As actress Shilpa Shetty gets set to wed fiance Raj Kundra today, preparations are on for one of the most lavish weddings in Bollywood in recent times.
The sangeet ceremony at Shilpa’s friend Kiran Bawa’s house, had Shilpa and Raj dance to Teri Ore from Singh is Kinng. Shilpa’s family also performed a comedy skit in which they imitated members of Raj’s family and then danced to Aahun Aahun from Love Aaj Kal. “The family had been rehearsing under choreographer Ganesh Hegde till late into the nights,” says Bawa. Exotic flowers and soft lighting set the mood at the sangeet. The menu featured Shilpa’s favourite barbecued dishes.
A Hawaii-themed mehendi ceremony preceded the sangeet where Shilpa was seen wearing a multicoloured kaftaan dress. Bawa says, “The sehrabandi, chuda and kalire ceremony will be in Punjabi style and Raj will come in a chariot to the wedding venue on Sunday afternoon. The wedding will be solemnized in the traditional style of the Bunt community to which Shilpa belongs. Spa therapists will be at the wedding venue to provide massage and styling services to the guests. The lavish buffet at the wedding would comprise Hyderabadi and Awadhi dishes from Mumbai’s Foodlink restaurant.” While only 150 close guests would attend the wedding, the reception that will follow on Tuesday at the Grand Hyatt will have 400 guests.
All dolled up
While designer Tarun Tahiliani has designed Shilpa’s outfits for all four occasions, designer duo Shantanu-Nikhil has designed a chic black sherwani with trousers for Raj for the reception. Designer Nikhil Mehra says, “Raj is very stylish. We have designed a vintage black sherwani with appliqué work and self-stripes. He wanted subtle bling into the outfit, so we’ve added muted swarovski crystals.”
Tahiliani says, “I’ve used vibrant colors, brocade and crystallized Swarovski elements for Shilpa’s wedding dress, which is a stunning sari-drape in red, covered all over in ruby and Swarovski pearls.”
Ishu Datwani of Anmol Jewellers that has designed Shilpa’s bridal jewellery says, “She will be covered from head to toe in uncut diamonds.”
The couple will then take off for Bahamas for their honeymoon. “The honeymoon has been planned by Raj after doing a lotof research about places that Shilpa has not been to,” reveals a source. Shilpa visited Siddhivinayak temple with Kundra and sister Shamita on Wednesday to seek divine blessings.
