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Archival Looks To Cruise Celebrations: Wedding Trends We Can Thank The Ambanis For

The Ambani Wedding has spread like wildfire on our Instagram feeds. But what happens after the celebrations are over?

July 08, 2024 | 4:29 PM // By Shambhavi Dutta

All of Bollywood stepped out over the last week to celebrate the Ambanis. With Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani all set to tie the knot on 12th July, our feeds blew up with the sangeet ceremony last weekend. The theme for the sangeet, held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai, was ‘Celebration of Hearts’.

Along with the who’s who of Indian celebrities, Justin Bieber made a special appearance to throw a private concert for the guests.

The celebrations had already been underway since March when the family had a three-day pre-wedding celebration, alongside 1500 guests approximately, followed by the Hastakshar ceremony in Jamnagar.

But that was only the beginning. The couple later held their pre-wedding Mediterranean cruise in May, with guests onboard enjoying a concert by Katy Perry and Backstreet Boys.

The pre-wedding extravaganza has not only given us a taste of what we can expect on the main day, but also for the upcoming wedding season for the rest of the country..

Trends to look out for, post-Ambani wedding festivities

The ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’ is back and how

Photo: Joseph Radhik
Photo: German Larkin
Photo: German Larkin

When it comes to offering experientials, Indian weddings are not leaving any stone unturned. Take Ambani’s pre-wedding cruise that began in Palermo, Sicily. The guests were welcomed with lunch and at night, they sailed up the Italian coast with starry-night-themed formal party. The Ambanis have surely set the bar high.

Metallics, but make it blingier

Shimmer, shine, and diamanté are making a comeback. Ambanis and their clan showed us how to amp up your metallics this wedding season with their looks for the sangeet ceremony held recently.

If you are a serial guest attendee, take cues from Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Panday,and Shanaya Kapoor (among others) as they show you how to dress up in high-shine ensembles head to toe.

Archival looks FTW

Marrying the past with the present, Shloka gave us a major throwback moment and how! Designer Manish Malhotra recreated the iconic lehenga and asymmetrical blouse from the song ‘Bole Chudiyan’ from the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Malhotra collaborated with Diya Mehta Jatia to delve into the archives.

The OG look from the movie is present at NMACC. While the asymmetrical blouse added a hint of modernity to the traditional lehenga, the jewellery set the tone right. BTW, Kareena Kapoor Khan appreciated Shloka Mehta’s look in her Instagram Story and wrote, “Bole Chudiyaaan @shloka11 you look gorgeous (sic)”.

Not just this, the Ambani pre-wedding festivities have given us several archival looks to drool over. Radhika Merchant, for the first day of celebrations at Jamnagar, stunned in a bespoke Versace gown, previously donned by Blake Lively. The creation was a tribute to the enchanting architecture of New York City. Featuring opulent copper and turquoise tones, the whimsical gown was styled by Rhea Kapoor.

While on the cruise, she was seen in a gorgeous dress from Christian Dior’s Autumn Winter 1959 Haute Couture collection designed by Yves Saint Laurent. A nod to the coquette and Barbiecore trend Radhika’s dress was auctioned in 2016. Which archival looks on your wishlist?

Radhika wore a custom pink Versace gown a version of which was previously worn by Blake Lively at the 2022 Met Gala. (Photo: Joseph Radhik)
The bride-to-be with her parents at the Jamnagar pre-wedding celebration. (Photo: Signe Vilstrup)
Radhika wore an archival Dior by Yves Saint Laurent during the pre-wedding cruise celebration. (Photo: Signe Vilstrup)

Custom fashion takes the fore

Personalisation has truly changed the game and when it comes to a once-in-a-lifetime event as such, you don’t want to settle for anything less.

The meaning of true luxury is one that’s just meant for you. And Isha Ambani shows you how to do it right. For the sangeet ceremony, the sister of the groom was seen in a cobalt blue number from Schiaparelli. Styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania, this very first, one-of-its-kind saree was said to be inspired by Rani Sita Devi of Kapurthala back in 1935, who was popularly known as Princess Karam in the West.

(Cover image credit: Epic Stories)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With five years of experience in both print and digital mediums, Shambhavi is the Features Editor covering luxury, jewellery, fashion and beauty. When not writing, you'll find her grooving to music or feeding cats. View Profile