Ivanka Trump, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates are among the high-profile guests who flew to Jamnagar for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s three-day pre-wedding extravaganza.
The couple, who come from two of India’s wealthiest families, have invited a thousand guests to the groom’s home this weekend for a handful of events to celebrate their July wedding.
Ahead of the festivities, local media reported that guests were given a nine-page dress code for the weekend, which included a visit to the groom’s animal shelter and a “dazzling desi romance” festival.
Last night the bride and groom-to-be hosted an ‘Evening in Everland’ themed cocktail party, with a live performance from Rihanna, who was paid £5 million for a 90-minute set.
For the occasion, Ivanka Trump, 42, dazzled in a gold-and-silver striped sari and swept her long blonde hair into an elegant updo.
Pictured: Ivanka Trump with husband Jared Kushner and their daughter Arabella at the pre-wedding cocktail party last night
The mother of three – who was joined by husband Jared Kushner and their daughter Arabella – completed her glamorous look with a pair of gold dangling earrings.
Meanwhile, Jared, 43, smartly wore a black traditional Bandi jacket with gold and silver buttons to match his wife’s dress.
The couple’s 12-year-old daughter, Arabella, wore a baby blue dress with silver sparkle embellishment.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, 39, looked dapper in a black blazer decorated with gold dragonflies, in a nod to the ‘Evening in Everland’ theme.
His wife Priscilla Chan, 39, looked glamorous in a black figure-hugging dress with gold floral embellishment along the bodice.
The mother of two completed her evening ensemble with several dainty gold chains and a sparkling clutch bag.
Moreover, Bill Gates and his girlfriend Paula Kalupa were also present at the lavish cocktail party.
The former Microsoft executive, 68, opted for a navy blue suit and black shirt, while his partner looked glamorous in a black dress with gold embellishments on the shoulders.
Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan nod to the ‘Evening in Everland’ theme with gold embellishments on their outfits
Bill Gates and his girlfriend Paula Kalupa pose with groom-to-be Anant Ambani and his father Mukesh
The couple took the stage to welcome their guests to the festivities. Bride-to-be Radhika wore a shimmering pink strapless dress
Pop star Rihanna is said to have been paid £5 million for a 90-minute set at the welcome cocktail party
Anant Ambani, 28, is the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man and director of Reliance Industries, which has a turnover of $110 billion.
Radhika Merchant, 29, daughter of billionaire Shri Viren Merchant, CEO of private healthcare company Encore Healthcare.
Later in the evening, the couple took the stage to address their guests and officially welcome them to the three-day extravaganza.
For the first night of her pre-wedding celebration, the bride-to-be opted for a pink strapless glitter dress with a silk train. Meanwhile, the groom looked dapper in a blue suit with a white shirt.
Other high-profile guests included Bollywood stars Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan and India’s former cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
During the evening, Rihanna took to the stage to perform a 90-minute set – after footage from the concert surfaced online, social media users joked: ‘She just doesn’t care.’
In one of the clips, she was seen singing her 2011 megahit collaboration with Calvin Harris, titled We Found Love, and was barely seen dancing.
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, Akash Ambani, Shloka Mehta and Prithvi Ambani pose for a photo during the pre-wedding celebrations of Ambani’s son Anant Ambani
India’s former cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his wife Sakshi Dhoni also attended the welcome cocktail party
Indian businesswoman Natasha Poonawalla wore a statement silver metallic top over her glittering dress
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Radhika Merchant, Anant Ambani, Nita Ambani, Rihanna, Isha Piramal, Anand Piramal, Shloka Mehta Ambani and Akash Ambani take the stage
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan (right) with his wife and actress Kareena Kapoor Khan during the festivities
Billionaire tycoon Mukesh Ambani (left) and his wife Nita Ambani, chairman and founder of the Reliance Foundation, with their son Anant Ambani
The pre-wedding celebration for the union of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant contained 9 pages of dress code provisions
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.
Today, guests have been told to wear ‘comfortable shoes’ to take a ‘walk on the wild side’ by visiting the groom’s Reliance animal rescue centre, which covers 650 hectares and is home to more than 2,000 animals.
This 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.
Local media reports that guests have been traveling to the town of Jamnagar on charter flights and ferries – and have been told there is a limit of three suitcases per couple.
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.’