They may not officially tie the knot until July, but Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant have spared no expense when it comes to their upcoming ‘pre-wedding’ celebrations.
The couple, who come from two of India’s richest families, reportedly hired 21 chefs to feed their 1,000 guests at the lavish event at Anant’s parents’ home in Jamnagar this weekend.
The VIP guest list reportedly includes Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Hillary Clinton, who attended the groom’s sister’s equally extravagant wedding in November 2018.
Bride-to-be Anant Ambani, 29, is the daughter of billionaire Shri Viren Merchant, the CEO of private healthcare company Encore Healthcare.
Meanwhile, Anant Amabani, 28, is the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man and director of Reliance Industries, which has a turnover of $110 billion.
Bride-to-be and groom Anant Ambani (right) with Radhika Merchant at the inauguration of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center in March 2023
The invite for the pre-wedding celebrations – which have been widely circulated on social media – read, “With hearts full of joy and excitement, we invite you to Anant and Radhika’s pre-wedding celebrations at our home in Jamnagar.
“We look forward to having you with us to share in our joy, love and laughter, and to create memories we will cherish forever.”
The times reports that Rihanna will perform alongside Punjabi musician Diljit Dosanjh over the weekend.
For Annant’s sister’s wedding in 2018, the family reportedly paid Beyonce $6 million to fly in and perform a private concert for the guests.
Before the festivities, guests were reportedly given a nine-page dress code detailing the variety of events that will take place this weekend.
Local media report that guests will travel to the city of Jamnagar on charter flights and ferries – and have been told there is a limit of three suitcases per couple.
On Friday evening, the happy couple’s loved ones will enjoy a ‘just in Everland’ themed cocktail party on site.
The next day, they were told to wear “comfortable shoes” to take a “walk on the wild side” by visiting the groom’s Reliance animal rescue center, which covers 650 hectares and houses more than 2,000 animals houses.
Pictured: The groom’s family, who will host the couple’s extravagant three-day pre-wedding celebrations this weekend
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant (center) seen with the groom’s family during their engagement ceremony
Pictured: Beyonce shared this photo in 2018 when she flew to India to perform at Anant’s sister’s wedding
The invite for the pre-wedding celebrations – which were widely circulated on social media – read: ‘With hearts full of joy and excitement, we invite you to Anant and Radhika’s pre-wedding celebrations at our home in Jamnagar’
That evening, the couple will present their ‘Mela Rogue’ and guests have been told to dress in a ‘dazzling desi romance’ style.
On the third day, guests have been told to pack something ‘casual chic’ for the Tusker Trails, where they will likely explore the area.
The final event will be a Hashtakshar, which translates as ‘signature’, and guests are expected to wear traditional clothes such as sherwanis and saris.
Indian publication National News reports that all 1,000 guests will have access to laundry services, including express dry cleaning, throughout the weekend.
The information booklet also states that hairstylists, make-up artists and sari trotters will also be on hand to assist.
The guide states: ‘We want you to enjoy every moment to the fullest and make beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.’
Hilary Clinton seen posing with Beyonce’s parents and mother of the bride at Isha Ambani’s wedding in 2018
Indian billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani (L) with his daughter Isha Ambani (2L), son Anant Ambani (R) and Radhika Merchant in October 2023
Mukesh Ambani, left, and his daughter Isha Ambani arrive to attend the wedding of Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas in November 2018
Former First Lady of the United States Hillary Clinton posed with guests at Isha Ambani’s wedding in 2018
According to The times of Indiachefs at the luxurious Jardin Hotel have prepared more than 2,500 dishes, including Japanese, Mexican and Thai cuisine.
An insider told the publication that guests can choose from 75 options for breakfast and another 225 and 275 for lunch and dinner.
There will also be 85 catering options offered for the traditional midnight meal, which runs from noon to 4am.
Furthermore, the insider also claimed that no item on the menu will be repeated over the three days.
The happy couple are said to have been childhood friends and both attended university in the US.
In November 2018, Anant’s Yale graduate sister, Isha, tied the knot with real estate magnate Anand Piramal, a childhood friend and the son of another ultra-wealthy businessman, in a wedding estimated at $100 million (£74.9 million). has cost. to Bloomberg.
According to Indian tradition, Isha’s wedding celebration began with the Sangeet, where the bride, groom and their families typically gather to sing and dance in stage performances to celebrate their union.
Decorations outside the house are pictured at the hotel ahead of Isha Ambani’s wedding in 2018
The first hint of the wedding’s opulence was the elaborately embroidered and gilded Dolce & Gabbana boxes that guests received as invitations. Bollywood stars Karishma Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Kiara Aliaadvani are among the guests pictured above
Famous friends: Hillary Clinton, center, with bride Isha Ambani, left, and mother of bride Nita on Sunday. Clinton is said to have stayed with the Ambanis during an earlier visit to Mumbai
The first hint of the wedding’s opulence was the elaborately embroidered and gilded Dolce & Gabbana boxes that guests received as invitations.
Each beautiful rose-printed package contained a series of luxurious cards that unfolded to reveal details of the events that would take place over the five days.
According to Indian tradition, the celebration began with the Sangeet, where the bride, groom and their families typically gather to sing and dance in dramatic performances in honor of their union.
But Mr Ambani, whose business interests include oil, telecom, chemicals, textiles, technology and food, did not hesitate when it came to entertaining his little girl.
Beyoncé was flown in especially for the 45-minute private concert, during which she made several costume changes and sang the hits Perfect and Crazy In Love.
It is unlikely that there will be another musical act on the day as this is usually reserved for the opening night festivities.
Bollywood superstars, including Aishwarya Rai, partied the night away as laser lights crisscrossed the sky.
Other reported VIP wedding guests included former Huffington Post editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington, 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch, BP Group CEO Bob Dudley, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
Mr Piramal and Ms Ambani, a Yale graduate, selected the most beautiful locations in Udaipur, known as the ‘city of lakes’, for the weekend, taking over the five-star Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel and the 18th-century City Palace for two overnight events.