Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s lavish wedding on July 12, 2024, at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre spanned three days, featuring traditional ceremonies and performances by global stars.
The city of dreams witnessed a spectacle of opulence and grandeur as Anant Ambani, the youngest son of billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, tied the knot with his longtime love, Radhika Merchant. The three-day extravaganza at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex celebrated love, family, and the Ambani empire’s unparalleled influence.
A Match Made in Heaven
Anant and Radhika’s love story is a modern-day fairy tale. Their engagement was announced in 2019, and the couple has been inseparable since then. Their pre-wedding festivities, including the lavish engagement ceremony in Udaipur, were a testament to their deep affection and the grandeur associated with the Ambani family.
The wedding ceremony on July 12 was a traditional Hindu affair steeped in rich rituals and customs. The couple exchanged vows amidst the blessings of their families and friends, creating a moment of pure joy and emotion.
The wedding venue, Jio World Convention Centre
The Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC) in Mumbai provided the opulent backdrop for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding. This state-of-the-art venue, known for its grandeur and versatility, is popular for high-profile events and lavish celebrations.
A Glimpse into the Venue
- Location: Situated in the heart of Mumbai’s business district, Bandra Kurla Complex, JWCC enjoys a prime location, making it easily accessible for guests.
- World-Class Amenities: Equipped with cutting-edge technology, JWCC provides seamless event management. From state-of-the-art audio-visual systems to high-speed internet connectivity, every detail is meticulously planned.
Why JWCC for a Grand Wedding?
- Unmatched Opulence: JWCC’s sheer scale and grandeur create a breathtaking ambience, perfect for a lavish wedding celebration.
- Personalized Experience: The dedicated wedding planning team works closely with couples to bring their dream wedding to life, ensuring every detail is flawless.
- Flexibility and Customization: JWCC offers endless possibilities for customization, allowing couples to create a wedding that reflects their unique style and personality.
- World-Class Hospitality: The venue’s commitment to exceptional service ensures that guests feel pampered and well-cared for throughout the celebration.
The Ambani wedding showcased JWCC’s extraordinary capabilities, transforming it into a magical wonderland for the couple and their guests. It is a testament to the venue’s ability to host events of unparalleled magnificence.
Pre-Wedding Celebrations:
- Mehendi Ceremony (July 10): This event included a grand Shiv Shakti puja at the Ambani residence, Antilia, and performances by various artists. The pre-wedding celebrations included a grand mehendi ceremony, where Bollywood celebrities like Sanjay Dutt attended in their traditional attire
- Haldi Ceremony (July 8): An intimate gathering attended by close family and celebrities.
- Sangeet Ceremony (July 6): Music Featuring a performance by Justin Bieber, held at the Grand Theatre within the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.
- Bhandara: As part of their pre-wedding festivities, Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant hosted a Bhandara at their home, Antilia. This event served thousands of people from various walks of life, reflecting their values of inclusivity and generosity
- The Ambani family and guests participate in the sacred Shiv Shakti Puja at their residence to seek divine blessings for the union of Anant and Radhika
Schedule and Ceremonies:
- Shubh Vivaah (July 12): This was the main wedding ceremony, and guests were requested to wear traditional Indian attire.
- Shubh Aashirwad (July 13): A blessing ceremony with a dress code of Indian formal.
- Mangal Utsav (July 14): The wedding reception, where the theme was Indian chic.
A Star-Studded Guest List
The Ambani wedding was a congregation of the world’s elite, a dazzling display of opulence and influence. While specific details about the guest list remain largely private, reports suggest an extraordinary gathering of celebrities, business tycoons, politicians, and global personalities.
The wedding will see notable attendees, including former UK Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
The wedding will attract some of the world’s most influential business leaders, including Bill Gates, Sundar Pichai, and Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser. Other notable attendees include BP chief executive Murray Auchincloss, Emma Walmsley of GSK Plc, Jim Taiclet of Lockheed Martin, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Joining them will be Ericsson CEO Borje Ekholm, HP president Enrique Lores, Temasek CEO Dilhan Pillay, Khaldoon Al Mubarak of Mubadala, ADIA board member Khalil Mohd Sharif Foulathi, and Kuwait Investment Authority MD Bader Mohammad Al-Saad.
Kim Kardashian attended Anant Ambani’s and Radhika Merchant’s wedding celebrations as a guest. She arrived in Mumbai on July 11, 2024, along with her sister Khloe Kardashian, receiving a grand welcome at the airport
Bollywood celebrities attending the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant include:
Bollywood A-Listers:
- The Three Khans: Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan
- Bachchan Family: Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
- Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt
- Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh
Other Bollywood Celebrities:
- Sanjay Dutt
- Janhvi Kapoor
- Sara Ali Khan
- Ananya Panday
- Sonu Nigam
Design and Attire
Awash in a sea of calming pastels, the Ambani family turned heads at the recent event. Designed by the iconic Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, their attire exuded a sense of coordinated elegance.
- Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, looked distinguished in a pastel sherwani, perfectly complementing his wife Nita’s breathtaking ensemble. Nita, a vision of radiant beauty, donned a custom-made lehenga in a soft, ethereal hue, the intricate embroidery whispering tales of craftsmanship.
- Isha Ambani and her husband, Anand Piramal, mirrored the pastel theme, their outfits reflecting a harmonious synergy. Isha’s lehenga likely showcased the designers’ signature meticulous detailing, while Anand’s elegant choice flawlessly complemented his wife’s look.
- Akash Ambani also embraced the pastel palette, adding a touch of individuality to his choice. Shloka Mehta, however, stood out like a vibrant jewel in a stunning hot pink lehenga adorned with crystals, adding a touch of playful contrast to the family’s coordinated display.
This sartorial symphony by Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla showcased their design expertise and the Ambani family’s penchant for fashion.
- Renowned designer Manish Malhotra has been appointed as the creative director for the wedding, blending traditional Indian craftsmanship with contemporary fashion.
- For the different events, guests are instructed to dress in traditional Indian, Indian formal, and Indian chic attire.
Anant’s Ambani Dress
Anant’s sherwani was a modern elegance masterpiece with a regal flair. The bandhgala neckline offered a clean and sophisticated silhouette, while the intricate golden embroidery shimmered under the festive lights. Each front button closure was not just functional but a work of art adorned with precious gems that twinkled like miniature constellations.
The full-length sleeves added a touch of formality, balanced perfectly by the unexpected choice of beige sneakers. These weren’t your ordinary sneakers, though. Embellished with gold sequins, they subtly echoed the golden accents of the sherwani, a testament to Anant’s fashion-forward sensibilities.
Capping off the unique ensemble was a gold elephant brooch, a symbol of strength and prosperity in Indian culture. The brooch added a personal touch, perhaps a family heirloom or a meaningful gift, hinting at the rich heritage woven into the celebrations.
Wedding Traditions
Ambani family incorporated several unique Gujarati wedding traditions into the celebrations for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding:
Varghoda Ritual
- The groom’s sister performed the “Akshat” ritual, where she waved coins wrapped in a cloth over Anant’s head to ward off the evil eye and bless him with prosperity.
- This ritual holds deep cultural significance in Gujarati weddings, symbolizing the sister’s protective role and her wishes for her brother’s happiness.
Juta Churai
- During the wedding reception, the bride’s sisters and female relatives playfully stole the groom’s shoes, a tradition known as “Juta Churai”.
- The groom had to negotiate with them or offer gifts to retrieve his shoes, fostering goodwill and strengthening the bond between the two families.
Sangeet Ceremony
- The siblings of the couple took charge of organizing the Sangeet ceremony, selecting the venue, coordinating performers, and planning the sequence of performances.
- This showcased the important role siblings play in Gujarati weddings, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere.
Ghar Nu Laxmi
- After the wedding, when Anant and Radhika arrived at their new home Antilia, they participated in the “Ghar Nu Laxmi” ritual.
- Radhika pushed a grain-filled kalash at the doorstep, a tradition believed to bring good luck to the new household.
These unique Gujarati customs, involving the active participation of siblings and other family members, added a strong cultural element to the grand Ambani wedding celebrations. They reinforced the importance of family bonds and traditions in Indian weddings.
Special Highlights:
- Samuh Vivah (July 2): Before their wedding, the Ambanis organized a mass wedding for over 50 underprivileged couples, providing them with essential items and financial gifts.
- Wedding Invitation: The traditional red and gold invitation card indicated the event’s grandeur, inviting guests to lavish celebrations (mint).
- The Ambani wedding celebrations reached a fever pitch as A-listers from across India and the US joined the festivities. In a scene straight out of a Bollywood dream, Hollywood action star John Cena and Tamil cinema legend Rajinikanth surprised the crowd by joining Anil Kapoor, the ever-energetic Ranveer Singh, and the groom himself, Anant Ambani for a high-octane dance performance during the ‘baraat’ procession.
- The energy was electric as the stars grooved to pulsating Bollywood beats. Shah Rukh Khan, a close friend of the Ambani family, added to the warmth by sharing a heartfelt embrace with Nita Ambani before joining her on the dance floor. As he’s affectionately known, King Khan wasn’t alone, as his family also joined the joyous celebration.
- The distinguished guest list features an array of prominent figures from Indian politics and governance. Among the esteemed attendees is former President of India Ram Nath Kovind, who served the nation with dedication and honour. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is joining him, a key figure in shaping India’s defence policies. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, known for his influential leadership in one of India’s most populous states, will also be present. Representing Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, recognized for his developmental initiatives, will attend the event.
- The wedding decor and theme tribute to the ancient city of Varanasi, known as Kashi, to reimagine its purity, positivity, and timeless beauty. Guests can enjoy the flavours of Varanasi through offerings like Banarasi chaat, mithai, lassi, chai, Khari, and paan & mukhwas. Traditional arts such as brasswork, pottery, Banarasi & Kanjeevaram sarees, Polki jewellery, and rosewood furniture will be on display
- Nita and Mukesh Ambani sought the blessings of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya at the Shubh Aashirwad ceremony for their son Anant Ambani and his wife Radhika Merchant due to the spiritual leader’s high stature and reverence in the Hindu tradition. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya is a renowned Hindu spiritual leader and the founder head of Tulsi Peeth
- The presence of various prominent dharma gurus, including Shankaracharyas, Mahamandaleshwars, and spiritual leaders from ISKCON and other traditions, at the Anant-Radhika Shubh Aashirwad ceremony highlights the Ambani family’s deep reverence for Indian rituals, customs, and traditions. The list of attendees included:
- Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth Swami Sadananda Saraswati
- Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath Swami Avimukteshwaranand
- Gaurang Das Prabhu, Divisional Director, ISKCON
- Gaur Gopal Das, Monk, ISKCON
- Radhanath Swami, Member, Governing Body, ISCKON
- Jagadguru Rambhadracharya
- Swami Kailashanand, Mahamandaleshwar, Niranjani Akhara
- Avdeshanand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar, Juna Akhara
- Baba Ramdev, Yoga Guru;
- Shri Vishal Rakesh ji Goswami, Head Priest, Shrinathji Temple.
- Didi Maa Sadhvi Ritambhara Ji, Vatsalya Gram;
- Shri Devkinandan Thakurji Maharaj, Vishwa Shanti Sewa Trust;
- Swami Rambhadracharya;
- Shree Namramuni Maharaj, Jain Muni, Founder-Prasadham; Dhirendra shastri, Bageshwar Dham;
- Gautambhai Oza;
- PM Modi arrived at the venue and was warmly received by the Ambani family. He then blessed the newlywed couple, with Anant and Radhika seeking his blessings by touching his feet
- Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, and Hariharan were part of the Shubh Aashirwad ceremony. These renowned artists brought a “transcendent musical aura” to the event with their ethereal rendition of the bhajan “Ram Ram Jai Raja Ram”. Shreya Ghoshal even shared a behind-the-scenes video of the musicians practising before their enchanting performance.
- In the Shubh Aashirwad ceremony, Amitabh Bachchan was seen honouring and seeking blessings from Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, the revered founder of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot.
- Rambhadracharya made a dignified entrance accompanied by his disciples, Bachchan warmly embraced the spiritual leader. They then shared a brief, intimate conversation, with the guru imparting words of wisdom to Bachchan. In a display of deep respect, Bachchan bowed down to touch the guru’s feet, seeking his blessings.
