The wedding ceremony itself leaned closely into tradition. “This culture is over 2,000 years old, which means it has survived maybe 100 or even 200 generations. The least we can do is be custodians of it and pass it on to one more generation”, shares Allu. Once again dressed by Anamika Khanna, Allu wore a dhoti and a khanduva, while Reddy wore a Kanjeevaram saree, with Khanna adding delicate design touches to the blouse and finishing details. She paired it with a vaddanam, the traditional gold waist belt worn by South Indian brides and a vintage diamond necklace featuring old-cut stones from L. Bajrang Pershad.
The ceremony took place at a farm called Aina, where the team recreated the ambience of a temple through the décor. Among the many rituals planned was the Jeelakarra Bellam, “That’s the moment when the marriage is considered official in our tradition,” says Reddy. The couple places a mixture of herbs and jaggery on each other’s heads while making their vows. “The belief is that when it’s placed on the forehead, the Agnya Chakra is activated, and the vows taken at that moment become sacred,” adds Allu.
The most memorable moment, however, happened before the ceremony even began. “The police had cordoned off the entire venue for security reasons and weren’t letting any cars in,” Allu recalls. “Nayanika was running late and they stopped her car. She kept saying, ‘I’m the bride,’ but they didn’t let her through until a few people from inside came to get her.” Once they realised who she was, security quickly cleared the way, allowing her to rush in for what Allu describes as “a very brisk bridal entry.” “It honestly felt like a movie scene,” he adds.
Looking back, Allu says the biggest takeaway from the celebrations was the support that surrounded them throughout. His brother and sister-in-law, Allu Arjun and Sneha Reddy, were the first to arrive at every event across the five-day celebrations. “He made it a point to personally welcome and spend time with everyone who came. He really went above and beyond.” Alongside them, Reddy’s sister and brother-in-law “meticulously planned everything and never once let us feel the stress of it,” says Allu. “In a few years, Nayanika’s sister might get married, and then my niece,” he adds “Watching how they stepped in and took on the role of hosts made us realise that someday we’ll be on that side too, organising weddings for the next generation.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: vogue.in
