Every couple hopes the weather will hold on their wedding day. Every planner watches the forecast with apprehension. Yet for Amber and Yash, the moment dark clouds gathered above Hagley Hall in Stourbridge became the very moment their wedding story found meaning. Just as the priest pronounced them husband and wife beneath the orangery’s soaring glass ceiling, rain poured down. Rather than disrupting the moment, it transformed it. “In a Hindu wedding, rainfall at that exact moment is considered incredibly auspicious—a blessing for the marriage—so it felt deeply meaningful and almost surreal as it happened. What could have been unexpected instead became one of the most memorable and symbolic moments of the entire day,” says Amber about her big day, where symbolism revealed itself at every turn, from nature’s timely blessing to unexpected visitors from the surrounding estate.
Every moment preserved
Entrusting those once-in-a-lifetime moments to Zeeshan Ali Photography proved to be one of the couple’s best decisions. Known for an editorial eye that balances fashion with feeling, Zeeshan documented everything, from sweeping architectural frames to the fleeting exchanges that often become a family’s most treasured memories. “Working with Zeeshan was one of the best decisions we made. From the very beginning, he was incredibly easy to work with and made a genuine effort to connect not just with us, but with our families as well—it genuinely felt as though he was part of the family even before the wedding celebrations began,” says Yash.
“He made us feel completely at ease across every event, which really shows in the photographs. His work is exceptional, capturing each moment with such elegance, class, and an incredible attention to detail,” added Amber, who admits she is usually uncomfortable in front of the camera, that ease became invaluable. “Zeeshan has a unique ability to capture moments in a way that feels both natural and artistic. I am not a fan of being in front of the camera, but Zeeshan has a way of instantly putting you at ease, which makes all the difference.”
A friendship years in the making
The couple first crossed paths during interviews for the School of Mathematics at the University of Manchester. “I remember instantly noticing how beautiful she was—but I didn’t have the courage to say anything. In fact, I even pointed her out to my sister as we walked past her leaving the building, never imagining that our paths would cross again,” remembers Yash. A year later, during Freshers’ Week, they reunited. Rather than rushing into romance, their relationship developed through years of genuine friendship. Shared values, close-knit families and an instinct for bringing people together gradually laid the foundation for something lasting. By 2019, that friendship evolved into a relationship that already carried years of trust.
A celebration designed with purpose
Their two-year engagement offered enough time to savour being engaged before wedding planning took centre stage. “From the beginning, our vision was to create something purposeful, simple, and refined. We wanted every decision to have meaning and to reflect us as a couple, rather than just following tradition for the sake of it,” says Amber. Choosing Hagley Hall in Stourbridge as the backdrop was equally thoughtful. The estate’s magnificent orangery reflected the bright, outdoor atmosphere they loved and provided reassurance against Britain’s famously unpredictable weather. It also allowed Amber to leave for the ceremony from her family home nearby, something she had always dreamed of. “We didn’t have a wedding planner—both being Capricorns, organisation really is our middle name. We genuinely enjoyed being hands-on throughout the process.”
Civil Ceremony
The couple’s civil ceremony was all heart. Amber and Yash sealed their love in a heartfelt civil ceremony at the iconic The Old Marylebone Town Hall in Westminster, surrounded by timeless London charm, joy, and the people who matter most. The bride wore a white gown by Wedding Belles of Four Oaks and Yash complemented her in a grey tuxedo.
Family traditions at the heart
The celebrations unfolded across several days, beginning with a Ganpati puja. For Amber, the Ganpati puja became one of the week’s most emotional occasions. Surrounded by hundreds of relatives gathered in her family garden, she honoured generations before her by wearing her late grandmother’s wedding sari. “It felt incredibly meaningful to bring so many people together—many of whom hadn’t seen each other in over 20 years—and created a truly unforgettable atmosphere filled with love and nostalgia.”
Yash’s pithi (haldi) offered a completely different energy. “One of the standout moments was my pithi ceremony with my sisters—who, as expected, made sure no patch was left untouched! It was filled with laughter, chaos, and so much joy.”
A baraat to remember
Yash’s baraat started exactly as he had imagined growing up surrounded by three older sisters who had made dancing a family tradition. Arriving on horseback beneath a traditional parasol, he was welcomed by Amber’s family dressed in vibrant shades of pink while friends and relatives danced through the grounds to the unmistakable beat of ‘Oh Ho Ho Ho’. Watching from a window above, Amber saw the procession unfold. “The atmosphere was electric—pulsing with energy, colour, and celebration,” remembers Yash.
Blessings beyond expectation
The ceremony décor reflected the architecture of the orangery itself. The couple embraced its natural beauty. “Amber had the idea of creating a subtle ‘greenhouse’ feel—soft, abundant, and full of texture—by incorporating elements of fresh fruit intertwined with greenery,” shared Yash. The unexpected use of fruit amongst florals introduced colour.
For the ceremony, the bride wore a bespoke Frontier Raas lehenga featuring perhaps its most meaningful detail hidden from view: both of her late grandmothers’ names embroidered into the waistband. “I had always dreamed of having my leading ladies walk me down the aisle, and in a way, they still did,” she says.
Yash complemented her in a tailored ivory Monga’s ensemble paired with a traditional hand-tied Rajasthani safa. As a tribute to Amber’s Sikh heritage, he carried a kirpan while entering the mandap.
Then came the moment neither family will ever forget. “One of the most special moments of the day came during our ceremony. Just as the priest announced us husband and wife, the heavens quite literally opened, and it began to pour with rain,” she recalled. That wasn’t all, nature had one more surprise in store: “During the ceremony, my mum noticed a herd of deer appear just outside the orangery,” she added. “Many of our guests later shared how special it felt, with some even describing it as a symbolic presence of our ancestors, which made the moment even more meaningful,” shared Yash.
An unforgettable finale
If the ceremony belonged to nature, the reception belonged to celebration. “Our reception entrance was undoubtedly our standout moment. The combination of the music, live dhol, and the incredible energy from our guests created an atmosphere that felt truly electric. Napkins were flying through the air, the room was full of movement and excitement, and Yash’s feet barely seemed to touch the floor,” recalls Amber. The aesthetic, too, shifted completely. Crisp black architectural accents, masses of white flowers and candlelight created a contemporary backdrop. Later that evening, Amber changed into a custom deep red Kalki lehenga, while Yash opted for a sharply tailored tuxedo finished with a Tom Ford bow tie. Lots of dancing and good food concluded their celebrations.
The Bride’s Checklist
The Bride: Amber
The Groom: Yash
Photography: Zeeshan Ali Photography
Wedding Venue: Hagley Hall, Stourbridge
Wedding Day Co-ordinator: Pristine Events
Wedding Décor: Vogue Luxury Events
Catering: Five Rivers
Videographer: Shaadi Videography
Bride’s Outfits: Frontier Raas and Kalki Fashion
Groom’s Outfits: Monga’s London
Mehndi Artist: Hetal Mendhi
Makeup Artist: Sian Makeup Artist
Hair Stylist: Harj Hair
DJ/Entertainment: Kudos
Dhol Players: Violist: Kikiviolinist
Photobooth: Symandsonne
Bar: KSBeers
Marquee: Fews Luxury Weddings
