This couple’s Uttarakhand wedding featured their ancestral Kumaoni customs and sustainable decor

When choosing a destination for their wedding, nature was the only criterion. Tripathi, whose family owns and runs the Aahana Resort near Jim Corbett National Park, felt like the venue was perfect. “Aahana is home for me. It was also meaningful to Swati that we get married there. And it’s been our family’s designated spot for everything,” he says.

The couple knew they wanted a traditional, immersive Kumaoni wedding. They left the planning to the groom’s sisters, Ayu and Avni (who oversee weddings at the property). Motifs, such as florals and geometric designs in Kumaoni colours like yellow, blue and red, and jewellery—typically worn during ceremonies—were used to accentuate the decor. For instance, the traditional nath or Kumaoni nose ring was used to hold together veil curtains. Backdrops drew inspiration from Kumaoni homes, featuring bright blue doors, characteristic of mountain houses. Even the umbrellas matched rangwali pachoda (traditional dupattas or scarves worn by the bride) patterns. Guests were greeted by residents hailing from their ancestral villages. “Our photo booth featured the same Jyoti Patta (a religious art form) design on our wedding card, creating a full circle moment for guests,” the couple adds.

The wedding was infused with local artistry, where women from Tripathi’s father’s village painted clay pots with the traditional Aipan (folk art) design. “All the food that was dished during our haldi ceremony was served in these pots, made by a local potter, Deepak Kumar, who has been a part of Aahana for years,” adds Tripathi.

The four-day celebrations were spread across the resort, starting with an intimate engagement dinner. Mehendi was held the next day followed by a Kumaoni haldi ceremony. Folk dancers or Kumaoni Chholiyas, enacted the traditional sword dance that is typically a part of wedding processions or auspicious occasions. For the haldi, Tewari chose a yellow ensemble, with temple-style heirloom jewels and her mother’s paunchi—a traditional Kumaoni gold bracelet—that has been passed down five generations.

After the sangeet and cocktail night, the wedding day dawned bright, with a deeply spiritual ceremony inspired by the Garjiya Devi temple on the outskirts of Corbett. Guests watched from the garden as the couple took their vows at the mandap set-up by the poolside. “Instead of the traditional sindoor ceremony, I plucked fresh sindoor from the tree on our property and placed it on Swati’s forehead—transforming a ritual into something that was truly ours,” the groom reveals. They also tied a kalava (red thread) around a banyan tree to seek nature’s blessings.