GRUSHA DHAWAN

What’s popularly known as the big fat Indian wedding is originally rooted in smaller craft details and multifold ceremonies, weaved together like sequins to create a rich tapestry of traditions. After years spent listening to wedding anecdotes from the local custodians of Indian celebrations—our dada-dadi-nana-nani—the designers at Rani Pink are ready to recreate and bring back India to Indian weddings. The “Rani Pink Romantics” is a documentation of their creative process showcasing Indian culture and craft through handpicked wedding rituals. Their favourite part of designing for weddings, apart from mithai tasting, is the romance. From the bride and groom that take centre stage to design details borrowed from India’s decadent culture, they’ve got heart-eyes throughout. They build a space where Rajasthani gota sits next to zari parandis, the great pyramids of the town’s best motichoor laddoos stand tall next to a tray of khoya swaying in ripples of chashni, the tota sits on the pomegranate inside the guests’ palms; there’s a designated place for every custom we’ve grown up with. If the room looks too full, that’s how they like it—overflowing with Indian traditions and their Rani Pink recreations. Oh, the romance of it all; one could never get enough. This love story plays out in three parts: Mehendi, Dholki and Haldi. Each event carries a whole world within. With their bespoke safas on, they’ll show you their magical world of Indian luxury, and bring back India to Indian weddings. Pomegranate Courtyard [Mehendi] “Welcome to our Pomegranate Courtyard; please make your way to the community table for some stylish street eats and Indian tipples. Chatter with a side of chaat is encouraged.” The design inspiration for this gathering comes from Jaipur’s cultural inheritance of block printing. The Pomegranate Courtyard is decorated with playful motifs in earthy tones of green and pink and accents of heirloom silver. Looking around, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a lush Indian aesthetic—whites adorned with colours of nature’s elements. The tota, anaar and gulaab are the chosen keepers of this courtyard, where henna hands are stamped with tales of love. Kikli Folk [Dholki] Give the womenfolk a dholki and a spoon to watch the baithak transform into an electric singalong of folk couplets. Each family member gets lyrically teased and humoured in between rounds of kikli and laughter. This energy and camaraderie inspired their design for Dholki night. The maximalism and richness of zari, gota, and brocade is ready for its comeback. They want to revive the founder’s favourite wedding function with the biggest chamkila canopy, the fattest jalebis and the most fun Indian song and dance. Marigold Fools [Haldi] One marigold escapes the truck full of fresh flowers on its way to the Haldi morning from the phoolmandi, only to miss out on a celebration where the marigold is an Indian hero with a grand musical entry. Lehers of yellow and orange highlighted with hot pink are in every corner of this space. The famous Phulkari of Punjab has a prominent guest appearance in photos that make it to the internet first and family photo albums after. Yellow might be in the spotlight, but their palette has room for many more vibrant colours. Are you ready to experience a morning takeover by the marigold fools? Needless to say, it’s a team of big Rani Pink Romantics, and they hope this digital display makes you one too.