At their Mussorie wedding, this Maharashtrian-South Indian couple took each other’s last names

“I wanted the whole experience to feel as easy and homely as possible but I also wanted to curate it down to every detail—to a point where even my pandit had to send me his outfit options,” she shares with a laugh.

The celebrations kicked off with an intimate Maharashtrian-style mehendi at the bride’s home in Mumbai. Florals in hues of pinks, purples and orange welcomed guests who were encouraged to dress in vibrant Paithani saris. The couple’s pre-wedding shoot in Mussoorie was styled as an ode to the groom’s South Indian heritage, with both wearing ivory and gold-hued ensembles. For the haldi, the hotel’s glasshouse was converted into a whimsical space, with decor in hues of blush pinks and butter yellows—eschewing the conventional palette of bright yellows. The sunlit space made for an apt photo-op with delicate pastel florals hanging from the ceiling.

The next evening, guests were welcomed to an enchanted forest-like setting for the sangeet, held in the hotel’s gardens. Thousands of flickering candles, cascading blooms and mirror tables set the tone for the celebrations as guests danced the night away to Bollywood music. The bride opted for a crimson-hued mermaid lehenga by designer Seema Gujral, with delicate sequin work, while the groom contrasted in a black sequin kurta set.

As the wedding day dawned early, the hotel’s lawns were transformed into a pastel wonderland reimagined through a vintage lens. Here, a graceful dome mandap made for a striking display accentuated by a curved aisle, tablescapes heaving with florals and an entrance table lined with photos of the couple—as little vignettes for guests to have a peek into their journey. The bride walked down the aisle to an original composition that the groom surprised her with, in a pastel pink lehenga accentuated with glass tassels by couturier Tarun Tahiliani. Her jewels featured a delicate choker set with pale pink stones and matching bangles, while her glam, by Shradha Luthra, focused on a soft, ethereal look—in keeping with the pastel decor setting.

The couple were keen on honouring both their cultures and chose rituals that worked for them both. “We sat with our pandit to identify commonalities in Maharashtrian and South Indian weddings, and omit the ones we didn’t align with,” says Jadhav. “We had several rounds of video calls with him and requested him to alter certain vows and customs to ensure us both being on par and responsible for each other and our lives together,” she adds.

A handful of their closest friends and family capped off the evening with a round of toasts, marking a heartfelt end to the celebrations. The cherry on top though was the couple choosing to take each other’s last names. “A couple of weeks before the wedding, during a casual conversation, Pranav had shared that he would also like to take my last name. We are now both Jadhav-Shetty, and it means the world to me,” the bride adds.