On the night Swati Panchal and Vishal Khandheria got married, it was Diwali. As the sun dipped behind the Atlas Mountains and the Marrakech sky turned amber, hundreds of diyas began to flicker across the gardens of their wedding venue, Palais Namaskar. It did not feel like decoration alone, but something far more meaningful. The couple planned for their special occasion to fall on Diwali, and worked to weave the Festival of Lights into the weekend.
Swati arrived at the reception on a traditional Moroccan Amaría carried by attendants in ivory capes and crimson fezzes. Her groom led them through the maze as ‘When Love Takes Over’ echoed through the gardens, while guests danced and cheered beneath towering lanterns and palm trees. That moment perfectly captured the spirit of the weekend: two people, cultures and worlds coming together with ease. Rajasthan met Morocco in the architecture and design language, Indian comfort food sat alongside Moroccan feasts, and Bollywood performances flowed into oud musicians and late-night singalongs. Even the reception layout was thoughtfully designed so all 185 guests felt part of the celebration. For the London-based couple, their destination wedding in Morocco was about creating an experience that was “international, soulful, and rooted in culture,” says the couple.
How It Began
Swati, originally from Bahrain and raised across Canada and the American Midwest, met Vishal, who grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, while they were living in the United States. Today, the couple calls London home, where Vishal pursued his MBA at London Business School after building a career in finance, while Swati brought her background in healthcare administration and hospitality-rooted upbringing into the life they built together. Their relationship grew through shared values, ambition, humour, and an understanding of what it meant to build a life across cultures and continents. “What began as conversation evolved into partnership, and what felt familiar quickly became extraordinary,” the couple shares. “They did not simply find love; they found alignment, belonging, and the feeling of arriving home together.” When it came time to plan their wedding, they wanted a destination that mirrored their own lives.
Why Marrakech was the Perfect Setting
The couple explored several possibilities before landing on Morocco. India felt logistically distant for many of their guests, England’s weather felt uncertain and the United States did not offer the same sense of transportive beauty they were seeking. The idea crystallised after Vishal’s uncle suggested Marrakech as a colourful and vibrant wedding destination. Palais Namaskar in Marrakech became an immediate favourite. Inspired by both Moroccan architecture and the royal palaces of Udaipur, the venue offered exactly the duality they envisioned for their “Moroccan-inspired Hindu celebration.” Reflective pools, sandstone archways, olive groves, orange blossoms, and dramatic courtyards created a cinematic backdrop that felt luxurious without losing intimacy.
With Mulani Events and Meav Events leading the planning and design, the wedding was built around guest experience and thoughtful cultural fusion. Moroccan lanterns lined pathways, local souk-inspired details appeared across stationery and gifting, and the reception tables were arranged in a striking “X” formation so every guest could fully participate in the evening’s performances and speeches.
The Photography
To document the celebrations, the couple turned to destination wedding photographer Gagan Sharma behind Photography by Gagan, whose experience shooting weddings across cultures and continents made him a natural fit for their multi-layered celebration in Marrakech. Against the cinematic backdrop of Palais Namaskar, Gagan and his team captured everything from sweeping architectural moments to the intimate interactions between family and friends. “The vision was to capture the feeling of the weekend rather than just a checklist of shots,” Swati and Vishal share. Working alongside Razu, the team focused on “the natural energy and spontaneous laughter of the weekend” rather than stiff, overly posed imagery. The couple especially appreciated how seamlessly the photographers blended into the celebrations while still creating striking portraits across the property’s dramatic courtyards and gardens. “They delivered these ‘WOW’ shots with incredible efficiency,” they say, “ensuring the album feels like a lived-in memory rather than a staged production.”
Mehndi & Welcome Dinner
The wedding festivities began on October 16, 2025, with an afternoon Mehndi for the bride and guest check-in that established the mood of the weekend. Friends and family arrived from around the world into a setting layered with colourful drapery, hanging Moroccan lanterns, palm trees, and lounge corners. For the Mehndi, Swati chose an electric blue Global Desi halter-and-dhoti set that stood out against the neutral sandstone architecture of the venue. Vishal leaned into relaxed destination dressing with an Oralabor Brown look inspired by Moroccan silhouettes and earthy textures. The evening transitioned into a warm welcome dinner where both families came together for the first time. The couple planned for it to be a casual meal with some Moroccan salads and Indian dishes, however, Palais Namaskar surprised them with a lavish buffet.
The Emotional Haldi
The Haldi ceremony on the subsequent afternoon began with one of the most emotional moments of the weekend. Before the celebrations officially started, Swati and Vishal paused to seek blessings from Vishal’s late father, Dr. Bijoy Khandheria, through a framed photograph placed thoughtfully within the ceremony space. “It was a quiet, grounding moment of love and remembrance,” says Vishal.
What followed was turmeric rituals alongside Moroccan tea ceremonies, creating a cross-cultural blend. Swati wore a richly hued Benbaa ensemble styled with woven jewellery from Tonoto. Each guest got time to paint the couple with haldi and share a laugh. As the sun blazed through, the guests enjoyed delicious Indian chaat for lunch, including dahi vada, kati rolls, bhel and chole baature.
The Joyful Sangeet
The Sangeet that evening embraced unfiltered celebration. With Moroccan lanterns lining the pathways and souk-sourced gifts for authentic touches, the event became one of the most memorable nights of the weekend. Swati wore a sapphire-toned Osaa by Adarsh lehenga designed specifically for movement and comfort, paired with a sentimental diamond set originally gifted to her mother-in-law by her grandparents. Vishal complemented her in a hand-embroidered Shantnu & Nikhil ensemble in deep navy and maroon tones.
“The highlight was Vishal’s mom and sister welcoming me with their closest friends, and a joyful moment where my parents danced to Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche. Seeing so many friends and family performing together felt like a ‘rhythmic hug’,” recalls Swati. There was also a playful dance-off between Team Bride and Team Groom that became an instant crowd favourite. Post an indulgent Indian meal complemented with a talented tabla player, the guests raved until 3AM as DJ Shraii seamlessly mixed old classics with new Bollywood songs.
A Moroccan-Inspired Hindu Wedding
On October 18, traditional Moroccan drummers replaced the typical Indian dhol players as the Baraat procession moved through the property. The ceremony was held beneath soft ivory drapery and floral installations that framed arches and reflecting pools.
“For the walk down the aisle, I stayed true to a traditional red palette classic red lehenga by Slokh Design with scalloped detailing. But its silhouette reflected my personal aesthetic: classic with unique, modern touches.” She accessorised with jewellery from Krushna Saileela to elevate the look. Vishal wore an ivory Shantnu & Nikhil sherwani paired with a striking emerald necklace for some regal contrast.
As instrumental renditions of Coldplay songs played softly in the background during portions of the ceremony, the atmosphere felt intimate despite the grandeur of the setting. Priest Jaydat Mehta conducted the ceremony and explained the true significance of every ritual. Swati and Vishal personalised the ceremony by writing their own seven vows.
Reception Under the Stars
Come evening, guests moved into a candlelit cocktail hour accompanied by an oud musician. Swati changed into a custom-dyed red Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna sari designed for elegance and ease on the dance floor, while Vishal transitioned into a sharply tailored tuxedo made in Bangkok. One of the defining moments arrived when Swati entered on the Amaría led by Vishal himself, seamlessly blending Moroccan pageantry with Hindu wedding traditions. The crowd erupted as they saw the bride being carried in on a glittery roofed platform. The DJ then asked for the guests to circle around the dance floor for the couple’s first dance to Noah Kahan’s Forever.
During her speech, Swati reflected on the significance of weddings and how we must take advantage of these opportunities to make memories with each other as life is too fragile. She closed with some words from Pitbull, “So let’s do it tonight, because we might not get tomorrow,” before the dance floor erupted to his ‘Give Me Everything’.
Perhaps the most meaningful detail of the entire wedding was Swati and Vishal’s handwritten personal notes to all 185 guests. Because for Swati and Vishal, hospitality was never an afterthought, it was, from the very first note, the whole point.
The Bride’s Checklist
The Bride: Swati Panchal
The Groom: Vishal Khandheria
The Photographer: Photography by Gagan
The Videographer: Lightbulb Films
Wedding Venue: Palais Namaskar
Wedding Planner: Mulani Events
Wedding Décor: Meal Weddings
Florist: Christian Pierre
Bride’s Outfits: Osaa by Adarsh, Shlok Design and Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna via Pernia’s Pop-Up
Groom’s Outfits: Shantnu & Nikhil and Tasva
Bride’s Jewellery: Krushna Saileela
Bride’s Accessories: Tonoto
Priest: Jaydat Mehta
Catering: Chef Arbinder & Palais Namaskar
Bar Service: B52 Agency
Mehndi Artist and Draping: Premila Pindolia
Makeup: Shima Jacobs
Hair: Skaala Hairstyle
Entertainment: DJ Shraii, Wild Tabla, Chris ‘Zay’ Williams Sax, Embassy Band
Invitations: Maniti Mehta
