There’s a certain charm about lockdown weddings, don’t you think? It reinstates the whole idea of ‘chat mangni, pat biyah’ and how! Under normal circumstances, couples meeting through an arranged match would want to spend more time together to get to know each other before they decide to take the plunge in holy matrimony. However, since the lockdown in India, and across the world, we have seen that couples who had just met or were in a relationship and planning their big fat wedding celebrations, suddenly decided to tie the knot either over a zoom call, google hangouts or have small intimate weddings amidst the pandemic.
And one such story is that of former Miss India, the lovely Koyal Rana. Koyal met Ayush, a Delhi-based businessman only a few months back. In fact, they met during the lockdown itself. Having met through their families, things moved really fast for this couple. And for the inquisitive ones, Koyal says, “it was a destined wedding!”
But how did Koyal and Ayush decide to be life partners so quickly? Well, their families met over tea and the couple was introduced to each other. Soon they got talking and spoke about education, spirituality and even history. Koyal was so enamoured that she never wanted the conversation to end!
They both realised they had many things in common and grew up believing the same value systems and similar aspirations. In short, this match was heaven sent! However, the couple did not exchange numbers. They did not speak for a week post their first meeting. Then Ayush called on Koyal’s mother’s number and they continued their conversation. They both decided to get married and go with the flow as everything felt right.
To further strengthen their match, when Koyal sent a piece of her written work to Ayush, he made some poignant observations about the project and Koyal was touched. Soon, they wrote lengthy emails and these emails turned into virtual love letters in no time. They decided to meet again and this time around, they figured out that they were meant to be together. Koyal says, “The most important decision of our lives, was the easiest one!”
But here’s the catch – the country was in quarantine and therefore, the typical big fat Indian weddings were a Big NO. But for Koyal this was the perfect setting. This is because she had always wanted an intimate wedding with a simple ceremony with her closest friends and family only. And a lockdown wedding presented her with this perfect opportunity. So, this lockdown, intimate wedding was a dream come true for her. Also, a small marriage ceremony does have its perks! In a small marriage ceremony, you can spend more quality time with your loved ones and it is easier to mingle and to have a conversation too. In short, great memories with people who matter the most!
The Quarantine Wedding
Like all Indian weddings, the wedding festivities kicked off with a Haldi function, followed by Sangeet and Mehendi. For her Mehendi and wedding, Koyal reached out to VowtoWow.co to help style her stunning outfits. Meenal Narula and Venika Khanna of VTW helped Koyal with the best outfits and styled her looks for the functions.
The Mehendi
For her mehendi, which was a fun yet laidback affair, Koyal wore orange linen pants with an embroidered blouse in peach and a ruffle-trimmed organza cape jacket in blush pink. She completed her look with a simple yet elegant layered diamond jewellery from Kotwala jewellers. Staying true to a simple wedding, Koyal opted for minimal bridal mehendi as well. And not to miss the matching mask to go with her outfit!
All mehendi pictures courtesy of Rohit Kumar Photos
For her wedding, Koyal wore a stunning baby pink heavily embroidered lehenga. Her look was simple, with flawless makeup that enhanced her already beautiful features. She completed her look with an emerald layered haar and a diamond emerald necklace – all from Kotwala jewellers, a perfect contrast to her pink lehenga.
All wedding pictures courtesy of Gautam Khullar Photography
While weddings in India are huge affairs, given the current quarantine situation, the government norms allow only 50 pax events. Therefore, for their wedding, this couple was on the lookout for places to have a small wedding. And they narrowed down on a farmhouse in Delhi.
The wedding was hosted at a Lotus farm in Delhi with only immediate family members in attendance. While Koyal had always wanted a small wedding, she did miss her friends and extended family members who couldn’t make it.
The Dream Team
Styling – VowtoWow.co
Jewellery – Kotawala Jewels
Makeup – ArtistrybyAnurisha
Wedding Photography – Gautam Khullar Photography
Mehendi Photography – Rohit Kumar Photos