Inside Urvashi and Vidur’s UNESCO temple wedding in Kyoto
Urvashi and Vidur’s intimate wedding in Japan blended Buddhist tradition, immersive culture and thoughtful design into one unforgettable journey.
For Urvashi Agarwal and Vidur Khurana, Kyoto was never about spectacle; it was about stillness, history and spirituality. Set within one of Japan’s most culturally protected cities, their wedding showed how destination celebrations can feel deeply personal while remaining respectful to local traditions. Planned and executed by Shreem Events, the celebration unfolded across heritage spaces, language barriers and strict regulations, all handled with months of careful research and on-ground collaboration.
The wedding journey began with a relaxed sundowner at K36 Kyoto, a venue known for its uninterrupted pagoda views. Designed as a slow, unhurried evening, the event allowed guests to ease into the destination after travelling all the way. With perfect weather, soft music and generous hospitality, it set the tone for what the couple wanted the entire wedding to feel like—present and calm.
Culture-led celebrations at Kyoyamato
The following day moved to Kyoyamato, where three traditional Japanese houses were transformed into one flowing experience. Guests didn’t just attend events; they moved through moments. Traditional matcha tea ceremonies, ninja-inspired calligraphy, Geisha and Maiko performances and craft-focused bartending teams flown in from Tokyo created an atmosphere rooted in authenticity rather than theme.
As the evening progressed, the mood shifted seamlessly into a high-energy after-party led by DJ Krish T-Bomb, and the guests danced on.
A sacred ceremony at Ninnaji Temple
The heart of the wedding was the ceremony at Ninnaji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Agarwal had envisioned a deeply spiritual Buddhist ritual, and the couple was granted the rare opportunity to honour centuries-old traditions within the temple grounds.
The intimate ceremony felt sacred and profound, offering a sense of meaning that went far beyond visual beauty. It was a reminder that some destinations offer not just a backdrop, but a belief system and history to become part of.
When a wedding feels like a journey
What truly set this celebration apart was how it doubled as a curated travel itinerary. Guests became participants in Kyoto’s rhythm through sightseeing, local crafts, food experiences and ritual-led moments. Despite an intimate guest list, the wedding was executed at an ultra-luxury scale, with personalised yukatas, bespoke thank-you gifts, a surprise after-party and even a thoughtfully curated mini 7-Eleven installation that added an unexpected, playful touch.
Agarwal and Khurana's wedding showed how slow luxury, spirituality and cultural immersion can come together to create a celebration that feels timeless, intentional and deeply memorable.
Lead image: House On The Clouds
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