The Betrothal Begins
In the extravagant world of Indian weddings, the Ambani-Merchant wedding has set a new benchmark for opulence and grandeur, as the union of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of India’s wealthiest man Mukesh Ambani, and pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant, has captivated the global audience. The celebrations began in December 2022 with a low-key engagement ceremony at a temple in Rajasthan, surrounded by close family and friends.
The Engagement Party: A Bollywood Affair
The festivities kicked into high gear in January 2023 with Radhika Merchant’s traditional “mehndi” ceremony, followed by the grand “Gol Dhana” engagement party. This event drew in some of the biggest names in Bollywood, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Ranveer Singh, solidifying the couple’s status as the talk of the town.
The Pre-Wedding Extravaganza: A Global Gathering
In March, the Ambanis took the celebrations to the next level with a pre-wedding party in Jamnagar, Gujarat. This event, with a guest list of 1,200 people, featured choreographed Bollywood-style dancing, fireworks, and a feast of 500 dishes cooked by around 100 chefs. The highlight of the evening was a rare performance by Rihanna, her second in six years. The event was a who’s who of the global elite, with tech billionaires Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates in attendance, along with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.
The European Cruise: A Floating Celebration
In May, the Ambanis set sail on a four-day European cruise aboard a luxury chartered ship, starting in Palermo, Sicily, and ending in Rome. Despite a strict no-phones policy, leaked social media videos showed on-deck concerts from the Backstreet Boys, Pitbull, and David Guetta. The cruise also included a masquerade ball in Cannes, featuring a performance by Katy Perry, and an evening event in Portofino on the Italian Riviera, where Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli serenaded the guests.
The Mass Wedding and Sangeet Ceremony
As the wedding festivities continued, the Ambanis hosted a mass wedding, or “Samuh Vivah,” in the town of Palghar on July 2nd. More than 50 underprivileged couples were invited to receive gifts, ranging from gold ornaments to a year’s worth of groceries. A few days later, at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center in Mumbai, the Ambanis hosted a traditional “sangeet” ceremony, which featured a live performance from pop sensation Justin Bieber.
The Haldi Ceremony: A Vibrant Prelude
On July 8th, the couple participated in the “haldi” ceremony, a pre-wedding ritual that traditionally sees friends and family bless the marrying couple by applying a turmeric paste to their heads, faces, or bodies. The pair kept the event private, but photographs later shared online showed the couple wearing complementary gold and yellow outfits, with Radhika Merchant in a custom ensemble by celebrated Indian designer Anamika Khanna and Anant Ambani in a kurta and jacket by Sandeep Khosla.
The Main Wedding Ceremony: The Grand Finale
The much-anticipated main wedding ceremony is set to commence on Friday, July 14th, at the 16,000-capacity Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai. The event will feature a red carpet to showcase the A-list attendees, who are expected to be clad in classical Indian attire. Rumors abound about the performer lineup, with names like Adele, Drake, and Lana Del Rey being thrown around, but one thing is certain: no expense will be spared.
The Divine Blessings Ceremony: A Spiritual Culmination
The day after the nuptials, the couple will participate in the “Shubh Ashirwad,” or divine blessings ceremony. Here, the newlyweds will seek blessings from the elders in their community, with the ceremony often involving the couple being showered with rose petals or rice as they walk down the aisle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend this ceremony and bestow his blessings upon the couple.
The Grand Reception: A Fitting Finale
The mammoth festivities will conclude on Sunday with the “Mangal Utsav,” or reception. Guests have been instructed to dress in “Indian chic” attire for this final celebration of the couple. The reception is expected to take place at the Ambani family’s 27-story residence, Antilia.
Breakdown of Costs: Unparalleled Extravagance
The Ambani-Merchant wedding has set new benchmarks in terms of expenditure. Noteworthy expenses include a staggering Rs 74 crore paid to Rihanna for her performance at the Jamnagar pre-wedding festivities, and a whopping Rs 83 crore for Justin Bieber’s sangeet night appearance. The Daily Mail reports that a staggering Rs 2500 crore was allocated solely to the pre-wedding events, covering expenses such as the luxurious Celebrity Ascent cruise liner, private jets, and comprehensive security measures.
Conclusion: A New Standard in Luxury and Tradition
As the world eagerly anticipates the unfolding of this historic event, Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani’s wedding stands as a testament to the Ambani family’s commitment to hosting the grandest celebrations imaginable. By seamlessly blending tradition with unparalleled extravagance, the Ambani-Merchant wedding has set a new benchmark in the realm of luxury, solidifying the family’s legacy as pioneers of opulence in the global spotlight.