Mundota Fort and Palace, Jaipur: A Marwari Destination Wedding
There's something magical about destination weddings. Tying the knot in a faraway place amidst your loved ones is something everyone cherishes for a lifetime.
While there are many beautiful locations to select from for a destination wedding, Pranav and Vrinda chose Mundota Fort and Palace, Jaipur for saying 'I do,' and together, everyone enjoyed the one-of-a-kind experience. The wedding was planned beautifully by Ankush Dhelia from purple people. The architecturally rich city of Jaipur - one of the top wedding destinations in India - offered Pranav and Vrinda, their families, and friends a pleasant and unforgettable wedding celebration.
After jet-setting to Jaipur, the first thing the couple did was get ready for the bridal photoshoots. Clad in a white dress, Vrinda looked like an angel. We captured the fun, excitement, and merriment in all its essence. The Mundota Fort and Jaipur's picturesque locations allowed the us to click so many candid shots of the couple.
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The photoshoot started in the sunny evening until the beautiful twilight set in the background. The beautiful couple shoot with the stunning backdrops of the fort and palace turned out to be a major highlight of the evening.
The Mehndi
Pranav and Vrinda had opted for a carnival-themed Mehndi, and they had it fully loaded with fun activities. Decorated in bright pinks and yellows, the lac bangle making, Tarot card reading, and local performances added more colour to the events.
Marwari weddings are famous for their vibrant colours, rich heritage, and cultural traditions. At the Mehndi, the bride surprised the groom by breaking into a sudden dance with her bridesmaids. Later, the bride's sister and cousins performed a scintillating dance performance.
A show game was planned for the couple, and it was absolutely fun not only for Pranav and Vrinda but for everyone at the event. The Mehndi celebrations concluded with a Dandiya Raas, which seemed like a fitting gift for the Gujarati bridegroom, Pranav.
The Sangeet
Vrinda and Pranav's sangeet function was held at ITC Rajputana. The families welcomed the groom and bride with garlands and sweets. The couple exchanged rings amid the lovely backdrop of the venue. The traditional havelis of Jaipur inspired the hotel's architecture. The long corridors, courtyards, and fountains added to the romance and majesty.
Family members and cousins had a gala time entertaining the couple with their performance. The couple exchanged rings and did not shy away from showcasing their grooving skills either and danced to a super fun song.
The Haldi
The Haldi is one of the essential pre-wedding functions in which turmeric, sandal paste, and oil are applied to the bride and groom by the members of the family. It is considered that the mixture will bless the couple, and by applying Haldi, the bride and groom are beckoning peace and prosperity.
The mandap was elegantly decorated for the Haldi and had lotus-shaped seats. With marigolds and lilies covering the area, it was an awe-inspiring sight.
Draped in an off-white saree, Vrinda looked gorgeous as bridesmaids showered flowers on her after applying the Haldi. Wearing a yellow kurta and white pyjama, Pranav joined the celebrations as elders smeared his face with the Haldi paste.
The Wedding
Weddings have their charm, and Vrinda and Pranav's wedding was no exception. It was vibrant, intricately planned, and full of celebration and tradition.
The wedding venue was the famous Mundota Fort. The 14th-century fort is amidst the Aravalli mountain range on a granite hill. The breathtaking venue is spread over 10 acres and has courtyards, terraces, charming pavilions, and gardens.
Overlooking the village, several species of birds and dancing peacocks visit the Mundota Fort. No wonder people flock to the fort in Jaipur for weddings and travel, as it offers all the modern convenience in an intimate setting.
There can never be a dull moment in a Marwari wedding. A series of rituals were held right before the groom proceeded to the wedding venue. For the baarat, Pranav was seated on a gracefully decorated elephant. They reached the venue with the family in a procession, singing and dancing.
As Pranav arrived, the bride's family welcomed him and the procession with sweets and aarti. Vrinda's mom did not forget to play the Ponkhnu, a fun tradition to welcome the groom to the wedding mandap. She performed the aarti, fed him sweets, and blessed him. She also pulled Pranav's nose in jest, a cute and playful tradition in Marwari weddings.
Pranav was wearing an embroidered kurta and dupatta with a hue of red as the border. He also wore a vibrant pagdi and multi-layered stone chain. With many rituals and mini-functions leading to the Big Day, it was time for the bride to enter.
Vrinda, resplendent in a red lehenga, entered under the chaadar with her friends and family welcoming her. With a bright and beautiful red lehenga, intricate henna designs, traditional jewellery, and the nath, Vrinda looked like a million dollars.
When the bride and the groom arrived at the wedding mandap, it was time for the Jaimala ritual. The couple exchanged floral garlands with each other right in front of the famous palace amidst pyros and rose petal showers.
Marwari weddings are all about delicious food, vibrant outfits, and grandeur. A perfect blend of custom beliefs and fun-filled activities, Pranav and Vrinda's wedding, too, was a palette of colours.
With many rites, rituals, and fun, Pranav and Vrinda became Husband and Wife on the full moon night, with the Mundota Fort setting the perfect backdrop. Amid the fun and frolic, we clicked enough photographs with the Mundota Fort standing tall as the milieu.