A majestic Rajasthani palace, a flurry of rose petals raining down, and a couple so in love that even the dhol players can't help but smile. Welcome to Shruti and Ashish's wedding—an unforgettable celebration of culture, color, and connection. From the moment Shruti walked down the aisle in her breathtaking Sabyasachi lehenga, you could feel the magic in the air. It wasn't just the fireworks lighting up the night sky—it was the sheer joy, intention, and heart poured into every detail of this celebration. Held at the regal Talabgaon Castle in Rajasthan, this destination wedding seamlessly blended tradition and personality, with every event carefully curated to reflect who Shruti and Ashish are as a couple.
Shruti's career in project management came in handy when tackling a multi-city, multi-cultural wedding. With spreadsheets, vision boards, and a bridesmaids' presentation deck (iconic), she managed it all while keeping her and Ashish's love at the core. "Is this us?" became their guiding question, and the result was a celebration that felt deeply personal, modern yet rooted, elegant yet joyful. Choosing her red bridal lehenga was a heartfelt nod to Ashish's Punjabi roots. The bridal look came together with glowing hair by Meenal Unawane and Makeup by Aiza, who crafted looks that blended elegance with bridal glam. The flawless mehndi by Sonis Henna told stories right on Shruti's hands—intricate, personal, and picture-perfect. Let's give a standing ovation to Aria Events, the wedding planners who turned every Pinterest board and spreadsheet into a real-life fairytale. Navigating across cities and cultures, Aria brought this multi-day, multi-tradition celebration to life with grace and precision.
The moment they locked eyes, time seemed to stand still. Ashishvows, the setting sun, her smile—it all blended into a scene straight out of a film. Their cocktail hour was another fan favorite. Shruti, a trained Kathak dancer and lifelong classical music lover, arranged for live Indian musicians to perform Bollywood favorites on traditional instruments—with a Bridgerton twist! Imagine hearing "Kabira" on a sitar beneath a canopy of stars. Guests are still talking about it. RituMago Weddings & Events brought the floral dreams to life, transforming the castle into a fragrant garden of color. Every garland, mandap, and aisle runner was a floral fantasy.
Pervez Taufiq Photography and Avinassh Tallurii captured every tear, twirl, and tender glance with cinematic precision. But more than just photographers, they were storytellers. From the vibrant haldi moments to the emotional vows under a starlit sky, his lens didn't just record events—it preserved emotions. The energy? That was DJ Regge. He knew precisely when to drop the beat and when to let emotions breathe. Paired with the magnetic charm of MC Anchor Aftab, every event ran like a polished (and super fun!) production. And when the Dhol Players Dhruv and Sachin Bhatt took over? Let's say no one was sitting still.
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
Though Ashish and I attended the same university for our undergraduate studies, it wasn’t until we both found ourselves in New York after graduation that we truly crossed paths. He reached out to me on Instagram, and from there, successfully made it out of the DMs. There wasn’t a single, dramatic moment when I knew he was “the one.” Instead, it was a series of quiet, heartwarming instances that built over time. A lot of these moments were rooted in his constant care, always looking out for me and finding ways to make my life a little easier. Of course, we also shared so much joy together, whether we were cooking dinner at home, cycling around the city on Citi Bikes, or traveling. On our first date, it felt as though we were reading each other's minds, but we soon realized that we simply saw the world similarly on so many fronts. Calling him my “boyfriend” never quite fit, but “husband” came so naturally.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
Ashish has always known how much I love the mountains, especially those that are accompanied by lakes. So when he planned a trip to Lake Como, it already felt like a dream. What I didn’t realize was just how perfectly he had curated every detail: from researching the best weather for our visit, to booking a classic boat, and even having my favorite peonies waiting afterwards.
I had a small feeling he might propose during the trip, but I had no idea when or how. He played it off so well that I was completely caught off guard when a violinist appeared, playing our song. The mountains stood behind us like a painting come to life. I was so overwhelmed, I just nodded through happy tears when he asked me to marry him—I had to remind myself to actually say yes, and even then, all I could manage was a, “Yeah!!”
He was so calm the whole day that I never suspected a thing. I thought for sure he’d be a little nervous, but nope—I just went about my day as usual, completely unaware that one of the most magical moments of my life was waiting for me.
Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
It was incredibly important to Ashish and me that our wedding felt like a true reflection of who we are as a couple and the kind of love we share. While there were certainly trends that caught our eye, especially amidst all the excitement from our families, we made a conscious effort to pause and ask ourselves, “But is that really us?” That simple question became our compass throughout the planning process.
My current career requires heavy project management skills.
Thankfully, I leveraged those skills to keep us all on track and organized. I made several spreadsheets to account for guest details, logistics, and costs. I made several decks to house all our vision boards for outfits, décor, and for a bridesmaid’s guide! Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok were super helpful for inspiration as well.
The experience in choosing venues and vendors was definitely challenging. Planning a destination wedding is super difficult, constant currency conversions, time differences, not knowing the standard cost of things, etc. A majority of both my and Ashish’s families are in India, though, and they were a huge help. My aunt had a room just filled with all of our wedding trinkets. Ashish’s family would visit some of our vendors in person to discuss and finalize services as well. Our vendors were split between Delhi and Pune (Ashish’s family’s hometown and mine).
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
My family and I are Marathi, and staying connected to our roots has always been deeply important to me. Whenever I imagined my wedding day, I saw myself in a traditional bottle green or pale yellow nauvaree—a reflection of my heritage and the culture I hold dear.
During the planning process, I spoke with my mother-in-law to understand which traditions mattered most to her. She shared that in Hindu Punjabi culture, brides typically wear a red lehenga and expressed how meaningful it would be for her if I honored that custom. It was important to me to embrace my husband’s culture—especially since it’s one I am now becoming a part of.
That said, I’ve never felt comfortable in red or bold colors, and I was nervous about finding a shade that truly flattered me. Still, I was determined to make it work. I’ve always admired designers like Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani, and Manish Malhotra for the way they reinterpret Indian tradition through a modern lens. I’ve followed their work since middle school, so incorporating their designs into my wedding felt like a dream.
We visited a few boutiques in Mehrauli and Chandni Chowk, trying on lehengas in search of the right one. I kept my hopes grounded, saving Sabyasachi for the middle of the lineup—just to manage my expectations. My mother and I aren’t usually very emotional, especially in public, but the moment I tried on my first Sabyasachi lehenga, something shifted. We were both instantly drawn in—it felt special.
The lehenga I ultimately chose was the very last one I tried. As soon as I stepped out wearing it, my mom and I were both in tears. In that moment, I knew. It was the one that made me feel the most radiant, the most confident, and—most importantly—like a bride. From that point on, there was no doubt. Nothing else came close.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
Personally, I found so much joy in learning about the traditions and cultural richness from both of our families. In Marathi culture, it's customary for friends and relatives to host a kelvan—a heartfelt gathering to bless and celebrate a loved one before they embark on a new chapter in life, whether that’s graduating, moving abroad, or getting married. Each Kelvan we attended became a beautiful opportunity to not only celebrate but also to learn. Our family friends generously shared the stories behind these customs—their origins, their meanings, and how we can carry them forward. In the same way, discovering and embracing the traditions of Ashish’s family was equally special. It was exciting to take mental notes of the rituals I’ll one day be guiding myself. And of course, beyond the traditions, one of the most thrilling parts was curating each of our wedding looks—from the main outfit to the jewelry, hair, makeup, and shoes. Every little detail was a joy to dream up and bring to life.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
Our guests were truly in awe of each event. There was a tangible sense of excitement and joy among our friends and families throughout the celebrations. One thing we kept hearing—over and over—was, “Of course you would have this! It wouldn’t be your wedding without it!” One standout was our cocktail hour.
Classical music has always held a special place in my heart, as I’m formally trained in Kathak. I knew from the very beginning that we needed live Indian classical musicians. At the same time, I’m completely obsessed with Bridgerton, so we decided to blend both worlds, requesting the musicians to perform popular Bollywood songs using traditional instruments like the tabla and sitar. The result was magical, and so uniquely us.
Above all, we planned every detail with our guests in mind. We wanted everyone to feel just how deeply grateful we were that they had traveled all the way to Rajasthan to celebrate with us. From easing travel logistics to creating memorable, meaningful experiences, we tried to ensure that everyone felt cared for and celebrated, right alongside us.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
For me, it was our first look. It was so important for us to carve out a private moment—just the two of us—to fully take in everything we were feeling and to express our love without distraction. That moment was nothing short of magical. The sun was beginning to set, casting the most beautiful golden glow, and Ashish looked radiant in his sera. His vows were tender and heartfelt, and they touched me in a way I’ll never forget. All day, I had been buzzing with anticipation, counting down the minutes until we could finally be married. In that quiet moment together, all of the nerves and restlessness melted away. I felt completely at peace, grounded by his presence, and overwhelmed with love.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
It’s so easy to get swept up in the countless details and the pressure of planning your “one big day.” But the most important thing—truly—is to never lose sight of why you’re doing it all. At the heart of it, your wedding is a celebration of love, and everyone is coming together to honor the beautiful bond you share with your partner. It’s so okay to take breaks from planning. Go on dates and unplug—they’re the sweetest way to recharge and remind yourselves of the love at the center of it all.
Throughout the process, remember that you’re a team. Support one another, communicate openly, and always show up for each other. Advocate for what matters to you—with grace and kindness. Be honest about what’s truly important, and be willing to compromise so that the people who mean the most to you feel included and valued.
Surround yourself with vendors who are just as passionate about your vision as you are—people who care about the little things will bring your dreams to life with heart. And when the day finally arrives… let it all go. Trust the process, be present, and allow yourself to feel every moment. Dance, laugh, soak it all in. Because at the end of the day, the most precious thing you’ll carry with you is the joy you felt while celebrating your love story.
From DMs to "I do," Shruti & Ashish gave us a wedding full of magic and meaning.
