Pooja and Maneesh's love story turned into a heartfelt Fatehgarh Palace wedding
What began with a swipe, a missed connection, and one unexpected text eventually led to an intimate celebration at Fatehgarh Palace, Udaipur.
Like many modern love stories, Pooja Vyas and Maneesh Apte’s journey began on a dating app, but the connection that followed unfolded far beyond the online world. At the time, Apte was based in Los Angeles while Vyas was attending medical school in Portland, Oregon. Though she was originally from LA, she had temporarily set her dating app location there while visiting her parents, leading to a playful first exchange where Apte jokingly accused her of “catfishing” him.
They moved from the app to texting, but somewhere along the way, the conversation faded. Months passed without either hearing from the other. Then, out of nowhere, Vyas sent him a message referencing an old joke from their chats, instantly reviving the spark. What Apte did not know was that even after deleting the app after just two days, something about him had quietly stayed with her. That one text eventually led to a first date in Santa Monica, and from there, there was no going back. Their wedding celebrations at Fatehgarh Palace, Udaipur, beautifully reflected that same warmth and intention.
A wedding that blended elegance with intimacy
Set against the timeless backdrop of Udaipur, the couple’s wedding celebrations took place at Fatehgarh Palace, with select festivities hosted at Ambrai Restaurant overlooking the lake and the City Palace skyline. Every event across the three-day celebration carried its own mood and personality.
The decor focused on complementing the beauty of the venues. Thoughtful floral arrangements, soft palettes, elegant styling, and carefully curated details brought every function together.
Celebrations filled with colour
The mehendi embraced a relaxed daytime atmosphere with vibrant florals and lounge-style seating that encouraged guests to slow down and enjoy the moment. The haldi carried warm tones and fresh blooms, creating an intimate and joyful setting for close friends and family.
For the sangeet, the mood shifted dramatically with a bold red-themed celebration complete with a striking crystal ceiling installation that added glamour to the evening. The reception returned to softer hues and timeless floral styling that blended seamlessly into the palace setting.
The wedding ceremony was one of the most meaningful moments of the celebrations. Instead of a traditional priest-led ceremony, the couple chose to have close family members officiate while they exchanged heartfelt vows, beautifully blending Indian and Western traditions.
A silent disco under the stars
One of the most memorable highlights came after the sangeet with a silent disco after-party. Once the outdoor music restrictions kicked in after 10 pm, guests switched to wireless headphones and continued dancing late into the night, creating an atmosphere that felt both lively and personal.
The couple also organised a relaxed luncheon with games and activities between events, giving guests time to unwind and spend quality time together.
Captured by photographer Vaibhaav Singhvi, the wedding was a reminder that sometimes the best love stories are the ones that almost did not happen at all.
All images: The Movie’ing Moments
Also read: Inside Arpan Soni and Isha Parikh’s Udaipur wedding that was filled with sweet surprises