We have a soft corner in our hearts for intimate weddings and especially when the entire wedding is made from 'Best out of waste'. Recently, we spotted his couple who surprised us with their eco-friendly wedding, and just like that today we have a very special couple from Mumbai, Akshay & Shreya who got hitched in a living room with twenty guests in total while other 250 attendees joining virtually. Be it Akshay's grandmother who sewed jaimala for them, Jaguar car made from black cardboard for the groom entry, or a DIY Doli for the bridal entry. We must say that this #intimatewedding with all safety precautions on point was all indeed unique and captured beautifully by Snapped Studio! 

Introducing Akshay & Shreya's Intimate Wedding in Mumbai

Our groom of the day Akshay said, "We first saw each at NM college 10 years back. With both wanting to become future Chartered Accountants, our paths keep crossing from the same class in college to the same tutorials! My wife supposedly had a major crush on me. To get to know me, she cleverly started to befriend people close to me. She asked a common friend to throw a party where we could spend some time. That bore fruit, we got introduced and became acquaintances. This led to phone calls, more meetings, and finally a super romantic proposal by me; a text message stating 'We are dating right?' where she still complains about it!"

What led next was a big surprise to the bride which she never expected in her life. "The groom’s family came together and planned the entire wedding. They wanted to surprise me and give me the wedding I wanted. Akshay's sisters are event planners, operating a company known as Mauke Pe Taufa so without them, it would not have been possible at all," said Shreya.

Wedding conducted in the groom's living room where an 'E-Sangeet' performance done beautifully by family members ad friends while guests attended via video conference was so much fun that we loved every bit of this Mumbai wedding. Initially thought to postpone the wedding Shreya said, "We are so engineered by a society that we feel a wedding is incomplete without 500 guests! The only thoughts with self-doubt were regarding the fact that 'Will we never be able to experience the feeling of GETTING MARRIED IN A GRAND WAY?' However, all those thoughts were quashed after our ceremony!"

A Wedding Made From 'Best Out Of Waste'

When finally decided to say 'Yes' to each other there came a problem for which they weren't ready at all. "The biggest problem was resources. Our mantra for the entire time was 'Best out of waste'. We did not have colourful artificial flower petals for the pheras. So we dyed them in bright colours to match the theme. We used whatever we could," revealed the bride of the day. 

In the meanwhile, they had a big challenge in front of them. Guests and food preparation for which Shreya said, "Twenty people attended the wedding, but many more were part of the celebration. On average, 70 members (with their entire family) were watching us on Zoom throughout the wedding. We estimate around 250 participants in total. All of them were dressed traditionally, including some joining us from the USA at 4 in the morning! It never felt that we were a small group. At the end of the ceremony, the couple did a little dance, along with all the Zoom participants. The highlight was when the groom’s aunt threw rose petals on the screen during Varmala!"

Akshay further added, "At home, thanks to my mother and grandma. A simple spread of 2 vegetables and 1 dal. While Shreya's mother got some starters to add to the delicacies." 

DIY Elements Worth Pining 

After dating each other for eight and a half years this couple finally decide to get married in #lockdown! Ensuring to follow all safety precautions due to the Coronavirus outbreak they managed everything perfectly. "We started by checking the temperature of all the guests at the reception area of our building. As soon as the guests entered, we provided them with sanitizer. The footwear was opened at a designated area which was marked by us outside the house via chalk. Also, all the guests had their masks," said Shreya. 

Now, coming on to what to wear for the intimate wedding. Our couple's outfits were still with the vendors and therefore, the wedding clothes, jewellery, etc. were handpicked from the wardrobes. While Shreya wore her mother-in-law’s lehenga from AUM By Ashima and Asit and mix-matched it with her sister’s blouse from Riddhi Majithia. Our dapper groom wore a kurta and jacket from Pré-Ri By Ridhi & Priti. Not to miss that makeup artist Meraki By Ritika and event planner MaukepeTaufa along with Snapped Studio did a full-justice in this micro-wedding. 

Intimate weddings with your loved ones, fortunately, give the opportunity to 'Do It Yourself' aka DIY certain elements to make your wedding a happening one. And, that's what Akshay & Shreya believed in and went for uber-cool DIY elements that are worth pining for your wedding too: 

DIY Pink Floral Elephants

Flowers are what add up to every 'Shaadi Ka Ghar' and to make it look royal and grand, they made elephants out of flowers. Trust us, we couldn't take our eyes off these DIY elephants. 

Mandap Decked Up With Fabrics 

All it took was 2 dupattas and the ideal lighting to make the most gorgeous mandap ever. 

Garland With Artificial Flowers & Pearls

Akshay's grandmother had both artificial floral and pearls, which were sewed together to make a stunning jaimala that went beautifully with their wedding outfits. 

PhotoBooth Made From Best Out Of Waste! 

The photo booth was all about best out of waste! From scarves, artificial flowers, fairy lights to frames, they brought it all together for a minimal yet beautiful photo booth. 

Cute DIY Doli For The Bridal Entry 

They made sure Shreya entered memorably, too. With a DIY doli, her bridal entry was all indeed unique!

Unique Baaraat Entry Car

Dulhe ki entry must indeed be memorable and they ensured to do so! The sisters made their brother's dream come true by making him enter in a DIY cardboard black Jaguar

Wish the couple a very happy married life their wedding photographer Snapped Studio said, "This intimate wedding we shot was during the lockdown caused by COVID-19 and that that too deep in the heart of the Red Zone in Mumbai. This was an extremely unconventional wedding, not only for the couple but also for us. Given the limitations, this wedding turned into the most heartwarming coming together of two people in love. It taught us the importance of love and only love. It showed us how none of the fancy bells and whistles that come with a "Big Fat Indian Wedding" mean much. This wedding was conducted with all municipal and police permissions in place. Also, social distancing and sanitisation were practised, every step of the way.

Final Words From The Bride 

"We will plan a mini Reception and cocktail party sometime later this year when everything is safe! We want to celebrate our marriage with our close family and friends. As our wedding invite stated that 'We shall get to the good kind of corona soon'. And lastly, all it takes is a little bit of creativity to have the wedding of your dreams. So, hang in there, you too will have it." 

WEDDING VENDORS

Wedding Photographer: Snapped Studio | Makeup Artist: Meraki By Ritika | Hairstylist: Hairstylist Shabana Shaikh | Event Planners: Mauke Pe Taufa | Brides Outfit: AUM By Ashima & Asit, Riddhi Majithia | Groom's Outfit: Pré-Ri By Ridhi & Priti

So, what did you like the most from this Mumbai micro wedding? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below! 

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