VENUE: SAMODE PALACE, JAIPUR
PHOTOGRAPHER: HAPPY FLASHBACKS
WEDDING PLANNER AND DÉCOR: DESERT PEARL ENTERTAINMENT
Couple’s Story
Harmit and Varun’s love story began at a friend’s wedding in Goa, where Harmit was the maid of honour and Varun the best man. In a moment of bold spontaneity at the after-party, Varun stood on a table, pointed at Harmit, and declared he would marry her someday – much to her initial bewilderment! But that moment sparked a connection, and despite being continents apart, him in Sydney and her in San Francisco, their bond only grew stronger. After nine months of long-distance love, Varun made the move to be with Harmit, and the rest, as they say, is history.
When it came time to plan their big day, Harmit and Varun explored many venues before choosing the majestic Samode Palace. Nestled in the Aravallis and rich with a 475-year-old legacy, it offered the perfect blend of heritage charm and modern elegance. The couple shared their vision with us, and we carefully curated every detail to reflect their personalities and story. Our team worked closely with them to ensure the wedding was both intimate and sophisticated, seamlessly bringing their ideas to life. For us, the greatest reward was witnessing their joy and knowing we helped craft a celebration that was uniquely and beautifully theirs.
Wedding Highlights
Welcome Dinner
With the city lights shimmering in the background and a gentle breeze wafting through the air, close family and friends gathered by the pool to celebrate the beginning of Harmit and Varun’s wedding journey. The mood was set with live santoor and tabla melodies serenading the evening, as guests dressed in elegant shades of white and gold mingled under the stars. The bride dazzled in a gold and beige saree by Izzumi Mehta, while the groom looked effortlessly regal in a white Rohit Bal jacket.
Haldi
The next morning, we brought sunshine to life at the haldi ceremony with a fresh palette of white and yellow. Harmit and Varun wore matching bright yellow outfits, glowing in sync with the cheerful decor. What began as a traditional ritual soon turned into an energetic splash-fest, with friends pouring buckets of water over the couple. It all led to a spontaneous dip in the palace fountain – a joyful, unplanned moment we’ll never forget!
Mehendi
As the sun began to set, we transitioned into a vibrant sundowner Mehendi. A riot of colors greeted guests with bright pink drapes, umbrellas with traditional Rajasthani prints, and marigolds in abundance. The atmosphere buzzed with laughter and clinking glasses as guests savored treats from a live chaat station. Harmit looked ethereal in a pastel-blue lehenga paired with a colorful blouse, while Varun kept things breezy in a white kurta and yellow jacket.
Sangeet
The palace came alive for the sangeet night – a grand celebration infused with music, lights, and high energy. We transformed the venue with a red and gold theme, drenching it in opulence and warmth. The couple’s electrifying dance performance became the highlight of the night. Harmit turned heads in a red and white floral lehenga by Nakul Sen, and Varun looked dashing in a bandhgala by Shantanu and Nikhil.
Anand Karaj & Pheras
Celebrating both their faiths, Harmit and Varun began their wedding day with an elegant Anand Karaj ceremony at the palace’s Durbar Hall. We curated a soft and serene pastel ambiance, with the bride in a sequin-embellished champagne lehenga and the groom in a tea rose sherwani, paired with a maroon velvet stole by Shantanu and Nikhil. Later that evening, they changed for the vibrant Hindu pheras, with Harmit in a radiant orange lehenga and Varun in a white sherwani. The peach and white floral decor added a romantic charm as guests arrived in colorful traditional outfits, celebrating the couple’s union in a spirited blend of rituals.
Reception
The final chapter of this royal celebration was the reception, where elegance took center stage. Set in the hotel’s front lawn, we designed a space filled with glowing lamps and cascading fairy lights. As the night unfolded, Harmit and Varun made a breathtaking entry under a shower of pyro fireworks – a fitting finale to a wedding celebration as magical as their love story.
