A Riviera romance: Inside Sarina and Lavine’s spectacular Cannes wedding

Sarina Vaswani and Lavine Hemlani decided to celebrate their union in Cannes, envisioning more than just a destination wedding. They wanted an experience that reflected their story and culture. Designed by The Wedding Square, the four-day celebration unfolded across iconic Riviera venues, from sunlit beach soirées to a white-on-white wedding at Château Les Croix. Blending Indian heritage with French style, the result was a revel as breathtaking as it was memorable.

A love story that moved across borders

Vaswani and Hemlani's story reads like a modern-day fairytale. Raised in Dubai and Hong Kong, respectively, they came from globally influenced yet culturally rooted backgrounds. They first crossed paths through mutual friends and reconnected in Dubai in late 2023. The meeting felt serendipitous. Within weeks, Hemlani knew she was “the one,” and what followed was a relationship grounded in shared values, family warmth, and an unwavering sense of connection. When it came to their wedding, both were sure that they wanted a celebration that honoured both traditional values with modern flair. The result? A dreamy Cannes wedding that seamlessly wove Sindhi traditions into the effortless elegance of the French Riviera.

The vision: Turning dreams into design

Designing a wedding across continents means understanding both the emotion behind Indian rituals and the aesthetic harmony of the chosen destination. For this wedding, Shweta Mehta, co-founder and lead designer of The Wedding Square, led the creative direction. Cannes offered the perfect canvas: timeless, cinematic, and alive with texture. The narrative was built around the couple’s journey, from their love for travel and their appreciation for heritage, to their desire for a wedding that felt equal parts personal and magical.

Day one: Welcome dinner at Carlton Beach Club

The celebrations began with a welcome dinner at the iconic Carlton Beach Club, making it a Riviera-inspired soirée bathed in candlelight, soft gold accents, and breezy whites. The design evoked understated glamour, with intimate touches like personalised notes and ambient lighting, bringing warmth to the coastal chic setting. The décor also played with translucence. Sheer drapes, golden reflections, and subtle textures mirrored the changing hues of sunset over the water, setting a tone of elegance for the celebrations to follow.

Day two: The mehendi at Vilebrequin La Plage

The next day unfolded in a wash of sunshine tones. The mehendi lunch was envisioned as a bohemian dreamscape: airy, textured, and alive with artisanal details. Drawing from the natural sunny and ivory palette of the Riviera, accented by rattan textures, cascading marigolds, billowing linen drapes, and pampas grass for handcrafted lounging nooks. Guests could relax in bespoke cabanas, sip on fresh cocktails, or have their hands adorned with mehendi. The atmosphere was vibrant yet unhurried, creating a bridge between Indian grandeur and European ease.

The sangeet: A night of spectacle and storytelling

Come evening, the sangeet at Palm Beach seemed to be inspired by starlight. The venue was a dreamscape of mirrors, movement, and music, making it a night that shimmered. The setting was cinematic, with mirrored arches, reflective installations, and moody lighting creating a sense of depth and drama. Performances by Sukhbir and Guru Randhawa turned the night into a concert-level spectacle, while family dances added a dose of heartfelt fun. This night, attended by Manish Malhotra among others, was more than entertainment; it was emotion amplified through design.

Day three: The wedding at Château Les Croix

The final chapter of the celebration, the wedding, was held at the stunning Château Les Croix. Here, the couple exchanged vows in a wedding that reimagined Indian rituals through a minimalist lens. The mandap appeared to float like a cloud and was draped in soft, architectural fabric, making it both ethereal and sculptural. Oversized couture bows added a playful, feminine touch, while tonal florals and textural details replaced traditional opulence with layered sophistication. As twilight deepened, Sonu Nigam’s soulful performance filled the air, leading into an electric closing set by Jason Derulo, who brought the celebration to an unforgettable crescendo. Against the glow of lamplight and the backdrop of the Château, it was a finale that felt like it was made for the silver screen.

Every design choice had a reason: marigolds for nostalgia, mirror work for reflection, drapes that moved like wind on the Riviera. The result was not just a wedding, but a sensory experience. Every element resonated with Vaswani and Hemlani, making it a wedding that didn’t just create trends but also created memories.

Image credits: Joseph Radhik,The Wedding Square

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