Batul and Husain’s intimate Mumbai wedding was a heartfelt celebration of love and tradition

In a city known for its grandeur and glam, Batul and Husain’s Mumbai wedding stood out for its sincerity, softness, and spirit of togetherness. Spanning four days in February 2025, their celebration was less about spectacle and more about meaningful traditions, warm gatherings, and gestures that spoke louder than any decor ever could. Captured beautifully by Plush Affairs, the wedding was a heartfelt reminder that love, when built on years of friendship, is its own kind of fairytale.

A love story years in the making

Batul Ebrahim Merchant and Husain Mansoor Pardawala’s love story wasn’t one written in a rush—it unfolded slowly, steadily, and with an unwavering sense of destiny. Both born and raised in Mumbai, they first met as children in Arabic classes. What began as friendship quietly evolved through their teenage years. At 16, they became inseparable. Husain had long known that Batul was the one, but it took “a million tries and pleads”, in his words, for her to feel the same. Eventually, she did.

Their bond deepened through college, shared experiences, and the kind of comfort that only comes from knowing someone for more than half your life. In September 2022, Husain proposed to Batul at the breathtaking Pangong Lake in Ladakh—a setting as soul-stirring as their journey. It was the culmination of years of love, patience, and persistence.

Today, they’re both successful entrepreneurs. Batul is the founder of Kut&Make, a popular nail salon, and BristleDust, a rising beauty brand. Husain, meanwhile, manages Parda Auto Centre, his family-run metal business that has earned a solid reputation in Mumbai’s commercial circles.

Rituals, culture, and celebrations with meaning

What made their wedding special wasn’t just the love they shared—it was how thoughtfully they celebrated it. Every event was imbued with cultural significance and personal symbolism.

It all began with Katho, a pre-wedding ritual unique to their community. In this ceremony, the bride or groom’s aunts compete to crush spices in a mortar and pestle—a playful yet poignant act symbolising how seamlessly the bride or groom will blend into their new family, just like the spices.
 

Next came Mandva, a sacred family tradition where a cloth adorned with spiritual tokens—holy papers, a dry coconut, and the Quran—was tied outside the home to ward off negativity. This act officially marked the beginning of the wedding, and the cloth remained until the day after the ceremonies concluded.

The Mehendi brought a burst of colour and celebration. With a free-spirited Bohemian theme, the event was filled with music, dancing, and joy. Batul’s friends and family gathered to apply henna and celebrate the bride in a setting that felt as vibrant as her personality.

The couple also held Majlis—spiritual gatherings that combined solemn prayers with intimate dinners. These cultural receptions reflected their religious beliefs while also making space for creative expression. Husain’s Majlis, in particular, was inspired by an “English love story,” blending old-world elegance with the couple’s modern aesthetic.

The final reception, held at the iconic PVM Gymkhana, was a contemporary gala that brought the celebrations to a grand close. It was a night of heartfelt speeches, hugs that lingered, and laughter that echoed—a true farewell to the festivities and a warm welcome to a new chapter.

A modern partnership rooted in tradition

One of the most touching moments from the wedding came quietly, away from the crowd. In a pre-wedding ritual they created for themselves, Batul and Husain made roti for each other. The gesture—simple yet profound—symbolised mutual respect, shared responsibility, and the promise of equal partnership. In many ways, it summed up everything about their union: rooted in love, shaped by years of growing up together, and built on the foundation of balance.

Their wedding wasn’t just a celebration—it was a reflection of who they are. Thoughtful, grounded, and fiercely in love, Batul and Husain didn’t just get married—they honoured their past, cherished their present, and stepped into their future hand-in-hand.

All images: Plush Affairs

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