Nancy Gupta and Saurin Kakkad’s ivory and gold destination wedding at Chomu Palace Jaipur

Some love stories unfold like destiny, taking gentle turns, never in a hurry, never forcing the moment. For Nancy Gupta and Saurin Kakkad, it began in 2016 with a simple greeting at a university career fair in the US and a Band-Aid borrowed for sore feet. What followed was a series of imperfectly perfect moments, from a first date delayed by a broken-down car to four AM. conversations that stretched till sunrise. Years later, after a few near-missed proposals and one quiet, rain-blessed "yes" on a Hawaiian beach, the couple found themselves circling back to where their roots had always been waiting.

Having built their lives in the US for over a decade, Nancy and Saurin knew their wedding needed to take place in India, shaped by warmth, family, and an unspoken sense of belonging. Their chosen setting was the majestic Chomu Palace, Jaipur, a 350-year-old heritage landmark where time-worn sandstone walls became part of the couple’s visual story. The palette was restrained yet luminous, unfolding in layers of ivory, soft gold, and gentle beige that echoed the palace itself.

The celebrations began on February 16, 2025, with a regal Rajasthani welcome dinner. Traditional dancers and folk musicians ushered guests into an evening that felt both ceremonial and intimate. Guests waved personalised handkerchiefs, watched the couple’s pre-wedding film, and sang along at a joyful karaoke session complete with printed lyric placards, setting the tone for a weekend rooted in togetherness.

On February 17, the Haldi unfolded in one of Chomu’s glowing courtyards, framed by orange-hued walls, a central stone fountain, and four trees draped with cascading marigolds. A spirited family flash mob to a beloved nineties song became the highlight, as both families danced in the courtyard while the couple made their entrance from the balconies above. Interactive corners kept guests immersed through fill-in-the-blanks notes, handwritten love letters, pottery, caricatures, live bangle making, and nostalgic street snacks.

That same evening, tradition was reimagined when Nancy arrived at the Sangeet in a beautifully adorned doli, usually reserved for the wedding day. Opulent drapery swept across the palace, while exuberant family performances to Bollywood favourites transformed the night into a celebration that pulsed with energy well into the early hours.

The wedding ceremony on February 18 was a study in thoughtful restraint. The couple’s attire mirrored the tonal warmth of Chomu’s sandstone walls for a seamless visual harmony. A mirrored mandap floor reflected the palace arches above, enhanced by custom-dyed canopies matched precisely to the venue’s natural hues. Sculptural floral installations and floor lamps placed at varying heights cast a golden glow, while minimal blooms allowed light, texture, and architecture to take centre stage.

Throughout the festivities, deeply personal touches shaped the experience. Guests contributed to a recipe book for the couple’s future date nights and received custom playing cards featuring the couple’s photograph, along with a charming game of I Spy. Nearly 1,500 meters of custom-dyed drapery were used to achieve the exact ivory beige tone of the palace. Photographs of absent loved ones were placed with quiet intention, ensuring their presence was felt. Custom vow booklets designed to match the overall aesthetic accompanied Nancy and Saurin through their most intimate promises, while glittering crystals and chandeliers anchored the reflective mandap design.

Nancy and Saurin’s wedding was never about spectacle alone. It was about returning to roots after miles of distance, about tradition reimagined with tenderness, and about creating a space where memory, emotion, and artistry could coexist. In the quiet glow of ivory and gold at Chomu Palace, their celebration stood as a reminder that the most beautiful weddings are not only seen, they are deeply felt.

All images: Eshant Raju Photography 

Also read: A three-day celebration of rain, rhythm, and romance in the heart of Udaipur

Also read: Sun-drenched rituals and a cliffside mandap made Nikita and Rishi’s Mykonos wedding unforgettable