Ambika Gupta, the celebrated founder of ’The A-Cube Project', an internationally renowned, multiple award-winning companies is known for creating bespoke wedding designs that also tell deeply personal stories.  Not surprisingly, her design acumen is much in demand by celebrities and discerning A-listers from all over the world. When approached to design the nuptials of the much-in-love couple Alanna Pandey and Ivor McCray, Ambika did not approach the project as a high-profile celebrity wedding but as a once-in-a-lifetime, personal journey that connects the stories of the two with their shared dreams for the future. Ambika says, "When they filled out our questionnaire, we instantly saw that they have a very modern aesthetic sense. They are also deeply devoted to each other and their families and shared that they wanted a cozy, warm, and intimate wedding with beautiful details."

 Ambika crystallized a template for the 'haldi' celebrations by drawing inspiration from the couple's love for traveling and says, "They love Italy and so the ‘haldi’ was themed around its sun-drenched beauty. We replicated an Italian farmer's market where guests could fill their bags with any goodie they wanted. We also created an intimate and informal grazing table for guests and also a larger, more formal setting for a sumptuous three-course meal."

 About Alanna, Ambika says, "To be honest, she is a dream bride. Intuitive, creative, clear-headed, and someone who really thinks things through. Her suggestions and ideas were invaluable in finalizing the food, the backdrops, and the smallest of details."  

 In keeping with the couple's love for nature and verdure, Ambika designed the wedding around a whimsical forest theme complete with in-lit birds in flight, forest sounds, and a customized earthy fragrance. Ambika says, "Alanna wanted a modern yet enchanted look & feel for her wedding since she's so connected with the elements in nature. We wanted to make the 10 Pillar Ballroom at the Taj part of the landscape, so we zeroed in on creating an Enchanted forest with a rich foliage wallpaper, and deconstructed/ruined arches but with plush material such as acrylic with gold accents. Cascading valleys of Alanna's favorite florals, lady's lace filled the space alongside fog to add an enchanted touch creating a surreal and dreamy setting as the couple took their Pheras. It felt like you walked into a dreamscape.”

 Ambika's choice of colors was inspired by the couple's Instagram feed which is awash in delicate pastels and also moodier shades. What set the wedding apart was Alanna's sense of responsibility and sensitivity and Ambika adds, "She really wants to give back in any way she can and so we created hampers for the street children in Carter Road where she grew up. We are recycling the flowers to make potpourri and using recyclable bags for the gifts that we sourced from NGOs. We also made sure that everything from the pre-wedding hamper to the wedding favors is sustainable."

 What Ambika set out to achieve was an immersive and unforgettable experience for Alanna, Ivor, and their guests and she says, "What we achieved, in the end, was not just a picture-perfect wedding but the celebration of the core values of the couple and I hope when they look back at this day a few years from now, they will do so with great joy."