How the Ambani wedding redefined luxury, one unforgettable moment at a time
A year since Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding, the world is still in awe of the grandeur, the couture, and the cultural reverence that made it an event unlike any other.
It has been a year since the Ambani–Merchant wedding unfolded across Mumbai, yet the world remains captivated by the event that turned a celebration of love into a masterclass in cultural reverence and luxury. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding did not just set a new benchmark for opulence; it rewrote the language of what it means to celebrate love at scale, rooted deeply in India’s heritage while looking unflinchingly towards the future.
Every moment of the multi-day celebration was curated with a precision that bordered on the cinematic. From gold-plated altars to bespoke couture that could rival museum collections, each detail was a testament to the family’s commitment to honouring tradition while embracing the possibilities of modern luxury. The mandap became a living sculpture of India’s heritage, adorned with florals that spanned entire gardens and chandeliers that mirrored starlit skies.
Yet, it wasn’t just the scale that made the Ambani wedding unforgettable; it was how culture, couture, and cuisine collided seamlessly. Across four days, over 10,000 dishes spanning 25 cuisines were crafted by 20 Michelin-starred chefs, from Virgilio Martinez’s Peruvian flavours laced with Indian spices to Julien Royer’s French finesse meeting Indian soul. Indian stalwarts like Rijul Gulati, Satbir Bakshi, Ritu Dalmia, and Aditi Dugar elevated familiar favourites, while truffle pizzas, ethereal desserts, and global creations turned every meal into a sensory spectacle, matching the grandeur of the celebrations.
Fashion, too, became its own narrative thread. From heirloom-worthy jewellery to handwoven textiles crafted by master artisans, each ensemble worn by the bride and family reflected India’s rich craft legacy while embracing the modernity of bespoke design. The star of the celebrations, Radhika Merchant, dazzled in a series of exquisite couture looks curated with Rhea Kapoor, balancing maximalism with elegance across each ceremony. From a pink-orange Manish Malhotra lehenga with Durga Maa shlokas at her mausalu, an Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla pastel chandelier lehenga, a chainmail saree by Manish Malhotra, and a sunshine yellow Anamika Khanna for her haldi, to a purple-teal Jigya M ghagra for garba and a layered ivory Panetar by AJSK with heirloom polki for her wedding, every look was a testament to craft and tradition. Her vidai saw her in a red Banarasi and gold karchobi lehenga by Manish Malhotra, while an AJSK x Jayasri Burman hand-painted, gold-embroidered lehenga added artistic flair to the celebrations.
Anant Ambani’s wedding style mirrored this grandeur: a saffron Raghavendra Rathore for the mameru, red-gold Manish Malhotra for the graha shanti, blush pink Rahul Mishra for garba, a regal Sabyasachi with a giant emerald brooch for the jaimala, and a beige AJSK ensemble for the lagna vidhi, each reflecting India’s heritage while embracing modern refinement.
The guest list was as storied as the celebration itself, bringing together royalty, global business leaders, Bollywood’s brightest, and international icons under one roof. But at its heart, the Ambani wedding remained a family celebration—a moment of togetherness that honoured India’s traditions while showcasing the possibilities of dreaming without limits.
A year on, the grandeur continues to inspire, the visuals continue to dazzle, and the Ambani–Merchant wedding stands as a reminder: some moments are so beautifully orchestrated that they become history the instant they unfold.
All images: Reliance