Aashna Hegde and Aditya Kumar's cross-cultural wedding in Jim Corbett

When Aashna Hegde and Aditya Kumar decided to get married, it marked the next chapter of a relationship their audiences had watched bloom from friendship into love on social media. Hegdes and Kumar have always shared pieces of their journey online, but their wedding, set in Jim Corbett from December 6 to 8, 2025, was crafted as an intimate, emotion-filled celebration that blended two cultures, two families, and two distinct design worlds. What unfolded was a “two states” wedding that honoured heritage with modern storytelling, rooted in fashion, meaningful rituals, and spaces that reflected who they are.

Their proposal, which took place around their four-year anniversary in the Maldives, still feels like a dream to them. They were meant to have a candle-lit sunset dinner by the beach, but the weather had other plans. After their meal, the couple took a quiet walk along the shore when Kumar got down on one knee and popped the question in Hegde’s mother tongue, Tullu. From best friends to partners, the proposal was their turning point, marking the beginning of their next big adventure.

A fashion narrative rooted in meaning

The wedding’s strongest thread was its fashion story. Every outfit was custom, deeply intentional, and styled by Dolla Baruah to reflect heritage, memory, and personal milestones. For her South Indian wedding ceremony, Hegde wore a handwoven heirloom Kanjivaram saree by Jigar Mali, crafted with a dhoop-chaau effect. Each motif held emotion, including embroidered tributes to the most influential women in her family—her grandmother, mother, aunts, and sisters. A blank section was left intentionally for future generations, transforming the saree into a living legacy.

For the Punjabi pheras, Rimple & Harpreet Couture created a bespoke lehenga built by merging three couture ensembles into one refined piece—something uniquely hers. And ending the celebrations on a western note, Hegde wore a white Label Ankita Jain gown for the cocktail night, featuring bridal silk, lace ruching, crystallised detailing, and a short face veil that brought a church-wedding charm to the evening.

For the mehendi, she turned to Anushka Khanna, choosing a bright red, mirrored ensemble inspired by her long-time wish to create an Alia Bhatt–style moment. She picked red for the function instead of the wedding day, adding a playful twist to tradition. The look reimagined the classic gharara with contemporary silhouettes, had three fun stoles instead of a dupatta, and a bandhani parandi woven into her hair.

A colourful, unboxed mehendi

The mehendi brought in Punjabi energy through both the decor and the bride’s styling. The space had a central mehendi stage, large trees as natural accents, fruit-filled tablescapes, and a consistent bar across all events. There was no fixed theme—Hegde didn’t want to feel boxed in—so the decor focused on movement, mingling, and colour. Her modern red ensemble matched the vibrancy of the atmosphere perfectly.

A South Indian wedding designed around heritage

The South Indian ceremony embraced a palette of white, gold, and green, echoing temple-inspired motifs and classic elements like banana leaves, mogras, and antique-gold decor. The Kumars wanted the aesthetic to feel rooted and culturally precise, and the bride aligned all her outfits only after the decor was finalised, so everything worked as one seamless visual story. The result was a ceremony that felt heritage-driven yet fresh, with every detail intentionally linked to family tradition.

A North Indian wedding with an unconventional twist

For the North Indian pheras, the couple consciously avoided traditional bold decor. Instead, they chose a rare blue and white palette, modern floral arrangements, and a mandap modelled entirely on a custom AI-generated design. The structure felt clean, contemporary, and unlike common North Indian setups. 

“Growing up, I never imagined myself getting married; all I saw were broken versions of it. But with Addy, there’s a calm that settles my mind in a way I didn’t know I needed. This wedding is our way of honouring that feeling. Intimate, intentional, and a gentle blend of our South Indian–North Indian worlds, and of course, having a little fun with our outfits while we’re at it," Hegde says.

A cocktail night in lavender and winter romance

The final night was a cosy, elegant cocktail in lavender, purple, and sage green—shades chosen for a winter evening in the forest. Since guests arrived in black-tie attire, the couple wore white to stand out against the decor. Soft draping, floral installations, warm lighting, and detailed table setups created a mood that was intimate yet dramatic. It was modern, stylish, and exactly the sort of understated glamour that defined the wedding.

The Hegde–Kumar wedding was, at its heart, a celebration of two cultures and two people who built their relationship on friendship, trust, and family. Thoughtfully designed and deeply personal, it told a story far beyond aesthetics—one of legacy, love, and the beauty of blending worlds.

All images: Fourfold Pictures

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