Alanna Panday has become a favourite amongst the Gen Zs. Securing a top spot as a global content creator, her style is recognized by thousands of fashion enthusiasts from across the world. The renowned model and influencer, with Indian roots (fitness coach Deanne Pandey’s daughter and Ananya Panday’s cousin), is now based out of Los Angeles, California. She met Ivor McCray, her American film director, photographer and now-husband, at a party. “In November 2019, I met this amazing human at a Halloween party. He made me laugh so much that night my jaw hurt. Everything else seems pretty blurry but all I can remember was how happy he made me,” Alanna revealed.
The bride and groom’s first date to a pumpkin patch sparked a sense of joy and instant connection between them. The model and photographer soon discovered their love for creating content and began travelling the world together. “We met almost every day and began to quickly fall in love. We then went back to India 2 months later to meet my family. They met him and immediately fell in love with him. We moved in together 3 months into knowing each other (I know, too soon but I literally couldn’t stay away from him for more than a day). I think it was because he made a foreign country feel like home. I never felt homesick when I was around him,” she added.
“After a year, we took a trip to the Maldives to this most beautiful island called Soneva Jani where Ivor planned a dreamy proposal,” said the bride. In March 2023, the couple decided to tie the knot in the bride’s hometown, Mumbai with spectacular celebrations at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace hotel. Their celebrations displayed striking décor stunning wedding couture and a star-studded guest list.
The Bridal Party
The celebrations kicked off with Alanna’s pre-wedding bridal shower with a romantic, white-themed brunch at her home in Mumbai, which was attended by close friends and family members like Ananya and Ahaan Panday. Soft, floral décor lent a dreamy vibe to the occasion, which Alanna also chanelled with her embellished white mini-dress and long wavy tresses.
The Planning
The couple got The A-Cube Project on board for the custom décor and design that represented their personal style perfectly. From the haldi décor with the theme of Italians farmers market to the enchanted forest theme for the wedding ceremony, Ambika Gupta behind the company got their vision to life. The bride advises, “Make sure you savour every moment and have the best time enjoying it with each other as it all goes by so fast!”
The Haldi
The haldi décor successfully transported the guests to a market in sun-kissed Italy, creating a sense of wonder, joy, and fulfilment to share the couple’s happiness. A personalised, lavish spread of artisanal bread, charcuterie boards and sweet indulgences was served. “Ivor’s dad formed a dance circle and our friends completely ruining our outfits with the haldi paste. My family surprised me with a dance performance too. It was truly the best time of my life,” shared the bride. The duo chose matching Payal Singhal outfits for the ceremony. Alanna changed into a gorgeous, mermaid-cut Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika lehenga for the post-haldi celebrations.
The Beauty Look
“Alanna’s vision was to keep the makeup natural and minimal so that her personality shines through. My aesthetic of creating dewy and radiant looks translated very well,” shared celebrity makeup artist Shradha Luthra. All of the bride’s looks were created using Charlotte Tilbury makeup products.
The Mehndi
Alanna and Ivor celebrated their Tropical Oasis themed mehndi ceremony with their loved ones, surrounded by laughter, love, and the intricate designs of henna. The bride wore a hand-embroidered ‘Vendure’ lehenga by Rahul Mishra with the ‘Kissing Cranes’ crop top for the mehndi. “The intent for Alanna’s muted look was to retain her elegant personality and complement it with an ensemble that is comfortable, playful and youthful like her, without taking the attention away from her smile. Ivor chose to wear a coordinating monochrome bundi and kurta look in sage green that is both formal and elegant,” shared designer Rahul Mishra.
The Wedding Décor
The all-white Enchanted Forest wedding décor was infused with a cosmopolitan and universal aesthetic. “The couple wanted everything earthy and rooted. So, the décor was inspired by a forest theme featuring birds in flight, a soothing water element, forest sounds, and a customised fragrance to evoke the smell of the earth” shared celebrity wedding planner and founder of The A-Cube Project, Ambika Gupta. The setting for the Hindu ceremony represented a deconstructed Roman ruin, treated in clear acrylic to form the Colosseum. “We had the rituals of an Indian wedding but chose the colour white to show two culture’s coming together. I couldn’t have pictured anything more perfect while I walked down the aisle. There was so much love and tiny details put into this event that no amount of content could capture,” the bride disclosed.
The Trousseau Styling
“Alanna wanted to marry the couple’s looks to the décor themes that were very special to her. She wanted her wedding wardrobe to reflect their travels, personalities and taste. The wedding looks reflected a white wedding theme, which is a unique choice for a Hindu ceremony. It was all about the enchanted forest filled with mist where she looked like a fairy. I love tonal as that is my signature aesthetic and we decided to go with diamonds for the jewellery keeping it very editorial. The idea was to make a subtle statement with a single tone,” shared celebrity stylist Ami Patel.
The Bridal Lehenga
The bride looked ethereal in an off-white tulle lehenga, hand-embroidered with intricate floral motifs and borders in delicate threadwork, crystals, pearls and sequins by designer Manish Malhotra. The look was completed with a graceful drape and romantic veil featuring scallops and the designer’s signature petal edging finish. The bespoke looks were styled by celebrity stylist Ami Patel.
The Wedding
“We chose the same pundit who married my parents so that was really special for our families. My favourite moment was when the pundit called Ivor by his Hindu name Inder.” The couple wanted to create an earthy and rooted forest theme infused with a sense of serenity. They opted for sustainable gifts for everything from the pre-wedding hampers to the wedding favours. The flowers from the wedding were recycled into potpourri creating a fully immersive experience tailored to reflect Alanna and Ivor’s core values.
The Reception
The couple chose to conclude their wedding celebrations with a glamourous reception party. A true star-studded evening, it was an unforgettable party where Alanna and Ivor celebrated their love with family and friends. Every detail of the reception represented the couple’s taste and personal style keeping it classy and playful. The bride wore intricate jewellery by Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas while Ivor dazzled in a sharp, black tuxedo embellished with silver Swarovski stones and crystals. The bride’s silver, mermaid-cut lehenga by Falguni Shane Peacock featured a thigh-high slit and Swarovski adornments.
The Bride’s Checklist
Wedding Décor: The A-Cube Project
Florals: Black Tulip Flowers India
Wedding Planner: Motwane Entertainments & Weddings
Photography & Videography: House On The Clouds
Styling: Ami Patel
Makeup: Shradha Luthra
Production: House of Vivaah
Furniture: Rentastic Event Rentals
DJ: DJ Ganesh
Wedding Music: Divine Chants
Band: Jea Band (Wedding)
Catering: Nara Thai (Mehendi), Sage & Saffron (Haldi)
Bar: The Wedding Bartenders
Invites: Pink Whistle Man
Gifting: Juicy Chemistry, Kashi Face Mask, Pulkanshri
