A wedding in Bengaluru where a long-distance romance ended with 500 guests dancing under the stars

“Long conversations on late-night calls and shared playlists made the distance between London and Singapore feel smaller,” confesses Sowmitha Amur, who built a relationship with Vasant Kumar across continents. Amur, born in Chennai and raised in the UK, works in finance and met Kumar—who grew up in Mumbai and works in consulting in Singapore—through a mutual family friend. In May 2024, Kumar flew to London, conspired with Amur’s flatmate and planned a proposal overlooking the skyline. A few close friends, a very surprised girlfriend and an Italian dinner later, they were engaged.

Their wedding in Bengaluru unfolded in Nandi Hills, beginning at Manatheera with a haldi that started with vibrant florals, soft sunlight and guests dressed in shades of cream. Hosted by Amur’s brother and sister-in-law, the ceremony quickly escalated with water balloons, pichkaris, turning it into a full-blown pool party. “It was exactly the kind of chaos we wanted,” Amur laughs.

That evening, the sangeet was held at Naveraa, with its unique architecture as the backdrop. Inspired by Heeramandi (2024), the couple chose dramatic chandeliers that made the space feel regal. It was an intimate night with performances from their closest friends that kept the energy high.

The next morning, the viradham marked the first of their traditional Tamil Brahmin ceremonies. Held at the serene Ahaara lawns at Amita Rasa, the rituals honoured their ancestors and the customs that shaped their families. The priests explained each step, making even the most sacred moments feel accessible. The morning ended with an elai saapadu, a traditional South Indian meal served on a banana leaf, which was the first of many.

That evening came Kumar’s mappillai azhaippu, the traditional welcoming of the groom. After the drums and dancing, guests moved to the Kalyani Amphitheatre for the Moonlight Mela—the first event with all 500 guests in one place. Inspired by the idea of a traditional kutcheri but infused with childhood nostalgia, the couple took guests back to beach fun fairs with roasted peanuts, masala corn, fairground games and music under the stars. It was during the high-energy set by IndoSoul that the entire amphitheatre danced together. “Seeing absolutely everyone—kids, grandparents, friends—on their feet at once was unforgettable,” Kumar says.

For the mela, Amur wore a cyan-blue Nadenka raw silk lehenga with a matching blouse and cutwork tulle dupatta by Aisha Rao, detailed with floral and nature-inspired appliqué work. Kumar wore a Kalki bundi embroidered with coconut-tree motifs.