When Rohini Bajekal moved from England to India, she knew her life would change. Meeting Siddhant Singh in Mumbai, the reason for her journey became clear. Set in a regal English estate, the pair’s dreamy nuptials mingled romantic British sensibilities with the festive spirit of an Indian wedding. Guests danced to Bollywood music as they rode from their hotel on red double-decker buses to the main event. Stepping out at the venue, friends and family hailing from 15 countries were greeted by traditional Indian drummers. Bajekal walked herself down the aisle, donning a traditional Indian ensemble in myriad pastel shades. Following the ceremony, guests in silk-free saris and pink turbans indulged in a magnificent multi-course vegan feast that kept coming.
Andrew Bayda
Where they met
The two first connected in Mumbai at a Holi party, an annual celebration of love, joy, and springtime that sees revelers covered in brightly colored powders.
The love story
Singh and Bajekal had a “whirlwind courtship,” says the bride. Though they tried to go on a trip to Udaipur together as friends, they couldn’t deny their deeper feelings, and fell in love surrounded by the city’s extravagant palaces and lakes.
The proposal
While on a trip to Jaipur, Singh booked the entire restaurant inside the iconic 11th Century Amer Fort and proposed to his beloved over dinner.
The Big Day
The guest list
180
The city
The wedding was held in the small historic English town of Hatfield.
Andrew Bayda
The venue
Surrounded by acres of meticulously manicured gardens, the wedding took place at the majestic Hatfield House, an historic English estate that served as the childhood home for royalty including King Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth I, and was featured in films from “The Favourite” to “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.”
The music
Following the ceremony, a close friend sang and performed her own keyboard rendition of “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak.
Andrew Bayda
The décor
A mixture of English and Indian aesthetics created a visually stunning celebration that mixed vibrant hues with subtle beauty. “I wanted the elegance and intimacy of a British wedding, with the joy, spontaneity, and colors of an Indian wedding,” says Bajekal.
The personal touch
Both personally dedicated to sustainability, the couple designed an eco-conscious celebration, from the potted—not cut—flowers to borrowed jewellery for the “something old” to a commitment to reduce food waste.
Best wedding gift
Eschewing traditional gifts, instead the couple raised nearly $7,000 in donations from guests for charities in India that work to educate girls and protect animals forced to perform in entertainment.
Andrew Bayda
For guests
Each guest at Bajekal and Singh’s wedding received a collection of small tokens from India. The groom’s family toted the treasures thousands of miles to England so that the couple could offer the epic goodie bags to attendees.
In honor of elephants, who are sometimes forced into participating in wedding processions in India, the goodie bags included small marble elephants and commemorative plates from Jaipur featuring a picture of the gentle animals.
For the wedding’s women guests, an Indian maang tika—a piece of sparkling jewelry that hangs on the forehead—were included among the gifts.
Guests were also gifted with a box of vegan Indian sweets, perfect to enjoy with English tea.
The food
- Crispy okra fries in bamboo cones
- Smoked eggplant in filo cups
- Sweet potato chaat with coconut yogurt
- Masala tofu fritters
- Cocktail samosas
- Tandoori gobi with tamarind chutney
- Grandmother’s golden beetroot tikki with cranberry chutney
- Peppers stuffed with potatoes, cashews, raisins, and onions
- Kathal Ki Sabzi: jackfruit simmered in a tomato and onion gravy
- Sweet Potato Channa Curry: creamy coconut curry with chickpeas and sweet potatoes
- Green Moong Dal: Dhaba-style green moong lentils and citrus
- Baingan Ka Bharta: smoked eggplant with burnt garlic, pounded chilli, and tomatoes
- Pilau Rice: Iranian spice-infused basmati rice
- Thai green curry
- Cashew nut stir-fry
- Pad Thai
- Vegetable spring rolls
- Green mango salad
Andrew Bayda
The desserts
- Motichoor Laddoo
- Pearls of gram flour soaked in sugar syrup
- Kheer rice pudding with cardamom, pistachios, and saffron
- Tandoori pineapple with lemon sorbet
Andrew Bayda
The cake
A collection of wedding cakes, with one towering at the center, was the menu’s grand finale. Flavors included traditional Victoria sponge, zucchini and lemon, blueberry and elderflower, carrot cake, and chocolate—each frosted with vegan olive oil buttercream and decorated with fresh berries and seasonal British flowers.
The drinks
Cocktails and mocktails including Moscow mules, English Brambles, lychee martinis, and masala lemonade
Andrew Bayda
The honeymoon
Following a “mini-moon” with friends on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, the couple are planning a two-week adventure in Chile, where they look forward to soaking in the country’s stunning natural beauty during frequent hikes.
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Maya Gottfried is a relationship expert and the author of Vegan Love: Dating and Partnering for the Cruelty-Free Gal.
