“Regal Romance: A Bridgerton-Inspired Gujarati Wedding”
-The Inspiration
"An English summer"
If you’re a fan of the hit Netflix show Bridgerton and you’re planning your own wedding, why not take some inspiration from the show’s gorgeous costumes and luxurious settings? That’s exactly what one bride did for her Gujarati wedding, and the results were truly stunning.
For those who aren’t familiar, Gujarati weddings are a traditional Indian wedding ceremony that typically last for several days and involve a number of different rituals and ceremonies. They’re known for their vibrant colors, intricate designs, and joyful celebrations.
For this particular wedding, Ishani (Bride) and Prashant (groom) wanted to incorporate elements of Bridgerton’s regal and romantic style into their ceremony and celebrations.
Here’s how they did it:
The Venue
The Corn & Cob Farm
The couple chose a stunning outdoor venue- a quaint farm just outside of Middleburg. The family owned farm featured a grand ceremony area in a luxury barn, lush, green gardens reminiscent of the show’s elaborate estates.
The space decorated with floral arrangements in soft pastel shades and antique gold accents throughout to create a luxurious, elegant atmosphere.
Being on a beautiful farm, the stables hosted the most majestic horse herd making for a dramatic and magnificent backdrop for Prashant as he walked to his eagerly awaiting bride.
You would think it couldn’t get more perfect than this!
-Bridal styling
Attire, Hair, Make up & Mehndi
The couple looked like they had stepped straight out of a fairytale. The bride and groom both wore traditional Gujarati wedding attire, but they added some Bridgerton-inspired touches to make their outfits truly special.
Ishani wore a stunning ivory and gold lehenga with intricate embroidery and beading using a coral red scalloped dupatta to perfectly bring in an impeccable balance of her Gujrati heritage and sticking to theme, evoking a sense of royalty and elegance.
Meanwhile, Prashant looked every bit the handsome prince in his matching sherwani with gold embellishments, tying in perfectly with the regal and romantic theme of the wedding. They both accessorized with statement jewelry pieces that added some extra glamour to their looks and completed the royal ensembles.
The Decor
Bridging the worlds with a dash of Slytherin!
The décor was inspired by the show’s sumptuous settings and lavish parties.
The couple used elaborate chandeliers, luxury orchid florals and gold-framed mirrors to create a romantic and opulent ambiance.
They also incorporated touches of Bridgerton’s signature shade of navy blue into the decor, such as in the table settings and flower arrangements.
For the mandap, Ishani being a huge Harry Potter Fan had suggested a “Slytherin Green” which was not very welcomed by brides mom- until it turns out Slytherin Green is a deep shade of Emerald!
Emerald green got the approval but dare we remind anyone its resemblance to the serpent house!
To soften the deep tones, Ishani opted for soft finishings in pearl accents and florals in shades of white and deep reds.
The Food
CUISINE AND AN ABSOLUTE HIT- THE DESSERT BAR!
The couple wanted to incorporate traditional Gujarati cuisine into their wedding menu, but they also wanted to offer some unique and unexpected options for their guests.
They worked with their caterer to create a menu that included both classic Indian dishes and more modern options, such as a dessert bar featuring a variety of sweets and treats.
Everyone of their guests had a tray of freshly made dinky donuts or an array of ice creams to end of what was a delicious warm meal in the beautiful gardens with family and friends. The warmth and love felt throughout the day was magical.
Photography & Videography
Every moment – some carefully curated and the rest candid were all captured immaculately by the talented team at Hathi Films and Photography by Kavo. With his artistic instinct and eye for detail collaborating with Vraj of Hathi Films produced exceptional memories for the family to reflect on for lifetimes! One of the visual highlights was when Ishani asked for a private first reveal. She arrived at the venue and eagerly awaited Prashant.
Its a moment that can only be done once off and the team perfectly captured the moment Prashant turned around in amazement to find his beautiful bride to be!
A private first reveal for Prashant...
The Ceremony
Nothing too big or too small.
We often view traditional and cultural practices with reluctance, but this particular wedding was an exception. Every aspect of the Gujarati wedding ceremony was executed with utmost reverence and pride, imbuing the event with a significance that many weddings lack.
However, this did not detract from the joyful and playful elements of the wedding, such as the traditional rituals of pulling the groom’s nose and claiming his shoes, as well as receiving blessings from elders. These traditions were carried out with genuine enthusiasm and wholeheartedness by the couple’s loved ones, resulting in a day filled with cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
To jazz things up, as the grooms party arrived, Ishani and her family had arranged for a traditional Ndebele group to sing and lead the grooms party into the venue as a warm welcome to their hometown of Mpumalanga. The grooms family were every bit thrilled and us just excited at the diverse nature of the wedding.
Welcoming of the Groom and his party
Brides entry
Ceremony Highlights
Paheli weddings & Events
Coordinating what became a family wedding!
When Bridgerton meets Gujarat, magic happens! That’s exactly what occurred at this wedding in Middleburg, where Paheli Weddings and Events were hired to coordinate the special day for a beautiful couple.
After a few interactions, we had quickly forgotten that we were working at all! This was because of the warm hospitality, loving and caring nature of the family and community in Middleburg.
The amount of love and warmth from the family to all their guests and suppliers was so special and reminiscent of Maya Angelou’s “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
From the moment we arrived, we were embraced with open arms, and it was clear that this wedding was going to be a memorable one. And what a gorgeous English Summers day it was!
We cannot thank the ever so beautiful and bubbly Ishani with her amazing family enough for the chance to have been part of her special day and wish the couple all the best with their married life!
It takes a team:
Bride: Ishani
Groom: Prashant
Wedding Coordinator: @paheliweddings
Venue: @corn.andcob
Photography: @kavo_r
Videography: @hathifilms
Bridal outfit: @Roopkalamumbai
Bridal styling: @makeupbymanisha
Mehendi: @hennabyseema
Catering: LV Foods
Sound and Lighting: Sean and Team