A Year In The Making: How Was The Ambani Wedding Extravaganza Planned?

It’s almost a month since the grand wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchanttook plce and we are still not over it! This event was not merely a marriage between two families; it was a worldwide spectacle. The streets of Mumbai turned into a gallery for onlookers as thousands gathered to witness the luxurious baraat procession from the groom’s palatial home, Antilia, to the Jio World Convention Center.

Social media buzzed with updates from celebrities like Kim and Khloe Kardashian, who donned glamorous Indian outfits that suggested a potential episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Major news outlets, including the New York Times and the BBC, sent reporters to cover the event, while tabloids scrutinized every detail with keen interest.

The Ambanis assigned the colossal task of designing the wedding to the famous designer Manish Malhotra, who is already well-known for orchestrating the family’s grand celebrations. Malhotra’s previous work for the Ambanis includes dazzling fashion shows at Antilia and the memorable pre-wedding festivities for Isha Ambani, which featured a stunning performance by Beyoncé. Additionally, he designed over 1,300 costumes for “Civilization to Nation,” a grand musical marking the opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.

“Planning the wedding has taken over a year of dedicated meetings, countless brainstorming sessions, and endless attention to detail,” Manish told Vanity Fair.

For the Ambani-Merchant wedding, Malhotra aimed to bring Nita Ambani’s vision of the “essence of India” to life. The theme was a perfect blend of cultural heritage and modern elegance, intended to create immersive experiences that deeply resonated with Indian traditions while displaying its grandeur to a global audience.

Anant Ambani married Radhika Merchant at Jio World Drive in Mumbai on July 12, 2024, Friday.

Radhika Merchant became the captivating center of attention in a bespoke collection curated by Malhotra. She wore a luxurious orange and rani pink lehenga, meticulously crafted with real gold zari embroidery, and a glamorous chainmail saree designed to stand out at the post-wedding party.

Each outfit, Malhotra explains, was meticulously designed to reflect Radhika’s unique personality. Traditional elements were seamlessly integrated with contemporary aesthetics, resulting in breathtaking creations. The exquisite fabrics, intricate embellishments, and dramatic silhouettes came together harmoniously, celebrating the bride’s grace and elegance with every step she took.