For content creators Swati Chauhan and Aksh Baghla, their wedding was a celebration of everything that makes the hills special to them. Both from Himachal Pradesh, the couple chose Baikunth Resort in Kasauli for an intimate wedding surrounded by their closest family and friends. Set against the quiet beauty of the mountains, the celebrations brought together classic bridal fashion, playful personal touches and Himachali traditions, creating a wedding that felt as personal as it was picturesque.
In a conversation with Manifest, Swati and Aksh take us inside their journey from a friendship that began over seven years ago to a wedding in the hills that brought their families, cultures and closest people together.
Manifest (M): For how long have you known each other? How did you meet?
Swati (S): We’ve known each other for over seven years and were together for five before getting married. We first met when Aksh was jamming with a few friends, and that’s where our paths crossed. We later found out we were both from Himachal, became friends, and after a couple of years, that friendship slowly turned into love.
M: What was your first date like?
S: It was simple, sweet, and honestly a little awkward in the cutest way. Even though we’d known each other for years, dating each other felt completely new for us. We were both shy, but we laughed a lot, talked for hours, and by the end of it, we knew we wanted another date.
M: When did you know they were “the one”?
Aksh (A): There wasn’t one life-changing moment. It happened little by little. The more time we spent together, the more we realized how peaceful, loved, and understood we felt with each other. One day, it just became impossible to imagine life any other way.
M: What’s a memory from your early days together that you both treasure?
A: Long drives with music playing way too loud, singing without caring who was listening, and spending hours just talking or playing random games. Those moments were so simple, but they’re still some of our happiest memories.
M: How did the proposal happen?
S: It was the biggest surprise! Aksh convinced me we were travelling to Delhi for a brand shoot, and I believed every bit of it. Everything was planned so perfectly that I had no idea what was coming until he got down on one knee. It was thoughtful, emotional, and one of the most beautiful days of our lives.
M: How would you describe your relationship dynamic?
S: We’re very different personalities. Aksh is calm, patient, and composed, while I’m more expressive, talkative, and full of energy. Somehow, that’s exactly why we work so well. We balance each other, and at our core, our values have always been the same.
M: What’s the most romantic thing you’ve done for each other?
S: One of the most romantic things Aksh has ever done was dedicate a song to me during one of his live shows. I cried the entire time. As for me, I love expressing my love through little acts of care, especially cooking and baking his favourite things. That’s always been my love language.
M: What kind of wedding did you envision?
A: We always dreamt of an intimate wedding with only our closest family and friends. We wanted it to feel warm, personal, and full of love rather than being a huge celebration. Looking back, it turned out exactly the way we had imagined.
M: Did you face any challenges during planning?
S: Oh, definitely! Wedding planning isn’t easy. We even had to change our wedding planners just a month before the wedding, which was quite stressful. But everything has a way of working out, and in the end, it all came together beautifully.
M: How involved were you both in the planning?
S: Very involved! We were part of every decision, from the biggest ideas to the smallest details. We wanted every element of the wedding to feel personal and truly reflect who we are.
M: How did you choose your venue?
A: Since we’re both from Himachal, we always knew we wanted to get married there. Baikunth Resort was actually the very first venue we visited, and we instantly knew it was the one. It had such a beautiful Himachali charm that we completely fell in love with.
M: Tell us about your outfits.
S: I’ve always dreamed of being a classic red bride, and I wore a custom bridal lehenga by Rose Girl. It was one of the first lehengas I tried, and I instantly knew it was the one. Aksh wore Amit Behki, and together our outfits complemented each other beautifully.
M: Was there a particular ceremony that was especially meaningful?
A: Our Sangeet will always be one of our favourites because so many performances were a surprise, especially the ones by our parents and family. And of course, the pheras were incredibly emotional. That’s the moment when it truly hit us that we were about to spend the rest of our lives together.
M: Were there any DIY elements or personal touches?
S: Yes! We had personalised welcome hampers for all our guests, but one of our favourite touches was a photo booth where everyone could click Polaroid pictures with our names and wedding date on them and take them home as a keepsake. We also had a “Sapno Ki Yaadein” corner at our Haldi, filled with nostalgic childhood candies that brought back so many memories. Seeing everyone enjoy both these little touches made us so happy.
M: Did you include any traditions from your families or cultures?
S: Absolutely. Since we’re both from Himachal, including our traditions was very important to us. We had several beautiful Himachali poojas, our Mama Swagat, and the Turi, the traditional Himachali folk musicians, whose music made every ceremony feel even more special. One of our favourite rituals was where Aksh’s mamu playfully chased him around the venue, asking him to finally get married, while all the women in the family sang traditional Himachali folk songs. It was such a beautiful moment and made our wedding feel deeply rooted in our culture.
M: How did you decide on your music, food, and décor?
S: We planned everything together. Music was naturally something Aksh loved being involved in, and for the décor, we wanted something minimal, elegant, and timeless. More than anything, we wanted our guests to have a beautiful experience.
M: Were there any fun surprises?
S: Our Haldi turned into a full-blown water fight with pichkaris, and everyone had the best time. We were also surprised by so many performances during the Sangeet, especially from our parents. Those moments made the celebrations even more memorable.
M: Who helped bring your vision to life?
A: A special shoutout to our friend Gagan and his team at House of Lagan. They truly understood what we had in mind and helped bring our dream wedding to life.
M: What was going through your mind when you saw each other at the altar?
S: It honestly felt surreal. Seeing each other standing there made everything feel real, and before we knew it, we were both in tears. It was one of those moments we’ll carry with us forever.
M: What was your favourite moment from the wedding?
S: Walking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time has to be our favourite moment. But honestly, getting to experience every function together from the Haldi to the pheras is something we’ll cherish forever.
M: How did you feel at the end of the day?
A: That’s when it finally sank in, we were married. Everything happened so quickly that it almost felt unreal. More than anything, it felt like two days filled with nothing but love, laughter, and our favourite people.
M: What advice would you give to other couples?
S: Enjoy the process as much as the wedding itself. Things might not always go exactly as planned, and that’s okay. Stay true to what feels right for the two of you because that’s what will make your wedding unforgettable.
M: What did your wedding teach you about each other?
A: It reminded us how deeply we choose each other and how certain we are about building this life together. It made us even more excited for everything that’s still to come.
M: How did it feel to celebrate your love with your closest people?
S: It was the best feeling. Looking around and seeing all our favourite people in one place, celebrating with us, laughing, dancing, and making memories, it was incredibly special. Choosing an intimate wedding was one of the best decisions we made.
M: What are you most looking forward to in this next chapter together?
A: A happy, healthy life together. We’re excited to keep growing, making beautiful memories, growing old together, and choosing each other every single day.