Weddings
Part of Netflix's The Big Day, this couple opted for a modern celebration unique to them
“An Indian bride is expected to be very graceful, beautiful and delicate. I am not delicate,” are Pallavi’s opening words on Condé Nast India's first Netflix show, The Big Day. Her wedding to childhood sweetheart Rajat features in the six-part docu-series that spotlights love and weddings across faith, religion, cultures and societal constructs. The Delhi-based couple’s ‘I dos’ in their hometown embraced traditions but in a manner that was relevant to their personalities and beliefs. The good ol’ revelry typical of Indian weddings remained intact, but the two did away with rituals that felt antiquated to them. This made Pallavi and Rajat’s happily ever after a classic example of the changing face of modern Indian weddings. Read on for a closer look.
Pallavi and Rajat at their Delhi wedding
The high school sweethearts’ romance blossomed in 10th grade over a decade ago, and the two have been together ever since. Rajat was first taken by Pallavi when they bumped into each other at the cinema to catch Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, but with different groups of friends. Soon after, he roped in a common friend to play Cupid. “We literally grew up together—school, college, work, long-distance. There’s no ‘before Rajat’ for me when I think about life,” says the bride.
Moments from the mehandi
The respective families admitted that when it came to planning, the couple ran the show through and through. Pallavi’s mother and sisters even joked that they only attended the wedding as guests, because the bride called all the shots—be it the clothes, food, decorators or sangeet dances. Pallavi dismisses the tag of a bridezilla, adding that “I just want the biggest day of my life to be most special to Rajat and I.” The attention to detailing included adding mindful elements to the celebrations. Such as doing away with plastic, using paper straws, and adding reusable décor.
The planning process also involved explaining to their parents that they did not want to follow any customs that did not resonate with their view of relationships. Though unconventional, they were able to eventually get through to their families. “From more rituals, it’s come down to the mindset now. It’s about how committed you are, how personalised the wedding is, and what you will be 10 years from now,” Rajat’s mother said about millennial weddings.
Rajat at the Baraat
The outdoor haldi and mehendi were both hosted in the bride’s garden, bursting with colourful elements like metallic fringe curtains, and a marigold-decked swing. The sangeet at Hyatt Regency Delhi was a memorable night of dancing and drinks.
The big day was a classic Delhi farmhouse wedding at MorBagh in Chhatarpur. The outdoor venue was set up with white marquees, chandeliers, fairy lights and tuberoses. Having grown up in a house full of women, Pallavi was keen on a female priestess to perform their ceremony. “A wedding is two people celebrating their love for each other. I only want to perform rituals that promote love, equality and respect,” she added. The couple unanimously decided to do away with the kanyadaan. The pandit was briefed that there would be no special puja of the groom. “I think I am very lucky, I don’t think everyone gets this lucky,” says the bride about being able to plan her wedding her way. “Not everyone gets to be who they are. And just to get that opportunity is such an incredible privilege.”
It was all yellow at the haldi, for which Pallavi chose a strappy short kurta set with an embellished belt. The mehendi saw her in an emerald green lehenga and backless choli with chandelier earrings from Outhouse while Rajat was in a classic kurta set. She opted for another jewel tone for the sangeet—this time, a deep blue mirror work lehenga with diamond jewellery, while the groom was in a suit. It was bridal red for the big day. The lehenga was styled with layered polki and temple jewellery. Pallavi balanced the conventional bridal colour with unconventional styling: statement matha patti adorned her hair, without a dupatta covering her tresses. Rajat was in a classic ivory silk sherwani, velvet dupatta and pearl strings.
Watch Pallavi and Rajat’s wedding on Condé Nast India's show, The Big Day collection 1, streaming now on Netflix
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