New Delhi: Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s high-profile wedding took place at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC, Mumbai on July 12, 2024. The ‘big wedding’ saw world leaders, celebrities, global celebrities and desi showbiz A-listers all under one roof. Ichcha Talreja – Founder of Ichcha Talreja Designs, who beautifully crafted the special invitation cards for the wedding, shared exclusive details with Zee News Digital.
Q: What does it feel like to design invitations for possibly the ‘biggest Indian wedding’?
One. It’s been an amazing experience – creating the invitation to an event that the whole world will be watching and possibly judging. It was a humbling experience to be involved from the very beginning, and we’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity.
Q: What inputs did you get for the Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant pre-wedding invitation?
One. The whole idea was to keep the invitation simple and bright, with elements that symbolized the event itself. The brief was simple: Anant loves animals, and Mrs Nita Ambani wanted to incorporate them into the theme of the event along with gorgeous décor elements and chintz motifs in watercolours. We also incorporated Anant and Radhika’s favourite colours to make it more personal.
Q: How was it to create special invitations and logos for pre-wedding functions like Mosalu/Mameru, Sangeet and Graha Shanti?
One. The whole idea behind creating the designs for the events at Antilia was to keep it personal, as it was an event for a very intimate crowd at their home. We designed everything with motifs related to each event. We loved every part of it – it was both challenging and satisfying.
The first event was Mosalu, an event for the Dalal family, which is part of Neeta Maam’s family. We started with the Kalash, as it is traditionally used to mark the beginning of auspicious events. The second event was Kuldevi Puja and Graha Shanti Puja, so we incorporated elements of their Kuldevi, Randal Maa. The third was Shiva Shanti, which was one of the most beautiful designs we created, with two hands: Shiva’s hand facing upwards and Parvati’s hand facing downwards, along with Rudraksha. Then there was Peethhi, which is the Haldi ceremony, which involved marigold flowers.
Q: Did you talk to the bride and groom for any suggestions?
One. We were in touch with Nita Ambani and Radhika Merchant. Especially for the sangeet ceremony, we got in touch with Radhika, who told us that she wanted the whole theme to be around the palaces of India, and named it ‘Festival of Hearts’. We planned a tour of various Indian palaces with heart-shaped fireworks. The invitation turned out to be beautiful, and we chose Radhika’s favourite song to go with it.
Mrs Ambani gave detailed instructions for the book. She asked for a design that explained all the rituals as many guests from abroad were unfamiliar with the nuances of a Hindu wedding. She laid great emphasis on kanyadaan, highlighting in her speech that it was not just about giving away a bride but also about getting a daughter, while businessmen welcomed a son. These insights from Mrs Ambani were thoughtfully incorporated in the design.
Q: Who have you designed for before Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant?
One. We have designed for Saif Ali Khan, Parineeti Chopra, Rakul Preet and Jacky Bhagnani, Alia Kashyap and Rosmin Madhavji. Tata, DLF and Kirloskar are some of them.
Q: How different was designing for the Ambani family?
One. The only difference was how careful we had to be with the information. We had a small team that ensured that the conversations and details were restricted to a select group. Even the prints were carefully safeguarded, kept covered at all times so that no one could see them until they were officially released.
