is from Dubai while the groom is a scion of the Raheja family). We asked one of the close friends of the groom on why he chose this unusual desert property. “It’s a place where no Indian wedding has ever taken place. Also, Abu Dhabi is just a short flight away from Mumbai so it’s a win-win, offering privacy as well as a novel experience”.
Grand Hyatt Goa
When the bride is the daughter of the owner of India’s top events & wedding company you can be sure that this celebration will be incredible. But Khushi Singh, daughter of Percept’s Chairman & MD Harry (Harindra) Singh who also manages Percept’s wedding division, laughs, “I’ve been busy planning other weddings, so in all likelihood my own wedding will be a simpler affair!” The venue is the Grand Hyatt, Goa. “Needless to say it’s being planned by Percept, with some help from my dear friend and ace wedding planner Aditya Motwane”, states Khushi.
And speaking of old money families, we can’t help mention the home-weddings. After all, some of the most well-heeled yet low profile own the most stunning weekend homes. Later this year, the Crishna’s (actor/ corporate head honcho Vijay Crishnaand his industrialist wife Smita Crishna Godrej) host their daughter’s wedding at their beach-side home in Alibaug. The groom-to-be is a scion of Indore’s Holkar family.
And train your sights on Austria in the coming year. Parth Jindal, the son of Sangita and Sajjan Jindal will tie the knot in old world city Vienna. Incidentally, Sangita and Sajjan Jindal hosted one of the first high profile destination weddings in Europe, when their daughter Tanvi wed Krishna Shete in Florence. The Jindals are now in the process of finalizing the venues for the fairytale wedding, which is expected to take place across four different imperial palaces and idyllic venues. Watch this space for more!
The Wedding & Event Management companies planning some of these weddings include:
Motwane Entertainment & Weddings (MEW)
Kamal Khera
Weddings by Tamarind Global
Divinity Weddings
Percept Weddings
Svaha Events
Mosaic Events, Muscat
All love stories are perfect, but when it involves the union of two business scions (Anushree Jasani & Parth Jindal) and their illustrious parents (Nunu & Uday Jasani, Sangita & Sajjan Jindal), renowned for their hospitable generosity, luxurious tastes and love for the good things in life, you can be sure even the most well-travelled billionaires will be looking forward to this wedding!
The Jindals and Jasanis will host over 800 guests between the 7th and 9th of May across the most aesthetic and interesting venues in Vienna, at themed celebrations inspired by music, love and a history of Austrian culture and the arts.
Hofburg Imperial Palace – Welcome Dinner
Seat of the illustrious Habsburg Empire, Hofburg Imperial Palace today houses the official residence and offices of the President of Austria. Its lavish structure and grounds were originally created in the 13th century and continuously improved upon over the centuries with the most recent addition completed in the 1900s. A symbol of history, the arts and ultimate luxury, the first celebratory dinner will be hosted here, themed ‘A Symphony in Love’.
Liechtenstein Palace – Mehendi
Palais Lichtenstein is an architectural jewel and residence of the aristocratic Lichtenstein dynasty and venue for the Mehendi. Recently renovated and restored to its full heritage glory, guests will be able to enjoy its Baroque stucco ceilings, Rococo Revival interiors and dance on parquet flooring by Michael Thonet. On the Bankgasse, in the heart of Vienna, close to the Burgtheater, it will be decorated in accordance with the theme ‘Floral Orchestra’ and we can’t wait to sing its praises!
Art for Art – Sangeet
We cannot get over the sheer genius of choosing Art for Art, one of Europe’s biggest art studios as venue for an electric sangeet! In the middle of Vienna, surrounded by the historic, green Arsenal, painters flock these halls painting and creating stage sets for the likes of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Volksoper, the Burgtheater and other internationally renowned theaters! Through a huge glass front, you can see the Arsenal and the historic dome of Heeresgeschichtlichen. Wedding designers are crackling with excitement and anticipation at the idea of the sangeet and its theme “The Sound of Music”.
Belvedere Palace- Wedding
It doesn’t get more classic Vienna than the baroque architectural jewel that is Belvedere Palace. The two palaces, (Upper and Lower Belvedere) house a wealth of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. The grand wedding will take place at the Upper Belvedere that incorporates the Sala Terrena, Grand Staircase, Carlone Hall, Marble Hall and Palace Chapel and perhaps as a nod to marriages made in heaven, is themed ‘Celestial Rhapsody’.
Parth, Jindal scion and son of industrialists Sangita and Sajjan Jindal is marrying his childhood sweetheart Anushree, the daughter of Uday Jasani, a construction mogul. Society butterflies will remember their gorgeous engagement at the classic celebration venue, the Crystal Room, Taj Mahal, Mumbai last year. The couple both former school-mates at the Cathedral and John Connon School then took off with their closest friends for a pre-wedding celebration to the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur.
Now, their wedding celebrations will commence with a ‘Symphony in Love’, a welcome dinner at the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Celebrations continue at iconic venues across venue and will crescendo with a wedding hosted at the Belvedere Palace, themed ‘Celestial Rhapsody’. Read more here
The guest list includes a host of high-profile and high-society folk who the Jindals and Jasanis count as family and friends. The revelers will fly in to Vienna on the evening of the 6th looking forward to a delectable few days of luxurious hospitality (and even deliciously, a performance by none other than Enrique Iglesias!)
The wedding makers have already made tracks to Vienna. These include Aditya Motwane and Team (Motwane Entertainment & Weddings), Vandana Mohan and Teams (Backstage Productions and The Wedding Design Company), Aman Anand and Nemish Sanghvi of Kickstart Entertainment, Chef Ritu Dalmia, US based Photographer Mili Ghosh, DJ Gaurav Malvai and DJ AJ, Makeup Artists Shamlee Arora and Vipul Bhagat and Bollywood Mehendi Artist Veena Nagda.
WeddingSutra invites you to step into palatial palaces and regal resorts around the world that have hosted Indian weddings for illustrious families whose tastes are no less than those of royalty with their penchant for glitz, opulence and class. Check out our list of royal venues that guarantee a lavish fairytale setting and make a couple truly feel like a prince and princess.
1. Al Bustan Palace – A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Sultanate of Oman
A 20-minute drive from Muscat brings one to the sprawling Al Bustan Palace in the Sultanate of Oman. It was originally constructed in 1985, and today is a landmark destination for exclusive weddings. Its design is inspired by Arab and art deco influences, and its majestic 38-metre-high domed atrium lobby is truly impressive. This five-star resort’s distinctive wedding venues include the largest ballroom in Oman and manicured gardens for outdoor ceremonies with a backdrop of the Al Hajar mountains and brilliant blue Sea of Oman. The Qantab Room can cater for up to 500 guests for a banquet, and the Manjan Ballroom can accommodate up to 2,000 guests for a reception, and 750 for banquet. The hotel boasts 198 rooms and 25 luxury suites.
2. Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
One of the most expensive hotels every built, the seven-star Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi is striking with its traditional Arabian design elements that include a grand dome and 114 smaller domes in colors reflecting different shades of sand found in the Arabian Desert. With sumptuous furnishings, palatial interiors and a stunning view of the Indian Ocean, the hotel is spread over a million meters, and has 302 deluxe luxury rooms, 92 suites, landscaped gardens, 1002 chandeliers made with Swarovski’s premier Strauss crystals and the region’s largest ballroom with a capacity for 2,500 guests. In February this year, Bollywood stars Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Arjun and Sonam Kapoor attended the wedding of their cousin Akshay Marwah to Aashita Relan here. The three-day wedding was attended by around 300 guests and the city’s finest florists were roped in to add that additional wow factor to the stunning venue.
3. San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice, Italy
Located on the private 17-acre island of San Clemente and boasting of its own 12th-century church, the San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice dates back to 1131. Its Renaissance-style buildings, restored gardens and historic monastery makes this hotel a wedding destination with a difference. Wedding guests are assured exclusivity given that it is a private island, yet there are lots of activities to indulge in – from golf to tennis, jogging to relaxing in heated pools. With its sprawling gardens, the hotel is ideal for couples who want a large-scale seaside wedding with amazing views. That’s exactly what UK-based Indian billionaire Pramod Agarwal got when he booked this property for his daughter Vineeta’s wedding to Muqit Teja in 2011. The three-day wedding saw over 800 guests attending, and a Michelin star chef Federico Salza laying out a vegetarian Italian spread. The historic ramparts of the hotel were decorated like an extravagant Indian wedding venue where Shakira performed and delighted the gathering of global guests.
4. Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
‘Falaknuma’ means ‘Like the sky’ or ‘Mirror of the sky’ – and it is little wonder that the stately Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad continues to be a magnet for illustrious families who choose it as a wedding venue. Situated 2,000 feet above the historic city of Hyderabad, the hotel exudes the class and refinement of the erstwhile Nizams with its blend of Italian and Tudor architecture. Its 60 beautifully restored rooms, stunning Reception Room and 22 spacious halls ensure there is ample venues for myriad wedding events. One of the highlights of this regal property is its immense collection of Venetian chandeliers which is said to be the largest in the world.
Photos Courtesy – Picture Art Company – Arjun Khurana
5. Çıragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul, Turkey
The grandeur of the former Ottoman Empire is evident at the impressive Ciragan Palace in the Turkish capital of Istanbul. Dating back to 1867, this luxury hotel is located on the European shore of the Bosphorus and was beautifully restored in 2007. In 2012, Vartika, niece of UK-based billionaire of Indian origin Lakshmi Mittal, wed Utsav Goenka here. With 313 rooms, including 20 suites in the main hotel section and 11 suites in the imperial palace section, the hotel is ranked as one of the most expensive in the world. Some of its highlights includes the spacious wedding terrace and Ciragan Ballroom overlooking the blue waters of the Bosphorus.
6. Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria
This historic building complex comprises two Baroque palaces, decorative fountains, imposing wrought iron gates and sprawling gardens. Built in the early 18th century, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It houses some of the most notable collections of Austrian art. Business scions Sangita and Sajjan Jindal’s son Parth Jindal married Anushree Jasani at this beautiful venue. The historic ramparts of the Belvedere Palace came alive with this three-day Bollywood-style extravaganza which had a ‘Celestial Rhapsody’ theme. The white walls of the palace were vibrant with backdrops of floral arrangements installed on and around the walkway in colors of deep pink, red and gold.
7. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Home to Jodhpur’s royal family and situated at the city’s highest vantage point Chittar Hill, Umaid Bhawan Palace impresses all at first sight with its majestic structure and marvellous surroundings. This luxury heritage hotel is one of the world’s largest private residences and guests feel no less than royalty here. The palace was designed by renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, with a blend of eastern and western architectural influences. An immutable tribute to art deco, the hotel’s posh suites come with private sit-out areas that offer stunning views of the city, panoramic lawns and courtyards. Many celebrity weddings have been held here, and the gardens of this gorgeous property have hosted guests numbering thousands. Perfect for large-scale weddings, Umaid Bhawan Palace epitomises the best in luxury and heritage at the same time.
Photos Courtesy – OneLight Studio (left), Inderjeet Gill (right)
Photos Courtesy – Manie Bhatia
8. The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
A historical tourist attraction in itself, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is the ultimate in luxury if you’re looking for an exclusive venue amongst colonial structures in the picturesque part of bustling Mumbai. This iconic hotel, overlooking the majestic Gateway of India, dates back over a 100 years, to 1903. Each of the 550 rooms and suites are a blend of nostalgic elegance, rich history and modern facilities. The 11 newly refurbished halls and venues are ideal for elaborate weddings as well as intimate gatherings. The Ballroom, spacious enough for 450 guests, is perfect for grand private events. For a larger banquet, there’s the massive, pillar-less Crystal Room which can host over 800 guests. A delightful option for a private celebration with about 100 guests is the Rendezvous on the Rooftop venue with its 360-degree panoramic view of Mumbai. If you’re choosing to tie the knot at one of their exquisite venues, you can be certain that your guests will take back memories of exquisite culinary experiences that this hotel is famous for.
Photos Courtesy – Monica Moghe Photography
9. Il Borro, Tuscany, Italy
The 700-acre estate of Il Borro in Italy’s picturesque Tuscany region offers a unique and spectacular space for luxurious Indian weddings. Il Borro is an estate that is owned by the Ferragamo family and boasts of its own medieval village, 19th-century villa and rustic farms. Surrounded by the beautiful Chianti hills and Apennine mountains, the paradise in Tuscany offers myriad options for rooms including luxury suites, villas and farmhouses. A member of the luxury Relais et Chateaux chain, it sets a new standard for luxury resorts, especially when it comes to peace, privacy and picture-perfect locales.
10. Palace of Versailles, France
Listed as a World Heritage Site for 30 years, the Palace of Versailles is a royal château in Versailles, in the Île-de-France region of France. Built by Louis XIII in 1623 as a basic hunting lodge at first, it was expanded into a royal palace by Louis XIV. With landscaped gardens, elaborate interiors and an unmatchable collection of art and statues, Palace of Versailles continues to be a top draw for tourists. However, when it comes to hosting private wedding events, that is still rare as the venue allowed an engagement party for the first time when UK billionaire Lakshmi Mittal’s daughter got betrothed to banker Amit Bhatia. It is alleged that it took the tycoon a year to arrange for requisite permissions, making it a truly exclusive venue. The engagement party was held at the Battle Gallery inside the Palace of Versailles, while the wedding took place at the Vaux le Vimconte, another spectacular and palatial chateau also in France.
11. Edinburgh Castle
For centuries, Edinburgh Castle, perched majestically on Castle Rock, high above the city, was the preferred residence of pure blood royalty. This iconic landmark may be the most unforgettable setting to say ‘I do’ in. The oldest building in Edinburgh, St Margaret’s Chapel is perfect for an intimate ceremony. There are several larger venues too, each with sweeping vistas right outside the threshold. The Queen Anne building can host up to 170 people and is a sumptuous setting, right in the heart of the palace grounds and perfect for a grand banquet. The Jacobite Room is another popular venue. It has a capacity of 100 for inner or 150 for an evening reception. Its special features are the stunning modern interiors in an 18th century structure with awe inspiring high ceilings. Treat your guests to dramatic views overlooking Princes Street and the Firth of Forth. Then bedazzle them with a tour of the Crown Jewels.
12. Stirling Castle
With its beautiful buildings and breathtaking gardens, Stirling Castle has a history of royal celebrations. One of Scotland’s most stunning stone castles, the structures have been added to and embellished over the centuries. The Royal Palace, childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, was recently restored to its Renaissance glory. Stirling Castle is available for your exclusive use outside of visitor hours. The castle’s on-site Events Team is very experienced in planning unique events. Pick from a number of locations and venues to suit each of your ceremonies. For example, there is nothing quite as picturesque as a wedding shoot held in the Queen Anne Garden. The magnificently decorated palace rooms also provide splendid backdrops. To celebrate, the Chapel Royal has a capacity of 200 – 240 people and is a superb choice for wedding ceremonies and receptions, with a large stage ideally suited to a wedding band or other entertainment. You can even choose to have a cocktail reception here before dining in the Great Hall. Scotland’s largest medieval banqueting hall, recently restored to its 16th century splendor, the Great Hall can host up to 300 people (reception style). Round off a magical day with a reception in an enchanting setting. A raised dais area is perfect for table seating or for dancing.
13. Castell de Sant Marcal
Historians say the Sant Marçal or Cerdanyola Castle was built during the first third of the 11th century and has been owned by the same family for 700 years. The castle is known for its old world beauty, stunning façade and beautiful grounds. The magnificent gardens of the Castell de Sant Marcal lend themselves to a great variety of stagings, making each function of your wedding unique and exclusive. A great way to experience a wedding at Castell De Sant Marcal is to watch Jill and Niraj’s wedding video. Catch all the special moments in this 11th century wonder with a Gothic chapel and moat and imagine the perfect backdrop for brightly colored Indian festivities and revelers.
14. Jai Mahal, Jaipur
Built in 1745, the Jai Mahal Palace is a stunning piece of Rajasthan’s heritage and a great example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Set amidst 18 acres of landscaped Mughal gardens, the palace has been painstakingly restored and recently refurbished. It is now a luxury five-star Taj Heritage Hotel with 94 rooms and six suites equipped with modern-day comforts and unbeatable views of the city and palace gardens.
Explore the palace history and its landscaped gardens and plan a fairy tale wedding with up to 2,500 guests at the Palace Lawns. The Celebration Lawns are also perfect for intimate outdoor functions like mehendi ceremonies and brunches, while the Durbar Hall is perfect for indoor celebrations.
15. Buda Castle, Budapest
Budapest, with its historic wealth, panoramic terraces and glamorous ballrooms is rising to the top of the lists of exotic, ethereal wedding destinations. Couples are inspired by visions of walking down the aisle in stately settings, art nouveau architecture as backdrop, the meandering Danube in the vicinity, the iconic Chain Bridge in one picture, the palatial Buda Castle in another… It may be one of the most beautiful places in the world to say ‘I Do’. The Royal Palace in Szent György tér is an emblematic architectural masterpiece in the cityscape, and the building easiest to recognize from the Pest side of the Danube. The Castle was home to the kings of Hungary from the 13th century and is irresistible as a venue in Budapest to tie the knot!
Love what you see? For contacts at Palaces in Britain, please call Mercury Travels on 1800 266 2345 or write to them at outbound@mercurytravels.in
To see more gorgeous venues for Destination Weddings Visit- Taj, Oman, Shangri-la
Ever year, almost 1,000 couples visit Florence for their dream destination wedding. While the Florence media may not consider it news-worthy to write about many of the spectacular weddings taking place there, this is not the case with Tanvi Jindal and Krishna Shete whose wedding celebrations took place between 4th and 6th June. News reports from Florence read: ‘Indian tycoon’s daughter marries at Maharajah style wedding’. ‘700 guests this weekend to attend wedding of super-rich Indian’. ‘Fairytale wedding in Florence for daughter of Indian tycoon’.
Only the invitees knew about wedding ingredients since the Jindals kept the celebration very private and requested all the wedding services providers, not to reveal anything. All that is known is that each function was held at different exotic hotels between the hills and the city centre. And at all the functions the guests were served a strictly vegetarian fare. Much-in-the-news man Lalit Modi was there too. Post all the controversies in India, he holidayed with his family in Rome and Milan and then moved on to Florence to attend the fabulous wedding.
Tanvi, while studying at New York University fell in love with Krishna, and with Florence. She attended the global program of New York University at Villa Le Pietra in Florence. Post completing her program there, she and Krishna decided they’d like to come back to the beautiful city, to get married.
Tanvi Jindal and Krishna Shete’s marriage was held at Villa Le Rose, a luxurious 15th century house in Florence, owned by the son of Fashion Moghul Salvatore Ferragamo. Two decades ago, Leonardo and Beatrice Ferragamo bought the villa, and carried out a restoration project, where they fitted it with all the modern comforts while maintaining and enhancing its historical features. Spaces in the villa are now available for short or long term rentals.
The team that managed the Jindal-Shete wedding at Villa Le Rose is elated that they got to work on the most magnificent marriage. Thanks to the big buzz back in India, Villa Le Rose and other wedding venues and planners in the city are hoping to host more high profile Indian weddings– like the one hosted by Sangita and Sajjan Jindal, and Hemal and Raju Shete.
The Jindal family members stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel and the wedding functions included a welcome dinner, a brunch, a dance party, mehndi, and a post wedding Ball at the Palazzo Hotel.
A very high profile Indian wedding is taking place in February next year—steel magnate Sajjan Jindal’s elder daughter Tarini is marrying Abu Dhabi based businessman Vikram Handa. The wedding celebrations are in Delhi where Vikram’s parents and Tarini’s extended family live.
Tarini runs Muse, the multi-designer store at Mumbai’s heritage precinct Kala Ghoda and her mother Sangita Jindal, a well-known philanthropist runs the Jindal Arts Centre at NCPA. While India’s top Wedding vendors have been vying to lend their services for the Jindal wedding, the friends of the family are looking forward to what is expected to be the classiest Indian wedding of 2011. WeddingSutra emailed Tarini requesting for more details, but she sent a prompt and polite reply stating that at this point, she’d like to keep all the details private.
In June this year, the Jindals hosted their younger daughter Tanvi’s marriage in Florence. Guests referred to the fairy-tale wedding of Tanvi and Krishna Shete as the most amazing experience, and the Italian media called it the Maharaja-style wedding of an Indian Princess. The functions included a welcome-luncheon at the lavish lawns of the Four Seasons hotel and a dinner at Palazzo Corsini, the magnificent palace overlooking the Arno River. The main wedding function was at Villa Le Rose, the luxurious villa owned by the Ferragamo family. The food spread at the different functions included an all-vegetarian spread of Italian, Lebanese, and Indian specialities from Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur and Benares, created by Italy’s Galateo caterers, Delhi’s celebrity chef Ritu Dalmia and London based V8 Gourmet Global Group.
Two business tycoons hosted their daughter’s wedding in February. Tarini, elder daughter of Sajjan Jindal tied the knot with Vikram Handa. Trishla, the artist-daughter of Samir Jain, Vice Chairman of The Times of India group married Miami-bred, Stanford graduate Satyan Gajwani. Ace Wedding Planner Vandana Mohan managed the Jindal wedding. The pre-wedding celebrations were at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives and the wedding at the Jindal farmhouse in Delhi. The Jain wedding at Jagmandir, Udaipur, was around the same dates as the Jindal wedding, and was co-ordinated by 360 Degrees, the event management division of The Times of India group. Some of Delhi’s A-list bridal specialists and wedding vendors were contacted by both families, and they had to take the tough decision to figure out which wedding to go to. We presume many VIP guests faced a similar quandary!
When Tanvi, the younger daughter of Sangita and Sajjan Jindal got married in Florence last year, WeddingSutra published reports on how the Florence media went ga-ga over the Maharajah style wedding. Back in India, the wedding generated a lot of interest too. Many WeddingSutra visitors are enquiring if we’ll be featuring elder sister Tarini’s wedding photographs. But the bride and groom wish to keep it private, and so we have no pictures to share. We’re still trying though! Media moguls Jains also guard their privacy fiercely, so here again we have no pictures or details on the Trishla- Satyan wedding.
Fashion enthusiast Tarini ran Muse the erstwhile store in Kala Ghoda, she now lives in Abu Dhabi where Vikram manages his family business; Trishla, a poetry and literature graduate from Stanford, is Meera and Samir Jain’s only child. Her first solo art exhibition was held last year, and besides wielding the paintbrush, Trishla takes keen interest in spirituality writings and has over-seen the launch of Times weeklies Times Crest and The Speaking Tree. Satyan relocated to Delhi some years ago, he works with the Internet division of the Times of India group.
Some super-rich industrialists would like their child’s wedding to be extravaganza of excess—like what Pinky and Sanjay Reddy organized in Hyderabad. While some would like it be a fairy-tale wedding, with an intimate feel and the scale just perfect—like the one Sangita and Sajjan Jindal hosted in Florence. Whatever be the scale, what matters most is ‘It can’t get better than this’.
Mallika, Pinky and Sanjay Reddy’s daughter wed Sidharth Indukuri in Hyderabad.
Tanvi, Sangita and Sajjan Jindal’s daughter wed Krishna Shete in Florence
Invitations with Personalized gifts
The cards seldom go out alone. Nowadays, it’s with personalized gifts like an exquisite photo frame with the guests name and photograph. Other popular accompaniments include candle stands from Ravissant, designer watches, rare wines and Belgian chocolates.
‘Is it the Crystal Room or Ballroom tonight’?
In the wedding season it’s not uncommon to hear ”Is it the Crystal or Ballroom tonight?” the two majestic rooms at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai. The venue has, is and will always be the most elegant location for the most High Profile Engagements and Power Weddings.
Signature Wedding—at the Taj Falaknuma Palace or Four Seasons, Langkawi
Taj Falaknuma Palace offers the perfect setting for fairytale weddings. What was once the sole preserve of visiting royalty- KingGeorge V and the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II is now a dream wedding destination. Four Seasons Resort in Langkawi, is the ultimate romanticsetting for the most incredible beach wedding. The resort is located on the island’s North-East shore overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in the region.
The Wedding Film by Mili and Sid
The Chicago-based wedding photographers & cinematographers are well-known for their Bollywood Chic-style wedding albums and films. India’s Platinum Club now fly down the couple to capture the enigmatic moments of the bride and groom and all the fun, exciting moments of the spectacular wedding! Few families can afford to hire their services, after all the duo spend nearly 400 hours in the film-making exercise to give the bride, groom and their families the experience of film-making at a full production level!
Rockstars and Rappers
Some families want Bollywood super-stars, while some prefer cultural icons like Shubha Mudgal. And some like the Nandas of Delhi, Fabianis of Mumbai and Agarwals of United Kingdom want an international star for the grand finale—like singing sensations Shakira or Akon.
Akon performed at Kajal Fabiani and Gaurav Assomull’s Wedding in Monte Carlo.
Marriage of Cuisines
International chefs are flown in for the occasion, sometimes the menu is matched to the wedding theme and if it’s an overseas wedding, Masterchef Ritu Dalmia steps in as Food consultant. The menu at the wedding isn’t about the number of dishes, but the many cuisines, in all their authentic flavours.
Décor King Preston Bailley or Creative Genuis Tarun Tahiliani
Couturiers come on board not just to design the bride and the entire family’s ensembles but for décor design too. Today, creative Genuises like Abu-Sandeep, Tarun Tahiliani, Sabyasachi and Rohit Bal reserve time to associate with one of the most high-profile weddings every year. And for those who want an International Guru to design the decor for a Delhi wedding extend an invitation to Preston Bailley.
No prizes for guessing what you’re most likely to hear immediately after the wedding—“It was the most mesmerizing event of the decade.”
Mumbai is talking about the scintillating engagement ceremony held at the Crystal Room of The Taj Mahal Palace on 18th July. Parth Jindal, the youngest son of business magnate Sajjan Jindal and philanthropist Sangita Jindal got engaged to Anushree Jasani and the venues were transformed into a ‘Tropical Forest’. One guest quipped: “This was indeed one of the finest banquet celebrations I have ever attended in Mumbai”. On further probing we learnt Sangita Jindal met with the most sought-after wedding designers in Mumbai and Delhi and the task was finally assigned to Tanaz from Mumbai’s ‘Daver Decorators’ who worked along with top florist Havovi Readymoney to execute the project which was mammoth by Mumbai standards.
When we walked by the lobby of the Taj on Saturday evening, the place was buzzing with shaadi activity, as is always the case on auspicious dates. We spotted Makeup Artist Vipul Bhagat, Saree Drapist Dolly Jain, and the Talent Managers of Singers Pritam and Kanika Kapoor, both of who performed at the celebration on Saturday night.
And now for the all-important question. Where will the wedding be held? The grooms parents hosted one of the most talked about Destination Weddings in 2010 when their younger daughter Tanvi wed Krishna Shete at the Villa Le Rose in Florence. A year later Tanvi’s elder sister Tarini’s was a home town wedding when she married Vikram Handa from Delhi. The pre-wedding party was at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives, after which the mega wedding was held at the Jindal farmhouses in Delhi. So will Parth who is currently pursuing his MBA at the Harvard Business School get married in Mumbai or will it be a destination wedding in Europe or at the finest Taj properties in India like Umaid Bhawan or Rambagh Palace? According to close friends, the wedding will take place next year and in all likelihood the destination is Vienna, Austria. Wow! We’ll be watching and will keep you updated!
Singers Kanika Kapoor and Pritam performed at the Engagement at Crystal Room
WeddingSutra’s eye in the sky brings you a roundup of the most high profile, fashionable nuptials this season. Across royal palaces in Rajasthan, exotic resorts in the Middle East to the most luxurious villas in Italy, this season too, the big fat Indian wedding is a globe-trotting one.
Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa’s Al Waha Hotel, Oman
“This wedding season it’s R’Oman’ce all the way”, says a top destination-wedding planner. He is referring to Oman, the hottest new wedding destination. Enquiries about how to organize a wedding in the stunning Sultanate of Oman are flooding Indian wedding planners. Krupa Khimji, an Oman based Indian wedding planner is reportedly at the helm of two magnificent weddings taking place there. The venues for the shaadis include the Shangri-La’a Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, a luxurious and romantic wedding venue situated between the Hajar mountain range and the Sea of Oman, and the Al-Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Millennium Resort. The wedding at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, is expected to be a grand destination wedding with Bollywood glitterati in attendance– the bride, Sasha Rawal, is the sister of a leading Bollywood designer (Kunal Rawal) while her fiancé Samarth Bajaj is the scion of a big business family.
Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah
A 40-minute drive from Dubai, this beach-front resort offers palatial rooms, stylish dining and an 18-hole golf course. Situated between the desert, the mountains and the shores of Ras Al Khaimah, this property was built with luxurious weddings and big events in mind. One of the biggest destination weddings of the season takes place here in November. The Kolkata based Belanis are hosting their son’s wedding and the functions include a welcome dinner at Amasi Beach at Al Hamra Palace Hotel, the Mehndi on the lawns of the Waldorf Astoria, the Sangeet at Bassata Desert and a reception dinner at the Al Hamra Golf Club.
Villa Corti, Florence, Italy
“Amiamo l’Italia!” Indians cannot resist this stylish, sparkling gem in Europe. Every wedding season, at least one big Indian wedding finds its way to Florence, which has now emerged as one of our favorite wedding destinations. November will witness a Dubai-London alliance in stunning Firenze. Over 400 guests have received an exquisite invitation to the three-day celebrations (a Florence-Indian themed card designed by Delhi’s Vivek Sahni). Guests will reside at the St Regis and The Westin and the celebrations take place at five different venues including Villa Corti, a lavish renaissance villa set in a small town in the Tuscan countryside near Florence. With its own vineyards and olive groves, this property is a blend of traditional European luxury with modern-day pampering.
Samode Palace, Rajasthan Rishabh Thakkar, a Mumbai based businessman is tying the knot with writer and actress Sukhmani Sadana, at Samode Palace, Jaipur. The wedding is expected to be a chic, elegant affair. Though Jaipur’s Fairmont is the hottest new venue in Rajasthan, Samode Palace set in a village, a long drive away from Jaipur, deep into the Rajasthan desert, is a popular haunt for the rich and famous seeking privacy for a traditional wedding experience. Last year, actress Anjori Alagh, daughter of Sunil and Maya Alagh also tied the knot there.
Another Jaipur celebration (a post-wedding affair) that is marked on the calendar of the country’s who’s who is of Aditi Kothari, daughter of top investment banker, Hemendra Kothari. Aditi tied the knot with Vikram Desai at a very simple ceremony in Mumbai some months ago but the post-wedding celebrations in Jaipur are expected to be a lavish affair at iconic properties like the Sujan Rajmahal Palace and Jaigarh Fort.
Qasar Al Sarab, Anantara, Abu Dubai
The Anantara managed resort set in the largest uninterrupted desert in the world, spells luxury and opulence like only an Arab experience can. Its villas and spa are designed to reflect the quintessential royal lavishness of the Middle East. This will be the venue for a high profile wedding (the bride’s family is from Dubai while the groom is a scion of the Raheja family). We asked one of the close friends of the groom on why he chose this unusual desert property. “It’s a place where no Indian wedding has ever taken place. Also, Abu Dhabi is just a short flight away from Mumbai so it’s a win-win, offering privacy as well as a novel experience”.
Grand Hyatt Goa
When the bride is the daughter of the owner of India’s top events & wedding company you can be sure that this celebration will be incredible. But Khushi Singh, daughter of Percept’s Chairman & MD Harry (Harindra) Singh who also manages Percept’s wedding division, laughs, “I’ve been busy planning other weddings, so in all likelihood my own wedding will be a simpler affair!” The venue is the Grand Hyatt, Goa. “Needless to say it’s being planned by Percept, with some help from my dear friend and ace wedding planner Aditya Motwane”, states Khushi.
And speaking of old money families, we can’t help mention the home-weddings. After all, some of the most well-heeled yet low profile own the most stunning weekend homes. Later this year, the Crishna’s (actor/ corporate head honcho Vijay Crishnaand his industrialist wife Smita Crishna Godrej) host their daughter’s wedding at their beach-side home in Alibaug. The groom-to-be is a scion of Indore’s Holkar family.
And train your sights on Austria in the coming year. Parth Jindal, the son of Sangita and Sajjan Jindal will tie the knot in old world city Vienna. Incidentally, Sangita and Sajjan Jindal hosted one of the first high profile destination weddings in Europe, when their daughter Tanvi wed Krishna Shete in Florence. The Jindals are now in the process of finalizing the venues for the fairytale wedding, which is expected to take place across four different imperial palaces and idyllic venues. Watch this space for more!
The Wedding & Event Management companies planning some of these weddings include:
Motwane Entertainment & Weddings (MEW)
Kamal Khera
Weddings by Tamarind Global
Divinity Weddings
Percept Weddings
Svaha Events
Mosaic Events, Muscat
All love stories are perfect, but when it involves the union of two business scions (Anushree Jasani & Parth Jindal) and their illustrious parents (Nunu & Uday Jasani, Sangita & Sajjan Jindal), renowned for their hospitable generosity, luxurious tastes and love for the good things in life, you can be sure even the most well-travelled billionaires will be looking forward to this wedding!
The Jindals and Jasanis will host over 800 guests between the 7th and 9th of May across the most aesthetic and interesting venues in Vienna, at themed celebrations inspired by music, love and a history of Austrian culture and the arts.
Hofburg Imperial Palace – Welcome Dinner
Seat of the illustrious Habsburg Empire, Hofburg Imperial Palace today houses the official residence and offices of the President of Austria. Its lavish structure and grounds were originally created in the 13th century and continuously improved upon over the centuries with the most recent addition completed in the 1900s. A symbol of history, the arts and ultimate luxury, the first celebratory dinner will be hosted here, themed ‘A Symphony in Love’.
Liechtenstein Palace – Mehndi
Palais Lichtenstein is an architectural jewel and residence of the aristocratic Lichtenstein dynasty and venue for the Mehndi. Recently renovated and restored to its full heritage glory, guests will be able to enjoy its Baroque stucco ceilings, Rococo Revival interiors and dance on parquet flooring by Michael Thonet. On the Bankgasse, in the heart of Vienna, close to the Burgtheater, it will be decorated in accordance with the theme ‘Floral Orchestra’ and we can’t wait to sing its praises!
Art for Art – Sangeet
We cannot get over the sheer genius of choosing Art for Art, one of Europe’s biggest art studios as venue for an electric sangeet! In the middle of Vienna, surrounded by the historic, green Arsenal, painters flock these halls painting and creating stage sets for the likes of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Volksoper, the Burgtheater and other internationally renowned theaters! Through a huge glass front, you can see the Arsenal and the historic dome of Heeresgeschichtlichen. Wedding designers are crackling with excitement and anticipation at the idea of the sangeet and its theme “The Sound of Music”.
Belvedere Palace- Wedding
It doesn’t get more classic Vienna than the baroque architectural jewel that is Belvedere Palace. The two palaces, (Upper and Lower Belvedere) house a wealth of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. The grand wedding will take place at the Upper Belvedere that incorporates the Sala Terrena, Grand Staircase, Carlone Hall, Marble Hall and Palace Chapel and perhaps as a nod to marriages made in heaven, is themed ‘Celestial Rhapsody’.
Ever year, almost 1,000 couples visit Florence for their dream destination wedding. While the Florence media may not consider it news-worthy to write about many of the spectacular weddings taking place there, this is not the case with Tanvi Jindal and Krishna Shete whose wedding celebrations took place between 4th and 6th June. News reports from Florence read: ‘Indian tycoon’s daughter marries at Maharajah style wedding’. ‘700 guests this weekend to attend wedding of super-rich Indian’. ‘Fairytale wedding in Florence for daughter of Indian tycoon’.
Photos Courtesy – 
Photos Courtesy – Picture Art Company – Arjun Khurana
Photo Courtesy – 
Photos Courtesy – OneLight Studio (left), Inderjeet Gill (right)
Photos Courtesy – Manie Bhatia
Photos Courtesy – Monica Moghe Photography
Photos Courtesy – 
Ever year, almost 1,000 couples visit Florence for their dream destination wedding. While the Florence media may not consider it news-worthy to write about many of the spectacular weddings taking place there, this is not the case with Tanvi Jindal and Krishna Shete whose wedding celebrations took place between 4th and 6th June. News reports from Florence read: ‘Indian tycoon’s daughter marries at Maharajah style wedding’. ‘700 guests this weekend to attend wedding of super-rich Indian’. ‘Fairytale wedding in Florence for daughter of Indian tycoon’.
