Wedding Bliss In The French Riviera: Simran & Avjeet's Nuptials

Destiny plays a significant role in love, as it brings two people together in unexpected ways. Often, people believe that there is someone out there who is meant for them, and destiny will lead them to that person. Sometimes, destiny can bring people together despite the odds, or in the most unusual circumstances. While some may view destiny as a mystical force, others see it as a natural process of cause and effect.

Whatever one's belief, there is no denying that destiny has the power to bring two people together in a way that is beyond our understanding, leading to a beautiful and fulfilling journey of love.

Simran and Avjeet's paths first crossed in 2016 when they were both studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the same university. Despite having mutual friends, they didn't meet at the university. It wasn't until two years later when Simran moved to London to pursue an investment banking career that their paths crossed again. After exchanging likes on Instagram, they arranged to meet for dinner.

Avjeet booked a romantic Italian restaurant in Mayfair, and Simran arrived slightly late. During the dinner, Simran asked Avjeet to give up his booth seat for her and take the chair, showing that she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. After dinner, they went for a walk around South Kensington and Knightsbridge, talking and admiring the Christmas lights. They spoke every day from then on, and they still do not run out of things to talk about.

The Proposal

On 4th July 2021, in London, Simran and Avjeet celebrated the anniversary of their first date at Bocconcino in Mayfair. Due to Covid-19, their plan to visit the restaurant had been delayed, but they finally made it when the restaurant reopened. After dinner, they went to a rooftop bar where they had their first kiss, overlooking the sparkling lights of Oxford Street.

Avjeet handed Simran a ring he had taken from her during lockdown, under the guise of wanting something of hers to keep. Unbeknownst to her, he had used it to size the engagement ring. He then proposed a beautiful elongated oval solitaire set in a thin gold band. His sister and her fiancé, who had been hiding, joined them to capture the moment and celebrate.

Pre Wedding Shoot

Wedding Planning

When Simran and Avjeet began the planning process for their wedding, Simran was still working in investment banking and had limited time to devote to the planning process. Avjeet was also busy running his family business and working on property development ventures. In September 2021, Simran decided to leave her finance career to pursue her passion for event planning, knowing that it was the right time to make the transition.

Despite the risks, Simran took on the challenge of planning their destination wedding in the South of France without hiring a wedding planner.

The couple stayed in private villas in Mougins, California, and Valbonne, which offered an authentic and luxurious glimpse of the French lifestyle. After considering various European destinations, they chose the French Riviera because of its beautiful venues, nice weather, and plenty of activities for their guests to enjoy.

Simran had always joked about getting married in a vineyard in France since she was a young girl, and the couple ultimately chose Cannes as the perfect location for their wedding.

Mehendi

The first function of Simran and Avjeet's Sikh wedding was a small Mehndi event held at the bride's villa. Ferzina from London was flown in to decorate the garden with vases of flowers and colorful tassels for a zen and laid-back Mehndi morning under the sun.

The mehndi morning was set up in the gardens of their quintessentially French villa in Valbonne. They didn't want to distract from the natural beauty of the location, so they opted for a few vases of peachy-colored flowers and tastefully hung a few tassel garlands to provide some color to the area. Fresh croissants were served from the local bakery, one of Simran's favorite parts about being in France is waking up and having fresh croissants, and she wanted to share this experience with her loved ones.

The mehndi was beautifully done by Rang The Colour Of Love, and we loved the floral and birds elements in it. 

Later that same day, the couple held their first party, "Sangeet on the Beach," where they privatized an exclusive beach club along the Croisette. Simran made her entrance to Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love," wearing a Paulmi and Harsh pre-draped floral saree with Fooljhadi earrings from Aurora's Collection.

She also styled her mother in a bright pink floral print Gopi Vaid co-ord to complement her outfit.

Sangeet Ceremony

The theme for the Sangeet was "Candy Pop," and Simran wore a multicolored lehenga with floral motifs on a white base by Aneesh Agarwal, paired with colorful earrings, multicolored juttis from House of Viaan, and a headband from Fooljhadi.

Simran admired how Avjeet's attire perfectly complemented her own, with his ivory kurta and mint green waistcoat standing out in a sea of matching candy pink kurtas worn by her brothers, male cousins, and male friends.

On Avjeet's side, the boys wore apple green kurtas that complemented Simran's own dress.

Maiyan/Haldi

The following morning, Simran and Avjeet held separate Maiyan/haldi events at their respective villas. This was a wholesome event and a memory that Simran will cherish for years to come.

It was the only time her nearest and dearest were able to mess up her hair, her face, and her outfit and get away with it! The theme for the maiyan/haldi was yellow and white, and it was warming to see a golden glow among the guests.

Simran wore a yellow Kanika Sharma sharara and Fizzy Goblet juttis with Bride details on the back, which her mother had gifted her at her bridal shower.

Jaago Ceremony

That evening, Simran and Avjeet also held separate Jago events at Golf Country Clubs to create a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere for their guests. The live-cooked food helped the guests recharge from the party the night before.

Simran also had her Choora ceremony, during which she shook her Kaleeras over the heads of her unmarried friends, sisters, and brother. Unknowingly, Simran's brother agreed to take part, only for the kaleera to break and fall into his lap - he’s still adamant he’s not getting married next!

In bride's words "The Cannes Mougins Golf Country Club is a very old rustic venue from the external aspect. For me it was important to find venues that felt ‘french’ and gave me fairytale vibes, and this looked straight out of a storybook to me. I didn’t want to mask the natural beauty of the venue so I opted for very simple plants as centrepieces on the circular wooden dining tables that were on the patio outside. I chose a simple backdrop of pale pink hanging flowers to sit behind me during the choora ceremony. In keeping with the pastel theme all the traditional items were designed custom with Pataaree in shades of mint green and pastel pink (a subtly recurring colour theme throughout our wedding events)."

The Jaago theme was mirror work, and Simran and her mother adorned silver jewelry from Aurora's Collection and light-weight Ivory lehengas from label mayaa.

Simran's brother and father complemented their outfits in sage green and peach mirrorwork kurtas.

Anand Karaj

For the Anand Karaj, Simran knew the moment she walked into Manish Malhotra's Mehrauli flagship store and saw the sage green piece hanging on the rail that it was the one. She tried it on three times over a week to be sure before purchasing.

The style was perfect, with grandeur fit for a Maharani but still modern and different.

Simran wanted to be different and chose sage green instead of the typical pastel pink or ivory.

Her bridesmaids wore the same color as her, with her brothers in ivory kurtas and waistcoats, while her mother and Avjeet's sisters wore soft pink Astha Narang lehengas.

Their wedding was unique, with every little touch being personal as it was all planned by Simran. Their names were even embroidered onto her bridal dupatta by Manish Malhotra. The whole year of planning was symbolic of their love, and Simran's event planning business, Leela Events, was born from it.

The groom, Avjeet looked every bit of handsome wearing a sherwani with turban and stole in the completing colors to the bride. 

The baraat was the most fun and colorful time, while everyone dancing their hearts out!

The bride, Simran entered looking very beautiful with her brother on the side walking her down the aisle holding a prerrt pastel-colored umbrella with hanging kaleeras tied to it. 

Simran and Avjeet's wedding took place at Chateau Robernier near Cotignac in Provence. The Venue was complemented by fresh flowers in pastel tones.

Simran wanted flowers that looked natural and delicate, including peonies, ranunculus, and clematis - some of her favorite flowers. There were floral arrangements on either side of the aisle leading towards a pergola wrapped in flowers and draped with soft blush fabric. The guests were seated on either side of the aisle on jute rugs with pastel cushions under the shade of parasols.

The same flowers were dotted around the venue in vases on bars, at entrances, on their wedding cake, and as centerpieces (with an abundance of tapered candles and tea lights).

The round banqueting tables sat in the chateau courtyard under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights. The tableware was carefully chosen to complement the theme. Pearl handle cutlery, romantic cut vintage style crockery with blush pink linen napkins and name cards pinned into peaches.

In contrast to the dhol performances they had in the evening, in the morning guests were greeted by string musicians playing a carefully curated song list of string renditions of their favorite songs.

Reception Night

For the final look, Simran and Avjeet swiftly changed outfits after dinner, just before entering to cut their cake amidst a dazzling display of sparklers under the shimmering stars.

Avjeet looked dashing in a tailor-made tuxedo, while Simran stunned in a one-tone ivory sequined Seema Gujral ensemble, perfectly complemented by exquisite Outhouse Jewellery. It was only fitting for the bride to sparkle in this unforgettable moment.

As someone who loved bridgerton, walking through the chateau conservatories to the string rendition of kabhi khushi khabi gham truly made Simran feel like the diamond of the season.

After the ceremony during the cocktails, they had a live painter who painted whimsical guest portraits that they could keep as a memory. During the ceremony and the dinner, the painter worked on a larger art piece depicting Avjeet and Simran walking around the pergola/palki during their Anand Karaj, which he later presented to them.

The food for this event was quintessentially French. They wanted their guests to truly immerse themselves in the French experience and do something different from the previous events.