BT Exclusive: Inside Kajal Aggarwal and Gautam Kitchlu's Intimate Wedding

Brides Today: Congratulations on your wedding. How did you and Gautam meet? 

Kajal Aggarwal: "Gautam and I met through common friends at a mutual friend’s wedding eight years ago. We grew to know each other and we were friends at first. We cultivated a really strong and healthy friendship, and here we are after all these years, married!"

Brides Today: Tell us about the proposal.

Kajal: "The proposal a simple, authentic and heart-to-heart discussion that the two of us had around January this year. After that, Gautam came and spoke to my parents in May and we got engaged in June.

In a lighthearted moment, I forced him to go down on his knees after he spoke to my parents! I teased him by telling him that I won’t get married to him unless he got down on your knees! (he did, of course!)"

Brides Today: How did the pandemic affect your wedding plans?

Kajal: "Covid cut short our celebration in terms of numbers. Our events were reduced to a minimum and unfortunately, our near and dear ones from all over the world could not make it. It was also quite a challenge for us to make sure everyone on our guest list, as well as all our vendors, were tested, quarantined (if travel was involved). There were layers of safety involved—everything was sanitised and masks were worn all the time like it was the norm. Of course, this did not take away from our joy or enthusiasm even a little bit!"

"There were lovely pujas to begin our festivities, and our very private Mehendi soirées made it all extremely special and memorable."

"We loved our smaller affairs like the Haldi, which had really sweet traditions like the ‘ Phoolon Ka Gehna’ where my sister in law came and adorned me with flowers and Jewellery. Being the Punjabi homes that we are, we had a dhol party around it." 

Brides today: Tell us about your beautiful wedding lehenga.

Kajal: "My wedding outfit was handwoven with intricate zardozi, pearl and thread work into the most beautiful floral design I have ever seen, if I may say so myself. It took 20 craftsmen about a month while working day and night on the garment. I was designed, conceptualised, constructed and fitted to perfection by my favourite designer, Anamika Khanna. I have always wanted to wear her ensemble for my wedding, and this was the most lovely fulfilment of my wishes."

"There were so many special moments through all the functions. Gautam and I really enjoyed our vows at the mandap, we had a very interactive and humorous Panditji who explained the meaning behind every ritual and we were earnestly engrossed :)"

Brides Today: A parting piece of advice for brides-to-be?

Kajal: "Each bride has her own unique way in which she wants to do things, to start a new chapter in her life and have a wedding she’s always imagined. The only advice I’d like to give brides, as well as grooms, is to not make this all about a spectacular wedding but to focus on a phenomenal marriage. Don’t forget that everything comes down to the two people and two families that are coming together. Focus on relationships, and enjoy it all with mutual respect, love and laughter. Gautam and I snuck moments amidst the hullabaloo, just to remind each other that he and I were doing all of this for us, and to remind each other that the commencement of a beautiful wedding began on strong pillars of love. With this thought, every occasion becomes beautiful."

"We enjoyed our afterparty surrounded by our family and friends. It was a super-fun party, with  great food and music."

Kajal's Wedding Photographs: Stories by Joseph Radhik