There are weddings that lean into maximalism for spectacle, and then there are celebrations that use scale to narrate a story. Sidd Chhayani and Naiya K. Chhayani’s multi day wedding at Regency Lagoon Resort in Rajkot belongs to the latter. Each event of their vibrant celebration had a distinct visual identity and yet felt emotionally connected to the couple, from their poolside mehndi to the reception with old Hollywood energy. There is a moment in one of P.Taufiq Photography’s images that says everything about this wedding. The couple, barely visible beneath a mandap draped in soft pastels, stands at the centre of a sky that has just erupted in streams of purple, blue, saffron and teal. The coloured smoke cannons fire skyward in a cascade that feels like the universe marking the occasion. For Sidd and Naiya, this was the culmination of a year of planning across continents.
Planning Across Continents
When asked what they would tell a couple planning a similarly ambitious multi-event wedding, Sidd and Naiya suggest, “Enjoy the process and don’t get caught up in the tiny details. Communicate openly, set realistic expectations, and remember it’s about celebrating your love. Delegate when needed so you can be fully present in every moment.” It is advice that only sounds easy if you haven’t spent a year flying back and forth between continents to handpick your florals. Valiant Events, who handled planning and décor execution across all five functions, were the engine of that process, translating their creative vision into something coherent and chic. “Over the course of a year, Sidd and I made three separate trips to India to work directly with artisans, tastemakers and their planning team. From curating menus to handpicking florals, every decision was approached with precision.”
Through The Lens
For the couple, their photography was never about assembling a gallery of perfectly posed portraits. They desired the images to reflect how the wedding actually felt in motion, the energy of the baraat, the stillness before the ceremony, the spontaneous laughter during family performances and the candid moments. That vision led them to Pervez Taufiq behind P.Taufiq Photography, the internationally acclaimed photographer known for documenting luxury celebrations with a cinematic, emotionally layered perspective. “From the very start, Pervez and his team brought a quiet sense of ease to the entire process. Nothing ever felt overly styled or directed, they simply allowed moments to unfold as they were. The photographs feel honest and unforced, which is exactly what we were hoping for,” share Sidd and Naiya. The result was a wedding album that captured the grandeur of the festivities and the intimacy at its core.
How It Began
The couple first met in Boston during the holiday season. “What began as conversations about our dogs, Arthur and Luckie, evolved into a connection shaped by our shared interests in travel, food and culture. Our relationship grew across calendars and continents, with both of us balancing modern lives while remaining closely tied to our Indian roots.” Two years in, Sidd proposed during an afternoon in Boston’s Seaport before the two stopped for taiyaki ice cream in freezing weather, a memory the couple still laughs about. That same spirit of intimacy and intentionality shaped their wedding vision. “We wanted every event to feel immersive and personal rather than just visually beautiful. The idea was to create experiences that reflected our personalities, our travels and the people we love.”
A Mehndi Inspired By Tropical Escapes
The celebrations opened with a vibrant mehndi set against the property’s poolside landscape. “The ceremony was designed around a palette of vivid greens. The décor drew inspiration from tropical destinations and nautical elements. Cane furniture, layered floral arrangements and playful details softened the setting, while traditional music and live performers kept the energy high throughout the afternoon.” Naiya chose a fluid olive lehenga and Sidd wore a white-and-green gradient jacket and trousers to complement the lush setting.
A Greek Summer Mood For The Haldi
For the haldi ceremony, the aesthetic shifted dramatically. Inspired by the warmth and coastal charm of Greece, the event embraced vivid blue accents paired with bursts of yellow from the décor and the guest dress code. The setting felt sun drenched and transportive, balancing destination wedding energy with Gujarati hospitality. In contrast to the expected yellow wardrobe palette, Sidd wore pink tie-dye kurta and Naiya chose a white lehenga with a matching pink tie-dye dupatta.
“Our haldi was one of the most emotionally charged ceremonies of the weekend. Family members took turns applying haldi amid laughter, music and spontaneous dancing. Friends surrounded us with flower showers while music pulsed through the venue,” shares Naiya.
Bollywood Glamour For The Sangeet
“The first leg of our events celebrated intimacy and heritage, but we embraced full scale drama for the sangeet. The evening was conceived as a Bollywood inspired extravaganza. The venue was transformed into something resembling a contemporary awards show. Our guests entered through a red carpet installation flanked by custom movie posters inspired by our love story, while a Filmfare style photo booth added a playful cinematic layer.” The evening’s fashion direction leaned into evening glamour. Naiya wore a navy embellished lehenga and Sidd matched the mood in a sharply tailored jacket.
“The sangeet was the loudest and most emotional event of the weekend. Seeing our families and closest friends put so much effort into celebrating us felt incredibly overwhelming in the best possible way.”
A Pastel Wedding Rooted In Heritage
The wedding marked a shift from maximal glamour to softer elegance. Set outdoors under the Rajkot sun, the mandap was framed by towering floral structures in blush pink and ivory tones. White florals lined the aisle while flowing drapery overhead softened the architecture of the space. “The setting was reminiscent of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay to evoke our shared passion for travel.”
Sidd’s baraat began in a vintage Rolls Royce before transitioning to a white horse. Accompanied by dhol players, a live DJ and dancing guests, the procession blended tradition with celebration. “I chose a richly embroidered red lehenga that balanced classic bridal codes with intricate craftsmanship. My jewellery featured layered uncut diamonds, styled with a soft beauty look that kept the focus on the ensemble. Sidd complemented me in an ivory sherwani.”
Despite the scale of the décor and immersive guest experiences, the ceremony was intimate and emotional. “We always wanted the wedding to honour our families and heritage while still feeling like us. That balance was important throughout the planning process.”
An Old Hollywood Inspired Reception
The final evening reflected black tie glamour with a reception inspired by the opulence of the Great Gatsby era. The ballroom was transformed with black and gold décor, geometric installations and dramatic lighting that referenced Art Deco interiors.
Naiya wore a glittering silver gown for the reception, complete with sculptural volume and intricate embellishment. Sidd opted for a black tuxedo. Guests entered beneath cascading chandeliers before gathering around a monochrome dance floor where the couple shared their first dance surrounded by sparklers. “The atmosphere throughout the night felt cinematic, with every transition, from speeches to performances. It was the perfect end to our milestone occasion.”
The Bride’s Checklist
The Bride: Naiya K. Chhayani
The Groom: Sidd Chhayani
Photography: P.Taufiq Photography
The Venue: Regency Lagoon Resort, Rajkot
Planner & Décor: Valiant Events
Entertainment: Boston Sound and Light Company, @jus.deee, DJ Ronak
Bride’s Outfits: Amrut – The Fashion Icon, Juliana, Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop
Bride’s HMU: bonanza ladies salon
Mehndi Artist: VR Mehendi Studio Rajkot
Groom’s Outfits: Papa Dont Preach By Shubhika, Amit Arora, Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop
