How often do you hear a couple’s love story that involves global sensation Diljit Dosanjh almost playing cupid and bringing them together? Rarely! But that was the case Amandeep Kaur Gill, Bedford-based senior project manager and founder of the creative brand A & K, Art and Kraft, and Sandeep Singh Bains, a CAD CAM Engineer from Birmingham. “My family forced me to download Bumble while we were en route to Birmingham for Diljit Dosanjh’s concert. They insisted, ‘You’re going to Indian central, just download it!’ So, I did,” shares Amandeep, who was too exasperated by dating apps. But as fate would have it, she swiped right into love and matched with Sandeep. “It felt like here we go again. Until it didn’t,” she adds.
Sparks flew, and the couple had an instant connection. “We are both very creative and share similar interests. The communication was consistent, from text and calls, to meeting in person. We met after a month of talking on the phone, video chats and so forth and it was like I was talking to my best friend,” recalls Amandeep. “I’ve been a firm believer that everyone should marry their best friend, so you can be free to be your weird and annoying self with your soul mate. I wasn’t looking for perfection just a few characteristics that ticked the box. I felt myself seeing a future with this girl the more we spoke. Finally, after a busy month our first date had come. It felt special, so I took some flowers. We went for a casual steak lunch, and somehow it turned into an entire day together. We played golf, watched a movie, and wrapped it up with late evening McDonald’s,” Sandeep shares about the meet cute that turned into planning a together-forever.
Manifesting A Proposal For The Books
During a random conversation a few months before the proposal, Amandeep had incidentally mentioned that her idea of a dream proposal would be “under hot air balloons in Cappadocia, and next thing I know, Sandeep is making that exact thing happen. We were in Turkey for a friend’s wedding, and Sandeep turned my joke from months before into reality. I couldn’t believe it. It was truly magical—like, I kept waiting for someone to yell, ‘Cut!’ because it was too perfect.” Sandeep adds, “I was delighted to give her the proposal of her dreams. Seeing her face when I proposed, surrounded by those hot air balloons? I’ll never forget it. It was totally worth all the planning and sneaking around.”
The celebrations continued with a meet-and-greet between the two families. “We went to a lovely Mexican restaurant, which is located halfway between the homes. Meeting Amandeep’s family was easy flowing. They were very inviting caring,” Sandeep reveals. Amandeep was on the same page. “Our families hit it off instantly. My dad met Sandeep after a hike, and I’m pretty sure they were already laughing like old friends. That was it for me—I knew this was going somewhere special. Then, meeting his sister and brother-in-law over dinner was so easy. The warmth they showed me was just… perfect. I knew I was going to fit right in.”
Planning The Journey To Forever
“Our wedding journey began in October 2024, after our engagement giving us a year to shape a celebration that reflected both our heritage and our love for travel. From the very start, we envisioned a destination wedding, elegant, joyful, and intimate. We both wanted an intimate destination wedding that none of our families had done one before. Initially, we dreamt of tying the knot in Bali. But upon learning about the Sikh requirement of marrying in a Gurdwara, we had to reconsider. Dubai emerged as the perfect destination, offering a stunning Gurdwara, excellent accessibility for guests, and the kind of modern luxury we envisioned,” reveals Amandeep.
Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Dubai served as the most magnificent setting for their Sikh wedding ceremony. “We chose not only for its accessibility, but for its breathtaking architecture and spiritual serenity.” The couple settled on the gorgeous Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Canal View as the backdrop for the other events, thanks to its breathtaking views of the city’s skyline and the Burj Khalifa. “Its scenic terrace offered the perfect setting for our open-air events, while the sophisticated ballroom provided a seamless indoor option, especially reassuring given Dubai’s recent unpredictable floods,” shares Sandeep.
“Thankfully, Sandeep and I were completely aligned in our approach, from décor to experiences. We both wanted a relaxed, two-day celebration with a close-knit guest list. It was important to us that our families not only witness our union but also enjoy a holiday,” she says. They enlisted Jovial Events, a Dubai-based planning company, to bring their vision to life.
The Personalisation With A & K, Art And Kraft
As a bride with creative experience and a deep love for design, Amandeep poured her heart into every detail of the wedding aesthetics. Alongside her sister Kalveer and her husband-to-be, she brought their shared vision to life through their creative studio, A & K, Art and Kraft. Together, they designed and illustrated all the wedding stationery from invitations, welcome boards and menus, to programme and thank you cards, making every element feel intimate, personal, and completely bespoke.
It all started with setting the tone for the celebrations with a personalised invite. “Designing my own wedding stationery felt so personal and special,” says Amandeep. The invitation suite was built around a unique arched design, “a nod to the grand Middle Eastern architecture and the elegance of our destination wedding in Dubai,” Amandeep shares. “We illustrated the front cover with us in our wedding attire—me in my regal red anarkali and Sandeep in his cream sherwani with a royal blue turban and palla. It felt like the perfect way to introduce our wedding story. Sandeep’s bespoke invitation was just as thoughtful and personal a royal blue passport-style card that mirrored his regal Anand Karaj look.”
Capturing Every Memory & Detail With Photography By Gagan
With every element curated thoughtfully and mindfully, the couple desired a photographer who didn’t just click pretty pictures, but documented the depth, the details, and above all, the emotions. Gagan Sharma behind Photography By Gagan totally fit their bill as an expert who could “create a beautiful blend of candid, editorial, and regal imagery.” The UK-based wedding artist has shot across countries and cultures, and is renowned for taking a bespoke approach for every celebration he is part of. “We were instantly drawn to Gagan’s editorial style. His work has graced the pages of leading fashion magazines across the world. Most importantly, his aesthetic perfectly aligned with our vision, making him a natural fit not just for the wedding, but also as a creative collaboration for our A & K, Art and Kraft brand. Gagan has a real gift for directing, while still keeping things relaxed and fun. He made us feel completely at ease in front of the camera, which truly shows in the photos,” reveals Amandeep.
The Wedding: A Celebration Of Heritage & Love For Travel
Mayian & Choora Ceremony
Under the morning sun and the glittering Dubai skyline, the wedding festivities began with a joint Mayian, a traditional Sikh pre-wedding haldi ceremony, where both families came together on the stunning terrace of the five-star property. The bride-to-be dressed the part in a Chhavvi Aggarwal lehenga, Jimmy Choo heels and colourful jewellery. The groom-to-be kept it minimal and fresh with a crisp white kurta and blue ramal.
A colour story of sunshine yellow and blush pink, featuring vibrant tablescapes, umbrellas as centrepieces, and custom floral menu cards designed by Amandeep, Kalveer, and Sandeep, set the mood for the ceremony. The stage was a dreamy blend of marigolds cascading above pink and yellow cushioned seats, perfect for the occasion. A show-stopping detail was the illustrated welcome board capturing the floral stage design, a true reflection of the artistry behind A & K. A pink and yellow-themed golgappe cart added a delicious and festive flair. “It was a rare and beautiful moment of unity and laughter shared by both sides.
The Choora ceremony followed. “It was a more intimate and emotional moment for me and my family, filled with heartfelt blessings and quiet tears,” recalls Amandeep.
Jago Night
As the sun dipped behind the Burj Khalifa, the terrace transformed for the couple’s Jago celebration. The Jago glowed with a blue and white theme, accented by crystal chandeliers, floral centrepieces, and soft candelabra lighting. Tables featured gold charger plates, white napkins with gold rings, and custom skyline menus designed by A & K. “Matching reserved signs, a drinks menu, and our illustrated welcome board showcased the Dubai skyline at sunset and our Jago outfits, which added a personal flourish,” shares Amandeep.
The dance floor was a sleek mirror finish, reflecting the twinkling terrace lights and creating a vibrant, party-ready atmosphere. Sandeep channelled a full Punjabi pop moment with a look inspired by Diljit Dosanjh’s iconic Coachella outfit, featuring turban, shades and swagger. Amandeep emulated a modern-day princess in a custom Mahima Mahajan ensemble. The atmosphere was electric, with dhol beats echoing into the night and dancing that went on well past midnight.
“One of the most unforgettable moments was Sandeep’s surprise Diljit Dosanjh-inspired G.O.A.T performance during the Jago. With no warning, he burst onto the floor, owning the moment with full charisma, instantly winning over the crowd and setting the tone for a night to remember. But the magic didn’t stop there. The view, the laughter, the music, it all came together in a way that felt like a dream. Surrounded by our closest family and friends, it wasn’t just a celebration; it was a feeling of pure joy.”
Anand Karaj Ceremony
October 29, 2024 was the big day. The aisle of the Gurudwara was draped in red and white fabric, leading to a regal scene with Amandeep in rich red and Sandeep in royal blue.
For the sacred Sikh ceremony, Amandeep looked like a Maharani in a Pitambara by Manisha anarkali, styled with a gold choker and royal blue diamond set, a nath, and statement eye-rings from Yashwanti. Her look was completed with gold and red diamond kaleere, a shimmering gold kiran-detailed red chunni, and gold Jimmy Choo heels. Sandeep looked like a Maharaja himself in a cream sherwani with intricate pearl embroidery from Sherwani Studios, styled with a royal blue turban, pearl mala, matching palla, and a traditional Sikh talwar.
Every printed detail from the programme cards to the illustrated welcome board was custom-designed by the trio at A & K, featuring the Palki Sahib and their outfits in elegant detail. It was a moment of beauty, spirituality, and personal storytelling.
Reception & Dholi
The grand finale embraced modern elegance in white and emerald green. The dance floor featured our custom-designed SA logo by A & K, also displayed boldly on the DJ booth and across three large screens on stage, flanked by a montage of photos and videos. Guests were treated to a decadent Indian buffet, while each place setting included gold-rimmed menus and thank-you cards with a polaroid style photo from the couple’s Cappadocia engagement, both designed by A & K. The gold-trimmed welcome board finished with a modern cut-out design, tied together love, design, and adventure.
Amandeep dazzled in a Seema Gujral lehenga paired with coloured stoned jewellery and Rene Caovilla sandals, while Sandeep brought suave sophistication in a custom emerald green velvet tuxedo crafted by his designer friend B Ballagun, styled with a black bow tie, crisp white shirt, black tuxedo trousers, and polished shiny formal shoes for that pure James Bond energy.
Live beats of dhol by USR and foot-thumping songs DJ Gurps kept the guests revelling on the floor all night long. From the culture-rich ceremonies to the personalised stationery, every element of Amandeep and Sandeep’s destination wedding was a fusion of artistry and engineering.
The Bride’s Checklist
Wedding Venues: Radisson Blu Canal View and Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara
Invitation & Stationery: A & K, Art and Kraft
Wedding Planner & Décor: Jovial Events
Photographer: Photography By Gagan
Videographer: Blur Weddings
Bride’s Outfits: Seema Gujral, Pitambara by Manisha via Nikaza Asian Couture, Chhavi Aggarwal and Mahima Mahajan
Bride’s Jewellery: Yashwanti London and Anayah Jewellery
Accessories: Jimmy Choo and Rene Caovilla
Mehndi Artist: Shabnam
Makeup & Hair: Gigi and Samir
Groom’s Outfits: Sherwani Studio, Vans, B Ballagun
Entertainment: DJ Gurps & USR
Pagh: Pagh Vala
Kirpan: Punjabi Roots Music
