The Ambani family is gearing up for the wedding of Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant. A handwritten card circulated on social media last month and revealed the details of their pre-wedding festivities from March 1 to March 3 in Jamnagar, Gujarat. No one was expecting any event before then, but were met with a pleasant surprise yesterday. Before the grand celebrations, the family hosted a “Lagan Lakhnavu” ceremony where the bride-to-be was seen wearing a floral Anamika lehenga in pastel hues.
Though Radhika’s go-to designer (along with other women of the Ambani clan) for her traditional wear is Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, this time, she opted for an Anamika Khanna creation. The lehenga was doused in pastel hues and intricate floral applique arrangements all over. She secured her dupatta neatly on the side to channel a soft-girl glam look.
It’s no secret that Merchant’s foremost choice for jewelry stones is diamonds. Nearly all her ethnic looks are elevated by diamond jewelry, and this one was no different. A necklace set in pear-shaped diamonds and a maang-tikka made her shine brighter amidst the festivities at Reliance Complex in Jamnagar.
Collaborating with MUA Loveleen Ramchandani, Radhika Merchant was seen in a soft, romantic makeup look comprising rosy cheeks, nude lips, and a bold eyeliner limited to the length of the lashes. A small red bindi completed her beauty look. For hair, Radhika went for dreamy waves tied in a half-up, half-down hairstyle parted in the middle to fit her accessory.
As we wait for more inspiration-worthy pictures from the impending rituals, here’s a brief explanation of what “Lagan Lakhnavu” ritual entails and its significance. One of the first few ceremonies in Gujarati weddings, the ceremony involves writing the first official wedding invite called “Kankotri”, which is offered to God seeking his blessings and participation in the wedding. It’s only after this ceremony that other official invitations can be sent out. Traditionally, it’s held a month before the big day. Since the Ambani family is known to take their cultural paradigms seriously, does that mean the wedding is in March? Well, we will have to wait and see.
