Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, is set to marry his longtime girlfriend, Radhika Merchant, in one of India’s most anticipated weddings of the year. The ceremony, expected to be a grand affair, will take place from July 12 to 14 in Mumbai.
The wedding festivities have already begun with a series of extravagant pre-wedding events that have captivated the nation. In March, a three-day party in Jamnagar saw 1,200 high-profile guests, including Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, and featured a performance by Rihanna. In May, a four-day Mediterranean cruise hosted Bollywood A-listers and performances by Katy Perry, the Backstreet Boys, and Andrea Bocelli.
The wedding will be held at the Ambani residence, Antilia, and the Jio World Convention Centre, which can accommodate over 16,000 people. Details of the ceremonies are tightly guarded, but the events are expected to reflect the grandeur of the pre-wedding celebrations.
The Couple Anant Ambani, 29, is responsible for expanding the energy sector of Reliance Industries, a conglomerate led by his father Mukesh Ambani, who has an estimated fortune of $118 billion. Radhika Merchant, also 29, is the daughter of pharma tycoon Viren Merchant and works at her father’s company, Encore Healthcare. The couple met through mutual friends in 2017 and have been together since.
Wedding Details The wedding dates have been chosen according to auspicious days on the couple’s birth charts, adhering to Hindu tradition. The celebrations will include a series of traditional ceremonies such as the haldi, mehndi, and sangeet.
Manish Malhotra, a renowned Indian designer, has been appointed as the wedding’s creative director. He has collaborated with Nita Ambani to ensure that each event is meticulously planned, reflecting the essence of India and the couple’s personalities.
Fashion and Guest List The bride and groom are expected to wear intricate outfits showcasing Indian craftsmanship. Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding attire included pieces by top designers like Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and Tarun Tahiliani. Anant Ambani has also sported bold designs, including a custom sherwani by Rohit Bal.
The guest list is expected to be star-studded, with Bollywood celebrities and international dignitaries attending. The wedding’s fashion is anticipated to blend traditional Indian elements with contemporary styles, setting new trends in bridal fashion.
Planning and Execution Planning an event of this magnitude involves months of preparation and coordination among various teams. From securing entertainment to managing logistics, hundreds of people are working behind the scenes to ensure the wedding goes off without a hitch.
The Ambanis, aware of the stark contrast between the opulence of the event and the poverty in the country, have engaged in charitable acts. Recently, they staged a mass wedding for 50 underprivileged couples, providing them with jewelry and household items.
The Indian wedding industry, valued at around $130 billion, continues to grow, with celebrity weddings setting the benchmark for grandeur and extravagance.
Conclusion
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding is poised to be a spectacular event, reflecting the Ambani family’s status and influence. The celebrations are set to captivate the nation, highlighting the blend of tradition and modernity in Indian weddings.
